Things to Make and Do, Crafts and Activities for Kids

12 Homemade Toy Ideas!

jump rope made from grocery bags
A Childhood List

CD case spinners
Reciclando En La Escuela
English translation here

wind-up paper butterfly
You Are My Fave

horse puppet tutorial
Sun Hats & Wellie Boots

top doodler
The Light Garden

small balloon boat
Creastuce
English translation here

homemade dominos for toddlers
Artsy Ants

thaumatroupe with free printables
by My Little Fabric for Etsy
English translation here

homemade board game
Gardening Without Skills

miniature kite
Zakka Life

recycled ball maze
A Happy Wanderer

and cake tin drums for baby!
Learn With Play

07/18/2012 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Building/3 Dimensional, Crafts, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Games, Group, Paper Crafts, Printables & Downloads, Puppets, Recycled Crafts, Themes, Toys to Make | Permalink | Comments (5)

Banana Tattoos!

This is a fun and easy activity to cure the
"I'm Bored Blues"! Find out how to make
banana tattoos at Flutterflutter.

07/17/2012 in 12+ years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, Art, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Inside, Last Minute | Permalink | Comments (1)

Paint Your Shoes

Use your imagination to create custom
painted shoes at The Child's Paper.

07/17/2012 in 12+ years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Art, Crafts, Family, Gifts to Make, Group, Paint, Wearables | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fabric Farmyard Animals

These cute fabric animals began as drawings!
See how it's done at Se7en.

07/17/2012 in 12+ years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Animals & Bugs, Art, Crafts, Drawing & Illustration, Family, Group, Inside, Literature Based Projects, Textiles | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fun Things To Do Outside

play a game with found natural objects
Michele Made Me

make a themed garden in a wooden crate
Playful Learning

make mud pictures
Curly Birds

have a backyard breakfast in bed
Family Chic

design a maze with a garden hose
Partycraft Secrets

make a pooter and observe small bugs
Bradshaw & Sons

weave a small willow basket
Acorn Pies

07/16/2012 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, All Ages, Art, Building/3 Dimensional, Crafts, Earth Day Crafts, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Games, Garden, Nature Crafts, Outside, Science, Summer Crafts, Themes | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cool-off Sponge Necklace Tutorial!

Here's another fun way to beat the heat -
make a Cool-Off Necklace! The Tiny Funnel shares
this tutorial that is easy and inexpensive and would
also be a great party craft or favor too!

Materials:
Dry sponges cut into 1/2" squares -
(any small shape will do)
Embroidery needle
25" of .5mm Stretch Magic cord

Directions:
Cut and thread a needle onto a 25" length of
the Stretch Magic cord.

Thread 1/2" pieces of sponge onto the thread and tie
the ends into a knot when it’s full.

Wet and ring the water out of the sponges then put
the necklace in the freezer. Wait a little while
(30 minutes or so).

Take the necklace from the freezer and put
it on - cool off!

Thank you so much to The Tiny Funnel for
this wonderful tutorial and I hope you'll visit her
blog for more creative craft ideas!

07/13/2012 in 12+ years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, Crafts, Family, Group, Outside, Party Ideas, Summer Crafts, Tutorials | Permalink | Comments (1)

Crafts and Activities to Keep You Cool!

rainbow ice
Sweeter Than Sweets

cascading waterfalls
At Home With Ali

cork and popsicle stick rafts
A Little Learning For Two

25 tips for hosting a lemonade stand
Curly Birds

ice tunnels
Art And Creativity

ice blocks to build with
El Hada de Papel

frozen painting
Hands On As We Grow

07/12/2012 in 12+ years old, 18 mos to 2 years old, 3 - 5 years old, 6 - 12 years old, Activities, All Ages, Art, Building/3 Dimensional, Crafts, Experiential, Family, Free & Fun Crafts, Group, Outside, Paint, Science, Summer Crafts, Themes | Permalink | Comments (1)

coffee filter butterflies
Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish

Three years ago I posted about The Butterfly Project
and I thought I would remind everyone about it
today since the deadline has been extended
to the end of this year.

The Holocaust Museum of Houston is collecting
1.5 million butterflies to represent each child that
perished during the holocaust. They already have
about 900,000 but they will still need a lot
more to reach their goal.

Here are ten butterfly craft
ideas to get you started:

butterfly suncatchers
Mini-eco

mirror image butterfly prints
Meet The Dubiens

origami butterflies
Craft & Creativity

bead pin butterflies
Se7en

crayon resist butterflies
The Artful Parent

beaded butterflies
Ordinary Life Magic

paper butterfly clips
Ikat Bag

shrink plastic butterfly craft
SmART Class

butterfly art lesson
Deep Space Sparkle

*Be sure to check out the submission guidelines
regarding size and materials.

More butterfly craft ideas here:
The Butterfly Project & A Rabble of Butterflies