Make Your Own Finger Puppet Kit

Alanna George has an adorable idea for a finger puppet kit.  The only thing missing is the glue.  Check out dollar stores or thrift stores for inexpensive gloves and paint swatch cards are great for small colored paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.alannageorge.com/2011/11/28/handmade-holidays-finger-puppet-kit/

Toilet Paper Roll Octopi

Rebecca Cooper posts on how to make an owl and an octopus out of a cardboard toilet paper roll.  She has very simple ones and very elaborate glittery examples as well. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-craft-day-toilet-paper-owls.html

Free kids crafts makes a green octopus with tissue paper stuffing.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/cardboard-tube-octopus/

Making friends uses half of the toilet paper roll.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makingfriends.com/recycle/tp_sealife.htm

Bubble Wands

Disney's family fun has the easiest way to make a bubble wand for kids with this homemade bubble blower.  All you need are some straws and tape.

Dip one end of the bundle into a shallow dish of bubble solution (you can make your own by combining 1 cup of water with 1/3 cup of dish-washing liquid and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup or glycerin), then blow through the straws.

The group of straws will produce tons of tiny bubbles.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-bubbles-668489/

Come together kids adds string between two straws to make super big bubbles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/04/really-big-bubble-maker.html

Paper Bracelet

Fave crafts has a unique way to make an easy bracelet using a brown paper bag handle.  The main thing you need is a design pattern to use as a stencil, paint and glue.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Green-Crafting/Brown-Bag-Handle-Bracelet/ml/1

Willow day punches holes in paper rings and then has the kids weave yarn and strung beads in and out.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.willowday.com/2013/11/easy-weave-bracelets.html

Pipe Cleaner Flower Rings

 

Pipe cleaners are twisted into pretty flower rings with these ideas and tutorials below.

Funky polkadot giraffe has a tutorial showing how to make flower rings by twisting around pipe cleaners.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/06/tutorial-thursday-red-white-blue.html

Aunt peaches twists two different color pipe cleaners to make an extra colorful flower for this pipe cleaner craft.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.auntpeaches.com/2010/09/pipe-cleaner-cocktail-rings-liberace.html

JaeBellzuses two different color pipe cleaners too but instead of twisting them creates different color "petals."

Get the instructions here:
http://jaebellz.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-flower-ring-pipe-cleaners.html

Shop twixt adds bling to her version with a sparkly pompom glued to the middle.

Get the instructions here:

http://shoptwixt.blogspot.com/2010/12/tween-new-years-eve-countdown-making.html

Popcorn Painting

Katherine Marie photography has a great way to combine an after school snack and activity.  She sets out edible paint, a dish of popcorn and some paintbrushes for an afternoon of popcorn painting.  You can use food coloring as well and even dilute it with milk or water.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://katherinemariephotography.com/blog/archives/2509

Disappearing Egg Shell Science Experiment

Science sparks has a great science experiment using an egg and vinegar to create a chemical action where the acid from the vinegar disolves the egg shell.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/01/16/how-to-get-an-egg-yolk-without-cracking-the-egg/