Liquid Density Experiment

Steve sprangler science takes the separation of oil and water to the next level adding 5 other liquids to stack them bay desnity.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/seven-layer-density-column 

Make Your Own Twist Ties

Organize your stuff now shares a really cute idea for how to make your own twist ties using scrapbooking paper, wire and tape.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/diy-twist-ties

Tikkido uses washi tape for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://tikkido.com/node/933

Paper Flower Lei

The joyful princess boutique shares a template to make a flower lei out of construction paper.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thejoyfulprincessboutique.com/blog/fun-for-kids-friday-may-flower-leis/

The crafting chicks create a paper flower lei kit including the cut flowers, colorful straws and thread and place it in a bag for a fun craft activity or favor.

Get the instructions here:
http://thecraftingchicks.com/2014/05/aloha-make-your-own-lei-kit-free-printable-sticker.html

Kids Tornado Experiment

Ellie moon shares a fun science experiment where kids can create a tornado in a jar using water and dish soap and some really good shaking.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://elliemoon.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/tornado-in-a-jar-diy.html

We made that shares a version as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/tornado-in-a-bottle/ 

Juggling with kids jazzes her version up with glitter and food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.jugglingwithkids.com/2012/03/tornado-in-jar.html

Lego Storage Box

Catch my party shares an easy way to turn legos into a storage container.  She does it as a napkin holder but you could put pretty much anything inside.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://catchmyparty.com/photos/101014

Milk Carton Boat

Lilla a design has the most adorable way to turn a milk carton into a play boat for a stuffed animal or small doll toy  Using an empty carton and paint.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://lilla-a-design.blogspot.com/2010/03/skepp-ohoj.html

 

 Easy preschool craft draws paper people for their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2014/02/recycled-milk-carton-boat-craft.html

Make your own bath tub toy raft

Handmade charlotte has a great idea for a homemade bath toy, designing what she calls a river raft using duct tape, water bottles and a cardboard box top.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-duct-tape-river-raft/

Flashlight Cutout Projections

Happy hour projects has a nifty idea.  She used a silhouette machine to create a starry night.  But this could be with just some black paper and a scissors for whatever pattern the kids want.  It's like shadow puppets with no hands.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.happyhourprojects.com/2012/08/homemade-starlight.html

Handmade charlotte makes constellations with her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-constellation-flashlight-discs/ 

Kix cereal makes animal shapes such as a dog bone and paw print.

Get the instructions here:
http://kixcereal.com/kix-cereal-flashlight-storytime/

Shoe Tying Board

Salsa pie has great idea for how to make a shoe tying practice board using a cardboard box and string.  Kids will share in the creation by tracing their shoes and coloring the practice versions. 

Good for age 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://salsapie.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-shoe-tie-practice-board-team-style.html

Montessori for learning suggests using a jump rope and tying it around the kids legs so they can see how to tie a shoe in jumbo size.

Get the instructions here:
http://montessoriforlearning.blogspot.com/2010/06/tying-shoelaces.html 

Angry Bird Origami Boxes

Jobbx hosts a variety of colorful and useful angry bird folding boxes.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the templates here:
http://www.joybx.com/entry/18079.html

Make a Penny Battery

Instructables has a really cool tutorial for how to make a battery out of a stack of pennies, lemon juice, sand paper, tape and an led to power.

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.instructables.com/id/Miller-Penny-battery/

Rice Rattle

El hada de papel has introduces what she calls a rice rattle using a toilet paper tube, tissue paper, rice, glue and rubber bands.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://elhadadepapel.blogspot.com/2011/05/maraca-de-arroz.html

Stain Glass Lanterns

Nothing but country has a cute tutorial for how to create a colorful lantern using a jar, tissue paper, glue and an electronic tea light.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.nothingbutcountry.com/2012/06/night-light-stain-glass-kids-project/

Ruffley Bag Pinatas

 

Infarrantly creative has a unique and simplified way to create a pinata without having to use any paper mache.   Instead she uses a paper bag and decorates it with crepe paper streamers.  She simply hangs it from a hanger and instant pinata.

Good for ages 7 and up.

The family crafts channel of about.com has a similar pinata using rainbow themed tissue paper.  

Get the instructions here:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/paperbagcrafts/ss/PBpinata.htm

Terra Cotta Pot Decorating

A creative cookie has a very easy craft activity.  All you need is a terra cotta pot and some markers for the kids to draw designs.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://acreativecookie.blogspot.com/2012/05/color-pot-with-sharpie.html

Where imagination grows has a more toddler friendly version.

Get the instructions here:
http://whereimaginationgrows.com/2013/05/painting-terra-cotta-pots/

Ice Rainbows

5 orange potatoes has a science experiment freezing food colored water into plastic molds and then melting them in oil.  She calls it melting rainbows.  She also suggests melting them onto paper towels.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/03/10/melting-rainbows/

Plastic Egg Tea Cups

Creativity in progress has the cutest idea for what to do with those plastic Easter eggs - make plastic tea cups for an adorable tea party. She glues on buttons to create a base and adds stickers to embellish the cups.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.creativityinprogress.com/blog/2011/04/plastic-easter-egg-tea-cups/

 Chica circle has a similar tutorial.  She cuts a foam bead in half to create a little handle.

