My favorite craft projects use old things that are lying around and natural materials. Hunting for supplies is half the fun! These charming little planters use recycled containers and seashells to add a little greanery to your surroundings. Your kids will have a blast repurposing all those plastic food containers that are waiting for the recycling bin.

This activity starts with a wonderful walk by the sea collecting seashells, which are then made into quirky little characters. The project doesn’t stop at that point, though—you need to tend to the tiny plants, watching your planter friends’ hair grow.

Use colorful containers in a variety of sizes and have fun dreaming up little creatures! Let’s get started…

• Plastic food / yogurt containers
• Seashells
• Glue gun
• Scissors
• An awl or needle
• Sewing thread
• Beads and embellishments

Step 1
Prepare your plastic containers. Wash them, punch some holes in the bottoms for drainage, and cut off the top rims.

Step 2
Take your seashells, clean them carefully, and let them dry. Sort the shells by size and color.

Next, make the planters’ feet. Place pairs of shells with their flat sides down, far apart or close together depending on the container’s width and how they look. Glue the shells to the bottom of the containers, making sure they are centered and balanced so they won’t fall over once filled with soil.

Step 3
Choose pairs of open shells—in this case I used two long shells—and glue them together to make a cute half-open beak. Mount wooden beads on the bases of tiny shells, or use plastic embellishment and ceramic beads for eyes. Make whiskers by fastening together some strands of sewing thread.

Noses can be a big wooden bead or an oval shell with a pointed end. Shells can also be used to make ears, glued to the top or on each side of the tub, or wings attached to the sides of the planter.

Step 4
Here is a different character made from a plastic spray bottle cap. You can decorate and paint seashells with nail polish, and why not glue on some glitter? Add shells for feet and ears. Glue on plastic embellishments for eyes, nose, and cheeks. Add a bead for the mouth to complete your new planter.

Step 5
It’s time to pick some starter plants. Choose a few that suit the personality of each planter. Add soil and pot your plants in your cute upcycled planters!

That’s it! Now you choose a lovely spot to place your pots and watch your little friends’ hair grow. Don’t forget to water them!

Happy crafting!