Make a Bird Feeder

Since plastic is a huge source of material that requires recycling, limit the amount by making cool stuff from plastic milk jugs. You will of course want to start by thoroughly washing and rinsing the plastic jug, and the rest of the steps are just as simple. Milk Jug Bird Feeder Items needed: Milk jug Scissors or tin snips birdseed This project only requires cutting a milk jug in two places, but adults should do the cutting or supervise children closely. 1. The first step requires measuring a square about 2″ x 2″ and marking it on in the front … Continue reading

More Fun with Boxes

Are you ready to make more stuff from boxes? Here are a few more ideas: Building Blocks You can decorate any size boxes to use as building blocks. What’s really fun is making giant building blocks from large, square boxes. You can also make “bricks” from shallow, rectangular boxes. Your kids will have a blast building castles, walls, forts, and any other ideas their little imaginations conjure up. Jumbo Dice Make jumbo dice from medium to large square boxes. Paint them or cut out the dots from felt for a more dimensional effect. For fuzzy dice, first wrap the box … Continue reading

Nature Crafts

Take your kids outdoors for an adventure. Explore your surroundings and collect intriguing items found in nature to use when creating artwork. Your children may have made objects from pinecones at school, but nature offers lots of other fun stuff as well. Leaves make excellent pieces for creating works of art. Dip them in paint and use them as stamps, or cover them with a coat of clear spray paint or glue mixed with water to preserve them and give them a nice sheen. Glue lots of different shapes and colors of leaves to a background for beautiful botanic artwork. … Continue reading

Fun with Boxes

Children love boxes. Check out these fun ideas that you and your little ones can make from boxes. Toy Refrigerator A box about 2′ long and 1′ wide makes a perfect toy refrigerator when set on one end. Remove the short flaps, and use the long flaps for doors on your new side by side toy fridge. For extra fun, cut a square hole in one door to make an ice dispenser. If you can find a small, open box, cut the hole to fit it and place the box in the hole. Secure it from the inside with packing … Continue reading

Make Outdoor Games

The weather is getting nice, or it soon will, so now is a great time to make some outdoor games. Ball Catchers This game is simple to make, simple to play, and your kids will have fun with it for hours. Items Needed: 2 One-gallon jugs (from milk or drinking water, with handles) Scissors Ball Indelible markers 1. Wash plastic milk jugs and cut away a section from the top, leaving the handle intact and creating a round area (as shown below). 2. Decorate the ball catchers with indelible markers and allow to dry. 3. Choose a ball that will … Continue reading

Put Together a Dress-Up Wardrobe

Does your little princess love to play dress up? Help her put together a stylish, size appropriate dress up wardrobe and she’ll have hours of fun making and wearing these outfits and accessories. Every celebrity needs a fur stole (faux fur of course), and your little star is no exception. Go to your favorite craft store, fabric store, or the craft section of a super center, and pick up faux fur strips. They have several varieties and colors, which only cost a few dollars. You can also find packages that contain an assortment of faux furs for just a few … Continue reading

Make a Personalized Storybook

What is more fun than reading a story about someone you know? Creating and reading a story about yourself and your family of course! Personalized Storybook Items Needed: Heavy cardboard Glue Light quilt batting Fabric Scissors Photos (or copies) of your child, pets, family members, friends Ink jet or other heavy paper Coloring supplies or clip art Stapler Directions: 1. Cut the cardboard down to 91/2″ x 12″ and glue the batting to one side. Trim away any excess. 2. Next, cover the cardboard completely with fabric, folding over ends to create smooth edges. Staple it into place. 3. Fold … Continue reading

Tissue Paper Artwork

For the tissue paper artwork project, you’ll need a picture frame with matting, colored tissue paper, leaves, flowers, or foam stamps with floral designs, and some gold or silver paint. Choose colored tissue paper that matches the room where the artwork will be displayed. Cut the tissue paper just small than the size of the frame. You will probably need a piece of heavy paper or light cardboard to place behind the tissue paper when framing it. Once you have cut the tissue paper to the proper size, lay it on newspaper and smooth it. Pour a small amount of … Continue reading

Make Your Own Weaving Looms

Did you have a potholder loom when you were a child? You know the ones… they were wood or plastic, depending on your age. They were square with little tabs sticking up and you placed stretchy loops around the tabs then wove more loops over and under. I had one and it was great fun to make all kinds of potholders and drink coasters for family and friends, and bibs and things for dolls and stuffed animals. Well, those looms are still around and you can get one at Spin Blessing along with the loops (you can also pick them … Continue reading

Make a School Days Keepsake Book

Whether your children receive awards and ribbons, or just want to keep track of report cards, class photos, and special notes, this keepsake book will be the perfect way to store these items for future trips down Memory Lane. A keepsake book will also insure that school memorabilia is kept together so important items don’t become misplaced. It’s also fun to make and a good way to keep kids busy during Spring Break, over the weekend, or any time they are home from school. Items Needed: Cardboard or cardstock (8″ x 10″ pieces) Fabric or paint Hole punch Ribbon or … Continue reading