Arts & Crafts

Color by Number

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:33:44 EST

Visit reading-with-kids.com for a ton of great color by number pages.

Pipe Cleaner Bouquet

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:30:23 EST

Here's a great homemade gift from makeandtakes.com, perfect for Mother's Day.

Instructions:

Wrap a long green pipe cleaner around 6 bundled pipe cleaners.
Bend and twist it to make the stem.
Spread out your now 12 strands, and curl them up into each other to make the flower.
For a sturdier stem, fold the green pipe cleaner in half again.

Group them all together and tie together with another pipe cleaner.

Scratch Art

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:36:40 EST

(Taken from: childhood101.com)

Here's a fun way to make scratch art all on your own. Using oil pastels, color blocks of color on a white piece of paper. Once finished, color over that layer with a black pastel. When it is completely black, take a toothpick and scratch a design for some artwork that is one of a kind.

Jellyfish Craft

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:27:34 EST

(Taken from: scrapbooksetc.com)

Instructions:

Paint the bottom of a paper bowl with watercolors.
Trim eyes from cardstock using kid-friendly scissors, or draw on eyes with a marker if you wish.
On the inside of the bowl, add liquid adhesive and place the ends of some ribbon in it. Place another bowl on top (with the ribbon sticking out) and let it dry.
Poke two small holes in the center of the bowl. Thread fishing line through the bowl so it creates a loop under the bowl.
Tie ribbon and trim to the loop, then tighten the loop to secure the ribbon.

Googly Eye Picture Starter

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:54:00 EST

Want a way to spark creativity? This one is so easy. Just glue a couple pairs of googly eyes to a piece of paper, hand your child some markers and let their imaginations take over.

(Idea from: houseofbabypiranha.com)

Shaving Cream Marbled Eggs

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:00:07 EST

(Taken from: teachingwithtlc.com)

First, spread shaving cream all over a pan or tray. Next, squirt some acrylic paint on the shaving cream.

Use a spoon, popsicle stick, or toothpick to swirl (but not too much) to create a marbled effect.

Trace an egg template onto cardstock and then cut it out. Then gently press your paper egg into the shaving cream and let it sit for 10 seconds.

Help them remove their eggs and set them onto paper towels for about five minutes to let the paint soak into the paper.

Lastly, using a squeegee, carefully scrape the shaving cream off of the paper egg. You've got your finished product!

Chalkboard Eggs

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:54:16 EST

Here's a fun twist on Easter eggs. Just paint some hard boiled eggs with 2 coats chalkboard paint for some fun eggs you can write on with chalk or colored pencils.

(Taken from: parenting.com)

Andy Warhol Art

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:08:09 EST

Here's a fun art project from meaningfulmama.com your kids are sure to love. Just take a snapshot with a blank background, turn it into black and white on your computer and crop it into a square. Print out 4 copies and let your kids take markers to them in different color combinations. Glue them together on a bigger surface, such as posterboard. Now you have your own masterpiece!

Bottle Top Stamps

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:13:57 EST

Here's a fun and frugal way to make art supplies. Just start saving bottle caps and add foam stickers for some great stamps to use with washable kids paint and blank paper for hours of fun!

(Taken from: funfamilycrafts.com)

Valentine butterfly toilet paper tube

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:47:55 EST

What You Need: 1 toilet paper tube; red and pink construction paper or cardstock; 1 white pipe cleaner; 2 googly eyes; foam hearts; scissors; glue; black marker; pencil; tape.

How to Make It: Fold red cardstock in half and draw half of a wing shape. Cut and open to reveal wings. Cut pink cardstock the length and width of a toilet paper tube and adhere around the tube using glue or tape. Adult should cut pipe cleaner in half and help child roll ends around a pencil for curly antennae. Tape inside toilet paper tube body. Glue on eyes and draw mouth. Glue or tape wings to back of body and decorate with foam hearts, markers, or any way you'd like.

Taken from: freepreschoolcrafts.com

NGA Kids

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:10:14 EST

Did you know that the National Gallery of Art has an interactive website for kids where they can be exposed to tons of artwork and create their own too? Follow this link to check it out.

Handprint Kinara

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:55:41 EST

This handprint kinara makes a quick, fun and messy Kwanzaa craft for kids!.

You will need:

Red, green, black, gold and yellow paint
Paper

Instructions:

Paint the palm of your left hand gold. Paint your middle, ring and little finger red and your index finger black. Print on to the paper.

