There are lots of things that can be reused for kids.  Instead of chucking them in your recycling box, consider these options:

 1.  Plastic Containers:  I am talking about margarine containers, sour cream containers, big yogurt containers, small, hard plastic fruit cup containers, etc.  These containers are great to use in the summer for sand castles.  You can build different shapes and sizes of castles.  Also, at the water park, you can bring them for the kids to fill up with water.  You are probably thinking, why would I bother?  The dollar store has many sand buckets, however; you put a hundred kids in a water park and you see how long you have your buckets.  Then, if you lose them, who cares?    They are also really handy to keep arts and crafts stuff in (sparkly, cut out shapes, etc).

 2.  Baby Jars:  These are great to use for painting with your little one.  You can put tempra paint in there, or water, and your child can stick there paint brush in there.  You can keep reusing them over and over.

 3.  Coffee Tins:  These are great for keeping things in.  They also make great man-made drums.  They are fun to decorate the outside of them, and you can start your own band with the neighbourhood kids.

 4.  Wrapping Paper, Tissue Paper, Cards:  Used wrapping paper or tissue paper can either be reused to wrap other gifts, or if it is ripped, you can use it with your child’s arts and crafts.  You can cut little shapes out of the wrapping paper, twist the tissue paper into little flowers, or cut out the graphics from the cards to make some decorative arts and crafts with your child.

Fun doesn’t have to cost a lot; its the time you spend together that is priceless.