Packing Peanut Art!
The best thing about getting a package is not what’s inside (although that is good too sometimes) it’s what it’s packed in!
A cardboard box is loads of fun, bubble wrap is awesome, but packing peanuts, the kind that are made from plant starch… well they are the BEST!
The little weird foamy packing peanuts are so much fun to play with because they stick together with water!
All you need is a little dab of water and they’ll stick to each other and to lots of other things too.
We’ve made all kinds of things just by sticking these little peanuts to each other, but recently we decided to add some other bits and pieces to our packing peanut creations.
We grabbed some bamboo skewers of various sizes, and some scraps of cardboard. We used a container of water and a paintbrush to dampen the packing peanuts but you can also use a damp sponge which can be easier for smaller hands to manage.
We also grabbed some water colour paint discs to see what happened when we painted the peanuts, but they really just turn into coloured mush when you pain them, but markers work great for adding colour and features to your creations.
You can build all sorts of strange creations quickly and easily with the packing peanuts and water alone, but my big boy loves making constructions and buildings at the moment so [oked the skewers into the peanuts to create frames, and then wet the peanuts to stick pieces of cardboard on for walls and a roof.
The cardboard sticks really easily and well to the damp packing peanuts so we were able to make all kinds of fun things like signs and tables, and even a face and pants for a funny wonky man.
You can also cut the packing peanuts into small pieces and different shapes – we easily made ears and a tail for our dog as well as some arms for the man who just wouldn’t stand up!
Packing Peanuts are a low mess, recycled, free, crafting material and that is loads of fun.
So next time you get a package check to see what it’s packed in, you might just hit the crafting jack pot!
Oh, what a lovely mess. Just perfect for my two little messmakers!
Oh I never knew that!! My kids just like to throw them around until I lose the plot, do my nutty and chuck the whole lot in the bin – this is waaaay better!!!
xxxCate
Love it! Love it! Love it! I will NEVER throw these packing peanuts out again. (much to the dismay of my DH for sure) THANKYOU for sharing!
We did this yesterday as the free craft activity at Bunnings! (Only they had coloured peanuts) I couldn’t believe how they stuck together with jut water, and was amazed at how much fun, and how creative, all the kids were with it. What an amazing find! :)
That’s great! I didn’t realize it can be used for fun. I threw mine all away :( speaks volume of my resourcefulness, or lack of.
Oooh I think I have some of these in F’s book pack! I threw out the ones from M’s but woo hoo instant craft! Thanks!
My kids love playing with those but we’ve never gotten creative like that with them! Great idea!
Such a fantastic idea, clever mama!
We love to do this every time a package comes with them inside. I also like to keep some aside for when it is my turn to organise craft at playgroup. Nice and easy!!