How to make a spinning top that draws

Lexikaliker has a really clever idea.  She uses a washer and a pencil stub to create a spinning top.  Place it on paper and spin.  Kids will love trying this with colored pencils too.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lexikaliker.de/2010/07/drehmoment/

Mommy me the wonder years had a junior version using a circle cardboard cut out.  She has the kids draw pie shapes of color and when the spin it it's really pretty to watch. 

Get the instructions here:
http://mommyme-thewonderyears.blogspot.jp/2010/12/craft-spinning-tops.html

How to Make a Chair from a Box

Spoonful shows how to turn a few boxes into some neat furniture with just some glue and pretty scrapbooking paper.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://spoonful.com/crafts/box-seats

Bird Nest Craft

Preschool playbook shows how to take a paper bag and some shredded raffia to create a birds nest.  She sticks birds made from colorful feathers and pompoms inside.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.preschoolplaybook.com/2012/03/adorable-spring-birds.html

Jenni can knit also makes little chicks out of pompoms, feathers, felt and glue and then gives them cute homes, making nests from shredded paper and a brown paper bag.

Get the instructions here:
http://jennicanknit.blogspot.com/2013/05/paper-sack-birds-nests.html

Niccola on tuesday uses yellow chicks for her version.

Get the instructions here:
 http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/paper-bag-nests.html

Eggshell Mosaic Necklace

Pink stripey socks has a really neat way to take painted crushed eggshells and a milk cap and create a really unique necklace.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2013/03/make-eggshell-mosaic-pendant.html

How to Make Glitter Nail Polish

Love maegan takes clear coat nail polish and dresses it up with glitter. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lovemaegan.com/2013/04/how-to-make-glitter-nail-polish-DIY.html

Paper Plate Tambourine

Easy preschool crafts turns paper plates into a tambourine using markers, yarn, tissue paper and popcorn seeds to make the noise.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2012/06/paper-plate-tambourineshaker-music.html

 

All kids network adds jingle bells to their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/music/tambourine-craft.asp

Education.com uses yarn as well but makes longer ties.

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

La maison de loulou uses cardboard and wood star beads for her mister emotional tamborin.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lamaisondeloulou.com/blog/2013/09/18/5-minutes-diy-mister-emotional-tambourin/

Bathtub Foam Pit

Bath activities for kids has a really fun way to re-purpose pool noodles.  She cut them up to make smaller pieces and stuffs them into the tub for a foam pit bath the kids will love.

Good for ages 1 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bathactivitiesforkids.com/2013/03/fun-math-activities.html

Tree Branch Dream Catchers

Natural kids team shows how to turn a thin tree branch and yarn into a dream catcher. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://naturalkidsteam.com/wordpress/2010/07/making-dream-catchers-muddyfeet/

Chopsticks Catapult

Easy preschool craft turns chopsticks, rubber bands, and a bottle cap into a catapult.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2011/12/japanese-chopsticks-catapult-toy-craft.html

Rain Paintings

Ordinary life magic has a new way to use water to create water color paintings.  She crumbles up the dried paint and places onto paper.  Then she sets them out in the rain to see what it creates.  This would be particularly neat to try and create an object and see how it comes out.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ordinarylifemagic.com/2009/06/rainscapes.html

Cotton Swab Painting Pages

Therapy fun zone has several free printables where kids color via a q-tip and paint.  It's a really great way to get them using those fine motor skills.

Good for ages 2 and up. 

Get the templates here:
http://therapyfunzone.com/blog/2012/12/q-tip-painting-with-templates/

Meaningful mama does it free hand.

Get the instructions here:
http://meaningfulmama.com/2012/08/day-229-pointillism-for-kids.html

Milk Jug Doll Houses

Filth wizardry turns milk containers into doll houses using just a scissors and markers. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/07/fairy-houses-and-fairy-wings-for-your.html

 

Arte reciclagem has simpler version but still has the same effect.

Get the instructions here:
http://artereciclagem.blogspot.com/2012/07/ideias-inusitadas.html

Paper Butterfly Craft

The frugal girls turn scrapbook paper and pipe cleaners into pretty butterflies.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/01/pretty-paper-butterflies.html

Ellie and abbie cut out many different color paper butterflies and paste them on canvas.

Get the instructions here:
http://ellieandabbie.typepad.com/bright_eyes_blue_eyes/2011/02/butterflycollage.html

Animal Lacing Cards

Moms best network shares free templates to create various cardboard animal lacing cards.  Templates include a butterfly, elephant, duck and bear.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://momsbestnetwork.com/sewing-cards-a-toddler-craft/

Busy little bugs shares a free whale lacing card printable.

Get the template here:
 http://www.busylittlebugs.com.au/freebie-friday-whale-lacing-cards/

Make a Miniature TeePee

That artist woman shares a fantastic template to make a mini cardboard teepee.  She uses paint, markers and twigs to decorate.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2009/07/how-to-make-mini-teepees.html

Vivint uses black and white to make their teepees.