Paint the palm of your right hand gold. Paint your middle, ring and little finger green and your index finger black. Print on to the paper overlapping the index finger with the index finger of the last print.

Add fingerprints of yellow paint on top of each finger.

(Taken from: activityvillage.co.uk)

CD Snowman Puppet

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:47:09 EST

(Taken from: spoonful.com)

What you'll need

CD or DVD
Construction paper: white, black, red, orange
1.5" wide strip of light blue felt
1 craft or popsicle stick
Black paint or marker
Pink crayon
White craft glue
Scissors

1. Buy construction paper in large quantities and keep on hand for rainy or snowy days. 2. If using paint you need to allow for dry time. If using a marker, you can play with your puppet right away. 3. If you have several CDs lying around, put on a holiday puppet show!

How to make it

Fold a sheet of white construction paper in half like a greeting card.
Cover one side of the CD with white craft glue.
Lay the CD, glue side down on one half of the white construction paper.
Cover the other side of the CD with white craft glue and press the open half of the white construction paper down onto the CD.
Gently rub the construction paper covered CD with your hands to be sure all the glue sticks.
Use scissors to cut around the CD, leaving a white construction paper circle.
Cut a long triangle from the orange construction paper. You can round off the thick end of the triangle if you like to make it appear more like a carrot. Glue the thick end of the triangle to the center of the CD, the pointed end will hang over the edge.
Glue the craft stick to the back of the CD to use as your handle. This also works double duty as the neck.
Fringe the ends of the blue felt strip by cutting thin strips with a pair of scissors. Wrap the "scarf" around the craft stick neck and glue in place.
Cut a simple hat from the black construction paper and glue the top of the CD.
Cut a red construction paper hat band and glue in place on the hat.
Use the handle end of a paintbrush dipped in black paint to dot on eyes and mouth. You can use a black marker instead if you prefer. Let the paint dry completely.
Add pink for the cheek with a pink crayon.

Paper Tube Menorah

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:47:11 EST

Start saving those toilet paper tubes! Here's a fun Hanukah menorah craft. For full details, visit: creativejewishmom.com.

Thumbprint Christmas cards

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:06:58 EST

Involve your kids in making Christmas cards with this fun craft. All you need is some cardstock, paint, a marker, and some wiggly fingers!

For the reindeer, add some googly eyes and cut craft foam for the noses.

(Taken from: meetthedubiens.com)

Thanksgiving Hats

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:55:37 EST

Make Thanksgiving dinner a little more festive with these cute do it yourself hats from Family Fun.

Materials

Jar lid
Pencil
Construction paper
Glue stick
Black paper cup
Thumbtack
Toothpick
Round elastic cord

Instructions

Trace a jar lid on construction paper for the Pilgrim hat brim or turkey head. Use a glue stick to attach the circle to a black paper cup and to add construction paper details.
With a thumbtack, make holes on opposite sides of the cup (an adult's job). Widen the holes with a toothpick, then thread a 20-inch length of round elastic cord through the holes and knot the ends.

Paper Spider

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:38:52 EST

Here's a fun one for you and your kids.

First, take a square piece of paper and fold it in half. Draw the spider on the paper first, like this:

Then cut out everything surrounding the spider's body and legs, leaving a border around the edge.

Open it up and there's your spider!

(Taken from: greenbabyguide.com)

Magazine Art

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:45:40 EST

Get your child's artistic wheels turning by having them expand on an image. Just take a small square of a magazine picture, paste it on a piece of paper, and then have your child draw the rest.

(Taken from: artmommie.blogspot.com)

Fall Leaves

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:56:32 EST

Now that it is officially fall, it's fun to dig into all those fall craft projects. Here's a fun one from momontimeout.com.

Materials Needed:

Glue
Tissue Paper (fall colors)
waxed paper
popsicle stick for spreading glue (or your favorite tool)
Fall Leaves Template #1 (or draw your own)
Fall Leaves Template #2
Craft knife
Paper (green, red, yellow, or orange)

For the leaf templates and complete details, visit their site.

Fall Tree

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:22:21 EST

For this fun fall craft, just use brown paint to make a handprint, paint a trunk, and use fingertips with fall colors for leaves.