Get the instructions here:
http://club.chicacircle.com/plastic-egg-teacups/

 

 

Morenas corner uses a paper clip for the handle.

 

 

Get the instructions here:

http://morenascorner.com/easter-egg-tea-cup-party-favor/

 

Stuffed Animal Hi Jinx April Fools

Pinterest has a very silly idea for kids on April fool's day.  Take their favorite stuffed animals and have them perform mischief throughout the house.  Depending on their age they may believe the stuffed animals are up to no good.

See pinterest post here:
http://pinterest.com/pin/273030796128941537/

Candy Egg Ornaments

Digu has a beautiful way to create Easter egg ornaments which house wrapped candy using embroidery floss, glue and a balloon.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.digu.com/pin/t2xpBkxntwyps

Jelly Bean Bracelet Kids Craft

My kids make has a yummy craft for Easter using jellybeans and elastic thread.  To make this more kid friendly have the holes already punched in the jellybeans and all they'll need to do is string them.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mykidsmake.com/2011/04/create/jelly-bean-bracelet/

Mom luck adds a ribbon to her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://momluck.com/jelly-bean-bracelet/ 

Artzy creations makes multi-row bracelets.

Get the instructions here:
http://artzycreations.com/easy-jelly-bean-bracelets/

Pipe Cleaner Animals

Martha stewart has tuturials for how to make animals from pipe cleaners including tigers, squirrels, chamelon, money,deer and fawns.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/266158/pipe-cleaner-creatures

The aok corral makes faces by twisting the pipe cleaners into a circle and adding googly eyes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2apr2006.htm

Little Chick Easter Basket

All kids network shows how you can take a paper plate and turn it into a little chick Easter basket using yellow marker, construction paper cut outs, yarn and glue.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/animals/birds/baby-chick-basket.asp

Tissue Paper Easter Basket

Spanglish baby shows how to turn tissue paper into a cute Easter basket for jelly beans and other candy or trinkets.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://spanglishbaby.com/finds/easter-kids-craft-easy-tissue-paper-basket/

Free Printable Disguise Kit

Design house digital shares a free mustache and glasses printable for kids to don a fun disguise.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.designhousedigital.com/content/blog/happy-april-fools-day/

Magic Money Box

Lovezilla has a great idea for how to dress up a gift for kids who just want cash.  Take an empty kleenex box, and stuff in dollar bills that are each taped together end to end.  The kids will have lots of fun pulling out all of the money.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lovezilla.net/2012/03/15/dont-blow-it-all/

Free Ballerina Paper Chain

The crafty crow shares a ballerina paper chain template.  She recommends drawing a face and using crepe paper to add tutus.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the results here:
http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2011/06/a-book-a-craft-chasing-degas-and-paperdoll-ballerinas.html

Bunny Paper Doll

Home and garden shares a vintage bunny paper doll printable.

Get the template here:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1009038745026681305QYycOaHglp

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Preschool powol packets posted instructions for how to make what she calls elephant toothpaste.  The experiment calls for hydrogen peroxide so you'll need to do the experiment for the kids, but it's still a great way to talk about chemical reactions and the scientific process.

Get the instructions here:
http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2012/01/science-experiment-elephant-toothpaste.html  

We made that has a version as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/elephant-toothpaste-experiment/

Navigating by joy has a three ingredient version with optional food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.navigatingbyjoy.com/2013/02/16/elephants-toothpaste-fun-with-catalysts/

Colorophyll

Ms. laura shares a great photo of a lettuce leaf and food colored water to demonstrate how water travels through a plant.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mslaura/4023084459/

Paint cut paste has a similar experiment using white carnations.

Get the instructions here:
http://paintcutpaste.com/color-changing-carnations/ 

All for kids has a non nature version of this experiment using tissue paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://allforkids.tv/episode-guide/season-4/episode-37/absorbing-science/

Apple green cottage has the same experiment.

Get the instructions here:
http://applegreencottage.blogspot.com/2015/01/walking-water-experiment-with-colors.html

Fairy Tale Paper Dolls

Sharons sun lit memories has free downloadable templates of what she calls mother goose paper dolls.  Outfits include everything from farmer to international flair. 

Get the templates here:
http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.com/2011/06/mother-goose-paper-dolls-no-4422.html

Free Printable Flower Gift Tags

Ellinee shares a fantastic template to make cute and colorful petal gift tags and cards.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the templates here:
http://www.ellinee.com/blog/petal-gift-cards-for-every-occasion/

Fabric Post Cards

Skip to my lou shares a great way to make your mail more exciting with her craft of fabric enhanced post cards.  All you need are scraps of fabric, glue and cardboard.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2012/06/28/homemade-postcards-craft-camp/

Gum Ball Necklaces

One charming party has the most adorable tutorial for how to make a gumball necklace using colorful ribbon and matching gumballs.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://onecharmingparty.com/2011/01/19/valentine-gumball-necklaces/