Cork Snake

Iiiopox, a Russian site, has a cute idea of how to make a snake out of wine corks, a ribbon and paint. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.iiiopox.ru/archives/38

Red tri makes her version with thread and unpainted corks.

Get the instructions here:
http://redtri.com/build-a-little-korkenschlange-cork-snake/

Straw Rockets

Curious kangaroo has a really nifty idea for how to make a rocket out of a bendy straw and paper.  Basically kids decorate blank paper with drawing and wrap them around the straw which they then use to shoot the paper out. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://curiouskangaroos.blogspot.com/2011/07/paper-rocket.html

A little learning for two has a different version.  She simply cuts out two identical patterns and tapes around the straw.

Get the instructions here:
http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com/2010/10/straw-rockets.html 

All for the boys has a version with fins.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2013/5/6/space-week-part-2-paper-straw-rocket.html 

Whimsy love has a super simple version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.whimsy-love.com/2012/06/summer-diary-day-15-paper-rockets.html?m=1 

Inner child fun adds a fiery blast to hers.

Get the instructions here:
http://innerchildfun.com/2013/03/kid-craft-rocket-straws.html

Bubble Painting

Disney's family fun has instructions for how kids can make colored soap bubble prints using bubble solution, paint, and straws.  They'll have lots of fun blowing the bubbles up really high and get to keep the experience by pressing down a piece of paper on the bubbles.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/soap-bubble-prints-667851/

Hello wonderful uses lots of colors and less bubbles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/diy-abstract-bubble-painting-with-kids

 
Fireflies and mudpies make prints by pressing paper onto the soap bubbles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2015/06/02/soap-foam-printing/

Playtime Invitations

The imagination tree has a wonderful idea of setting up play stations throughout the house to encourage kids to play with new objects. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.theimaginationtree.com/2012/05/creating-invitations-to-play.html

Fabric Magnet Board

Lively lou designs sells fabric magnet boards on Etsy however as pointed out on pinterest you could make these yourself.  Just get a cookie sheet from the dollar store and cover with fabric.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://pinterest.com/pin/224968943856107245/

Marbled Painted Pots

It's gravy baby shows how to take a terracotta pot and drizzle paint upon it to give and swirl it with a paint brush it a nifty marbled look. 

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://itsgravybaby.com/2012/06/marbled-pottery-painting-preschool-craft/

Scrapbook Paper Frames

Fave crafts has a cute idea for how to dress up a plain wood frame using scrapbook paper and glue.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Frames/Easy-Decoupage-Frames

Masking Tape Games

What to expect has a really great idea for an indoor activity on a cold winter day. Using masking tape you can make a hopscotch game, a target game, tic-tac-toe, a balance beam, and more.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.whattoexpect.com/blogs/astudentatmamauniversity/indoor-family-activities-just-add-masking-tape

How to Preserve a Snowflake

Boys life has a fun tutorial on how to catch a snowflake. The mechanism is pretty involved though. You need acetate, acrylic coating, cardboard, clothes pins and coolers. But it seems like it would be well worth the effort.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/funstuff/3396/snow-job/

Threaded Hex Nut Necklace

Renewed upon a dream has one of the easiest necklace tutorials ever.  All you need is a hex nut and some thin yarn.  She suggests using a needle to wrap the hex nut but little fingers should be nimble enough to wrap the yarn.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.reneweduponadream.com/2012/05/color-block-hex-nut-thread-necklace.html

How to Make an Origami Boat

Bloomize has instructions for making several types of origami boats. They've added paper hearts to each but they could be made without the hearts as well.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bloomize.com/a-fleet-of-origami-love-boats/

Captain crafty has a different version of a folded boat.   Using crayon scribbled paper for the design.

Get the instructions here:
http://captaincrafty.com/2011/05/rainy-day-toy-boat-tutorial/

Shrinky Dink Rings

Planet june has a beautiful tutorial on how to make shrinky dink rings using rubber stamps and shrink plastic. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/shrink-plastic-ring-tutorial/

Lana red makes three separate rings that all work together.  They can be stacked to appear all as one or spread out to create a story on your finger.

Get the instructions here:
http://lanared.blogspot.com/2012/09/shrinky-dink-rings.html

About.com makes a colorful flower ring using pretty rubber stamps.

Get the instructions here:
http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/projects/ss/Shrink_Plastic_Charm_Rings.htm

Pow!  Glitter mint makes a super hero version.

Get the instructions here:
http://glitter-mint.blogspot.com/2014/01/pow-bam-shrink-plastic-stacked-rings.html

Bookmarks Made Out of Duct Tape

The duct tape brand shows how to use their tape to make a cute bookmark.  You'll also need cute stickers and some ribbon.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://diydoityourself1.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-duct-tape-bookmark.html

Cardboard Train Station

Celebrate every day with me has great way to repurpose a box into a tunnel for cars or trains using markers and tape.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.celebrateeverydaywithme.com/2012/03/diy-project-for-your-train-loving-car.html

Thrive 360 living adds trees and letters to her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thrive360living.com/2013/03/diy-kids-cardboard-box-train-car-tunnel.html

Beaded Bubble Wands

Catbird 365 share an idea for the most beautiful bubble wands using copper wire and glass beads.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://catbird365.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/day-113-bubble-wands-heavy-gauge-copper-wire-glass-beads/  

The artful parent uses beads on the bubble part of the wand instead of the stem, which seems more suitable to younger kids.

