How to Make a Lava Lamp

Home Chemistry has a great video showing you how to make a lava lamp.  The most difficult item to find is the LED push light, but everything else is very easy to obtain.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://homechemistry.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-lava-lamp-new-and-improved.html

My recipe room has an easier version using alka seltzer tabs, food coloring, oil and water and a clear plastic bottle.

Get the instructions here:
http://myreciperoom.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-made-lava-lamp.html

Hello wonderful uses mason jars.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/diy-mason-jar-lava-lamp

Lindsay and andrew uses a recipe with glue.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/lava-lamps.html

Bird and little bird uses lots of different colors.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.birdandlittlebird.com/blog/2012/05/kitchen-table-science-lava-lamps-.html

Make Your Own Scratch Art Paper

Make It:

Frugal Family Fun Blog shows how to make nifty do it yourself scratch art boards. Kids will have fun designing the hidden colors, hiding their colors and scratching off the paint to make fun designs.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/11/diy-scratch-art-pages.html

Buy It:

Alternatively you can buy scratch art paper:

Keeping track of you child's favorites

All for the boys had a fantastic "interview" you can give your kids every year.  This is a great idea for their scrapbooks because you can see how their answers change and don't change every year.  You can also use the template as questions and record their answers in addition to the paper version.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Click the image for the template.

Thirty handmade days has an interview template that covers the past year and the next.

Get the template here:
http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/12/new_year_resolution/

Rolled Paper Beads

Creative Jewish Mom has a great tutorial on how to make colorful paper beads out of magazine pages. This makes for a great, easy activity and your kids will love their finished result. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2009/07/recycling-crafts-rolled-paper-beads-and-necklaces.html

Prachilele uses crepe paper for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crepe-Paper-Beads-Bracelet/ 

Papervinenz shows how to make different shapes in her tutorial.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.papervinenz.com/2012/07/paper-bead-tutorial-summer-fun.html 

Kids activities blog makes rainbow ones.

Get the instructions here:

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/72287/make-rainbow-paper-beads 

Hello wonderful uses corrugated paper to make textured beads.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/diy-corrugated-paper-bead-necklaces

Make Your Own Rubber Stampers

Enjoy these super easy way for kids to make foam stamps in several shapes and sizes.

Make It:

Vanessa's Values has the easiest stamper idea ever.  All you need is foam stickers and bottle caps.  You just stick the stickers on the top of the caps and there you go.  Kids love stamping and this will give the lots of options and designs.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://vanessasvalues.blogspot.com/2011/11/create-with-kids-make-your-own-bottle.html

Silly pearl draws her stamps onto foam sheets and then cut them out.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sillypearl.com/2012/05/craft-tutorial-make-easy-diy-stamps.html

Craftoart carves her pictures into foam blocks.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftoart.com/2011/08/foam-stamps-no-foam-stickers.html

Richmond mom makes geometric stamps by cutting foam into triangles and other angular shapes.

Get the instructions here:
http://richmondmom.com/2014/05/14/diy-cheap-and-easy-stamps-perfect-for-little-hands/

Babble dabble do sticks foam stickers onto wood blocks to make letter stamps.

Get the instructions here:
http://babbledabbledo.com/diy-art-materials-how-to-make-a-stamp/

Engineer mommy uses foam stickers.

Get the instructions here:
http://engineermommy.com/2014/make-your-own-foam-stamps/

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Colorful Finger Paint Recipes

Recipes for all different types of finger paint. Have fun!

Make It:

Food.com is cooking up a new recipe of finger paint and the main ingredient is dish soap so your house won't get too messy with this fantastic nonstaining recipe. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-finger-paint-176355

Green scene mom makes a flour version.  She gives a comparison to cornstarch versions saying the flour recipe is better for painting and the corn starch kind is better for squishing and sensory play.

Get the instructions here:
http://greenscenemom.com/blog/24-do-it-yourself/126-diy-fingerpaint

It's gravy baby makes an edible version with cornstarch, condensed milk and kool aid. 

Get the instructions here:
http://itsgravybaby.com/2012/03/edible-finger-paint-recipe/

Mess for less uses vanilla pudding and food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.messforless.net/2012/03/toddler-pudding-finger-paint-guest-post.html

Crafty child shares several washable recipes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftychild.com/finger-paint-recipes.html

Le coin del mel makes a gluten free version with corn flour.

Get the instructions here:
http://lecoindemel.com/edible-gluten-free-finger-paint/

Love play and learn uses greek yogurt and food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.loveplayandlearn.com/2012/07/quick-n-easy-greek-yogurt-finger-paint.html

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Super Simple Fruity Lip Gloss

Make It:

Jill Dubien has the easiest lip gloss recipe ever.  It's literally Vaseline and kool-aid.  The great thing is kool-aid comes in such cool flavors your possibilities are almost endless.  Plus you can combine the flavors to make to your own.  She also has a template for the stickers for pretty packaging and gift giving.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/make-your-own-lip-gloss.html

Everyday dishes melts down lip balm to make her own.

Get the instructions here:
http://everydaydishes.com/creative-crafts/diy-lip-stain/ 

Buy It: