Updated August 2026
Recycle old CD's into fun emojis!
What do you do with an abundance of old Cd’s and feeling just a bit guilty to chuck them away?
Well, there is no need to do that. These shiny, silvery circles with holes in the middle can be changed.
UP-CYCLE CDs
So how can we revitalise them into something fun for kids? What do we already have that’s round and entertaining and fun that changes with every expression you can think of, well, what comes to mind are…….Emojis!
Yes, we can recycle Cd’s into fun Emojis! The canvas is your Cd, and all you need to do is dress it up and add a bit of colour and some facial expressions.
I have divided it up into 3 different projects.
- Typical Emoji smiley faces for younger and older kids.
- Monster Emoji faces for the Older kids.
- Emoji game for the younger kids.
I came across these typical types of Emoji faces to give you an idea where to start and to help you decide on the expressions you want to go for.
They are the recognisable round yellow faces with changing features. Happy, sad, angry, shocked, cheeky and so on.
As you can see, these are just a few that I found; there are tons of different emoji faces, and it’s hard to pick one that you would like.
I went simple and used a couple of examples and slightly adapted them. I chose just a smile and a sad, tearful face. ( 3rd top row from left and 2nd bottom row from left.)
In this project, I am going to use both sides of the disc. a different facial expression on each side.
An idea would be to go for opposites. For example:–
(Smiley, Sad). (Angry, happy). (kiss more kisses). (laughing, laughing hysterically).
So let’s get started, we shall recycle Cd’s into fun Emojis!
Project 1.
For younger kids.
Resources
1. Cd, double-sided tape.Yellow paper/card. Scissors. Black/White card. 2 & 1 pence coin. Black/Blue felt-tip pens. 13cm ribbon.
HOW TO MAKE! Click on image to go bigger.
MONSTER EMOJI’S
Let’s take it up a notch, this time I am going to look at monster emojis.
Older kids like the scary kind. Ones with odd coloured eyes, large mouths and tongues sticking out and funny shaped teeth.
I decided on the look that I wanted and, with slight adjustments here and there, reproduced them on white paper/card.
To draw, I used resources that would help.
Bottle tops for the eyes and a pipe cleaner, bending and shaping into the mouth and tongue. Creating features and expressions.
Project 2.
For Older kids.
Resources.
Tissue paper 2 colours. PVA glue, magic or masking tape. Coloured card, blue, green, black, pink, white. 2 Pipe cleaners. Ribbon. Scissors, Bottle tops.
HOW TO MAKE! Click on image to go bigger.
Some pointers!
If you are confident, then once you have cut out all your parts, save, stick tissue paper with PVA glue, allow to dry, then glue on the features over the tissue.
The white paper/card is to help you draw and arrange The Emoji face.
Transfer features onto the CD to see how it looks.
The pipe cleaner is a good tool to help shape the mouth and tongue, then you can draw around it and cut out the shape out of card.
This is now your Emoji!
Check out some other examples. ⇒
Project 3.
A game for younger kids.
Resources!
1 box. 3 Cd’s 3 large straws. Paper to cover the box. Scissors. Foam numbers. Googley eyes. Black permanent pen. Glue stick. Double-sided tape. Pencil. Ruler. (Alternatively, coloured permanent pens. Card to roll for poles.)
HERE’S A RECYCED CD NUMBER GAME
How about doing something for younger kids that’s more interactive, fun and making use of numbers.
They would be connecting and applying their decision, as well as recognising and becoming familiar with shape, form and acting on impulse.
MATCH THE NUMBER
It would be ‘where’s the number’ game, and quickly looking for it and making a link. Having the hole in the Cd can either be a hindrance or put to good use.
So, in this game, I have devised a very simple construction where your kid can run the CD down a pole that has the correct number by it on the base of that pole.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
- Have a look at your throw-outs and search for packaging you can use for the base of this construction. Probably a brown box with a lid, or something similar.
- Make sure it’s large enough for at least 3 to 4 Cd’s to fit on the lid and preferably with some space around each one.
- Next, look for large saved straws you may have used for smoothies. (If you don’t have straws, you can roll up any card into a straw-like finish so the CD can pass down it and about the length of a typical straw) These straws will be the poles.
- Now to cover the box. If you have some saved wrapping paper, you can use that. I have saved coloured cards, measured the box, and cut the cards to size. I then stuck these onto the box, giving it a nice finish
- Once the box is covered, lay the Cd’s on top of the box and mark where each hole is. Double-check the Cd’s don’t touch, and with a pair of scissors, pierce through the box for each CD. Now you can push the straws into the hole.
- You can change the numbers on the box to challenge the children. You can use Post-its or Play-Doh to write or make new numbers.
Now you are ready to embellish the Cd’s!
HOW TO MAKE!
Click on image to go bigger!
Resources listed above.
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EMOjI FUN PROJECTS FOR KIDS!
Bring some emoji fun to creative time! 😊 These easy-to-download printable projects on Etsy offer something for everyone.
From emotions and feelings activities to back-to-school faces, agamographs, colouring projects and fun bundles.
Simply download, print and get making — whether children want to colour, cut, fold or create, these ready-to-use activities are perfect for a quick creative project at home, during the holidays or in the classroom. 🎨✂️
TO CONCLUDE!
I have shown you 3 projects aimed at younger and older kids. Of course, you can adjust them however you like. There are always old Cd’s lying around where you can recycle them into fun Emojis.
CREATE YOUR OWN!
There are endless emojis you can create. With a little bit of imagination, you can have lots of fun inventing your own funny faces. I have simply paved the way on how to get going.
We all like to use Emojis when we message people; they just brighten up a message, making it a bit more personal.
So let’s grab some resources, gather up your Cd’s and get sticking!!
Here’s another project that might be of interest to you, showing kids emotional faces, great for children with additional needs, identifying what reflects them. and matching words to that emotion.