Happy Earth Day! Over the years, we’ve loved sharing crafts featuring as many recycled materials as we can and one of our favorites has got to be this amazing off-the-grid dollhouse from contributor Eva Monleon! This project goes into such great detail on everything you need to create a self-sustaining dollhouse, using almost all recycled materials. This dollhouse is a great way for kids to learn about sustainability and how to recycle everyday materials into a fun and creative toy. As you make this project with your kids, it’s the perfect opportunity to discuss how self-sufficient homes operate relying on the sun, wind, earth, and water! Keep reading to see all the parts of this amazing project linked below.

Part 1: The Structure
Use a wooden fruit box, lots of cardboard, popsicle sticks, wooden skewers, and paper towel rolls to build the starting point for your eco dollhouse!

Part 2: Stand-Alone Energy System
This eco dollhouse doesn’t rely on the municipal water supply, natural gas, power grid, or sewers – it’s totally self-sufficient! In part 2, learn how to build solar panels, wind turbines, a green roof, and more.

Part 3: Rainwater Recycling and Natural Heating
Learn how to build even more stand-alone energy systems to make your dollhouse farm self-sufficient: rainwater harvesting and natural heat systems. It’s time to get our farm off of city water and create solar and geothermal heating systems. Collecting and reusing rainwater is one of the easiest ways to be eco-friendly!

Part 4: Plumbing, Electrical Wiring, and Bathroom
Time to set up the farm’s electrical wiring, kitchen plumbing, and a little bathroom too! Kids will learn how everyday appliances get their power and water supply, and how to go green by taking shorter showers, installing a low-flow showerhead and faucet aerators to preserve water.

Part 5: Kitchen, Pond, and Greywater System
Get ready to craft your mini kitchen appliances, a compost toilet, a wetland pond, and wastewater recycling systems! This dollhouse is off the sewer line and so you’ll learn how to handle with waste in an eco-friendly way! We will separate gray water from black water to reduce water overall water usage and make our own compost, too!

Part 6: Home Finished and Wood Stove
Not only will you be working on several structural finishes for your dollhouse in this post (including securing the stairs and floors), you’ll also be making this adorably miniature energy-efficient wood stove to warm the bedroom!

Part 7: Windows, Planters, and Electrical Finishes
Make planters out of recycled cereal boxes, sew stuffed felt cacti, and add electrical finishes in this chapter. We’ll be using LED technology for the dollhouse’s lighting and clear cellophane to act as fiberglass for our window panes to keep the house warm.

Part 8: Dollhouse Furniture
Not only is this dollhouse self-sufficient but it’s super cozy too! That means a comfy bunk bed for the bedroom and lounge chairs to relax on the terrace! Don’t forget to use recycled or eco-friendly materials as much as possible when making your dollhouse.

Part 9: Kitchen Garden and Hanging Herb Garden
Next up: the gardens! Create container gardens to grow all your favorite veggies and a vertical hanging planter too.

Part 10: Farm Animals and Chicken Coop
Say hello to your new dollhouse roommates: sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens! Grab some felt, yarn, pompoms, stuffing, toilet paper rolls, and empty cereal boxes and we can start making your favorite animals, a farm fence, and a cozy little hen house.

Part 11: Articulated Farmer Dolls
And finally, make a cute couple of farmers to play around at the amazing farm. Once you learn how to make these simple articulated dolls, you won’t be able to stop making more and more of them!