Ocean in a Bottle

What you'll need:

• a plastic water bottle with lid.
• water plants.
• blue food coloring.
• small pebbles or pieces of gravel.
• fish, shells and other small toys.
• diamond dust.

How to make it:

1. Fill 1/3 of a plastic bottle with water.
2. Add a few drops blue food coloring to the water.
3. Then, pour vegetable oil to fill the rest of the bottle.
4. Add toy fish, diamond dust and pebbles.

The oil and water do not mix, but oil on the water creates slow waves when you turn it back and forth.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Dinosaur Eggs

Play create explore has a craft for making dinosaur eggs out of a coffee ground and dough mixture. Once you make the dough you form an egg shape around an object such as a small plastic dinosaur. Kids can crack them open with their hands.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2010/09/make-your-own-dinosaur-egg-or-treasure.html

123 home school 4 me uses paper marche for her version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/03/dinosaur-unit-for-elementary-kids.html

How to Make a Marble Run

Make a fun and interactive marble run from easy to not so easy.

Tinkerlab has a nifty marble run idea. All you need are some toilet paper or paper towel rolls and pretty colored tape and you're set.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://tinkerlab.com/2011/05/toilet-paper-roll-marble-run/

A happy wanderer has a similar version using larger balls and longer tubes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ahappywanderer.com/2011/08/ball-maze.html
 

My home spun threads does away with the cardboard tube for something more sturdy using a foam  pool noodle.  She even set up a race track so kids can see the marbles race. 

Get the instructions here:
http://myhomespunthreads.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-5-marble-racetrack-with-serving.html

Lindsay and andrew make a pool noodle version too.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/water-noodle-marble-run.html

Frugal fun 4 boys makes a marble track using toilet paper rolls and paper plate rims.

Get the instructions here:
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2012/09/05/paper-plate-marble-track/ 

Looledo goes all out making a marble run resembling a mineshaft complete with warning signs.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.looledo.com/index.php/the-old-mine-shaft-marble-slide.html

Lizon uses plastic bottles to make a bottle run decorating with colorful tape.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lizon.org/2012/03/bottle-run.html

 

El hada de papel uses a plastic bottle and a straw to make her marble fun.  A great way to keep track of the marbles.

Get the instructions here:

http://elhadadepapel.blogspot.jp/2012/03/pista-de-canicas-marble-run-murmelbahn.html 

Tacky living takes a simpler approach using cardboard and craft sticks on their version.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.tackyliving.com/article.php?id=170 

Made by joel uses a cardboard cereal box for his version.

Get the instructions here:

http://madebyjoel.com/2010/06/cereal-box-marble-run.html 

Creative steps uses painted paper towel rolls.  Site is currently down.   

Octavia and vicky make a Lego version.

Get the instructions here:

http://octaviaandvicky.com/play/lego-marble-run

The crafty mummy makes a Lego version as well.

Get the instructions here:

http://thecraftymummy.com/2014/07/kids-lego-marble-run/ 

Creative connections for kids makes a colorful version using vibrant duct tape to decorate the paper tubes.

Get the instructions here:

http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2012/01/fun-with-a-marble-run/

Powerful mothering uses toilet paper rolls as well.

Get the instructions here:

https://www.powerfulmothering.com/diy-marble-run-from-toilet-rolls/

Engineer mommy makes the traditional version of toilet paper rolls and duct tape.

Get the instructions here:

http://engineermommy.com/2014/diy-wall-mounted-tunnel-game-kids-craft/

Make Your Own Scavenger Hunt Kit

My Cakies has a really cute idea for a scavenger hunt kit.  One variation can be to eliminate the camera and instead ask for objects which can be taped to the pages.  Although the camera is great for memories, it's not ideal for a large group or if you don't have a Polaroid. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mycakies.blogspot.com/2011/06/oh-hunting-we-will-go-papi-day-surprise.html

Scavenger hunt fun shares several ways for how to create a scavenger hunt including cutting up pictures of the items and having the kids put them together to reveal the clue, picture puzzles, rhymes, secret codes, and trivia.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.scavenger-hunt-fun.com/scavenger-hunt-clues.html

Make Your Own Finger Puppet Kit

Alanna George has an adorable idea for a finger puppet kit.  The only thing missing is the glue.  Check out dollar stores or thrift stores for inexpensive gloves and paint swatch cards are great for small colored paper.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.alannageorge.com/2011/11/28/handmade-holidays-finger-puppet-kit/

Toilet Paper Roll Octopi

Rebecca Cooper posts on how to make an owl and an octopus out of a cardboard toilet paper roll.  She has very simple ones and very elaborate glittery examples as well. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-craft-day-toilet-paper-owls.html

Free kids crafts makes a green octopus with tissue paper stuffing.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/cardboard-tube-octopus/

Making friends uses half of the toilet paper roll.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.makingfriends.com/recycle/tp_sealife.htm

Bubble Wands

Disney's family fun has the easiest way to make a bubble wand for kids with this homemade bubble blower.  All you need are some straws and tape.

Dip one end of the bundle into a shallow dish of bubble solution (you can make your own by combining 1 cup of water with 1/3 cup of dish-washing liquid and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup or glycerin), then blow through the straws.

