New Uses For Your Kids' Old Things
It doesn't take long for kids to outgrow their clothes, toys and other things. Real Simple magazine's family issue is full of ideas on how to reuse and repurpose these items. In the latest segment in our weeklong series, Real Simple's Kris Connell showed how on The Early Show.
TOYS:
Action Figures: Turn batman or that ninja turtle into a hook that holds ballcaps and other items. Position the arms of each toy straight out in front and apply a two-part epoxy over the arms, shoulders and torso, following the package directions. This will make the limbs strong enough to support clothing, hats, even towels. Mount the figure on the wall using two screws placed through the torso.
Skateboards: Your child may not want to cruise the neighborhood on his skateboard, but he'll probably think it looks cool in his room -- you can easily turn this into a rad shelf that holds his important stuff. Purchase a pair of L-brackets that are a little more than half as long as the skateboard's width. Screw the brackets into studs in the wall and set the board on top. You can remove the wheels if you choose.
Floor Games: Twister mats and other floor games make great tablecloths at a child's birthday party. They are brightly colored and spills wipe away easily.
ARTWORK:
Your child's art projects become so abundant you wind up having to throw many of them away. Instead, salvage your favorites and turn them into one of the following:
Wall Mural: Send your favorite photo or piece of artwork to Pottery Barn Teen and they will transfer the image to a 4-by-6 foot piece of canvas that looks great in a play room, family room or your child's bedroom. (www.pbteen.com $199)
Memory Books: The online photo site, Shutterfly, will turn your child's pile of artwork into a beautifully bound book. You can add text to accompany the art if you choose. (www.shutterfly.com prices vary based on size)
Puzzles: Your child drew a picture, but can she reconstruct it? Have her art turned into a jigsaw puzzle -- you can choose varies sizes and levels of difficulty. (www.upinpieces.com $10 - $130)
Key Chains/pins: Silversmith Lee Skalkos will re-create any drawing -- a rendering of you, your house, the family pet -- into a sterling-silver pendant, cuff links, key chain or pin. (www.totallyoutofhand.com $125 - $165)
FURNITURE
Baby Changing Table: This is the perfect piece of furniture to move into your garage or shed and use as headquarters for all of your gardening gear. Stack pots and watering cans on the wide shelves, and fill that diaper bag with hand tools, gloves or anything else you want to haul around the yard.
CLOTHING:
Pants: If your daughter's jeans or pants are a little short but still fit in the waist, don't give them away yet. Stitch bands of fabric or ribbon along the pant leg bottoms to form colorful cuffs.
Skirts: Turn that cute skirt into a sweet smock that can be worn to protect clothes during art projects. For the shoulder straps choose rickrack, ribbon or trim in weights and materials that complement the skirt's fabric. Stitch two straps to the front and the back of any skirt's waist, making sure the straps are long enough to allow the smock to hang at about the breastbone. If your daughter is too old for a smock, turn the skirt into a large tote bag by turning the skirt inside out and stitching the bottom closed. Attach a strap and you're good to go.
Boots: Old baby cowboy boots or rain boots make cute bookends. Fill with pie weights first so they don't fall down on the job.