How to Make a Lava Lamp

Home Chemistry has a great video showing you how to make a lava lamp.  The most difficult item to find is the LED push light, but everything else is very easy to obtain.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://homechemistry.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-lava-lamp-new-and-improved.html

My recipe room has an easier version using alka seltzer tabs, food coloring, oil and water and a clear plastic bottle.

Get the instructions here:
http://myreciperoom.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-made-lava-lamp.html

Hello wonderful uses mason jars.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/diy-mason-jar-lava-lamp

Lindsay and andrew uses a recipe with glue.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/lava-lamps.html

Bird and little bird uses lots of different colors.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.birdandlittlebird.com/blog/2012/05/kitchen-table-science-lava-lamps-.html

Make Your Own Scratch Art Paper

Make It:

Frugal Family Fun Blog shows how to make nifty do it yourself scratch art boards. Kids will have fun designing the hidden colors, hiding their colors and scratching off the paint to make fun designs.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/11/diy-scratch-art-pages.html

Buy It:

Alternatively you can buy scratch art paper:

Keeping track of you child's favorites

All for the boys had a fantastic "interview" you can give your kids every year.  This is a great idea for their scrapbooks because you can see how their answers change and don't change every year.  You can also use the template as questions and record their answers in addition to the paper version.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Click the image for the template.

Thirty handmade days has an interview template that covers the past year and the next.

Get the template here:
http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/12/new_year_resolution/

Rolled Paper Beads

Creative Jewish Mom has a great tutorial on how to make colorful paper beads out of magazine pages. This makes for a great, easy activity and your kids will love their finished result. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2009/07/recycling-crafts-rolled-paper-beads-and-necklaces.html

Prachilele uses crepe paper for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Crepe-Paper-Beads-Bracelet/ 

Papervinenz shows how to make different shapes in her tutorial.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.papervinenz.com/2012/07/paper-bead-tutorial-summer-fun.html 

Kids activities blog makes rainbow ones.

Get the instructions here:

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/72287/make-rainbow-paper-beads 

Hello wonderful uses corrugated paper to make textured beads.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/diy-corrugated-paper-bead-necklaces

Make Your Own Rubber Stampers

Enjoy these super easy way for kids to make foam stamps in several shapes and sizes.

Make It:

Vanessa's Values has the easiest stamper idea ever.  All you need is foam stickers and bottle caps.  You just stick the stickers on the top of the caps and there you go.  Kids love stamping and this will give the lots of options and designs.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://vanessasvalues.blogspot.com/2011/11/create-with-kids-make-your-own-bottle.html

Silly pearl draws her stamps onto foam sheets and then cut them out.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sillypearl.com/2012/05/craft-tutorial-make-easy-diy-stamps.html

Craftoart carves her pictures into foam blocks.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftoart.com/2011/08/foam-stamps-no-foam-stickers.html

Richmond mom makes geometric stamps by cutting foam into triangles and other angular shapes.

Get the instructions here:
http://richmondmom.com/2014/05/14/diy-cheap-and-easy-stamps-perfect-for-little-hands/

Babble dabble do sticks foam stickers onto wood blocks to make letter stamps.

Get the instructions here:
http://babbledabbledo.com/diy-art-materials-how-to-make-a-stamp/

Engineer mommy uses foam stickers.

Get the instructions here:
http://engineermommy.com/2014/make-your-own-foam-stamps/

Buy It:
 

Colorful Finger Paint Recipes

Recipes for all different types of finger paint. Have fun!

Make It:

Food.com is cooking up a new recipe of finger paint and the main ingredient is dish soap so your house won't get too messy with this fantastic nonstaining recipe. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-finger-paint-176355

Green scene mom makes a flour version.  She gives a comparison to cornstarch versions saying the flour recipe is better for painting and the corn starch kind is better for squishing and sensory play.

Get the instructions here:
http://greenscenemom.com/blog/24-do-it-yourself/126-diy-fingerpaint

It's gravy baby makes an edible version with cornstarch, condensed milk and kool aid. 

Get the instructions here:
http://itsgravybaby.com/2012/03/edible-finger-paint-recipe/

Mess for less uses vanilla pudding and food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.messforless.net/2012/03/toddler-pudding-finger-paint-guest-post.html

Crafty child shares several washable recipes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftychild.com/finger-paint-recipes.html

Le coin del mel makes a gluten free version with corn flour.

