Letter Treasure Hunt

Crayon freckles has an entertaining way for kids to practice their ABCs and sounds via a sound scavenger hunt. Kids have to find a object around the house that matches each letter.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com/2012/02/letter-sounds-scavenger-hunt.html

Glow in the Dark Lanterns

Lindsay and Andrew have a great, easy way to make a glowing lantern using simply mason jars and glow in the dark paint. Great to use for a summer evening out.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://lindsayandandrew.blogspot.com/2011/08/frame-pup-tents_11.html

Fouth of July Side Walk Chalk

Project Alica shows a great way to make star shaped sidewalk chalk.  She uses red white and blue for the fourth of July but you can use any shapes and colors to make these all summer long.  The plaster of paris is the hard to find ingredient but as she mentions your local hardware store should have it.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.projectalicia.com/2010/06/not-so-wordless-wednesday-diy-4th-of.html

Tie Dye Sun Catchers

Wendolonia has a really easy sun catcher idea using paper towels and water color paints.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://wendolonia.com/blog/2010/01/26/tie-dye-window-decorations/

Dancing Fruit Science Experiment

Mom to two posh little divas has another fun science experiment involving raisins and carbonated soda demonstrating the reaction and density.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2012/01/dancing-raisins-experiment.html

Felt Ball Bracelet

Lil blue boo demonstrates a really easy method for making felt balls and how to turn them into a bracelet.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lilblueboo.com/2012/02/how-to-make-felt-balls-wet-felting-101.html

Origami Stories

Rachel Katz has a new twist on origami. With each new fold she unfolds a story. She currently has seven origami animals and stories on her site.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://origamiwithrachelkatz.com/stories/stories.asp

Ice Cube Water Experiment

E is for explore has a science experiment showing kids the difference in creating ice cubes using regular tap water and boiled water.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://eisforexplore.blogspot.com/2012/01/crystal-clear-cube-experiment.html

Historical Paper Dolls

Mostly paper dolls has dolls from various time periods throughout history including the one above of Josephine, the Empress of France.

Get the template here:
http://mostlypaperdolls.blogspot.com/2012/01/josephine-empress-of-french-1899.html

Ocean Excavation Project

Two steps behind six little hands has a fun outdoor activity for the summer -- an ocean excavation project. Using a large plastic bin hide ocean objects in blue tinted water and freeze. Then give your kids different tools to carve them out such as a spray bottle, meat mallet, basting brush. It should entertain them for a good while and keep them cool.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://twostepsbehindsixlittlehands.blogspot.com/2011/09/great-babysitter-ocean-excavation.html

Stick Bracelets

Dzwiedziu has a fun idea for turning a popsicle stick into a bracelet. Simply boil in water for 15 minutes and as they cool they'll warp into a cuff bracelet shape. I imagine you need to try with a lot of popsicle sticks to get just the right fit. Then you simply decorate the stick as you see fit, she uses scrapbooking paper and glue but you could use a number of different items from paint to stickers.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://dzwiedziu.soup.io/post/142433840/Popsicle-Stick-Bracelets-DIY-Steps

Mama miss uses washi tape to decorate hers and doesn't make them completely circular but instead ties thread for an easier closure.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mamamiss.com/2013/05/30/diy-washi-tape-wooden-bracelets/

Molly moo uses embroidery thread and beads to make her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://mollymoo.ie/quick-craft-craft-stick-bracelets/

Carolyns homework uses longer, thinner sticks and wraps them in colorful twine. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2015/03/craft-stick-twine-wrapped-bracelet.html

Suzys sitcom draws on patterns with markers.

Get the instructions here:
http://suzyssitcom.com/2011/04/feature-friday-popsicle-bracelets.html

Easy Colorful Sun Catchers

 Education.com has a tutorial for how to make sun catchers using baby oil, construction paper, markers and a cotton swab.  Keep in mind the baby oil will expand farther than it starts so you might want to add some distance between the pattern elements.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/oil-sun-catcher/

Colorful Soap Shapes

Magical childhood takes the ivory soap explosion experiment (microwave a half bar of ivory soap for 30 seconds and watch it explode and expand into a foam) even further by using paint brushes, water and food coloring to make what she calls soap clouds.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/a/soaptrick.htm
http://magicalchildhood.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/painted-soap-clouds/

Watercolor Salt Bookmarks

Art club blog has a crafty science experiment showing the effects of salt on watercolor paints while creating a unique and pretty bookmark. The experiment/craft uses construction paper, yarn, salt, and watercolor paint.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://artclubblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/salty-bookmarks/

Straw Maze Kids Craft

Teach preschool has a clever idea of how to make a marble maze using colorful plastic straws, glue and box tops.  A great and simple maze craft kids can make.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/01/a-maze-ing-marble-mazes/

People Pebbles

Parenthood has a cute and simple craft making people and animal creatures from pebbles. It's a great craft that can be done outside and half of the fun will be searching for unique shaped pebbles. You can also use grass, moss, twigs, petals, leaves and other natural products to make hair, fur or clothing.

Get your child to find similarities in the shape of the stones to different animals. Or create shapes using different sized pebbles. Use the larger stones for the main body and the smaller ones for the head, you could also ad feet and arms.

Glue the stones together to the preferred animal or shape. Color the stones or pebbles and use a marker pen for smaller details such as eyes, hair and mouths.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Site is no longer available.

