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