How to make neon kites by recycling old tin cans!

There's nothing like a cheerful ornament to brighten up a gloomy afternoon. Gather the kids and create these adorable hanging kites - a kids' craft that radiates sunshine on any day.

Breathe new life into discarded tin cans by painting them over with acrylic paint and adding colourful craft tape for a rainbow-inspired look. Make sure to give the cans a good wash before use in order to have a clean canvas. For the full effect, give your little tin man googly eyes and draw on a smile.

Once completed, these creations can be strung together and placed either inside or outside your home. If the weather permits, opt for hanging them on the terrace and watch their colorful tails catch the wind!

You will need

• Clean and dry tin cans
• White acrylic paint
• Neon craft tape
• Neon ribbon
• Scissors
• Strong glue
• Wiggle eyes
• Black pen
• Hammer
• Nail
• Clear beading thread

Step 1

Paint the outside of the tin can with white acrylic paint and leave to dry. This might take a little while so it's a good idea to plan these ahead. You could pain them in the morning, leave to dry while you get on with something else, and return to them in the afternoon.

Step 2

Once the paint is dry stick strips of neon craft tape around the can, covering the entire surface so it has a rainbow effect.

Step 3

Next cut different lengths of neon ribbon and glue around the inside edge of the bottom of the can. Be careful with little ones here if the edges of teh can are sharp - they might need your help.

Step 4

Add some wiggle eyes and draw a mouth with a pen. You can make all different expressions depending on how you want your kite to look.

Step 5

Help your child make two holes on each side of the top of the can with a hammer and nail. Then thread a length of clear beading string through the holes to hang the kite up with.

Craft: by Suzie Attaway