Winter Boredom Busters That Won't Cost the Earth

When the temperature drops and you're stuck inside watching the rain pelting against the windows (again), there's nothing better than turning those winter blues into something creative. And no, we don't mean another Netflix binge.

This winter, we've put together some projects that are not only fun and engaging but also kind to our planet. Because let's face it – being green shouldn't cost more or require a PhD in environmental science.

We've included some of our favourite activities from our Ideas & Learning collection, plus a few new ones that are perfect for those cosy indoor days when "I'm bored" becomes the household anthem.

1. Recycled Cardboard Weather Station

Create this fun weather station and create your own daily weather report, learn about weather conditions and even make weather predictions!

Winter's the perfect time to become your family's meteorologist (because someone needs to explain why it's raining sideways). This activity is fun to make as well as being a great tool for learning about weather, the environment and encouraging enquiry. Once complete, this fun weather station can be used to create your own daily weather report – and yes, it'll probably be more accurate than the TV forecast.

Get your supplies! You will need:

• A piece of recycled cardboard

• 2 small paper plates

• Micador Colourfun or Marathon markers

• Micador jR. Safe Scissors

• early stART Glue stick

• Tape

• A Split Pin

View the steps here.

2. Pencil Shaving Cards

Don't throw out your pencil shavings. Keep them to make some fabulous art!

This project takes something we usually toss in the bin and turns it into gorgeous textured artwork. Plus, it's incredibly satisfying to create something beautiful from what most people consider waste. (We probably shouldn't tell you this, but some of our team members have been saving pencil shavings for months now. The office cleaners are confused.)

Get your supplies! You will need:

• early stART Glue Stick

• early stART Jumbo Pencil - FSC 100% Pack 10

• Big and Little Sharpeners

• Stay Anywhere Permanent Pens

Get the steps here.

3. DIY Recycled STEAM Maze

Stimulate an engineering mindset and create a game that provides hours of fun!

Rainy winter days call for indoor entertainment that actually lasts longer than five minutes (looking at you, expensive toy that was abandoned after three minutes of play). This maze project encourages children to develop their design and engineering skills while creating a colourful game the whole family can play.

Get your supplies! You will need:

• Empty Box (we used a recycled Micador box)

• Micador jR. Triangle Graphite pencil

• PVA Glue

• Loose parts including: pom poms, pipe cleaners, small pieces of card, craft sticks

• Micador jR. Safe Scissors

• 1 Large Pom Pom

All the steps are here.

4. Recycled Cardboard Cash Register

Role play helps build communication skills in children and allows them to explore, investigate, experiment, and make sense of real life situations.

Perfect for those "I'm bored" winter moments (approximately every 17 minutes during school holidays), this cash register transforms into hours of imaginative play while teaching kids about money, numbers, and social interaction.

Get your supplies! You will need:

• A Cardboard Box

• M.SHIELD Fine Tip Markers

• Micador jR. Safe Scissors

• early stART Glue Stick

• Tape

Get the steps here.

Ready to Beat the Winter Blues?

The best thing about these projects? They use materials you likely already have around the house, combined with our sustainable art supplies. We've been making environmentally friendly products since 2010 – not because it was trendy, but because it was the right thing to do.

Our green eARTh collection consists of products made with 100% FSC certified, recycled, or recyclable materials. We decided to absorb the extra costs of making our products green so we could sell them at the same price as before. Because why should doing the right thing cost you more? (Revolutionary concept, we know.)

So when the winter weather keeps you indoors, gather your supplies, round up the family, and get creating. Not only will you beat the cold weather blahs, but you'll be teaching the next generation that being green is just common sense.

For more sustainable activity ideas, check out our complete collection at micador.com.au/ideas-learning/

Happy winter creating!