Egg tray crafts: practical and original ideas for children and adults

Have you ever wondered how many egg trays are thrown away during your lifetime? After all, eggs play an important role in people's nutrition, and every family buys them at least once every few days. If you've been throwing away egg trays, take the time to do so from now on. Below you will find out what they are worth keeping them for.

Varieties and characteristics of trays

There are 3 main types of egg packaging. They are divided by the type of material:

1. Cardboard
2. Plastic
3. Styrofoam .

They differ in their shapes, sizes, number of compartments for eggs and the presence of a lid. There are trays not only for chicken eggs, but also for quail eggs, much smaller in size.

All of these forms can take an active part in your needlework. Below you will find out what you can make with such a simple item as egg trays.

Papier-mâché mix.

This is the most popular art, adored all over the world.

It consists of making a variety of figurines, such as utensils, jewelry, home décor and so on, out of a paper liquid mixture.

You will need:

• Cardboard egg trays
• Wheat flour
• Corn starch
• PVA glue
• White paint
• Bustylate
• Scissors

To make the mixture, you need:

• First, grind the egg trays as finely as possible (try with your hands, but it is better to use scissors, to achieve the finest particles).
• Put the resulting mixture into a container and pour boiling water. Put it on the fire and bring it to a boil.
• Stir the boiling mixture for five minutes, then turn off the fire and leave the material to cool to room temperature.
• Squeeze thoroughly the cooled paper. Take a mixer and mix well.
• Add to the mixture the dry ingredients listed above. All liquids should be mixed in a separate container and added to the dry mixture.
• Mix the mixture with a mixer until completely homogeneous. The consistency can be adjusted with glue or starch.
• If the mixture is thick, add PVA glue, if liquid, add starch. The final material should have a texture like a nice, homogeneous dough and not stick to your hands. The papier-mâché is ready. Now you can start comprehending this great art or continue to improve your skills.

Egg Tray Home Decorations

Wondering what you can make out of an egg carton besides papier-mâché mass, you will be surprised how much home decor you can create with this uncomplicated material.

The wreath on the door

Do not think that a door wreath is for people who have a huge house with a beautiful door, as it is shown in foreign films.

Surprise your neighbors and decorate your home with a stunning wreath. Not only will they love it, but they will start asking you about such a stylish acquisition.

You will need:

• Plastic trays
• Glue gun
• Styrofoam circle (the base of the wreath)
• Decorations (beads, ribbon rope, beads, etc.)
• Sisal or tulle

Let's get to work:

1. Making flowers. For each flower you need 5 plastic tray cells, 4 of which - are the petals, one - the core. Each cell should be incised so that there are 4 petals.
2. Heart. Satin ribbon should be twisted into the shape of a rose. Cut cells should be glued into each other, and the last layer glue the center. In the very middle add a large bead for beauty.
3. Glue the resulting flowers on the foam base is not too dense, so that there is a small space.
4. In between, add tulle or sisal, so that the foam plastic is not visible. Make nice creases to get a slight sloppy effect.
5. Add decorations to your taste, but remember that it is important not to go overboard with embellishments. Do not do too much, because it will look out of style.

There you have it, a fresh flower wreath. If you want to make a New Year's version, you can add artificial spruce branches, Christmas toys and tinsel.

Frame

Styrofoam trays can be used to decorate beautiful frames for photos or paintings. Styrofoam trays are great for creating flowers that will form the basis of a future work of art. Believe me, the neighbors and relatives will be delighted.

• Plastic trays
• Scissors
• Paint
• Glue
• Cardboard or plywood for the base

Let's begin to assemble the handicraft:

1. Cut out the base of the future frame (round, rectangular, oval).
2. Take the trays and cut out the cells of the petals.
3. Glue the cut out blanks so that you get a rose. More petals - more lush flower. The number of flowers depends on the size of the frame.
4. Glue the resulting flowers to the base.
5. If desired, you can cover with paint or leave white as you wish.
6. Decorate with the decor.

Garland .

For the room, you can make such a beautiful decoration as a garland. Everything is made as simple as possible, even a beginner can cope with it.

You will need:

• Plastic trays
• Rope
• Needlepoint
• Decor

Make the flowers in the same way as described in the lesson with the wreath for the door. Carefully glue all the petals, so that nothing falls apart. Using an awl, you need to make through holes in each flower, into which you must then thread the rope.

