DIY Biodegradable Glitter for Kids

Glitter.

You either love it or hate it, right?

I love it and hate it. Is that even possible?

I love it because it’s pretty but I hate it because it’s bad for the environment.

Glitter is made of tiny bits of plastic and that means it takes a long time to biodegrade. A lot of glitter also ends up in our waterways and then into the ocean, and you can guess what happens to it there.

And the environment is very important to me, so no more shiny glitter.

I wondered how my children (and I) could enjoy the similar effects of glitter without the guilt. Making our own biodegradable glitter was the perfect answer.

DIY biodegradable glitter

I didn’t have to look far because I found glitter alternatives all around us. Best of all, they look beautiful, are vibrant, smell great and are an excellent replacement for the real thing!  Have I mentioned this eco-friendly glitter is free?

The benefits of making and using biodegradable glitter

For your child

• Develop fine motor skills
• Build colour recognition
• Develop their senses (the natural materials feel and smell great)

For the planet

• DIY biodegradable glitter is made from a renewable resource (found around your neighborhood or backyard)
• The glitter will biodegrade within a few weeks.

DIY eco-friendly glitter

1. Yes, the kids will love making biodegradable glitter themselves! Collect natural materials for your glitter. Grab flowers, leaves, grasses, seeds. Make a day of it by searching your local forests, gardens and bushland reserves.  Find as many bring vibrant colours as possible.
2. Cut your natural materials into tiny pieces and gently funnel them into jars. Mix the colours together or separate colours. We used little fairy jars and, oh my, did they look adorable!
3. Decorate your crafts with your stunning biodegradable glitter!

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If you love this biodegradable glitter, you’ll love this biodegradable confetti. It’s lovely and made out of leaves!

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Our DIY biodegradable glitter may not last forever, like normal glitter, but I personally think it’s now much prettier than the original!

It may not shimmer and shine quite like its plastic counterpart but it still creates quite a beautiful collage of colours and textures on the page.

Being biodegradable, it’s certainly better for the environment too!

Extended learning

• Research the history of glitter
• Research native flora in your local area