11 Clever Ways To Repurpose Your Kids' Old Bed Sheets

As a mom and former homeschooler, I'm always seeking out new ways to facilitate learning through imaginative play, and surprisingly, I've found that some of our most memorable and exciting games and adventures were made possible by regular items we found in our house. Like toilet paper rolls that we transformed into binoculars, paper plates we decorated and fashioned into makeshift masks, and sheets ... oh, the endless possibilities for sheets! 

For starters, kids' sheets are the perfect mix of lengths to build a blanket fort (think fitted toddler sheets for the roof, longer twin bed sheets to wrap around chairs or a table). Now that my son is older and attending traditional school, he still asks to build forts on nights and weekends, and since he's much more likely to open a book when he's tucked inside one with his pillows, our dog, and a flashlight, I usually oblige him.

Then there's dress-up play. Kids' sheets can be used to make hero capes, ghost costumes, or makeshift togas and robes, if they're into re-enacting historical events from ancient cultures. Outside the house, one sheet is perfect to play the parachute game (each family member holds a corner, everyone lifts the parachute, and one person attempts to run through to the other side), or older kiddos can tie several sheets together to create a knot ladder and climb up and down (with supervision and parental discretion, of course!).

Once the excitement fades from an afternoon of playing superhero or a night camped out in a blanket fort — but the sheets remain — parents can go one step further by turning them into forever keepsakes. I once created a patchwork quilt out of T-shirts, and have often thought about doing the same with my son's old bedding. The method requires cutting the sheets into several same-size squares and sewing them together, using either a sewing machine or a needle and thread. Once the squares are sewn together, repeat the process again to create a tapestry of the same size for the back of the quilt. The third layer in the center of the quilt — also called the "batting" — can be one solid sheet. Cotton and linen are some of the most user-friendly fabric choices for beginners. Avoid silk sheets, which are trickier to sew together and could result in pinholes.

While going the keepsake route may require a bit more creativity, patience, and skill, the satisfaction of the finished product is arguably worth it. Recycling is also beneficial to the planet, as the U.S. EPA estimates that about 85% of post-consumer textile waste is thrown out each year. Looking for more ideas? Other long-lasting items that could be made from repurposed kids' sheets include:

• Wall tapestry
• Drawstring bags (pillowcases are perfectly shaped and sized for this)
• Homemade gift wrap
• Curtains
• Pet bedding
• Napkins, placemats, runners, or tablecloths