About This Project

A 20–45 minutes craft for ages 5–10, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Paint, and Hot Glue.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:
Project Tags
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Scissors
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Hot Glue
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Markers
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plastic Bottles
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plastic Cups
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plastic Cups
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Hot Glue Guns
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Paint Brushes
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Straws
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plaper Plates
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Beach Picnic Trash Seagull

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Let's stick together and make this one!"

    Step 1: Paint

    May need grown-up help
    Paint a plastic water bottle white for your seagull's body. If your paper plate isn't already white, paint that, too!

    Step 2: Cut your paper plate

    Cut your paper plate in half, then cut an arch in each half so they look more like wings.

    Step 3: Make the head

    Cut the bottom off of a plastic up. Then, cut a triangle out of the plastic cup for a beak.

    Step 4: Make the face

    Glue the beak on to the head. Use a marker to add an eye.

    Step 5: Add the wing details

    Once the paper plate is dry, use gray paint or a gray marker to add the gray wing tips.

    Step 6: Make the legs

    Using orange paint or an orange paint pen, color the straw orange for legs. Cut the straw into two 2-inch pieces.

    Step 7: Glue it all together

    HOT! Grown-up required
    Using hot glue (white glue just doesn't dry fast enough on curved plastic), glue the wings and head to the body. Then, glue on the legs.

    Step 8: Hang it up

    If you'd like to hang your seagull, use a hole punch to cut two holes, one in each wing. Then thread some string or a pipecleaner through the holes. Now your seagull and fly around, cleaning up your local beach!
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all paint lids tightly.
    • A cartoon of Hot Glue
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Let the hot glue gun cool before putting it away.
    • A cartoon of Markers
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.
    • A cartoon of Plastic Bottles
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plastic Cups
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plastic Cups
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Straws
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plaper Plates
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Hot Glue Guns
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

    This project could unlock 3 creative buddies. Sign in to unlock them.

  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "I love how you stuck with your creative ideas!"

    Made something awesome? Keep going.

    Your first project is free. Create your free GlueStick account to keep making — and discover projects you can do with the supplies you already have.

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

Snap a photo of your recycling bin, junk drawer, or fridge and GlueStick finds projects you can make right now with the supplies you already have — no store trip, no expensive kits, just more creative afternoons together.

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About the Author

Abby Allen

Abby Allen is a mom, software engineer, and founder who loves to inspire kids to do more arts, crafts, and science experiments at home. When she's not busy building GlueStick, you can find her leading her Girl Scout troop or somewhere exploring with the family on their latest RV adventure.

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