Looking for a creative way to reuse what you already have, while giving your kids a sensory-rich outdoor play space? This wonderful project from The Empowered Educator is a must-see.
In her post, she shows how you can turn cast-off materials—think pallets, pipes, old containers, bits and bobs from around the yard—into a DIY play setup that encourages tinkering, experimentation, and loads of imagination.
This isn’t your average craft. It’s full-body, full-brain play.
Using nothing but “rubbish” and some pallet frames, the play space becomes a mini construction site, a water lab, a pulley station, or a messy sensory kitchen. It’s a low-cost, high-value setup that invites kids to explore texture, weight, cause-and-effect, and creative problem solving—all through play.
What I love most about this idea is how approachable it is. You don’t need to head to the hardware store or spend a lot on fancy materials. You just need to look around your garage or shed with new eyes. Plastic bottles, lengths of hose, buckets, cardboard tubes, and rope—all of it can find new life in a child’s hands.
This kind of outdoor recycled play space encourages independent exploration and open-ended play. It’s also fantastic for early STEM learning, without needing to “teach” a thing. Children are naturally drawn to sorting, stacking, pouring, connecting, testing, and inventing. Give them the materials, and they’ll do the rest.
If you’re keen to reduce waste, boost backyard play, and encourage creative thinking, I highly recommend checking out the full post. It’s packed with inspiration, and as always, the insights from The Empowered Educator remind us that simple ideas often have the biggest impact.
You can read the full article and see photos of the project here:
Recycling Fun with Rubbish and Pallets – The Empowered Educator
Give it a go—and see what your kids can create with the “junk” you were just about to throw out.
Book Review – Wood Pallets Projects: Recycle Old Wood Pallets To Create 20 Beautiful Furniture Items
7 DIY Pot Racks from Recycled Items
60 recycled and upcycled fun fences
