Stick Bracelets

Dzwiedziu has a fun idea for turning a popsicle stick into a bracelet. Simply boil in water for 15 minutes and as they cool they'll warp into a cuff bracelet shape. I imagine you need to try with a lot of popsicle sticks to get just the right fit. Then you simply decorate the stick as you see fit, she uses scrapbooking paper and glue but you could use a number of different items from paint to stickers.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://dzwiedziu.soup.io/post/142433840/Popsicle-Stick-Bracelets-DIY-Steps

Mama miss uses washi tape to decorate hers and doesn't make them completely circular but instead ties thread for an easier closure.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mamamiss.com/2013/05/30/diy-washi-tape-wooden-bracelets/

Molly moo uses embroidery thread and beads to make her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://mollymoo.ie/quick-craft-craft-stick-bracelets/

Carolyns homework uses longer, thinner sticks and wraps them in colorful twine. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2015/03/craft-stick-twine-wrapped-bracelet.html

Suzys sitcom draws on patterns with markers.

Get the instructions here:
http://suzyssitcom.com/2011/04/feature-friday-popsicle-bracelets.html

Easy Colorful Sun Catchers

 Education.com has a tutorial for how to make sun catchers using baby oil, construction paper, markers and a cotton swab.  Keep in mind the baby oil will expand farther than it starts so you might want to add some distance between the pattern elements.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/oil-sun-catcher/

Colorful Soap Shapes

Magical childhood takes the ivory soap explosion experiment (microwave a half bar of ivory soap for 30 seconds and watch it explode and expand into a foam) even further by using paint brushes, water and food coloring to make what she calls soap clouds.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/a/soaptrick.htm
http://magicalchildhood.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/painted-soap-clouds/

Watercolor Salt Bookmarks

Art club blog has a crafty science experiment showing the effects of salt on watercolor paints while creating a unique and pretty bookmark. The experiment/craft uses construction paper, yarn, salt, and watercolor paint.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://artclubblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/salty-bookmarks/

Straw Maze Kids Craft

Teach preschool has a clever idea of how to make a marble maze using colorful plastic straws, glue and box tops.  A great and simple maze craft kids can make.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/01/a-maze-ing-marble-mazes/

People Pebbles

Parenthood has a cute and simple craft making people and animal creatures from pebbles. It's a great craft that can be done outside and half of the fun will be searching for unique shaped pebbles. You can also use grass, moss, twigs, petals, leaves and other natural products to make hair, fur or clothing.

Get your child to find similarities in the shape of the stones to different animals. Or create shapes using different sized pebbles. Use the larger stones for the main body and the smaller ones for the head, you could also ad feet and arms.

Glue the stones together to the preferred animal or shape. Color the stones or pebbles and use a marker pen for smaller details such as eyes, hair and mouths.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Site is no longer available.

Hand Print Frame

 

Michael's has a cute idea for a Father's day gift using children paint hand prints on the matting of a frame.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.michaels.com/Frame-with-Hand-Print-Mat/30551,default,pd.html