(Taken from: walkingbytheway.com)

Coloring Pages

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:16:43 EST

Here are some fun, detailed coloring pages. To print this and others, visit: doverpublications.com.

Paper Towel Tube Bracelets

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:38:15 EST

This is a clever idea that starts with just slicing a paper towel tube into rings with a utility knife. Use any kind of decorations you wish-feathers, stickers, scrapbook paper, buttons, etc. Snip the rings open for wearing after everything has dried.

(Idea from: www.marthastewart.com)

Paper Tops

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:03:47 EST

(From Marthastewart.com)

"In minutes, you can make tiny tops that are durable and compulsively twirlable. Since they're made of paper strips wound around a toothpick, you can shape them to the silhouette you like. You'll need toothpicks, some thin strips of paper (quilling paper works well since it's already cut into long, thin strips), and glue. You will want to make several since some are sure to find their way into friends' pockets.

Paint toothpicks with paint pens if you like; let dry. Glue one end of a 24-inch-long strip of paper just above the toothpick's tip. Roll tightly, and secure the end with glue. Glue on another strip and continue rolling; repeat about six times to make a disc 1 1/4 inches across. To decorate, glue on thinner strips in other colors. Press the coiled paper between thumb and fingers to shape the top."

Tiny Bow and Arrow

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:24:23 EST

What boy (or girl, for that matter) wouldn't love one of these?

You probably have everything you need to make these right at home already:

For complete instructions on how to make one, visit: thebroodinghen.blogspot.com

Paper Hand Puppets

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:36:16 EST

From Family Fun Magazine

All you need for the basic version of these puppets is a sheet of paper, tape, and a marker, making it a great boredom-buster when you're on the go. We dressed up ours with additional cut-paper features.

Materials

Letter-size sheet of paper
Tape
Markers

Colored paper (optional)
Scissors (optional)
Tacky glue (optional)

Instructions

Fold a letter-size sheet of paper in thirds lengthwise (A).
Tape the seam closed (B).
Fold the paper in half. Fold the ends in half, in the opposite direction, so that the paper ends up accordion-folded into four equal sections (C).
Create a face with markers and, if you like, colored paper pieces attached with tacky glue. Slip your thumb and fingers into the two ends of the folded paper to bring your puppet to life.

Googly Eye Magazine Pictures

Fri, 04 May 2012 15:51:33 EST

Need a laugh that takes little effort? Just grab a bunch of googly eyes and some glue and go to town on an old magazine. Giggles are sure to follow.

Easter Egg Snake

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:17:24 EST

Not quite sure what to do with all those leftover plastic Easter eggs? Here's a fun idea from: sewingcraftingsarah.blogspot.com

Materials Needed:

Plastic Lacing Cord
Newer Style Plastic Easter Eggs with two holes on the top and bottom
Googly Eyes
Red Paper Tongue

Instructions:

Knot the end of a strand of plastic lacing cord about 30 to 36 inches long.
Thread the plastic lacing cord through one of the top shell openings. Continue threading the lacing cord through the top shells alternating the left and right holes as you go.
Knot the end of the lacing cord when you have threaded all the top egg shells.
Decorate the snake head using the bottom of one of the eggs. Attach googly eyes and a paper red tongue to the snake's face. Then just snap it in place on the last top shell.
Bend and slither your new recycled Easter Egg Snake.

Easter Egg garland

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:32:15 EST

Looking for a fun Easter craft to do with your kids? Try this one. To make these Easter eggs, dip embroidery floss, pearl cotton thread, or crochet thread into a homemade stiffening solution (1 cup of liquid starch mixed with a half cup of flour). Blow up a water balloon with air and wrap the gooey thread around it. Let it dry for several hours and then pop the balloon. For more detailed instructions, www.craftyendeavor.com.

Playdough Mats

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:01:12 EST

What kid wouldn't love this?

Just print out these faces, get out the playdough, and let your kids get creative!

(Idea taken from: www.planetoftheapels.blogspot.com)

Winged Wonders

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:10:09 EST

(Taken from: www.familyfun.go.com)

Materials

Colorful magazine pages

Pipe cleaners

Instructions

For each butterfly, choose 2 colorful magazine pages. Cut out 2 squares, one 5 inches on a side, the other 4.
Starting at one corner, accordion-fold the squares on their diagonals; our folds were 1/4 inch each.
Pinch the center of each folded square. Bend a 12-inch pipe cleaner in half and create a small loop. Arrange the squares in a butterfly shape and center them inside the pipe cleaner.
To secure the wings, twist the pipe cleaner above and below the wings and curl the ends for antennae.

