Eco Friendly Paintbrushes

Doodles and jots has a really clever art project making paint brushes out of twigs and leaves, straw and grass. The great part is the fun continues after the brushes are made and they can see the different textures each brush makes.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.doodlesandjots.com/2012/01/05/making-paintbrushes-with-natural-materials/

Cookie Cutter Soap

Stephanie lynn shows you how to take a normal bar of soap and reshape it with a pretty texture. She shows pink and white ideas for valentine's day but consider green from Irish Spring and gold from Dial to make other shapes and colors for many other occasions.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/02/semi-handmade-valentines-day-heart.html

Latika soap stamps words into her soap.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.latikasoap.com/How_to_make_soap/

Magnet Activity

Preschool play has a self-contained magnet activity using cut up pipe cleaners, a clear plastic bottle and a magnet. You can use lots of other magnetic objects too such as paperclips to expand play and see if your child can pick up specific objects.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Kids Craft Noise Maker

Creative jewish mom has a unique noise maker using cups, beans, a popsicle stick, stickers and tape. She suggests using hot glue but a thick tape should work too.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/02/recycle-cups-make-a-fun-noise-maker-for-purim-or-your-next-rhythm-project.html

Make your own banjo

Le top usa has a musical project to make a diy banjo using a paper plate, rubber bands, and a paint stick.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://letopusa.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/paper-plate-banjo-craft-for-fun/

Martha Stewart also has a banjo tutorial involving a shoe box, rubber bands, some wood pencils and a paper towel roll for the base.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/265694/making-music

Secret Code Messages

Classic play has a unique idea for writing a secret message. Using a paper tube and long strips of paper wrap the paper around the tube and write the message. Unroll the paper and deliver. The recipient will need to re-wrap the paper around the roll to reveal the message.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.classic-play.com/spies-like-us-secret-codes-pt-2/

Color Scavenger Hunt

Creative studio has a really great idea for a scavenger hunt - a colorful one. They even have a solution for how to store all of the items - using an empty egg carton. Using cut outs of different paint cards place a different color in each compartment. Then have the kids try to find something of every color. It will be interesting to see what they come back with and talk about what they were and were not able to find.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://createstudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/color-treasure-hunt.html