When your CDs no longer spin that favorite song, forget the landfill and instead consider recycling them to make inventive art creations. You need to set aside a day or two for this type of project due to the nonporous disks, which may take up to an hour for paint to dry. Most of our projects entail layering, which means that you may want to start with paint on one day, and then return to the project on another day to add arty embellishments.

What you’ll need: non-toxic paint, colorful construction paper, scissors, glue stick, modeling materials, such as Model Magic, paper clip, colorful sharpie markers and other favorite arty supplies.

Recycled art safety tips:

1. Always make sure that you use non-toxic paints. The paint should have the words “non-toxic” on the label or bottle.
2. Never attempt to cut a CD with scissors or another cutting implement. CDs could shatter into many pieces causing possible injury.

Make a Face CD Art

• Paint your CD any color. Wait for it to dry.
• Use shredded paper or paper but into strips.
• Glue paper strips to CD for hair.
• Add ears, nose, eyes and other facial features.

Geometric Shapes CD Art

• Use a Sharpie and make circles and lines all over your CD.
• Paint the spaces you created using a variety of colors.
• Cover the center hole with paper, if you wish.

Blue Dog CD Art

• Paint your CD blue. Wait for it to dry.
• Use shredded paper or paper cut into strips.
• Glue paper strips to CD.
• Add ears, nose, eyes and other facial features.

Yin and Yang CD Art

• Discuss opposites, which is the essence of this Chinese philosophy.
• Paint the CD black. Wait for it to dry.
• Add some Crayola Model Magic to cover half of the CD.

Scratch CD Art

• Paint your CD with a favorite color. Wait for it to dry.
• Stretch out a paper clip. Use the end of the paper clip to scratch designs.

Holiday Pumpkin CD Art

• Paint your CD orange. Wait for it to dry.
• Add eyes, a nose, mouth and teeth using colored paper.
• You can make other holiday CD art, such as a bunny rabbit, leprechaun or snowman.

Lion CD Art

• Paint your CD yellow. Wait for it to dry.
• Mold a lion’s head using some Model Magic.
• Use your markers to add eyes, lips, whiskers, spots and a nose.
• Use shredded paper or paper cut into strips.
• Glue paper strips to the CD.