Shaving Cream and Glue Snowman

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:06:11 EST

Before winter ends, try this fun craft. All it takes is equal parts Elmer's glue and shaving cream to make this fake snow concoction. Just rub it onto the paper with your fingers and it will dry puffy. Cut the rest of your snowman pieces out of construction paper.

(Idea taken from: www.oopseydaisyblog.com)

Shamrock Stamps

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:05:09 EST

Get ready for St. Patrick's Day by doing a little shamrock stamping. All you need to do is cut into a green pepper and dip it into some green kids' paint. Add a little stem and you're done!

Marshmallow and Toothpick Buildings

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:29:12 EST

Here's a fun boredom buster from theidearoom.blogspot.com. Teach your kids spatial awareness by having them build three dimensional buildings and designs. All you need to start is a bag of marshmallows and some toothpicks. The rest is up to their imaginations!

Corn Syrup Paintings

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:22:30 EST

Here's a clever twist on paint- try using corn syrup mixed with about 10 drops of food coloring. Using glossy art paper, draw a picture first with crayons, then use the corn syrup paint to fill it in. It takes a while to dry, but the finished product is worth the wait!

(Idea taken from: www.eighteen25.blogspot.com)

Felt Fortune Cookies

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:32:44 EST

This is a fun and easy twist on your traditional valentine's card, taken from marthastewart.com.

Felt Fortune Cookie How-To

1. Using fabric shears, cut a 4 1/2-inch-diameter circle from a piece of felt. Cut a piece of matching ribbon slightly shorter than 4 1/2 inches. Using wire cutters, cut a piece of floral wire slightly shorter than the length of ribbon.

2. Using craft glue, affix the wire to the middle of the felt circle. Glue ribbon on top, covering the wire. Let dry 30 minutes.

3. Fold the felt circle in half, using the wire as a guide, so ribbon is inside cookie. Next, angle the sides toward each other, bending the wire at its halfway point and forming a fortune-cookie shape, as shown.

4. Assemble the fortune cookies. Carefully peel back one flap of the felt cookie, and insert a paper fortune and a few candies. Fold the flap back over to close cookie around contents.

I love you this much!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:40:55 EST

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about ways to show those we love just how much we really do love them. Here's a fun card that you can have your kids help make.

From www.tiffkeetch.blogspot.com, we can learn just how to do it:

1. Trace your child's hand, then cut out two copies. My paper was double sided so I made sure that when the thumbs match up - the yellow side would be inside, and the blue side would be outside.

2. Cut out a strip of paper and fold it accordion style. Use letter rub-ons or stickers to add the words "I Love You" on the outside, and "This Much" on the strip of paper.

3. Glue the ends of your accordion strip on the insides of the hands and your card is done. :)

Paper Snowflakes

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:48:43 EST

With the cold weather and winter in full swing, here's a great craft. Kids seem to love making paper snowflakes, but here's a way to make them even more beautiful and intricate. Try using origami paper and folding your paper for a five point star. For directions, visit: www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com.

Soap Bubble Prints

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:37:58 EST

(Taken from: http://familyfun.go.com)

Materials

Store-bought or homemade bubble solution (see Step 2 for homemade recipe)
Copier paper or light-colored construction paper
Plastic drinking straws

Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
Several shallow disposable containers, such as aluminum pie tins

Instructions

Cover your work surface with a thick layer of newspaper or a plastic tablecloth.
Gather several shallow disposable containers, such as aluminum pie tins. In each, blend 1 cup of store-bought or homemade bubble solution with 1/2 cup of tempera paint. (To make your own bubble solution, mix 3 cups of water, 1 cup of dish soap, and 1/4 cup of corn syrup.)
Set out your paper (try copier paper or light-colored construction paper) and several plastic drinking straws. For younger children, pierce a small hole halfway up the straw with a pin; this will help prevent accidental swallowing of the paint but won't interfere with the bubble-blowing process.
Now for the fun. With one end of the straw submerged in the bubble solution, the kids blow until bubbles mound up in the container. The best time to take a print is just as the bubbles begin to overflow.
Gently touch the paper to the bubbles and then lift to see your print, repeating until the paper is sufficiently covered. Blow more bubbles as needed. For a different effect, try printing one color over another.
Blow more bubbles as needed. For a different effect, try printing one color over another.

