Plastic Bead Bowl

Plastic beads are great for melting into a new design, especially something functional such as a bowl or coaster, but beware they fall apart very easily.  You can get them at any craft store.

1.  Find a bowl that can withstand oven temperatures and wipe with a layer of oil.
2.  Place beads into the bowl making sure there are no gaps and that they lie even and flat.
3.  Put them in the oven at 200 degrees checking every 5 minutes to see if they've fused together.
4.  Let cool completely and remove.

Good for ages 9 and up.

How to Make a Boomerang

Man made diy has instructions for making an eco-friendly boomerang out of recycled cardboard boxes. It doesn't look like a traditional boomerang.  They say quad-boomerangs are the easiest for beginners to use.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://manmadediy.com/davideriknelson/posts/1568-how-to-make-diy-boomerangs-from-recycled-boxes

Indoor Fireworks

The homeschool den has a nifty science experiment using oil, water and food coloring showing how oil and water don't mix as the food coloring tries to make it's way through.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/2011/04/oil-and-water-fireworks-science.html

Meet the dubiens makes red ones and calls them lava bottles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/lava-bottles.html

Education explains the science of chromatography -- how oil and water don't mix.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Chromatography_liquid_fireworks/

Leaf Skeleton Project

Esprit cabane has a tutorial on how to remove the pigment of a leaf using washing soda.  Make sure to use hearty leaves that can stand up to the washing.

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://en.espritcabane.com/eco-crafts/skeleton-leaves.php

Water Cycle Experiment

Corkboard connections has instructions for how to make a mini water cycle using a rotisserie chicken container, rocks, grass, and water contained within aluminum foil. Not sure what the reaction is but that's part of the fun.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2011/10/mini-water-cycle-fun.html

Pasta Beads

My name is snickerdoodle has a great alternative to plastic beads. Using ditalini, alcohol and food coloring she makes her own environmentally friendly and safe pasta beads.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mynameissnickerdoodle.com/2010/02/colors.html

Serving pink lemonade strings them on yarn and makes necklaces.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.serving-pink-lemonade.com/2012/05/pasta-beads.html 

Jellyfish jelly adds paper leaves in between each bead to make a jungle safari inspired necklace.

This site is no longer available.

Alisa burke makes shiny gold ones.

Get the instructions here:
http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2013/05/noodle-beads_28.html?spref=pi

Earth Day Craft Hand Print Earth Plate

Meet the dubiens has a cute, simple craft idea for earth day. Using a paper plate, paint and glitter kids can create their very own planet earth.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2010/04/lets-celebrate-earth-day.html