Sand Prints

A beautiful way to capture memories of children from a beach vacation, crafting a greener world shows how to make a hand sculpture out of sand.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftingagreenworld.com/2010/07/18/beach-craft-make-a-sandy-handprint-keepsake/

Oceanic Finger Puppets

Colorful felt is cut into underwater creature shape such as octopi and whales to let kids make their own under the sea adventure.  Fave crates even includes a template to help with the cutting.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/blog/fc/kids-summer-craft-no-sew-nautical-puppets/

Interactive Color Theory

A CD turned into a spinning top becomes even more fun when combining colors.  Alternate equal squares of primary colors to make new colors as they spin.  Here's the classic: Yellow and Blue make Green.  Deceptively educational shares all of the details. 

Good for age 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/2013/07/blending-colors-with-diy-tops.html

Flower Bead Shoe Trays

Aluminum baking pans and flat colorful flower beads make a great shoe tray for storing wet and icky outdoor shoes.  Crafting new things even personalizes them with the wearer's initials.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftingthingsnew.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/dollar-store-crafts-part-3-of-4-shoe-trays/

A Sticky Sun Catcher

Glue is the secret ingredient to these sun catchers.  Simply poor the glue into a dish and color with drops of food coloring.  Once dried you can display it in the window.  Cindy derosier shares all of the details.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2013/08/colored-glue-suncatchers.html

Babble dabble do shares a similar project.

Get the instructions here:
http://babbledabbledo.com/art-for-kids-cosmic-suncatchers/ 

Kix adds beads to their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kixcereal.com/kix-cereal-colorful-glue-sun-catcher/

Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction

Popsicle sticks are embedded into a long square pattern chain with mom trusted.  Once all together they're set off and explode to make a huge reaction.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://earlylearning.momtrusted.com/2013/03/popsicle-stick-chain-reaction/

Chemistry Play Set

Test tubes and petri dishes will inspire young chemists with laura ingalls wannabe scientific playset.  She includes colored water, baking soda, bath tabs, vinegar and other ingredients for kids to explore.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://lauraingallswannabe.blogspot.com/2012/05/toddler-chemistry-lab.html