New Year's Hat

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:35:34 EST

Here's a fun New Year's Eve hat to make using:

Card Stock

Black Construction Paper

Three Silver Pipe Cleaners

Scissors

Glue (Low temp hot glue will work the best so ask for assistance)

For a free printable template, visit: www.freekidscrafts.com

Toilet Paper Christmas Trees

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:52:40 EST

(Taken from: www.rebeccacooper.blogspot.com)

All you need to create your own TP Christmas trees are:

-some toilet paper rolls

-green and yellow construction paper

-glue, stapler, gluedots or tape

-markers, glitter, sequins, pom poms...whatever you

want to decorate your trees with

To put your Christmas trees together:

-Cut your toilet paper roll for the trunk to the size you'd want.

-You can cover your toilet paper roll with brown construction paper if you want, we chose to leave ours as is.

-Form a cone out of green construction paper for the tree and use a couple of gluedots to attach to the toilet paper roll.

-Decorate your tree with your markers, pompoms, glittler, sequins, etc.

-Place a star on the top of your tree and that's it!

Easy Craft Clay

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:56:18 EST

Here's a fun way to make ornaments for the holidays (make sure kids have supervision for this one).

(Taken from: www.busybeekidscrafts.com)

Here's what you'll need...

• 1 box baking soda (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 11/2 cups water
• Sauce pan
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Plastic wrap

Here's how you make it...

1. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring consistently, until it is too thick to stir with a spoon.

2. Cool for 15 minutes, or until the dough is cool enough to touch. Knead it for about 5 minutes, or until smooth. Keep dough wrapped in plastic.

Once you have molded it, it will take 1-2 days for the clay to dry. The length of time depends on how thick your craft is: If it is a flat ornament, it may only take 1 day, if it is thick it will take much longer. This clay can be painted with either Tempera or acrylic craft paints.

Color by letter Turkey

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:16:20 EST

For this and other fun Thanksgiving printables, visit this link.

Melted Crayon Dot Art

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:55:51 EST

This is a fun activity for kids to do with supervision. Using a candle and some old crayons, you can heat the crayon until the wax is melting and then drip it over cardstock or a canvas for some fun dot art.

Taken from www.helpinglittlehands.blogspot.com.

Q Tip Skeleton

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:57:55 EST

While you've got those QTips out from your fall tree, put them to good use with this clever Halloween craft.

Things you need:

21 Q-tips
Black cardstock or construction paper
White paper
Black marker
Scissors
White glue

Start by drawing a skeleton on white paper with black marker and cutting it out. Next, glue it on the top of your black construction paper. Glue the Q tips to match the image above in the form of a skeleton (you'll have to cut one in half for the feet and cut the tips of off of 5 to make the fingers). Have fun!

Fall Tree

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:35:40 EST

Try grabbing a Q-tip and using it as a paintbrush to make a colorful fall tree like this one.

(Taken from www.laclassedellamaestravalentina.blogspot.com)

Frankenstein

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:43:10 EST

Here's a super easy and fun Halloween craft. Just grab an old toilet paper cardboard tube, some markers, scissors to cut the top, googly eyes and glue, and 2 golf tees. Before you know it, you've got a fun little Frankenstien decoration.

Monster Bookmarks

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:21:56 EST

Here's a fun craft that can be put to good use. Check out the step by step instructions here.

Apple Stencil

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:40:38 EST

Celebrate Johnny Appleseed's birthday this week with a fun apple craft. Just cut an apple in half, dip it in paint, then use it as a stencil on paper or any other material you wish.

Shaving Cream Bathtub Paint

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:34:49 EST

Want a great art project that will make bath time more fun? Try adding some food coloring to shaving cream and making fantastic wall murals that can just wash away!

Idea from: www.havingfunathomeblog.blogspot.com.

Glue Stick Crayons

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:43:06 EST

Here's a brilliantly clever way to make a big crayon that can be rolled up as it is used, as opposed to all those crayons that become broken as they are stepped on. For full instructions, go to: www.infarrantlycreative.net .

Melt broken crayon pieces in the microwave, stir, and then pour into old empty glue stick tubes.

Once dry, it can be rolled up as needed for endless art projects!