Get the instructions here:
http://neighborhood.vivint.com/good-neighbor/diy-play-teepees/ 

Crafts by amanda makes brown paper teepees.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2013/11/construction-paper-teepees.html

Popsicle Stick Flowers

Lucky me crafts and kids turns popsicle sticks into flowers using glue and buttons.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://luckymecraftsandkids.blogspot.com/2009/03/craft-stick-flowers.html

Toilet Paper Roll Wind Sock

Easy preschool crafts turns a toilet paper roll into a wind sock using yarn, construction paper and glue.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2012/03/toilet-roll-wind-sock-craft-1.html

Alien Port Hole Window

Plaid shows how to turn paper plates into a port hole and imagine an alien space scene with black paint, alien paper cut outs, tin foil and pipe cleaners.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.plaidkidscrafts.com/ProjectDetail.aspx?projectID=3697

Cindy derosier uses paint and shows a moon.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2015/06/paper-plate-spacecraft.html

Star Wars Coloring Pages

Teachers pay teachers hosts a set of Star Wars coloring pages that incorporate math facts to color code the pages. 

Download and purchase the pdf here:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/May-The-Facts-Be-With-You-Color-By-The-Code-Math-Puzzle-Printables

3D Fabric Animals

Ct Pub Blog shows how to take fabric, card board and glue and turn them into cute three dimensional animals.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/12/17/mary-links-no-sew-fabric-animals-project/

How to Save a Spider Web

Club scrap community shows how you can capture a spider web and display it on black paper.  She spray paints the spider web before transposing.  Would be neat in lots of different colors. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.clubscrapcommunity.com/main-community/main-blogs/Spider-Web-Embellishment.html

Dandelion Wish Jar

Sharon lovejoy has the most beautiful and simple idea for a really sweet gift.  She takes the fluffy dandelion heads and places them in a see through jar for anyone who needs a wish on a bad day.

Get the instructions here:
http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2010/06/dandelion-wishes-to-you.html

Think crafts places the individual dandelions into a pretty vial and turns it into a necklace.

Get the instructions here:
http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2013/04/30/the-gift-of-wishes/  

Kaboodle uses milk weed seeds which have the same wispy feeling but attached to a seed to make it more solid.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/captured-wish-necklace--natural-history-jar-specimen-modern

Japanese Paper Lanterns

The crafty classroom shows how to take pretty origami paper and turn them into Japanese lanterns sans the lights.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftJapanLantern.html

Paper House Lanterns

Hello bee shares a beautiful template for creating a town of paper houses.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.hellobee.com/2012/12/20/diy-paper-houses/

B kids uses a milk carton for her version and lines them with scrapbooking paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://bkids.typepad.com/bookhoucraftprojects/2013/12/milk_light-house_cartonmilk_lafete.html

A piece of rainbow shares a cut and fold version.

Get the template here:
http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/diy-paper-house-luminaries/

Jumping Toilet Paper Roll Bugs

Handmade charlotte shares an interactive toy kids can make from toilet paper rolls, black marker and string.  She even includes a template to help make them.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-jumping-jack-bugs/

Paper Daffodils

Baby.co.uk shares a sweet way to make a paper flower using construction and tissue paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.baby.co.uk/life_and_home/20130216spring-craft-for-toddlers-daffodil-suncatchers/

Make Your Own Glitter Magnets

Microwave girl handmade shares a really fun and easy way to create magnets using clear vase pebbles, glue and glitter.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://microwavegirlhandmade.blogspot.ca/2012/03/how-to-glitter-magnets.html

Deloop deloop has a similar tutorial.

Get the instructions here:
http://deloop-deloop.blogspot.ca/2013/02/365-days-of-pinterest-day-15-dit.html

Kids Hand Drawing Activity

Fairies love has a great and very simple idea for keeping the kids entertained drawing a little stick figure and trampoline on their hands.  As they open and fold their hands the little guy jumps.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m912ylgByL1qzabkfo1_500.jpg

Plastic Bottle Eco-System

Scribbit tells you how to turn a plastic bottle into an eco system complete with plant and animal life.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2010/05/kids-summer-crafts-build-ecosystem.html

 

Cranberry corner took inspiration from scribbit and developed her own take on the eco-systems. 

Get the instructions here:
 http://cranberrycorner.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-fun-ecosystem-edition.html

Paper Flower Garland

Ziggity zoom shares a flower template for kids to cut out and make a garland.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ziggityzoom.com/activity/spring-flower-garland-craft-printable

Lego Bracelet

The centsible life shows how to take a flat lego and braided embroidery floss to make a friendship bracelet.  The legos need to be drilled beforehand.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/2013/02/lego-friendship-bracelets/

DIY Foam Telescope

Repeat crafter me finds another purpose for pool noodles and cuts them up and decorates with duct tape to make telescopes.

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/06/pool-noodle-telescope.html