Turning Trash into Treasure!
All of my friends know that I am all-about pulling great finds out of the trash… this is one of them! This toy is called the Fisher Price Learning Home and it retails for $89! I received mine for FREE! Take a look:
The trouble with this toy was that it had a lot of cardboard pieces glued to it. I believe the previous owner left this toy outside often because it was sunfaded and the cardboard was in an unsafe condition. I removed all of the stickers from the entire playset. I was shocked at how quickly I was able to remove them!
TIP: Whenever you receive any baby toy that has been used, always check the stickers – you will be surprised how easily a little one can take one off and put it in their mouth!
After I removed all of the stickers, I sprayed the toy with a water/bleach combo and allowed it to sit for one-two minutes. Once the bleach finished doing it’s job, we used the garden hose to finish-up.
Before it was allowed to dry, my oldest son removed the old batteries so we could allow the batter compartment to dry as well. This could have been done before I washed it, but I find it is easier not to mess with the battery compartment until after. (Otherwise you have to take it off, put it back on to wash, take it off to dry, put it back on…it saves a step my way.)
While it was drying we headed to the hardware store to pickup a few supplies. I was lucky enough to not need paint, but I did want to replace the stickers. They were everywhere so now that they were gone the toy was fairly plain. I opted for some colorful duct tape (this stuff is so neat!) I was even able to find a Disney Mini Mouse version! Baby Girl loves Mini Mouse!
Using SHARP scissors I was able to cut the tape by scouring it with the tip to the [almost] exact size needed for each section! If you are clumsy with sharp objects – I recommend gloves. Yes, I cut myself….oops.
I used two playful colors, white, Mini Mouse Duct Tape for this project. Another great tool I used was a Sharpie Marker. With it, I was able to draw on the mailbox and add accents in other areas.
You can customize your great find anyway YOU want! Turning your neighbor’s trash into treasure is so easy! I completed this project in one day – from wash to play!
After Baby Girl’s nap (this explains the hair- whew) we allowed her to play with her new toy! She was thrilled… she will be even more thrilled when I remember to buy new batteries (smile).
The total costs for this project was $15.67. This was a small fee in comparison to the original cost of this toy. I also still have ample supplies leftover for another project. Taking that into consideration, I used only $7.83 worth of supplies! Total savings is over $80!
Have you ever refurbished a toy from the trash?
What have you turned from
TRASH INTO TREASURE?
Awesome transformation. Gr8 job indeed
My daughter & I love to go to garage sales during the nice weather. We have gotten a lot of nice toys at them. Last year I retreived a Step 2 Fort from someones garbage. Just needed an extra support bar. A lot of times the companies will supply missing parts.
Thank you for sharing. In the summertime we shop at yard sales and find some great toys for my grandkids. We take them home and clean them up.
It’s amazing what a fresh coat of color can do! Looks brand new!
This is a cool article my kids love yard sales and we always clean it up
What a fantastic way to save money and customize a toy for your little one!
Wonderful! You’ve inspired me! I’ll be looking at garage sales differently this summer!!
Great job! I love garage sale shopping. I have picked up some great toys and clothes for my grandchildren.
I love to ssave anything I can and reuse or redo it. I also resell it after revamping!
Looks great! We go ‘free shopping’ when our city has the curb junk week. From time to time, we find great stuff!
This looks so good. We get several toys from friends that could use some refurbishing. You inspired me to give it a try. I love the Minnie Mouse tape.
Great job! I love recycling toys into new things. So much fun for me and the Grandkids.
These are great tips for making toys destined for the trash usable. Thanks!
Never crossed my mind to rework used toys! I like goodwill, thrift stores etc for toys, books etc. I will now look at the toys different — HOW can I change or fix this toy up to look better THANKS
Lots of free stuff curb side, or on craigslist too, many ways to acquire near new treasures
This is so amazing ! Thanks for sharing!
This come out great! I’ve never done this but I should, I’ve seen some great ideas online
You did an awesome job and saved a lot. We love going to yard and garage sales. You never know what you’ll find.
I love upcycling! A shame to let gently used items end up in landfill!
That’s awesome! I’ve never done anything like this.
This is actually very clever! Thanks!
YES I love yard sales, flea markets etc you never what treasure you will find. A little cleaning, maybe paint and you have you have something special. Then add a few decorations and it is something any little kid would love
What a great idea! My kids are really good at upcycling and turning trash into treasure! I really like being able to find something that someone else wants to get rid of and making it brand new and loved again.
I love “upcycling” – trash to treasure! Reduces waste
I love to upcycle!
We found some folding doors that we were lucky to find in such great shape. We sanded them down, and varnished them in a beautiful wood grain look. We are using them for our childrens playroom right now, the kids love them!
This is inspirational! I can’t believe the things people will throw out – things like books, that I’ve been searching for.