Octopus Yarn Doll

Simply home blog turns a ball of yarn into a cute octopus doll. 

Good for age 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.simplyhomeblog.com/?p=934

Ribbon Wands

The ribbon wand shop at etsy wraps wooden dowels with pretty paper and glues on ribbon to the end.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get more inspiration here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ribbonwands

Ribbon wands uses multiple ribbons for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://ribbonwands.blogspot.com/2010/05/celebration-streamer-wand-tutorial.html

Salt Painting

Juggling with kids shares a nifty painting activity.  Kids start by making shapes with glue, next sprinkle with salt, then have the kids drop colored water onto the salt.  They'll be amazed at how the salt absorbs the water and travels through the shape.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.jugglingwithkids.com/2012/05/salt-painting.html

Fun at home with kids makes salt sculptures - just requires mixing salt and water and placing into a mold.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/04/painted-salt-sculptures.html

Blissfully domestic just leaves the salt unpainted to make it look like snow.

Get the instructions here:
http://blissfullydomestic.com/life-bliss/fun-crafts-for-kids-salt-prints/65507/

Emma owl uses lots of salt.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.emmaowl.com/salt-painting/

One inch world adds salt to liquid watercolors for a very shiny effect.

Get the instructions here:
http://oneinchworld.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/sparkly-watercolor-crystals/

Pink and green mama uses lots of colors.

Get the instructions here:
http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2011/09/salt-and-glue-watercolor-paintings.html

Smile monsters makes whales from foam board cut outs and shakes on the colored salt.

Get the instructions here:
http://smilemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/07/salt-art.html

Autumn Sensory Box

To make a fun sensory bin for fall start with a package of dried bean soup mix, add in colorful dried leaves, acorns, pine cones, seed pods, and other items fallen items from nature.

Nature Sun Catchers

Hands on as we grow turns paper plates and contact paper into sun catchers by adding pretty items from nature such as leaves, flower petals and twigs. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://handsonaswegrow.com/craft-for-toddlers-nature-collage-suncatcher/

Twig and toadstools uses an embroidery hoop and arranges the flowers in a geometrical format.  

Get the instructions here:
http://twigandtoadstool.blogspot.com/2014/03/mandala-sun-catchers.html 

 Cbc makes what they call a stained glass version using melted crayon shavings to make the effect.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cbc.ca/parents/2014/03/nature-craft-for-kids-rainbow-stained-glass-suncatchers.html

Japanese Paper Fans

The crafty classroom shows how to embellish origami paper into a beautiful Japanese fan using beads and string.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftJapanFan.html

First Day of School Hand Writing Sample

Heart 2 home has a neat idea of a way to capture your child's development.  Simply print labels for each grade and have your child write his or her name. 

Get the instructions here:
http://heart-2-home.com/2012/11/26/keep-a-sample-of-childs-handwritten-name-every-school-year-cute/