Putting Green Rug

This putting green sells for $139 at flor.com. However it looks so easy to make using two small area rugs. One smooth and one shaggy

Repeat crafter me has a tutorial for how to make a putting green using a green towel, a plastic cup and an empty cardboard box.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/03/diy-putting-green.html

Make Your Own Bird Feeder

Alpha Mom shows a simple way to make a beautiful heart shaped bird feeder.  The key to this recipe and making the shape stick is gelatin.  The heart is probably one of the easier shapes to make but any cookie cutter should work.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/crafts/heart-shaped-bird-feeder-diy/

How to Make a Friendship Bracelet

Homemade gifts made easy has resurrected the friendship bracelet from the 80s.  This one is pretty neat because of the tassels.  It's not as easy as some of the other methods but is definitely unique. You need a piece of circle cardboard and 3 colors of needlepoint thread.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-a-friendship-bracelet.html

Make Your Own Switch or Outlet Plates

Let your kids lend a hand in the design of their room by letting them decorate a switch or outlet plate is using stickers or paint.  All you need are the plates, stickers and/or paint.

Good for ages 8 and up.

A piece of rainbow paints on flowers and geometric patterns.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/diy-make-your-own-designer-switchplates/

How to Make Rock Candy

Gluesticks has a great tutorial for how to make rock candy.  All you need is sugar, water, food coloring, and some bamboo skewers.  These are great to make for parties or just a fun project.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-rock-candy.html

Fancy shanty shares a recipe too.

Get the instructions here:
http://fancyshanty.com/2013/04/homemade-rock-candy-recipe/ 

Growing a jeweled rose watches it grow and observes its progress each day.  Note: it looks bigger in the jar than it actually is.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2015/02/rock-candy-experiment.html  

BFF Wire Necklace

Quiet Lion Creations shows how to make a BFF wire necklace, using colored jewelery wire and ready made necklace chain.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://quietlioncreations.blogspot.com/2011/12/gauge-inc-bff-necklace.html

How to Make a Custom Notepad

Chica and Jo demonstrate how to make your own mini-notepads using padding compound.  This is a great project for any left over scrapbook paper you didn't use.   

Good for ages 6 and up. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/10/22/make-your-own-custom-notepads/

Build a Castle - Free Lowe's Craft - January 14

Although the event is over Land of Nod has a cute sand castle kit which includes a bucket, castle mold, rake and shovel.

Lowe's is having a free make a castle event on Saturday, January 14th at 10 am. The castle even has a working drawbridge. Kids receive a Lowe's apron, goggles, a completion patch and certificate. Note the craft involves the use of a hammer and nails. Spaces are limited and you need to sign up in advance and bring a waiver to the clinic.

Register here:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Build-A-Saurus - Free Lowe's Craft - January 28

Lowe's is having a free build-a-saurus event on Saturday, January 28 at 10 am.  In addition to the project kit, kids receive a Lowe's apron, goggles, a completion patch and certificate.  Registration is required and you need to bring the signed waiver to participate.

Register here:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Design a Tiara - Free Michael's Craft - January 21

Michael's is having a Fancy Nancy make your own tiara and story telling time for ages 3 and up on Saturday, January 21 from 10 am to noon.

Get the full event and location information here:
http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/StoreEvent-Show?event=se249

Backpack Buddy

Make a back pack buddy using a foam circle and feathers with cut out and keep.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/backpack_buddies

Crafts and creativity uses paracord.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftandcreativity.com/blog/2015/09/14/paracordbuddykeychain/

Shed Bank - Free Home Depot Craft - January 7

The Home Depot is having a free kids craft where they can make their own bank on Saturday January 7 from 9-12 am.  Kids are given a Home Depot apron to keep along with a pin showing the completed project.  Note that most projects involve the use of a hammer and nails and recommended for ages 5-12.

Get more information about the event and locations here:
http://www.homeimproverclub.com/kidsworkshops.aspx?month=jan&site=microsite-_-homeimproverclub-_-kids/jan

How to make indoor snowflakes

Mom in Madison has a fun tutorial for how to make your own indoor snowflakes.  The trick to the crystal looking effect is Borax which you can usually find at the hardware or grocery store.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mominmadison.blogspot.com/2008/12/snowflakes.html

Work it mom has a tutorial as well using pipe cleaners as her base.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.workitmom.com/bloggers/familycraftideas/2013/11/29/kids-craft-borax-crystal-snowflakes/

Family corner uses a pipe cleaner for their base.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.familycorner.com/crafts-kids-family-2/crystal-snowflakes.html

Build Your Own Igloo

Education.com has an awesome tutorial for how to make your own igloo and it's really simple. You can make a small igloo indoors with ice cube trays or a large igloo for outdoors with milk cartons that you cut in half. One word of warning, make sure your ice is flat. Otherwise it will be a lot more challenging to get the ice to stay put, although probably a lot more fun as well.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/homemade_igloo/?cid=50.20


Play at home mom 3 also has an ice cube igloo using square ice cubes. She then re-purposes them to draw with and use in the bath.

Get the instructions here:
http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2012/03/igloo.html

Making merry memories uses sugar cubes to make an igloo.  To give it a snowy texture she sprinkles it with sugar icing. 

Get the instructions here:
http://makingmerrymemories.blogspot.com/2011/03/sugar-cube-igloo.html

Campfire marshmallows uses mini marshmallows to make igloos and larger ones to make snowmen.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.campfiremarshmallows.com/frosted-igloo-with-snowman/

Make Your Own Plastic Bottle Bowling Set

Jill from Meet the Dubiens has a nifty idea for how to create a beautiful bowling set.  All you need are plastic bottles and paint.  Very simple and a great activity when you are done.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ucreatewithkids.com/2011/02/creative-guest-meet-dubiens.html
 

All things shendrick has a nighttime version for the summer months using the same bottles but filled with water and colorful glow sticks.

Get the instructions here:
http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2012/03/20-spring-break-ideas.html

Growing a jeweled rose has a similar glow in the dark bowling idea.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2014/06/glow-in-dark-bowling.html 

Kix cereal has a version as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://kixcereal.com/glow-in-the-dark-bowling/ 

Lindsay and andrew use water with food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/07/water-bottle-bowling.html

Hanging Clouds - Kids Bedroom Decor

Oh Crafts has a really simple way to turn a bedroom ceiling into a cloud-filled sky.  Your children can help form the cloud shapes they'd like to watch and see.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ohcrafts.net/kids-clouds-on-the-ceiling.php

Make Your Own Bath Sponges

Martha Stewart has a great idea for pop-up sponges, but unfortunately doesn't provide a template. Luckily there's a ton of stencil sites with templates online. You can also have kids create and cut their own designs using flat sponge material.

ABC stencils here:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=abc+stencils&qpvt=abc+stencils&FORM=IGRE


Crafts by mommy has a fun way to re-purpose colorful kitchen sponges, simply cut the sponge into strips and tie together with dental floss.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbymommy.blogspot.com/2011/02/easy-bath-toys.html

Passion for savings has the kids use the sponges for a gun game of Bozo Buckets.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.passionforsavings.com/2013/05/how-to-make-your-own-sponge-ball-toss/

 

Mom endeavors uses different textured sponges.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momendeavors.com/2011/07/diy-splash-balls-2.html

Cheryl style makes a game for the sponge balls with frisbees by having the kids throw them into the frisbees to earn points.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cherylstyle.com/showcase/diy-sponge-ball-pool-game/