Ladybug Rocks

The baikal viktoria forum has a cute entry on how to make ladybugs out of smooth round stones using just red, black and white paint. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://baikal-viktoria.ucoz.ru/forum/51-704-3#59835

 

Oopsey daisy blog paints her rocks all red and then paints all of the bug's features, eyes, mouth, and dots black.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2010/04/garden-rocks-for-grandma.html 

A moms take makes a whole family using different size stones.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.amomstake.com/2013/07/ladybug-rocks-for-your-garden/

Fireflies and mudpies adds black pipe cleaner antennae and googly eyes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/2015/05/17/ladybug-stones-a-happy-nature-craft-for-kids/

Cupcake Liner Flowers

Mama smiles shares easily one of the simplest flower crafts ever. Simply take a cupcake liner and fold it in half and stick a green pipe cleaner through the bottom middle and then back through to make a loop. Secure the end by wrapping around the pipe cleaner stem.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://mamasmiles.com/spring-flower-craft/

 

Shorties funny farm cuts petals and uses a green straw stem.

 

Get the instructions here:

http://shortiesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/cupcake-flowers.html

 

 

 

This version makes little vases as well. 

 

The website is no longer available.



Button Yo Yos

Trudy d had a cute idea for a mini yoyo using two buttons, thread and a safety pin.  Site is no longer available. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Origami Beads

It's a makkie has a really unique post on how to make paper beads using origami paper.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://itsamakkie.blogspot.it/2012/03/wensjes-in-balletjes-zo-maak-je-het.html

Minie co creates paper beads out of origami paper.  She uses triangle shapes to start.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.minieco.co.uk/paper-beads-2/

DIY Cardboard Puzzles

Having fun at home makes a homemade pizza puzzle.  The kids first cut pictures of foods from magazines and the glue them onto a round cardboard cut out.  She then cuts them into slices for the kids to put back together.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.havingfunathome.com/2011/05/homemade-pizza-puzzle.html

Mr. printables shares a fantastic United States puzzle printable.  You can print it out and glue it onto cardboard for longetivity.

Get the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/map-of-the-usa-jigsaw-puzzle.html

Hands on as we grow shows how to turn a cardboard box into a puzzle using numbers on one side and the products box front on the other.

Get the instructions here:
http://handsonaswegrow.com/two-for-one-cracker-box-number-puzzles/

Origami Sheep Round Up

Origami guide shows how to make a sheep in 10 steps.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.origami-guide.com/origami-sheep.html

Origami kids has an sheep folding video demonstrating another way to make sheep.

See the video here:
http://www.origami-kids.com/gallerie-video/superhero-1/how-to-make-an-origami-sheep-kirigami-A3JoFLAa_bd8.htm

How to origami shares a 3-dimensional sheep.

Get the instructions here:
http://how-to-origami.com/origami-sheep.html

Clothespin Cars

Clothes pins, wooden buttons and some twist ties make very cute upcycled cars with this super inventive tutorial from ikatbag.  One complete they race them.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ikatbag.com/2013/08/kids-craft-fair-again.html

Almost unschoolers uses tape to decorate her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2010/12/clothespin-button-racer.html

Origami Birds

Storm the castle provides a video for their simple origami bird lesson.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.stormthecastle.com/origami/simple-origami-bird.htm

Origami instruction has an 18-step origami bird.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-bird.html

Origami way shares an 8-step origami owl.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.origamiway.com/origami-owl.shtml

Origami fun has a 10-step origami pelican.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-pelican.html

 Origami make shares directions for a kid friendly origami crane.

Get the instructions here;
http://www.origami-make.com/kids-origami-crane.php

Kids Turtle Crafts

Yours til niagara falls shows how to felt a cute little turtle.  It's a lot easier than it seems.  

Get the instructions here:
http://yourstilniagarafalls.typepad.com/yours_til_niagara_falls/2008/04/low-and-steady.html

Wildlife fun 4 kids turns upcycles a shiny cd into a turtle. 

Get the instructions here:
http://www.wildlifefun4kids.com/2011/11/16/craty-cd-critters/

Danielle's place makes a turtle out of green straws, a bottle cap, perler beads and a pompom head.  

Get the instructions here:
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/Drinking-straw-DIY-crafts-for-kids.html

Beaded Lizards

Sugar bee crafts turns pony beads into lizard pets by stringing the beads onto a patterned thread.  

