Cat and Mouse Finger Puppets

Will the cat and mouse be friends or will the mouse chase the cat around the house?  Kids can play games of cat and mouse with these free printable finger finger puppets from cupcakes for clara.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.cupcakesforclara.com/finger%20mouse.pdf

Paper Plate Seabird

An ordinary white paper play becomes a cute seagull with flapping wings thanks to local fun with kids.  She adds colorful paper feet and beak and draws on nifty eyes.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.localfunforkids.com/home/preschool-summer-bird-craft-paper-plate-seagull.html

Paper Angels

Kids can make a paper angel with in design art and craft.  She doesn't give instructions or a template.

Good for ages 10 and up.

http://indesignartandcraft.com/2012/12/angel-craft-preschool/

Popsicle Stick Lizard

Popsicle sticks and a pipe cleaner turn into a cute lizard with easy preschool crafts.  She adds on spots with marker and googly eyes, but the eyes could be drawn on as well.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com/2012/09/popsicle-stick-lizard-craft.html

Paper Fish Bookmarks

A paper fish cut out and a paper clip makes a friendly bookmark for fun fish and other tales.  Fave crafts shares all of the details.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Unexpected-Ideas/Floral-Fish-Bookmark

Monster Paper Purse

Paper is sewn into a purse, with a string cord and paper eyes and nose.  Find all of the details at simple form.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://simpleform.net/summer-crafts-for-kids-under-5-years-old/summer-crafts-for-kids-little-pouches/

Paper Flip Flops

Have kids make their own shoes this summer to try out on the lawn.  Macaroni kid shows how to make a cute pair of flip flops out of construction paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://deerfield.macaronikid.com/article/132179/preschool-craft-paper-flip-flops

Busy bee kids crafts makes a thong version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Summer-Flip-Flops.html

Felt Pouches

Felt folds over to make a fun pouch.  Kids glue on felt items such as hearts, butterflies or ice cream cones.  Find all of the details on about.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://childparenting.about.com/od/Easter_Spring_Crafts_for_Kids/ss/Summer-Crafts-For-Kids-Felt-Pouches.htm

Bead Butterflies

Activity village shows how kids can make a beaded butterfly using just beads and craft wire.

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/beaded_butterfly_craft.htm

Fun kid birthdays uses green beads for the body and purple for the wings.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.funkidbirthdays.com/summer-craft-ideas/ 

Indietute uses a clothes pin as well as beads on a pipe cleaner for the wings.

Get the instructions here:
http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2009/04/clothes-pin-butterfly.html 

Crafts by amanda uses cut up toilet paper tubes for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2013/04/cardboard-tube-beaded-butterfly-craft.html 

Crafty morning uses a colored clothespin and pipe cleaner and googly eyes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftymorning.com/neon-beaded-butterfly-craft-for-kids/

Panda hall turns hers into a barrette.  

Get the instructions here:
http://lc.pandahall.com/articles/2254-how-to-make-a-sparkly-pink-crystal-butterfly-hair-clip-with-wires.html

Origami Bell

Paper and a jingle bell make a dainty bell for a fun charm from instructables.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Origami-Bells/

Fourth of July Luminaries

Light up the night and your sidewalk with the patriotic July 4 luminaries from aunt peaches.  She paints a flag on each bag and cuts holes with a hole puncher to make the stars.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.auntpeaches.com/2012/06/patriotic-luminarias.html

Crafts by amanda paints jars with clear stars for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/07/4th-of-july-luminaries.html

Fourth of July Windsock

A pumpkin and a princess uses chipboard, scrapbooking paper and ribbons to make a festive wind sock to celebrate the Fourth of July.  An empty paper roll could be used too.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2013/05/patriotic-paper-windsock-summer-activities-for-kids.html

Multiples and more cuts strips from plastic tablecloths to make a really long one.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.multiplesandmore.com/crafting-with-kids/crafting-with-kids-memorial-day/

Straw Sparklers

Fiskars turns plastic straws and construction paper into sparklers for the Fourth of July.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www2.fiskars.com/Crafting/Projects/Holiday/July-4th/Stars-and-Stripes-Table-Crafts

Momtastic has a similar craft. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momtastic.com/diy/167713-diy-fourth-of-july-paper-sparklers

Fouth of July Party Crackers

Make some of your own July 4 firecrackers with this poppers from formula mom.  She uses patriotic scrapbooking  paper to cover toilet paper tubes, and fills with red and white candy mints inside white tissue paper.  Finally, she ties them up with shiny blue and red string.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://formulamom.com/4th-of-july-crafts-diy-poppers/

Aunt annies adds a pull top to her version to give it a pop.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.auntannie.com/Fourth_of_July/Crackers/

These stars are made from sticks

Twigs are painted red, white and blue and glued together to make stars for the Fourth of July with happy hooligans. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://happyhooligans.ca/4th-july-twig-ornaments/

