Plastic Bead Bowl

Plastic beads are great for melting into a new design, especially something functional such as a bowl or coaster, but beware they fall apart very easily.  You can get them at any craft store.

1.  Find a bowl that can withstand oven temperatures and wipe with a layer of oil.
2.  Place beads into the bowl making sure there are no gaps and that they lie even and flat.
3.  Put them in the oven at 200 degrees checking every 5 minutes to see if they've fused together.
4.  Let cool completely and remove.

Good for ages 9 and up.

How to Make a Boomerang

Man made diy has instructions for making an eco-friendly boomerang out of recycled cardboard boxes. It doesn't look like a traditional boomerang.  They say quad-boomerangs are the easiest for beginners to use.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://manmadediy.com/davideriknelson/posts/1568-how-to-make-diy-boomerangs-from-recycled-boxes

Indoor Fireworks

The homeschool den has a nifty science experiment using oil, water and food coloring showing how oil and water don't mix as the food coloring tries to make it's way through.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/2011/04/oil-and-water-fireworks-science.html

Meet the dubiens makes red ones and calls them lava bottles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/lava-bottles.html

Education explains the science of chromatography -- how oil and water don't mix.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Chromatography_liquid_fireworks/

Leaf Skeleton Project

Esprit cabane has a tutorial on how to remove the pigment of a leaf using washing soda.  Make sure to use hearty leaves that can stand up to the washing.

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://en.espritcabane.com/eco-crafts/skeleton-leaves.php

Water Cycle Experiment

Corkboard connections has instructions for how to make a mini water cycle using a rotisserie chicken container, rocks, grass, and water contained within aluminum foil. Not sure what the reaction is but that's part of the fun.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2011/10/mini-water-cycle-fun.html

Pasta Beads

My name is snickerdoodle has a great alternative to plastic beads. Using ditalini, alcohol and food coloring she makes her own environmentally friendly and safe pasta beads.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mynameissnickerdoodle.com/2010/02/colors.html

Serving pink lemonade strings them on yarn and makes necklaces.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.serving-pink-lemonade.com/2012/05/pasta-beads.html 

Jellyfish jelly adds paper leaves in between each bead to make a jungle safari inspired necklace.

This site is no longer available.

Alisa burke makes shiny gold ones.

Get the instructions here:
http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2013/05/noodle-beads_28.html?spref=pi

Earth Day Craft Hand Print Earth Plate

Meet the dubiens has a cute, simple craft idea for earth day. Using a paper plate, paint and glitter kids can create their very own planet earth.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/04/lets-celebrate-earth-day.html

Earth Mosaic

Make and takes has an Earth day project using round paper and cut up Earth colored squares for kids to make a mosaic of the Earth. She even provides the Earth pattern to help keep the colors in place.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the template here:

http://www.makeandtakes.com/create-a-mosaic-earth-for-earth-day

Tissue Paper Toilet Paper Roll Tree for Earth Day

A cute craft for Earth day making a tree out of a toilet paper roll, green tissue paper, Easter grass and a sheet of construction paper to glue it on. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Make an autumn inspired tree with a toilet paper roll and small pieces of tissue paper from easy preschool crafts.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2012/08/fall-tree-toliet-paper-roll-craft.html

I heart crafty things makes an extra large tree using cut up magazines for the leaves.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2012/04/earth-day-inspired-tree-craft.html

Magic Drink Potion

Mrs. happy homemaker has a magic drink potion using sprite and kool aid ice cubes. As the potion melts the drink changes colors and flavors.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2011/10/magic-potion.html

Mess Free Finger Paint

Feeling lovesome has a terrific idea for mess free finger paint. Simply place it in a see through ziploc bag, instead of on a plate. Kids will still be able to feel the texture and blend the paints without the mess.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://feelinglovesome.blogspot.com/2012/01/fun-with-paint.html

Ice Fishing

Disney's family fun has instructions for how to pick up an ice cube with a string demonstrating the effect of salt on ice. All you need is a glass of water, an ice cube, salt and string.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-type/educational-craft-activities/science-projects/life-an-ice-cube-with-string-829549/

Mini Bubbles Bubble Blower

Bhoom play has a very unique idea for creating a bubble blower.

Instructions:
- Cut off the top of a plastic bottle.
- Cut several straws into 1.5 inch pieces. Cutting enough pieces to fill the width of the mouth of the bottle.
- Bind together the straws with a rubber band and stuff them into the top of the bottle, ensuring each straw is aligned.

Although not listed, consider taping the bottom (cut edge) of the bottle for safety.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the visuals here (instructions are in Thai):
http://bhoomplay.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/bubbles_blower/

How to Make a Paintbrush

Teach preschool has a cute idea for how preschoolers can make their own paint brushes using construction paper as the base and yarn, bubble wrap, feathers and pipe cleaners for the brushes and tape to bind it all together.

Good for age 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.teachpreschool.org/2010/07/handmade-paint-brushes-for-preschool/

Explosion Science Experiment

 
Home school journal berg blog has a nifty science experiment demonstrating how to make a ziploc bag pop using baking soda and vinegar to create a chemical reaction.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://homeschooljournal-bergblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-fun-43-fizzy-explosion-bags.html

Fun at home with kids uses liquid watercolors and makes an explosion for each color.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/08/how-to-get-best-baking-soda-and-vinegar.html

Toothfairy Origami Money Heart

Instructables hosts a tutorial for how to create a folded heart out of paper money that houses a quarter inside. Another cute way to fold tooth fairy money.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Bill-Oragami-Heart/step8/The-Quarter-Trick/

Tooth Fairy Money Origami Butterfly

Money is extra special when it comes from the Tooth Fairy.  Creative simplicity makes it extra special by folding it into the shape of a butterfly adding a really sparkly pipe cleaner for the antennae.  You could also add some light glitter glue to make the wings sparkle as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://creative-simplicity.blogspot.ca/2012/06/one-of-my-favorite-things-that-i.html