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2013/06/pony-bead-lizard-tutorial.html

Flip Cards

Minieco share a few templates o make thaumatropes -- cards when flipped back and forth look like they're moving.  Simply add thread between the two and flip away to see the show. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the templates here:
http://www.minieco.co.uk/diy-thaumatropes/

Ink Blotted Coasters

52 week projects has a cool and simple tile coaster project using ink and a dropper.  She said it's very hard to mess up, making it a perfect project for kids.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://52weeksproject.com/post/29302076841/guest-post-alcohol-ink-dyed-coasters

Artistic Coloring Pages

Color me online hosts several famous painting coloring pages.  This would be great to incorporate with a trip to a museum, especially if you're lucky enough to have one of these paintings nearby or even a virtual visit online to see the original work and to learn more about the artist.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.color-me-online.com/masterpiece/paintings/paintstarrynight.html

Fallen Seed Sculptures

Filth wizardry has a beautiful way to turn fallen seeds into pretty flowers or dragonflies using paint and glue. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2012/10/autumn-woodland-treasure-sculpture.html

DIY Indoor Golf Course

The craft train upcycles tin cans and turns them into a mini golf course.  She adds flags and includes a free printable template.  She even makes golf clubs out of paper towel tubes and duct tape. Make sure to tape the can to avoid sharp edges. 

Good for ages 8 and up. 

http://www.thecrafttrain.com/1/post/2013/05/tin-can-indoor-golf-fun-from-recycled-junk.html

Inner child fun uses carpet and cardboard.

Get the instructions here:
http://innerchildfun.com/2012/01/carpet-golf.html 

Repeat crafter me folds up a green towel.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/03/diy-putting-green.html

How to Make Sidewalk Chalk

Playful learning shares her recipe for sidewalk chalk using tempura paint, plaster of paris, and wrapping paper tubes for molds.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://playfullearning.net/make-your-own-sidewalk-chalk/

Willowday creates a hole in her chalk and strings a yarn through the center to make a very functional necklace.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.willowday.com/2014/05/sidewalk-chalk-beads.html

Instructables uses molds to make fun shapes.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Sidewalk-Chalk/?ALLSTEPS

Fall Leave Bowl

Hello lucky makes a beautiful leaf bowl using fallen autumn leaves, a balloon and mod podge. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/10/25/diy-autumn-leaf-bowls/

Vivint shares a version of a diy leaf bowl as well.

Get the instructions here:
http://neighborhood.vivint.com/good-neighbor/diy-fall-decor-leaf-bowl/

Glow in the Dark Baseballs

How does she extends the outdoor play hours by looping glowstick bracelets through whiffle balls so kids can play baseball into the evening.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.howdoesshe.com/glow-in-the-dark-baseball-the-greatest-game-ever-played/

Fall Tree With Hand Cutouts

An autumn version of the hand print tree is hosted on pinterest using fall color construction paper for the cut outs of the kids hands. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

View the image here:
http://pinterest.com/pin/202943526929560283/

Manualescanigo cuts out the arm too to use for the trunk in her version.  She uses cardboard for the tree and crayon colored paper cut outs for the leaves.

Get the instructions here:

http://manualescanigo.blogspot.com/2010/10/el-brazo-arbol.html

About family crafts uses fabric cut leaves for her version and glues them on to the hand and arm cut out.

Get the instructions here:

http://aboutfamilycrafts.com/handprint-fall-tree-craft/

Swirly Leaf Paintings

Little wonder days has a really neat leaf project that uses shaving cream, paint and leaf cut outs.  Kids will love how the paint swirls in the shaving cream and how beautiful their leaves will turn out by just dipping the cut outs into the mixture.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-fall-friday-fun.html

Fabric Friendship Bracelets

Pottery barn kids shows how to make a very easy friendship bracelet by braiding two fabric strips with pompom yarn which gives it a really nice texture. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/design-studio/articles/easy_summer_crafts_2.html

Crushed Autumn Leaves Tree

Our house shares an autumn inspired tree craft using ink, straws and crushed colorful leaves.  Kids will have lots of fun crushing and spreading the leaves.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://ourhouse.typepad.com/full_circle/2007/10/autumn-trees-cr.html

Batman Coloring Pages

Coloring book has a ton of free Batman coloring pages (more than 100) free and ready to print. 

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=15

School Collection Containers

Hop n dots teaching turns an empty pringles tube into a great container for pop tabs and box tops for education She glues on wrapping paper and a construction paper signage and cuts out the top for dropping in the tabs and tops. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://hopndotsteaching.blogspot.com/2012/07/inspiration-strikes-again.html

Hole Punch Autumn Tree

Kokoko kids has a cute take on the autumn tree using autumnal colored paper hole punched cut outs. 

Good for ages five and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kokokokids.ru/2011/10/fall-art.html

Calming Sensory Box

Color can be a calming aspect for kids.  Use different size white beans to create a quiet sensory bin. 

Hammered Leaf Prints

Build make craft bake has a very beautiful and clever idea for fall leaves.  She uses a hammer, a paper towel and paper to create really pretty leaf prints.  She recommends trying this with flowers too.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://buildmakecraftbake.com/2009/04/how-to-hammered-flower-and-leaf-prints.html