Wellies become a much-loved loyal servant that accompany little feet on adventures and exploration. Many of us find it very difficult to part with a pair once those little feet have grown out of them, as they serve as a reminder to times past and how quickly our little ones are growing up!
In a world where we are all a little more mindful of recycling and reusing, here’s some suggestions on what to do with your old wellies once they have passed their usable life.
And once you need to move on with making new memories with a new pair of wellies check out our latest offering of wellies for girls in tempting colourways and exciting designs.
Painting welly boots can be a great way for creative fun with little ones. It’s a very satisfying feeling putting paint brush or sponge to the rubber and you can let your imagination run wild with a game of young fashion designer. Once painted they should be kept as masterpieces and not worn again as the paint will chip off with use. Another fun idea for little creatives is to use the wellies themselves as the paint brush! Before the boots are uncomfortably too small, put them on one last time and step into washing up bowls with paint inside. Step out onto a large piece of paper and create artwork stamps with your stomping footprints. If this idea makes you nervous about mess and the potential for little legs to run off, then popping your hands inside the wellies to make the marks using your arms is just as fun.
Creating planters from old wellies is a great way to re-use and upcycle. Here’s how to do it:
1. An adult must make drainage holes in the bottom of the boot, using a drill or a screwdriver to cut through the sturdy rubber sole. Now the children can get involved.
2. The next step is to add a layer of stones to the bottom of the boot so hunt around the garden for suitable stones, the smaller the better. These stones have a dual benefit. They will weigh the boot down and will also help reduce the flow of water draining through the boot from the plant and out through the new holes that have been created in the sole.
3. Now add compost to the inside of the boot and fill it to approximately 2cm from the top of the welly.
4. Then plant your flowers or seeds. Press the seeds deep into the soil so it can grow effectively. Water your welly planter and make sure it gets plenty of sunshine and shade to nurture the seeds.
We can’t think of many things more charming than turning your old wellies into a birdhouse! This is definitely for an adult to complete, but little ones can watch till the creative part at the end and they’ll be thrilled by the results when birds come to nest.
1. Cut a small hole, around 5cm in diameter, about 6cm from the top of the boot. This is the right size for an average sized bird to fit through.
2. Underneath this hole cut a small slit – big enough for a lollipop stick and place it through.
3. Once that is done, you can make the roof. Take two thicker pieces of wood and secure them to each side of the boot so that they can join in a peak at the top. Depending how big you want the roof will determine the size of the wood you choose. With the boot upright, secure the wood to the side of the boot with a staple gun. Then bring the two pieces of wood together at the top to make a peak and screw them together using a screwdriver.
4. Now it’s the children’s turn to get creative and paint the house. Remember to use waterproof paint or gloss to protect your masterpiece if the boots will be exposed to the elements outside for long periods of time.
Wellies can be recycled as most are made from natural resources that are biodegradable. Some wellies are made from PVC which contains plastic, so recycling might not be an option. Choose local recycling bins and the experts will make good use of the materials. Never put old wellies into landfill.
Before you donate, check the welly’s rubber is in a good condition without any cracks that will let water in. And check that the sole has not worn away as this might prevent the wellies from gripping wet surfaces and could be dangerous for the new user.
Ready to reinvest in a new pair and get cracking on new adventures? Check out our wellies for boys.
Author: Vista, published 11-08-2022.