Fasten the edges, so that your garland will not disintegrate. You can hang it in the living room, kitchen or children's room. This decoration is versatile and suitable for any room.

Flowers

In addition to being used as decorative elements for frames, garlands or wreaths, flowers can also be a separate decoration, such as a bouquet of flowers.

You can make them in any way described above, paint them in your favorite color, add decorations and arrange the bouquet in a vase. You can use tree branches or skewers as stems.

Luminary

Whole plastic trays can make beautiful lights that will decorate any room.

You will need:

• Whole plastic trays
• Rope
• Decor
• Glue gun
• Paint

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Take the trays and glue them together along the long side so that the convex parts look outward. The number of sides is better to choose from 4 to 6 (this will be the best option).
2. Paint the finished construction in your favorite color and leave it to dry completely. The next step is to make holes at the junction of adjacent trays and put a rope through them.
3. Decorate the almost finished lamp with decorations and enjoy the beauty.

Practical craft ideas

From the egg carton you can make not only beautiful, but also practical things that help in everyday life.

Storage organizer

Obligatory thing in the apartment of any housewife. How many useful things can't find their place, because there is no simple storage organizer.

Thanks to egg trays, all the threads, needles, thimbles, pins, tweezers, etc. will finally find a home.

All you need is an egg tray with a lid. Preferably choose plastic rather than plastic foam, it is more durable. You can leave the tray in its original version, or you can paint it in your favorite color and decorate it.

Bird feeder

The egg carton crafts can be not only beautiful but also useful. Simply take any egg carton, no matter what material it is, make a hole in the corners and thread the string there. Be sure to hang the feeder with your child in order to involve him in nature conservation.

Nurturing plants

Cardboard trays are well suited for seedlings in the apartment. Crops such as basil, parsley, dill, arugula, and microgreens take great root in them. Install the trays on windowsills or on the balcony and enjoy fresh herbs.

Original craft ideas

Making an original craft with your own hands is simple. All you need is a little willpower and assiduity.

Themed decoration for the child

Egg tray crafts for children deserve special attention, because needlework plays an important role in the development of every kid. Below you will find many interesting ideas for spending time together with your child.

Carnival mask

If the child at midnight decided to remind that tomorrow is a matinee at school or kindergarten, which necessarily needs a mask, do not fall into despair. Egg trays will handle this with ease.

Cut out the two adjacent cells without cutting. This is the base of the mask. Take a wooden skewer and glue it on the side. Decorate the mask (it can be feathers cut out of paper, beads or beads). Paint in any color you like and the mask is ready.

Christmas tree

Making a Christmas tree out of egg trays is very easy.

You will need:

• Heavy cardboard for the base
• Colored paper
• Cardboard trays
• Green paint
• Glue

Work steps:

1. Make a cone out of cardboard.
2. Cut out each cell of the tray individually
3. Color the cut out cells and cone green.
4. Glue the cells to the cone with the convex side starting from the bottom.
5. Decorate the resulting Christmas tree with Christmas decorations, cut out of colored paper.

Checkers

If you're bored with the simple checkers in the set or happen to lose one or more checkers, try making a new and exclusive set.

Take the right number of cells, cut off the extra edges to leave only the parts that look like corks. Color them to your liking and get a unique checker set.

Pouffe for a cat

You'd be surprised, but egg trays are so versatile that they are used to create recliners for our little brothers:

• To create a pouffe for your furry pet, you'll need to take a large quantity of paper trays from 30 eggs. You will need at least 50 trays to make a dense and high-quality bed.
• Glue them together to make a cube. For extra strength, tighten the cube with several layers of tape.
• If you can't manage it, ask for help. You can just put a soft cloth, a pillow or any of your cat's favorite materials on top, or completely cover all sides of the cube. Either way, your pet will love it.

Now you know for sure that egg trays are great material for crafts and more. Home decor, children's toys, educational games, home devices and more.

If you haven't collected egg trays yet, start doing it now and in a few days you can start creating. Don't be limited to the ideas in this article, come up with your own, create and develop. We wish you good luck and inspiration.

Photo ideas of children's crafts from egg trays