Fourth of July Votive Holder

Red, white and blue tissue paper stars are glued onto a glass votive holder for a patriotic flame.  Crafts unleashed shares all of the details.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftsunleashed.com/paper-crafts/patriotic-votive-candle-holders/

Fireworks you can put a fork in

A fork makes a great paint brush for a Fourth of July fireworks painting.  Crafty morning shares all of the details to make this fun, explosive paintings.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftymorning.com/kids-fireworks-craft-using-fork/

Fourth of July Wreath

Patriotic cup cake liners turn into this nifty wreath with the guidance of ehow.  She adds a pretty red flower and red, white and blue star garland to the middle as well.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ehow.com/ehow-crafts/blog/patriotic-cupcake-liner-wreath/

No time for flashcards uses felt for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2011/06/4th-of-july-wreath.html

Crafting in the rain uses painted red and blue coffee filters.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftingintherain.com/2012/06/dyed-coffee-filter-wreath-for-4th.html

 

Five little chefs uses a paper plate, paper stars and red, white and blue buttons.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/06/easy-star-button-wreath.html

Fouth of July Paper Pinwheels

The American flag turns into a magnificent and festive pinwheel for the Fourth of July with skip to my lou and her free printable.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2014/05/13/printable-patriotic-pinwheels-and-a-printable-blog-hop/ 

Nifty thifty things makes an eight edge version.

Get the template here:
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/free-printable-4th-of-july-pinwheel/ 

Babble shows how to make your own version with scrapbooking paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.babble.com/toddler/kids-crafts-july-fourth-projects/

Alpha mom uses open stars.

Get the template here:
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/printable-pinwheels-for-your-patriotic-holidays/

Unpopable Gak Bubbles

Glue and liquid starch mix together to make really neat bubble material.  Two daloo suggests blowing into a glob with a straw and making what she calls an unbreakable bubble.  She so colors it a glittery blue to make it bubble color.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.two-daloo.com/play-recipe-diy-gak-bubbles/

Wire Wrap Bracelet

Bend jewelery wire into a nifty bracelet with instructables.  She has a great technique for moving from one section to the next.

Good for ages 13 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Swirly-Wire-Bracelet/

Panda hall braids the wire.

Get the instructions here:
http://lc.pandahall.com/articles/2176-vintage-bangle-designs-on-how-to-make-a-woven-copper-bracelet-with-wire.html

Castle Puzzle in a Box

An empty matchbox makes the perfect container for a miniature castle puzzle.  Kids get to cut the pieces and then put them together to make either the sample castle or a creation of their own.  Dada de l'enfant terrible shares a free printable to make the castle.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://dadaenfantterrible.blogspot.fr/2014/05/chateau-de-poche-kapesni-hrad.html

Melted Crayon Painting

Melted crayon painting takes on a new life with babble dabble do's idea to melt the crayons first in muffin tins and then use the melted wax as paint.  Kids will love the thicker texture when it dries.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://babbledabbledo.com/easy-art-kids-crayon-painting/

Floral Milk Vase

Bring back the past with flamingo toes diy floral milk vase using fabric or paper flowers. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.flamingotoes.com/2014/05/diy-vintage-style-floral-milk-vases/

Monogrammed Letters

Pretty scrapbooking paper dresses up monogram letters to add a fun touch to a child's room.  Crafts unleashed shares all of the details.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftsunleashed.com/decor-home/anthro-initial-wall-art/

Cindy derosier uses jewel stickers.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2015/07/jeweled-monograms.html

Balls of Fun Felted Magnets

Felt wool into these fun magnets with evermine.  She says it's particularly fun stabbing the felt with a needle.

Good for ages 11 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.evermine.com/blog/diy-wool-felted-magnets/

3D Paper Dinosaur Toy

Make a three dimensional roaringly interactive paper dinosaur toy with instructables.  She shares a printable template for kids to cut and fold and put together to make this nifty moving dino.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Poseable-Paper-T-Rex/

Rolled Paper Picture Frame

Colorful rolls of paper dress up an ordinary picture frame with this tutorial from instructables.  She warns this took a long long time.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Upcycled-Rolled-Paper-Frame/

Lego Plastic Bag Parachute

A plastic zipper bag, yarn and a lego turn into a nifty parachute toy with 733 blog.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://733blog.com/2014/05/plastic-bag-parachute.html

Wire Metal Dragonfly Necklace

A template is the secret for how to make this really cool copper wire dragonfly from instructables.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Dragonfly-Pendant/

Nature Scented Texture Paint

Flowers, fruit rind and herbs are added to paint to give it a different texture and scent with the nature store.  Making finger paint even more fun for the toddler set. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://nurturestore.co.uk/how-to-make-scented-paint-summer