Car Cleanup Catcher

crayola supplies

Twistables®
No-Run School Glue
Blunt-Tip Scissors
Construction Paper

household supplies

yarn
hole punch
milk carton

Why

Stash your trash! Your car's back seat can be neat when kids decorate a milk carton to catch the clutter.

Steps

1. Are there always wrappers, napkins, and straw papers strewn about in your car? Make a Car Cleanup Catcher and keep your back seat free of clutter! Choose a creative theme for your trash container. You might make a hippo with its mouth wide open, a basketball basket, or decorate your catcher with bright colors.
2. Open the top of a clean, dry half-gallon paper milk or juice carton. With Crayola® Scissors, cut construction paper to cover the carton. Attach it to the carton with Crayola School Glue. Dry.
3. To make a hungry monster, your could write FEED ME around the top of the catcher with Crayola Twistables. Design a friendly monster face on the front, with hairy arms reaching up on the sides. Cut a jagged edge along the paper at the opening for its teeth.
4. Punch two holes in the top of the carton. Loop yarn through the holes and tie so the cleanup catcher can hang in the car.
5. Feed the Car Cleanup Catcher your trash whenever you ride in the car. Empty it often so your monster doesn't get a tummy ache!

When & Where

"Kids made Car Cleanup Catchers at our after-school Father's Day gift workshop."
- Fran D., PTA volunteer.

"The Car Cleanup Catcher helps my kids keep our van neat. It brightens up the interior, too!"
- Jennifer H., mom of 7- and 10-year-olds.

Interesting Info

Roadside trash is unsightly and can be dangerous when it blows around or is run over. Here's how long it takes for some common items to decompose: aluminum can, 200 to 500 years; plastic bag, 20 to 30 years; plastic six-pack ring, 450 years; foam cup, 20 years; wax paper cup, 5 years; glass, never.

Safety Guidelines

Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.