Condensed Milk Paintings

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:22:29 EST

A fun twist on traditional paint- try pouring condensed milk into ice cube trays and add drops of food coloring to each compartment. The texture will be thick and sticky, without anything dripping off the brush. The end result is a glossy, shiny picture.

Marshmallow Catapult

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:56:17 EST

Taken from Family Fun Magazine (click for video)

Materials

Family-size tissue box
Scissors
Hole punch
Ballpoint pen
Pushpin
2 rubber bands

2 unsharpened pencils
4-inch length of pipe cleaner
Tape
Plastic cap
Glue dots

Instructions

Expand the opening of the tissue box by cutting off the sections shown.
Punch a hole 2 inches from one end and 1/2 inch down from the opening of the box. Enlarge the hole with the ballpoint pen. Make a matching hole on the opposite side of the box.
In the center of the far end of the box, poke a hole with the pushpin 1/4 inch up from the bottom. Enlarge the hole slightly with the ballpoint pen.
Snip one rubber band to create a strip. Use the strip to wrap and tie the pencils into a cross, as shown. Loop the other band around the 2-inch pencil section as shown, and tighten.
Insert the pencil cross into the box holes. Fold the pipe cleaner around the rubber band loop and poke both ends through the hole near the base. Spread open the pipe cleaner ends and tape them to the outside of the box. Attach a plastic cap to the end of the pencil with a couple of glue dots.

To use your catapult, pull the capped pencil back, load it with a marshmallow, and let go! (To be safe, do not launch any hard or sharp items.)

Fingerprint Art

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:58:54 EST

Remember Ed Emberley and his fingerprint drawing books? This is a quick and fun activity to do with kids. Just grab an ink pad or some paint to put on fingertips and stamp away. Then grab a pen and encourage creativity as your kids turn their fingerprints into animals, people, or whatever their imaginations come up with!

Jello Playdough

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:47:44 EST

Ingredients for this Jello playdough recipe:

white flour – 1 cup
salt – 2 tbsp
cream of tartar – 2 tbsp
cooking oil – 2 tbsp
warm water – 1 cup
Jello – 1 3oz pack

Directions for this Jello playdough recipe:

Add all the ingredients together in a big mixing bowl
Mix all the ingredients together until consistent
Pour into a pan and stir continuously
Wait for it to thicken into a big ball and then place it on a piece of wax paper to cool
Kneed it for a few minutes once cooled with some flour
Add any food coloring or glitter to spice things up!
Start playing!

Be careful because Jello Playdough burns easily, so make sure you cook it on low heat and keep stirring. If you store it in an air tight refrigerated container you can keep it for quite a few days.

Link: http://www.playdoughrecipe.org/playdough-recipes/jello-playdough-recipe/

Homemade Finger Paints

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:55:37 EST

Taken from www.easiepeasie.blogspot.com

Homemade Bubble Solution

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:23:54 EST

Exploratorium Bubble Formula

2/3 cup Joy dishwashing soap
1 gallon water
2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerin (available in pharmacies or chemical supply houses)

Water Color Ice Cubes

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:08:16 EST

This is a fun idea for a hot day- fill your ice trays with water, add food coloring, stir, and freeze over night. The next day, pop them out and rub them on paper or fabric. As they melt, the colors really show!

Cornstarch sidewalk paint

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:55:57 EST

Arts & Crafts

Color by Number

Pipe Cleaner Bouquet

Here's a great homemade gift from makeandtakes.com, perfect for Mother's Day.

Instructions:

Wrap a long green pipe cleaner around 6 bundled pipe cleaners.

Bend and twist it to make the stem.

Spread out your now 12 strands, and curl them up into each other to make the flower.

For a sturdier stem, fold the green pipe cleaner in half again.

Group them all together and tie together with another pipe cleaner.

Scratch Art

(Taken from: childhood101.com)

Here's a fun way to make scratch art all on your own. Using oil pastels, color blocks of color on a white piece of paper. Once finished, color over that layer with a black pastel. When it is completely black, take a toothpick and scratch a design for some artwork that is one of a kind.

Jellyfish Craft

(Taken from: scrapbooksetc.com)

Instructions:

Paint the bottom of a paper bowl with watercolors.

Trim eyes from cardstock using kid-friendly scissors, or draw on eyes with a marker if you wish.

On the inside of the bowl, add liquid adhesive and place the ends of some ribbon in it. Place another bowl on top (with the ribbon sticking out) and let it dry.

