Candy Acid Experiment

Candyexperiments.com shows how to test the acidity of any fruit flavored or sour candy using just warm water and baking soda. They even have videos for lemon heads, nerds, piie sticks and war heads.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.candyexperiments.com/2009/09/acid-test.html

How to Make a Star Wars Pinata

Starwars.com has a tutorial on how to make a Death Star pinata. It looks a lot more difficult to make than it actually is. The trick is to use masking tape to control for the solid lines. 

Good for ages 11 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.starwars.com/play/online-activities/cooking/deathstarpinata/

Paper Leaf Print Bouquet

No time for flash cards shows how to make a leaf bouquet by rubbing crayons onto leafs covered with regular copy paper, which in turn transfers their seams onto the paper. They even have an idea for a vase - a paper towel roll.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2010/10/leaf-rubbing-tree.html

Music Shakers

Art is basic provides instructions for how to make a rattle using a paper plate, beans, paper mache, paper, feathers, paint and other materials to decorate.  A great paper mache idea for kids.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://vividlayers.blogspot.com/2011/12/paper-mache-rattles-kindergarten.html

The educators spin on it wraps plastic lid containers with colorful wrapping paper and fills them with an assortment of different beans, rice and seeds to make different sound effects.

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.com/2012/01/baby-time-lets-make-music.html

Grow Your Own Gummy Bears

Did you know gummy bears grow if you place them in water? A survival guide to middle school knows all about the science behind the water and gummy bear chemical reaction and has activity sheets and videos.  They show you how to grow gummy bears to double their size.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://asurvivalguidetomiddleschool.blogspot.com/2011/10/yummy-gummy-bears.html

We made that uses worms instead of bears.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/gummy-worm-experiment/

Decomposing Apple Science Experiment

Science sparks has a fun way for kids to learn about the decay process. Using apples, vinegar, lemon juice and salt water kids can compare how certain chemicals can affect food and speed up and slow down the process.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/03/05/rotting-apples/

Plastic Milk Container Bird Feeder

The National Wildlife Federation has a great way to upcycle a plastic milk jug, glue, leaves, twigs and stones. Not sure how well this would work as a kids craft since their version looks fantastic but it would be fun to try.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Activities/Crafts/Birds/Milk-Jug-Bird-Feeder.aspx

Turn Kleenex box into a Ukulele

A cleverer version of myself shows how turn a kleenex box into a ukulele. Unfortunate the blog is closed to the public but you could contact the author Renee Laprise to see if she'll give you access http://www.blogger.com/profile/07549443356264490601

Good for ages 6 and up.

Free Origami Animal Templates

First palette has free printable folding templates to make a complete animal zoo. They even have a template for a zoo habitat where the animals can coexist.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the templates here:
http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/Folding_Instructions/Folding_Instructions.html

Plastic Pull Tab Rings

Mama to 3 blessings has a very cleaver way to turn the plastic pull tabs you find on milk and juice cartons and turn them into rings using glue, glitter, and stickers.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/2011/08/dyi-carton-pull-rings-cute-fun-thrifty.html

No time for flash cards uses tiny colorful beads and glue for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/08/milk-carton-plug-ring.html

Make your own magnetic frame

Artful adventures has a tutorial for how to make a picture frame to stick to the refrigerator using corrugated cardboard and paint. They can be decorated with stickers as well.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.artful-adventures.co.uk/2009/11/18/create-your-own-fridge-frames/

Rainbow Screen Prints

The chocolate muffin tree has a creative idea of how to make rainbow prints using styrofoam blocks and tempura paints. Kids will have fun punching out their picture into the styrofoam.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thechocolatemuffintree.com/2012/02/styrofoam-rainbow-prints.html

Butterfly Craft Roundup

All kids networks has a great butterfly craft for kids to make and shares an example of ink blotting using a butterfly cutout. Kids will love to paint the one side and see how the wings become symmetrical. Their post includes a butterfly template printout so all you need to do is cut out the paper.

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/bugs/folding-paper-butterfly.asp

Piggy giggles has a really simple paper napkin butterfly project. All the kids need to do is color the napkin with markers, spray with water and tie up with a pipe cleaner.

http://www.piggygiggles.com/crafts-for-kids/decor-crafts/paper-napkin-butterfly-craft-easy-activity-young-kids.html

No time for flash cards creates a butterfly sun catcher which uses construction paper, contact paper, ribbons and crayons.

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/02/toddler-butterfly-craft.html

Make your own beanbags

Disney's family fun has a nifty way for making bean bag balls using 2 balloons and lentils. They're too cute.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/beanbag-balls-670529/

Flip flops and apple sauce has a similar tutorial.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.flipflopsandapplesauce.com/2009/04/balloon-bean-bags.html

Lifesaver Flower Lollipops

Busy bee kids crafts has a cute idea for how to make flower lollipops out of lifesavers, using one lifesaver in the middle and six surrounding lifesavers and a lollipop stick. Bake the candy to have it fuse together into a flower.

Good for kids ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Flower-Lollipop.html

Gas Filling Balloon Science Experiment

All for the boys has a nifty science experiment featuring an empty water bottle, white vinegar, baking soda and a balloon.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2011/8/4/science-fun.html

Mama smiles turns her ghost into a balloon by drawing a face on it.  And makes the science project for Halloween.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mamasmiles.com/fun-halloween-activity-for-kids-self-inflating-ghost-balloons/

DIY Glowing Lantern

Preschool rock had a terrific idea for how to make a lantern out of popsicle sticks, wax paper and craft stickers.

How To Make It

Step One:
Tear off a piece of wax paper about 2 feet long and lay it out on a flat surface. Starting at one end, glue four craft sticks in the shape of a square.

Step Two:
Repeat that box shape three more times, end to end. Let it all dry.

Step Three:
Trim excess wax paper leaving an inch along the end for gluing. Fold the box into shape and glue closed. Next, place it over an electric candle and watch it glow.

Variation

You can decorate the wax paper with crayons or glue on embellishments if you want.
Good for ages 4 and up.

Artsy fartsy mama has a version on her site.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2013/02/diy-wax-paper-lantern.html