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.artfulparent.com/2012/05/diy-beaded-bubble-wands.html

Intimate weddings uses sea glass to make their version. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-sea-glass-bubble-wands/

My very educated mother uses colored wire and pony beads.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.myveryeducatedmother.com/2015/06/diy-bubble-wands.html

Secret Service Activities

Be fickle has a fun way to get kids involved in helping others by setting up and assigning them "secret service activities."  Activities include smiling at others, baking cookies for neighbors, writing letters to soldiers.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the template here:
http://befickle.blogspot.com/2010/03/secret-service-activity-days-activity.html

Fine Motor Skill Activities

Sweet happy life has an easy idea for toddlers to work on their fine motor skills using pipe cleaners and a colander.  They can have fun weaving the pipe cleaners in and out.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sweethappylife.com/2011/toddler-games-activities/pipe-cleaners-colander-busy-toddler/

Box Puzzles

Meaningful mama has a nifty way to repurpose cardboard box flaps by cutting divots out of the sides so they can fit together to make puzzles or what she calls stackers.  All you need are cardboard boxes, spray paint and a scissors.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meaningfulmama.com/2012/06/day-161-cardboard-stackers.html

Hello wonderful makes different geometric shapes.

Get the template here:
http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/GEOMETRIC-CARDBOARD-SHAPE-SCULPTURES--WITH-FREE-PRINTABLE-

Guess Who Gets Educational

Board game geek has a very cleaver way of turning the Guess Who game into a study aid for kids learning about the US Presidents.  You would really need to know about them to play this game.  Another idea is using site words.

Class grenadine uses numbers in their version and includes rules to keep kids actively trying.

Beaded Windchimes

Education.com has a pretty way to create a wind chime using beads and a bottle cap and yarn.  Make sure to get sturdy beads or tie a knot between each one so they all don't fall in a gusty storm.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/windchime_kindergarten/

Two big two little has a version that uses a plastic lid instead of a cap.

Get the instructions here:
http://twobigtwolittle.blogspot.ca/2012/06/beaded-wind-chimes.html 

One artsy mama uses a terra cotta pot for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.oneartsymama.com/2013/02/beaded-windchime.html

Jamie at frogs and snails and puppy dog tails adds colorful bottle caps in between the beads.

Get the instructions here:
http://frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com/bottle-cap-wind-chime/

Crafts by amanda uses bottle caps and beads also.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.trueaimeducation.com/homemade-windsock-kites-for-kids/

An Artistic Nature Walk

Kiwi crate shares an interesting way to combine a craft and activity.  She suggests taking a nature walk and drawing found objects leaving a post it note of the child's vision.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kiwicrate.com/blog/4290/two-ingredient-tuesday-post-it-note-walk/

President's Day White House Kids Craft

Kaboose shares a creative way to make your own White House using painted popsicle sticks and construction paper and glue.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/craft-stick-white-house.html

President's Day Log Cabin

Kaboose has an edible spin on president's day with instructions for how to make a log cabin out of pretzel rods and chocolate frosting. Kids will have fun eating this historic cottage.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/pretzel-log-cabin.html

President Lincoln and Washington Puppets

Kaboose has very cute cute idea for how to make president finger puppets using representative coins and construction paper.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/presidents-day.html

Valentine Heart Candy Message

Shenanigans in second has a cute idea for writing a personal valentine's day note using the candy message hearts.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://shenanigansinsecond.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-hearts-took-over-our-writing.html

Valentines Day Wake Up

Skip to my lou has an adorable way to decorate the kids' bedroom on Valentine's day by placing several paper heart messages on their doors.  You could also decorate all around their room or bathroom mirror.

Get the instructions here:
http://skiptomylou.wordpress.com/2007/02/13/heart-attack/

Mardi Gras Mask

Freebie spot has a cute idea for how to make a Mardi Gras mask using hand and even foot prints and bright colorful construction paper.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freebiespot.net/21610/kids-frugal-craft-hand-foot-print-mardi-gras-mask/

Stained Glass Valentine's

Artful kids has a great way for the toddling set to make their own valentines.  Have the kids finger paint onto a sheet of paper.  Then glue that paper to a card with cutout hearts on the front.  The kids' fingerpainting will show through the cut outs to make a very pretty card,

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://artful-kids.com/blog/2012/01/19/cut-paper-valentines/

Butterfly Valentines

The examiner shows how to take a toilet paper roll, pipe cleaner and construction paper and make a cute valentine.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.examiner.com/article/valentine-crafts-for-toddlers

Easy child crafts use lots of cut out hearts on their version.

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.easy-child-crafts.com/toilet-paper-roll-butterfly.html