The group of straws will produce tons of tiny bubbles.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/tiny-bubbles-668489/

Come together kids adds string between two straws to make super big bubbles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2011/04/really-big-bubble-maker.html

Paper Bracelet

Fave crafts has a unique way to make an easy bracelet using a brown paper bag handle.  The main thing you need is a design pattern to use as a stencil, paint and glue.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Green-Crafting/Brown-Bag-Handle-Bracelet/ml/1

Willow day punches holes in paper rings and then has the kids weave yarn and strung beads in and out.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.willowday.com/2013/11/easy-weave-bracelets.html

Pipe Cleaner Flower Rings

 

Pipe cleaners are twisted into pretty flower rings with these ideas and tutorials below.

Funky polkadot giraffe has a tutorial showing how to make flower rings by twisting around pipe cleaners.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/06/tutorial-thursday-red-white-blue.html

Aunt peaches twists two different color pipe cleaners to make an extra colorful flower for this pipe cleaner craft.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.auntpeaches.com/2010/09/pipe-cleaner-cocktail-rings-liberace.html

JaeBellzuses two different color pipe cleaners too but instead of twisting them creates different color "petals."

Get the instructions here:
http://jaebellz.blogspot.com/2010/10/diy-flower-ring-pipe-cleaners.html

Shop twixt adds bling to her version with a sparkly pompom glued to the middle.

Get the instructions here:

http://shoptwixt.blogspot.com/2010/12/tween-new-years-eve-countdown-making.html

Popcorn Painting

Katherine Marie photography has a great way to combine an after school snack and activity.  She sets out edible paint, a dish of popcorn and some paintbrushes for an afternoon of popcorn painting.  You can use food coloring as well and even dilute it with milk or water.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://katherinemariephotography.com/blog/archives/2509

Disappearing Egg Shell Science Experiment

Science sparks has a great science experiment using an egg and vinegar to create a chemical action where the acid from the vinegar disolves the egg shell.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/01/16/how-to-get-an-egg-yolk-without-cracking-the-egg/

Crayon Painted Rocks

5 orange potatoes has a unique idea of painting pebbles with crayons.  Basically you need to heat the rocks in the oven until they're warm enough to melt crayons.  Using the melted crayons you can paint the rocks.  Amazingly they warn the wax gets hotter than the rocks.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2011/03/04/hot-rocks-painting-with-wax-on-rocks/

Pencil Catapult

Random scraps demonstrates how to make a catapult using pencils, rubber bands, and an empty tissue box. They recommend using marshmallows for catapulting. Yum.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:

http://random-scraps.blogspot.com/2010/06/marshmallow-catapult.html

Popsicle Stick Catapult

Science sparks demonstrates elasticity and shows how to make a catapult out of popsicle sticks, rubber bands and a plastic bottle cap.  Kids will have fun finding different objects to catapult across the house and seeing how they compare.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.science-sparks.com/2012/01/09/making-a-catapult-looking-at-elasticity/

 

Almost unschoolers has a simpler popsicle stick catapult using a clothes pin and bottle cap and block of wood to anchor it. 

Get the instructions here:

http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/07/clothespin-torsion-catapult-for-kids.html

Do it and how has a scaled down catapult using the same supplies, just less of them.

Get the instructions here:

http://doitandhow.com/2011/10/01/craft-stick-catapult/

Floating Ketchup Experiement

Science Bob shows how to make a package of ketchup float in a plastic bottle demonstrating the science of buoyancy and density.  All you need is an empty bottle, a package of ketchup, some water and salt. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/magic_ketchup.php

Clover Pinwheel

The land of nod shows how to make shamrock pinwheels for St. Patrick's Day. All you need are green pipe cleaners and green construction paper.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:

http://blog.landofnod.com/honest-to-nod/2012/03/shamrock-pinwheel-.html

 All parenting uses patterned scrapbooking paper.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allparenting.com/my-home/articles/967145/diy-shamrock-pinwheels-for-st-patricks-day

Clover Ring

Post grad crafts show how you can make a cute shamrock ring using green felt, a needle and thread, and craft rings. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://postgradcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/03/shamrock-ring.html

St. Patrick's Day Beaded Bracelet

Craft project ideas has a great take on the friendship bracelet adding green beads to green thread to make a cute bracelet for St. Patrick's Day.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.craftprojectideas.com/index.php/how-to/seasonal-projects/st-patricks-day/429-st-patricks-day-braided-bracelet



St. Patrick's Day Clover Necklace

Plaid online has a way to turn St. Patrick's Day scrapbook paper into a necklace using clear color gems to make a shamrock stone.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://plaidonline.com/st-patty-s-necklace/3617/project.htm

Shamrock Paper Necklace

Paper clovers are turned into necklaces by adding different objects and yarn.

Rebecca cooper has a paper four leaf clover necklace using scrapbooking paper clovers and green straw separators. 

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/2012/03/friday-craft-day-clover-leaf-lei.html

Mama likes me adds a rainbow of fruit loops to her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mamaslikeme.com/2013/03/shamrock-rainbow-necklaces-and-weekly.html

Ivillage intersperses green pasta with their paper shamrocks.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ivillage.com/fun-st-patricks-day-crafts-kids/6-a-332359

Busy bee crafts has the same tutorial.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Lucky-Charm-Necklace.html

Family education uses just the paper clovers and a simple yarn string.

Get the instructions here:
http://fun.familyeducation.com/st.-patricks-day/childrens-art-activities/37011.html