Butterfly Craft Roundup

All kids networks has a great butterfly craft for kids to make and shares an example of ink blotting using a butterfly cutout. Kids will love to paint the one side and see how the wings become symmetrical. Their post includes a butterfly template printout so all you need to do is cut out the paper.

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/bugs/folding-paper-butterfly.asp

Piggy giggles has a really simple paper napkin butterfly project. All the kids need to do is color the napkin with markers, spray with water and tie up with a pipe cleaner.

http://www.piggygiggles.com/crafts-for-kids/decor-crafts/paper-napkin-butterfly-craft-easy-activity-young-kids.html

No time for flash cards creates a butterfly sun catcher which uses construction paper, contact paper, ribbons and crayons.

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/02/toddler-butterfly-craft.html

Make your own beanbags

Disney's family fun has a nifty way for making bean bag balls using 2 balloons and lentils. They're too cute.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/beanbag-balls-670529/

Flip flops and apple sauce has a similar tutorial.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.flipflopsandapplesauce.com/2009/04/balloon-bean-bags.html

Lifesaver Flower Lollipops

Busy bee kids crafts has a cute idea for how to make flower lollipops out of lifesavers, using one lifesaver in the middle and six surrounding lifesavers and a lollipop stick. Bake the candy to have it fuse together into a flower.

Good for kids ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Flower-Lollipop.html

Gas Filling Balloon Science Experiment

All for the boys has a nifty science experiment featuring an empty water bottle, white vinegar, baking soda and a balloon.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2011/8/4/science-fun.html

Mama smiles turns her ghost into a balloon by drawing a face on it.  And makes the science project for Halloween.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mamasmiles.com/fun-halloween-activity-for-kids-self-inflating-ghost-balloons/

DIY Glowing Lantern

Preschool rock had a terrific idea for how to make a lantern out of popsicle sticks, wax paper and craft stickers.

How To Make It

Step One:
Tear off a piece of wax paper about 2 feet long and lay it out on a flat surface. Starting at one end, glue four craft sticks in the shape of a square.

Step Two:
Repeat that box shape three more times, end to end. Let it all dry.

Step Three:
Trim excess wax paper leaving an inch along the end for gluing. Fold the box into shape and glue closed. Next, place it over an electric candle and watch it glow.

Variation

You can decorate the wax paper with crayons or glue on embellishments if you want.
Good for ages 4 and up.

Artsy fartsy mama has a version on her site.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2013/02/diy-wax-paper-lantern.html

Free Printable Lacing Cards

Minico has a template to print out several different colorful lacing cards including a flower, sun and lion. They recommend printing the sewing cards on colored paper for the best effect.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.minieco.co.uk/printable-sewing-cards/

Mr. printables shares many with basic shapes such as circles, diamonds and squares.

Get the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/easy-sewing-patterns.html 

Whatever deedee wants shares a car lacing card.

Get the template here:
http://www.whateverdeedeewants.com/2014/01/diy-kids-sewing-card.html

How to Make an Origami Cube

Between the lines has a video tutorial for how to make an origami paper cube. Kids can put surprises inside the boxes for fun.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Grow a Crystalized Egg

Gratz industries has a unique science experiment involving a hallowed out egg, sugar, table salt, powder sugar, and baking soda. Kids can see how the different crystals grow on the eggs.

Good for ages 7 and up

Get the instructions here:
http://gratzindustries.blogspot.com/2010/04/growing-crystals-in-eggs-baking-soda-is.html

How to Make a Friendship Necklace

How to make jewelry shows how to make a friendship necklace using colorful embroidery thread and cotton twine.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.how-to-make-jewelry.com/friendship-necklace.html

Colored Paper Mobiles

Bump smitten has a fun mobile craft using colored paper and string. She sews the string together but tying the pieces together is a good alternative to do this project with kids.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bumpsmitten.com/2010/11/diy-shower-colorful-mobiles.html

Super mom moments has a rainbow themed version with a pot of gold at the end.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.supermommoments.com/2011/03/leprechaun-rainbow-mobile/

How to Make a Button Ring

Amy is the party has a cute way to take vintage buttons and make the into crafty rings. She uses ring bases, glue and buttons.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.amyistheparty.com/2008/08/handmade-for-holidays-easy-button-ring.html

Apparently showcases the same project using adhesive tape instead of glue.  

Get the instructions here:

http://www.apparently.org/blogger/2011/03/button-button.html

Yellow giraffe uses elastic for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.yellowgiraffe.in/blog/diy-button-rings-with-your-kid

Origami Star Lantern

Passengers on a little space ship has a paper folding craft tutorial making a star lantern. The star could be used as a bowl too to hold trinkets or other items.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://passengersonalittlespaceship.blogspot.com/2011/04/paper-star-lantern-tutorial.html

Dultang has a more complex version that requires cutting out shapes to let the light through the paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.duitang.com/people/mblog/10442978/detail/

Yarn Bangle Bracelet

Meijos joy has a unique idea for turning an aquarium pvc tube, colorful yarn and some oil into a bracelet. To connect the ends together you need to heat one end.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://meijosjoy.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-much-will-you-pay-for-this-bangle.html

It happens in a blink wraps the yarn on the outside and adds on little flower and star buttons.

Get the instructions here:
http://ithappensinablink.com/2012/12/creating-friendship-bangles-kid-craft-with-craftprojectideas-com.html

August Free Kids Craft Events

August 19

At Michael's kids age 3 and up can make a lap desk from 1-3 pm.

August 25

Lowe's has a build a shrek onion carriage at 10 am.

August 26

At Michael's kids age 3 and up can make a clay pot from 1-3 pm.

