Make Your Own Gifts and Gift Boxes

How gifts are presented can be just as important as what is inside the package. Showing the recipient that you put a lot of thought into the gift, and even the packaging, will show him or her how much you care. Here are some unique ideas for homemade gift boxes and gifts: For a friend or family member that is crazy about computers and anything to do with computers, create a cute gift box using old floppy disks. You will need six for a small box and ten for a larger gift box. For the small box, lay one disk … Continue reading →

Baby Food Jar Ideas

You can do so many things with baby food jars. They are really handy for storing small stuff and they also make cute craft projects. The simplest idea is using them as candleholders. Decorate them as desired and place a tea candle inside. Older children can make their own candles. Collect remnants of old candles from around he house and melt them in an old pot over low heat, with adult supervision. Have an adult pour the wax into baby food jars. Pour one color wax into a jar, allow to set, and then add another color. The second layer … Continue reading →

Making A Stick Horse

Almost every child has been fascinated with cowboys, even girls. So why not make a simple stick horse that your child can ride the range with or make two so he can take along a buddy for the ride. Supplies Needed: 1 ½-inch wide wood dowel or PVC pipe 2 ½ feet long A large sock (the color you want the head to be) Yarn (for the mane) Brown and small piece of white and black felt Pillow stuffing Glue gun and glue You start by stuffing the sock with pillow stuffing. This will be the horse’s head. The toe … Continue reading →

Mobiles and Wind Chimes

You and your kids can make simple mobiles and wind chimes from wire coat hangers and a few other materials. Mobiles Start by stretching the rung on the bottom of the coat hanger to make a round shape. Cover the entire hanger with strips of fabric, yarn, or any other material. Tie one end and then begin wrapping it around the hanger until you cover the entire hanger then tie another knot. String some beads and tie the strings to the round portion of the hanger in random locations. Find or make fun objects to hang from each string. You … Continue reading →

Fishing Fun

This craft project will show you how to make a game that is fun anytime but also works great for birthday parties. Items Needed: Disposable foam plates (try to find different colors) Magnetic stripping Magnet Scissors Craft glue Dowel rods Yarn or string Paint Markers or paint pens Craft foam Tub with water (optional) Directions: First, paint the dowel rods if desired, so your “fishing poles” have a chance to dry. Making a different color for each child is a good idea. When dry, tie yarn or string tightly to one end. Two to three foot long pieces of string … Continue reading →

Ping Pong Game

A folding table or nearly any table can easily be made into a ping pong table. Your kids will have a great time playing with each other and trying to beat Mom or Dad. You will need a heavy piece of cardboard that is about as wide as the table and about two feet long to create a self standing “net.” Fold the cardboard in half lengthwise and crease it well. Fold each end up toward the middle, crease well, and then push down half way. You should be able to stand the piece up at this point. Staple the … Continue reading →

You’ve Got Mail!

Every parent knows that children love to play with boxes, sometimes even more than they enjoy playing with the toys that came inside. This is just another imaginative way for them to play with all those boxes. Make a mailbox that looks like a public mailbox by cutting the box to form a slot. Punch a hole in the top center of the slot and thread a piece of string or a rubber band through it. Tie it in a knot. This will make the slot easier to pull open. Paint and decorate the box to make it look more … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Card Games

Instead of using regular playing cards to play games like Go Fish, and inserting the joker to play Old Maid, have fun making your own sets of cards and then playing with them! You will need to make 52 cards so make sure you have plenty of supplies before beginning. Poster board is inexpensive and works fine. Measure and mark a piece of poster board into equally sized rectangles. Cut them out carefully (adults can help smaller children). Decorate your cards with your favorite characters, sports, or anything you like. For example, instead of having a King of hearts, clubs, … Continue reading →

Cute Piggy Bank

Saving change adds up, even if you just save pennies. This project will show you how to make an adorable piggy bank to store all those pennies (dimes and nickels will work too, but not quarters). Items Needed: 1 two liter plastic soda bottle Craft paint Paper Black, white, and pink felt (optional) Scissors Glue Wooden spools Directions: First, paint the lid pink. Set aside to dry. This will be the piggy’s nose, so when dry, paint two nostril holes or draw them on with marker. Lay the bottle on its side. For legs, use wooden spools, dowels, or ping … Continue reading →

Business Card Holder

This craft makes a great gift for your favorite executive or home business owner. Items Needed: Craft sticks (Popsicle stick size) Glue Felt Utility knife (with adult assistance) Paint Paintbrush Stickers, stencils, or other embellishments Directions: Place plastic over your work surface to avoid messes. Newspaper isn’t great for this project. Use plastic grocery bags if you don’t have anything else handy. Place three craft sticks lying flat, side by side, and glue them together. This will be the bottom of the business card holder. Stand another stick on its side and glue it the edge then do the same … Continue reading →