Hand Print Frame

 

Michael's has a cute idea for a Father's day gift using children paint hand prints on the matting of a frame.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.michaels.com/Frame-with-Hand-Print-Mat/30551,default,pd.html

How to Make a Washer Necklace

 

Simple washers from the hardware store get dressed up in numerous ways.  Find a method that works for you with these easy diy tutorials.

Creations by kara has a unique idea for making a really simple, yet really cute necklace. All you need is a washer, scrap booking paper, glue, ribbon or cord, and a tiny bead.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creationsbykara.com/2011/07/washer-necklace-tutorial.html

Design mom uses embroidery thread, fastening it with a knot.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.designmom.com/2013/05/big-small-diy-wrapped-washer-necklaces/ 

Small for big uses nail polish to make bright colorful ones.

Get the instructions here:
http://smallforbig.com/2013/06/diy-washer-necklaces-2.html 

We made that colors them with stripes and polka dots.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/diy-washer-necklace/

Dream a little bigger makes a marbleized version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/marbled-washer-necklaces.html 

Parents uses nail polish too.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/gifts-kids-can-make/#page=5 

House of joyful noise adds a nut to make a more masculine version.

Get the instructions here:
http://houseofjoyfulnoise.com/boys-hardware-accessories/

Card Board Box Car Creations

Declutter organize repurpose has several really creative ideas for how to take a cardboard box and make it into a toy including a gas pump, a car, a refrigerator, doll bed, castle and even a shape sorter for  toddlers. 

Get the instructions here:
http://declutterorganizerepurpose.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/repurpose-cardboard-boxes-into-kid-craftstoys/

Five little chefs shares a tutorial for how to make cardboard box cars too.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/05/cardboard-box-cars.html 

Not just a housewife decorates her car exterior too.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/07/cardboard-cars-for-a-homemade-drive-in-theater.html

Laugh paint create makes a wearable cardboard car by adding straps.

Get the instructions here:
http://laughpaintcreate.blogspot.com/2010/10/creative-cars.html

Mum bo jumbo has doily wheels.

Get the instructions here:
http://mum-bo-jumbo.com/cardboard-box-car/

The merry though makes a camper with duct tape.

Get the instructions here:
http://themerrythought.com/diy/diy-cardboard-camper-playhouse/

DIY Magazine Coil Coasters

Saved by love creations has a do it yourself coaster project using colorful magazine pages.  All you need are glossy magazines and glue.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://savedbylovecreations.com/2011/09/coiled-magazine-page-round-coasters.html

Tin Foil Toadstools

Filth wizardry takes aluminum foil and turns it into toadstools.  All you need is some foil and paint and imagination.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/03/aluminium-foil-fairy-circle.html

Free Military Vehicle Printable Toys

HP has print outs and folding instructions for three military 3D printables including a tank, jeep and helicopter.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the templates tere:
http://h30393.www3.hp.com/printing/app/us/en/tg_military_vehicle-landing.aspx

Papermau has several different trucks to make such as an Anti-Aircraft Truck, a Cargo Truck, a Personnel Carrier Truck and a Covered Truck.

Get the templates here:
http://papermau.blogspot.com/2013/02/easy-to-build-military-vehicles-by_19.html

How to Make a Terrarium

My calico skies shows step-by-step how to make a terrarium using a jar, rocks, plants, soil, and charcoal.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mycalicoskies.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrarium-diy.html

Disney's family also has a terrarium project. However theirs calls for active carbon which is sold in pet stores. It helps prevent the earthy odors.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/terrific-terrarium-1024894/

The enchanted tree has a terrarium idea as well using moss, glass jars, soil, charcoal, gravel and cute decorative toadstools.

Get the instructions here:

http://theenchantedtree.blogspot.com/2011/02/moss-gardens-in-jar.html

Transient expression makes a dessert version.

Get the instructions here:
http://transientexpression.com/diy-desert-terrarium/ 

Art projects for kids uses grass seed inside a cd case.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2014/03/worlds-skinniest-terrarium.html 

5 orange potatoes puts hers into a globe to hang.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/09/25/shakespeare-for-kids-shakespeare-globe-terrariums/

Parents uses paper and plastic cups.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/crafts-made-from-paper-plates-cups/?page=6#page=6

Our big earth adds moss and things that grow near moss.

This site is no longer available.

Engineer mommy grows clovers.

Get the instructions here:
http://engineermommy.com/2015/diy-easy-terrarium/

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

 

Take the kids outside for a fun walk and find and seek activity with one of these nature scavenger hunts.

The taylor house has a cute list for an outdoor scavenger hunt that all kids should be able to find.  Item includes objects such as a beautiful rock and two different type of leaves.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the list here:
http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2012/03/nature-scavenger-hunt-for-kids.html

Three ladybugs play adds adorable signs to their scavenger hunt helping the kids with clues along their way.

Get the instructions here:
http://threeladybugsplay.com/2013/09/30/imaginative-play-in-the-forest/ 

Chicca and jo share a free downloadable list with 15 items for the kids to find.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2010/07/12/nature-scavenger-hunt/ 

Nurture store writes her version on the ground with chalk.  The kids then collect each item and bring over to its circle.

Get the instructions here:
http://nurturestore.co.uk/kids-gardening-activities-chalk

Pure cotton grass  uses a journal and has kids write in their findings.

Get the instructions here:
http://purecottongrass.com/diy-nature-treasure-hunt