Yo Ho Ho and a Wine Cork Boat

Kids will have lots of fun in the tubby after making this upcycled toy boat courtesy of inner child fun.  She takes three wine corks, two rubber bands, a tooth pick, a triangle of foam and a pull string and voila a wonderful floating tub toy. 

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://innerchildfun.com/2013/07/quick-craft-for-kids-toy-boats.html

Handmade charlotte makes one too but skips the rubber bands using twine completely and adds an anchor.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/diy-cork-sailboat-in-a-jar/ 

Creative jewish mom makes a popsicle stick version too.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2011/07/summer-craft-wine-cork-boats-.html

Cardboard Ocean Creatures

Have fun playing with sea creatures courtesy of Mr. printables who includes a whale, shark, porpoise, octopus and jellyfish three dimensional cardboard cut outs.  He suggests adding clothespin people to ride on all of the ocean life. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/peg-dolls-with-cardboard-sea-creatures.html

Old MacDonald Built a Farm E I E I O

LaToya edwards uses notched craft sticks to build really simple pens and homes for various farm animals.  A great farm craft for fun and play.  She lets the kids embellish the craft with white paper she places underneath the fence structures so the kids can draw other items for the animals to enjoy.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://latoyaedwards.net/2012/06/super-simple-farm-craft/

Free kids crafts paints their craft sticks red, white and black to make more elaborate farm houses.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/skill_stick_barn-e1556.html

Parents uses popsicle sticks to make a two dimensional farm house for the preschool set, painting them as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/simple-wood-crafts/?page=5#page=5

Paper Cup Wind Chimes

Craft project ideas decorates paper cups with paint and glitter and adds some jingle bells and thread to make these cute wind chimes.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftprojectideas.com/index.php/how-to/material-of-the-month/paper-cups-july-2013/1483-paper-cup-wind-chime

Make your own tangrams

Tangrams are a puzzle of seven pieces, which are put together to form different shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape using all seven pieces.  Most of the puzzles are animals such as a bunny, fox or dog, but there are other object ones too such as a house or boat. Dream a little bigger dresses up the original version with her diy tangrams using magnet and scrapbooking paper and glue. She includes a free download for you to copy the shapes.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/magnetic-travel-tanagrams-tutorial.html

Dressing up a barren tree

Dilly dali art paints a tree with chalk to dress it up during the winter months and give it some color.  She calls it a rainbow tree.  This could make a good science experiment too.  The kids can predict how long the chalk will last. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.dillydaliart.com/2012/03/art-and-play-nature-way-trees.html

Picture Frame Made Out of Legos

Have a bunch of Legos all around your house?  Dad vs wild creates a colorful picture frame out of Legos.  A great gift and project for kids to make and put all of those Legos to use. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.dadvswild.com/2010/11/homemade-gifts-dad-lego-picture-frame/