Get the instructions here:
http://lecoindemel.com/edible-gluten-free-finger-paint/

Love play and learn uses greek yogurt and food coloring.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.loveplayandlearn.com/2012/07/quick-n-easy-greek-yogurt-finger-paint.html

Buy It: 

Super Simple Fruity Lip Gloss

Make It:

Jill Dubien has the easiest lip gloss recipe ever.  It's literally Vaseline and kool-aid.  The great thing is kool-aid comes in such cool flavors your possibilities are almost endless.  Plus you can combine the flavors to make to your own.  She also has a template for the stickers for pretty packaging and gift giving.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/make-your-own-lip-gloss.html

Everyday dishes melts down lip balm to make her own.

Get the instructions here:
http://everydaydishes.com/creative-crafts/diy-lip-stain/ 

Buy It:

Turn a Kleenex Box into a Monster

Giggles Galore created these boxed to eat all of the tattles, but they can also make for a fun activity that's tattle free to store or not anything else you'd like.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://gigglesgalorenmore.blogspot.com/2011/08/tattle-monster.html

It happens in a blink adds toilet paper roll legs to her version.

Get the instructions here:
 http://ithappensinablink.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/tissueboxmonster.jpg

Parents keeps the Kleenex in their version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/tissue-box-craft/

Printable Star Wars Snowflakes

A galaxy far, far away has invaded our snowflakes with these very cleaver and free printables.  Templates include storm troopers and Darth Vader. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://dancell.cwahi.net/star-wars-paper-snowflakes-instructions.html

Volcano Color Game

House of Baby Piranha takes a scientific approach to learning colors.  To begin, the colors are all hidden underneath the baking soda.  Whether you child knows his colors or not he'll still have lots of fun creating these mini-volcanoes and seeing the colors come to life.  

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.houseofbabypiranha.com/2011/09/magic-potions-colour-review.html

She knows sets them all off at the same time to make a rainbow.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1076071/diy-erupting-rainbow-experiment-for-kids

Wintery Gum Drop Pops

Martha Stewart does it again with these adorable gumdrop pops.  Kids can help by making the bodies, but an adult may need to add the faces and adornments.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/273470/gumdrop-pops?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/workshop-christmas-kids&center=307034&gallery=275712&slide=273470

Fishing for an after school snack

Who says you can't play with your food?  This is a great after school snack and activity all in one.  Your child will love catching the fish.

Get the instructions here:
http://adventuringsmiths.blogspot.com/2011/08/fishin-tales.html

Vintage Wintery Paper Doll Printable

Inside a black apple is offering this adorable, free paper doll printable.  Even the dog has some clothing options.

Get the download here:
http://theblackapple.typepad.com/inside_a_black_apple/2011/12/wintery-paper-doll-download-dot-roscoe.html

Healthy Snowman Kabobs

Dr. Sears has a very cute and delicious recipe that will make for a great, healthy after school snack that your child can even help assemble.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.drsearslean.com/2011/12/healthy-holiday-recipe-for-kids/

Form a magic crystal snowflake

Your little scientist will love to make this crystal snowflake and best of all it doesn't require the purchase of any special kit.  Teaches your child about chemistry, suspension, and crystallization. 

Good for ages 5 and up. 

Get the instructions here:
http://babbledabbledo.com/science-for-kids-crystal-garden/

Bring Frosty back to life with snowman pencils

Martha Stewart does it again with these absolutely adorable pencils.  They'll make great stocking stuffers or even can be used as gift wrap adornments. 

Good for ages 4 or more.  Those tiny hands need their dexterity to place on the eyes, mouth and noses. 

Get full instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/277255/snowman-pencils

Turn Cherrios into Miniature Donuts

Six in the Suburbs has the most adorable "mini donuts."  Basically, you take cherrios and dip them in chocolate, powdered sugar and cinnamon and they look like real miniaturized donuts. 

Good for any age range.  As long as they can eat cherrios they can have fun with this craft. 

Get the instructions here:
http://sixinthesuburbsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/miniature-doughnuts-for-santas-elves.html