Lowe's has a build a shrek onion carriage at 2 pm. 

Tape Art Kids Craft

Artzy creations shares a modern art inspired kids craft using tape and paint.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://artzycreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/modern-tape-art-tutorial.html

Maria teorien's version is more colorful and precise.

Get the instructions here:
http://mariateorien.blogspot.dk/2012/06/tape-painting.html

Make a Flower Kids Craft

Kiboomu shows how you can turn an empty toilet paper roll, popsicle stick and construction paper into a flower. She covers the toilet paper roll with felt, but you could use paint as well.

Good for ages 5 and up.


Craft supplies:

• Paint
• Toilet paper rolls
• Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Felt

Craft instructions:

Have the children paint 4 toilet paper rolls, 4 different colors (inside and out).

Also, have the children paint the Popsicle sticks.

Let dry.

Once dry, cut each toilet paper roll in 4 parts.

Have the children take 4 different color flower petals and glue them together.

Then, have the children insert a Popsicle stick and paste it to the bottom flower petals.

Lastly, have the children cut out 2 round circle from felt and glue them to the front and back of the flower.

Kiboomu no longer hosts this project.  

Paper Snake Craft

Paper snake kids craft ideas from finger puppets to coiled tubes.

Mess for less has shows how to take construction paper and yarn and make a paper snake to play with. She even has the kids use the colors to form a pattern.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.messforless.net/2012/02/paper-pattern-snakes.html

Kidspot uses folded paper and a string to create a paper snake pet.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/Craft%20activities+1/Paper-snake+11020.htm

Paper crafts for children has a similar craft but folds it into a paper snake puppet.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.papercraftsforchildren.com/2013/08/10/simple-folded-paper-puppet/

Mr. printables shares a free paper snake puppet.

Download the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/finger-puppets-snakes.html

 

Curly birds undoes a toilet paper roll to make her snakes and decorates with felt and tissue paper.

Get the instructions here:

http://curlybirds.blogspot.com/2010/07/zoo-exhibition.html

Cloud Wind Sock

Dltk kids has a very easy way to make a cloud wind puppet using streamers and white office paper.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/mcloudwpuppet.htm

Make your own kazoo

That's what we said had a nifty way to turn an empty toilet paper roll into a kazoo. All you need is some waxed paper and a rubber band. Cut out a circle from wax paper, about 4″ in diameter and cover the top of the tube, securing it with a rubber band. You'll probably want some stickers or paint or crayons too to decorate the brown cardboard.  The site is no longer available.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Duck duck octopus had pretty much the same kazoo but with a different styling using a bow instead of a rubber band. The site is no longer available.

Craft club uses popsicle sticks for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://craftclub.com/craft/craft-stick-kazoo

Leaf Print Paperweights

My plum pudding shows how to turn leaf prints into paper weights using clay and various leaf patterns.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://myplumpudding.blogspot.com/2008/03/nature-sculpture.html

Button Tree Branch

Meet the dubiens has a new button craft using buttons, glue and a real tree branch.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/09/fall-button-branch.html

Art by wiley creates a more winter themed version using pearled buttons and a drawn on branch.  She also creates several full button trees.

Get the instructions here:

http://artbywiley.blogspot.com/2012/03/button-tree-story.html

 

 

 

Craft by Amanda uses lots of colors.

 

Get the instructions here:

http://craftsbyamanda.com/vibrant-button-tree-on-canvas-a-giveaway/

 

Woven Fabric Bracelet

Vanessa Christenson has a homemade bracelet tutorial showing how to weave a bracelet out of strips of jersey knit cloth.

Good for ages 11 and up.

Ge the instructions here:
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/03/v-and-co-how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet.html

Paper Jellyfish Kids Craft

A bunch of great jellyfish projects for all ages using lots of common everyday objects. 

First palette shares a jelly fish project using a paper bowl, crepe paper and paint.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/paperbowljellyfish/paperbowljellyfish.html

Disney's family fun suggests using glittery scrap booking paper and shiny curling ribbon.

Get the instructions here:

http://family.go.com/crafts/craft-852442-jazzy-jellyfish-decorations-t/

Crafty crafted uses streamer ribbon, paper and green paint.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.crafty-crafted.com/animal-crafts/jelly-fish-craft/

Craft bits uses a dried out and flattened sponge and fluffy yarn.  

Get the instructions here:

http://www.craftbits.com/project/jellyfish-craft

Looleedo has an adorable hanging jelly fish that uses a clear plastic bowl and strips of bubble wrap.

The site is no longer available.

Naturally educational uses a bowl and curling ribbon.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.naturallyeducational.com/2011/06/jellyfish-craft/

Craft project ideas uses a coffee filter, pipe cleaners and ribbons for their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftprojectideas.com/index.php/how-to/material-of-the-month/coffee-filters-july-2014/1968-recycled-jellyfish 

Kix uses a plastic cup and googly eyes for their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kixcereal.com/kix-cereal-plastic-medicine-cup-jellyfish/ 

Carolyn's homework uses crepe paper and a coffee filter for a soft, textured look.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2012/09/little-crafts-crepe-paper-jellyfish.html 

Crafts by amanda uses a styrofoam ball and pipe cleaners.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2012/08/rainbow-jellyfish-craft.html 

She also has an egg carton version.

Eco-Friendly Cardboard Bird Feeder

The moffat girls has an easy tutorial for making a bird feeder out of a cardboard toilet paper roll, using just peanut butter and bird seed. The best part is the feeder is open ended so you can just slip it onto a tree branch.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://moffattgirls.blogspot.com/2011/02/toiletpaper-roll-bird-feeders.html