Poke two small holes in the center of the bowl. Thread fishing line through the bowl so it creates a loop under the bowl.

Tie ribbon and trim to the loop, then tighten the loop to secure the ribbon.

Googly Eye Picture Starter

Want a way to spark creativity? This one is so easy. Just glue a couple pairs of googly eyes to a piece of paper, hand your child some markers and let their imaginations take over.

Shaving Cream Marbled Eggs

(Taken from: teachingwithtlc.com)

First, spread shaving cream all over a pan or tray. Next, squirt some acrylic paint on the shaving cream.

Use a spoon, popsicle stick, or toothpick to swirl (but not too much) to create a marbled effect.

Trace an egg template onto cardstock and then cut it out. Then gently press your paper egg into the shaving cream and let it sit for 10 seconds.

Help them remove their eggs and set them onto paper towels for about five minutes to let the paint soak into the paper.

Lastly, using a squeegee, carefully scrape the shaving cream off of the paper egg. You've got your finished product!

Chalkboard Eggs

Andy Warhol Art

Bottle Top Stamps

Here's a fun and frugal way to make art supplies. Just start saving bottle caps and add foam stickers for some great stamps to use with washable kids paint and blank paper for hours of fun!

Valentine butterfly toilet paper tube

What You Need: 1 toilet paper tube; red and pink construction paper or cardstock; 1 white pipe cleaner; 2 googly eyes; foam hearts; scissors; glue; black marker; pencil; tape.

NGA Kids

Did you know that the National Gallery of Art has an interactive website for kids where they can be exposed to tons of artwork and create their own too? Follow this link to check it out.

Handprint Kinara

CD Snowman Puppet

What you'll need

How to make it

Paper Tube Menorah

Thumbprint Christmas cards

Involve your kids in making Christmas cards with this fun craft. All you need is some cardstock, paint, a marker, and some wiggly fingers!

For the reindeer, add some googly eyes and cut craft foam for the noses.

Thanksgiving Hats

Make Thanksgiving dinner a little more festive with these cute do it yourself hats from Family Fun.

Instructions

Trace a jar lid on construction paper for the Pilgrim hat brim or turkey head. Use a glue stick to attach the circle to a black paper cup and to add construction paper details.

With a thumbtack, make holes on opposite sides of the cup (an adult's job). Widen the holes with a toothpick, then thread a 20-inch length of round elastic cord through the holes and knot the ends.

Paper Spider

Here's a fun one for you and your kids.

First, take a square piece of paper and fold it in half. Draw the spider on the paper first, like this:

Then cut out everything surrounding the spider's body and legs, leaving a border around the edge.

Open it up and there's your spider!

(Taken from: greenbabyguide.com)

Magazine Art

Get your child's artistic wheels turning by having them expand on an image. Just take a small square of a magazine picture, paste it on a piece of paper, and then have your child draw the rest.

Fall Leaves

Fall Tree

For this fun fall craft, just use brown paint to make a handprint, paint a trunk, and use fingertips with fall colors for leaves.

Coloring Pages

Paper Towel Tube Bracelets

This is a clever idea that starts with just slicing a paper towel tube into rings with a utility knife. Use any kind of decorations you wish-feathers, stickers, scrapbook paper, buttons, etc. Snip the rings open for wearing after everything has dried.

Paper Tops

(From Marthastewart.com)

Tiny Bow and Arrow

What boy (or girl, for that matter) wouldn't love one of these?

You probably have everything you need to make these right at home already:

For complete instructions on how to make one, visit: thebroodinghen.blogspot.com

Paper Hand Puppets

Googly Eye Magazine Pictures

Need a laugh that takes little effort? Just grab a bunch of googly eyes and some glue and go to town on an old magazine. Giggles are sure to follow.

Easter Egg Snake

Not quite sure what to do with all those leftover plastic Easter eggs? Here's a fun idea from: sewingcraftingsarah.blogspot.com

Materials Needed:

Plastic Lacing CordNewer Style Plastic Easter Eggs with two holes on the top and bottomGoogly EyesRed Paper Tongue

Instructions:

Knot the end of a strand of plastic lacing cord about 30 to 36 inches long.

Plastic Lacing Cord
Newer Style Plastic Easter Eggs with two holes on the top and bottom
Googly Eyes
Red Paper Tongue