Ocean in a Bottle

What you'll need:

• a plastic water bottle with lid.
• water plants.
• blue food coloring.
• small pebbles or pieces of gravel.
• fish, shells and other small toys.
• diamond dust.

How to make it:

1. Fill 1/3 of a plastic bottle with water.
2. Add a few drops blue food coloring to the water.
3. Then, pour vegetable oil to fill the rest of the bottle.
4. Add toy fish, diamond dust and pebbles.

The oil and water do not mix, but oil on the water creates slow waves when you turn it back and forth.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Dinosaur Eggs

Play create explore has a craft for making dinosaur eggs out of a coffee ground and dough mixture. Once you make the dough you form an egg shape around an object such as a small plastic dinosaur. Kids can crack them open with their hands.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2010/09/make-your-own-dinosaur-egg-or-treasure.html

123 home school 4 me uses paper marche for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/03/dinosaur-unit-for-elementary-kids.html

How to Make a Marble Run

Make a fun and interactive marble run from easy to not so easy.

Tinkerlab has a nifty marble run idea. All you need are some toilet paper or paper towel rolls and pretty colored tape and you're set.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://tinkerlab.com/2011/05/toilet-paper-roll-marble-run/

A happy wanderer has a similar version using larger balls and longer tubes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ahappywanderer.com/2011/08/ball-maze.html
 

My home spun threads does away with the cardboard tube for something more sturdy using a foam  pool noodle.  She even set up a race track so kids can see the marbles race. 

Get the instructions here:
http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-5-marble-racetrack-with-serving.html

Lindsay and andrew make a pool noodle version too.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/water-noodle-marble-run.html

Frugal fun 4 boys makes a marble track using toilet paper rolls and paper plate rims.

Get the instructions here:
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2012/09/05/paper-plate-marble-track/ 

Looledo goes all out making a marble run resembling a mineshaft complete with warning signs.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.looledo.com/index.php/the-old-mine-shaft-marble-slide.html

Lizon uses plastic bottles to make a bottle run decorating with colorful tape.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lizon.org/2012/03/bottle-run.html

 

El hada de papel uses a plastic bottle and a straw to make her marble fun.  A great way to keep track of the marbles.

Get the instructions here:

http://elhadadepapel.blogspot.jp/2012/03/pista-de-canicas-marble-run-murmelbahn.html 

Tacky living takes a simpler approach using cardboard and craft sticks on their version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.tackyliving.com/article.php?id=170 

Made by joel uses a cardboard cereal box for his version.

Get the instructions here:

http://madebyjoel.com/2010/06/cereal-box-marble-run.html 

Creative steps uses painted paper towel rolls.  Site is currently down.   

Octavia and vicky make a Lego version.

Get the instructions here:

http://octaviaandvicky.com/play/lego-marble-run

The crafty mummy makes a Lego version as well.

Get the instructions here:

http://thecraftymummy.com/2014/07/kids-lego-marble-run/ 

Creative connections for kids makes a colorful version using vibrant duct tape to decorate the paper tubes.

Get the instructions here:

http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2012/01/fun-with-a-marble-run/

Powerful mothering uses toilet paper rolls as well.

Get the instructions here:

https://www.powerfulmothering.com/diy-marble-run-from-toilet-rolls/

Engineer mommy makes the traditional version of toilet paper rolls and duct tape.

Get the instructions here:

http://engineermommy.com/2014/diy-wall-mounted-tunnel-game-kids-craft/

Make Your Own Scavenger Hunt Kit

My Cakies has a really cute idea for a scavenger hunt kit.  One variation can be to eliminate the camera and instead ask for objects which can be taped to the pages.  Although the camera is great for memories, it's not ideal for a large group or if you don't have a Polaroid. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mycakies.blogspot.com/2011/06/oh-hunting-we-will-go-papi-day-surprise.html

Scavenger hunt fun shares several ways for how to create a scavenger hunt including cutting up pictures of the items and having the kids put them together to reveal the clue, picture puzzles, rhymes, secret codes, and trivia.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.scavenger-hunt-fun.com/scavenger-hunt-clues.html

Make Your Own Finger Puppet Kit

Alanna George has an adorable idea for a finger puppet kit.  The only thing missing is the glue.  Check out dollar stores or thrift stores for inexpensive gloves and paint swatch cards are great for small colored paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.alannageorge.com/2011/11/28/handmade-holidays-finger-puppet-kit/

Toilet Paper Roll Octopi

Rebecca Cooper posts on how to make an owl and an octopus out of a cardboard toilet paper roll.  She has very simple ones and very elaborate glittery examples as well. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-craft-day-toilet-paper-owls.html

Free kids crafts makes a green octopus with tissue paper stuffing.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/cardboard-tube-octopus/

Making friends uses half of the toilet paper roll.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makingfriends.com/recycle/tp_sealife.htm

Bubble Wands

Disney's family fun has the easiest way to make a bubble wand for kids with this homemade bubble blower.  All you need are some straws and tape.

Dip one end of the bundle into a shallow dish of bubble solution (you can make your own by combining 1 cup of water with 1/3 cup of dish-washing liquid and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup or glycerin), then blow through the straws.

The group of straws will produce tons of tiny bubbles.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-bubbles-668489/

Come together kids adds string between two straws to make super big bubbles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/04/really-big-bubble-maker.html