Superhero Capes

Turn a t-shirt into a superhero cape simply by cutting and gluing on some velcro with the southern institute.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thesoutherninstitute.com/2011/03/diy-superhero-cape-tutorial.html/

Lace Crowns

Lace is painted, and glued into a crown shape with the girl inspired.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thegirlinspired.com/2012/01/lace-princess-crowns-diy/

Superhero Shields

Make a super hero shield out of foam, paint and ribbon with the country chic cottage.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2014/09/make-captain-america-shield.html

Indoor Camp Fire

Kids can make a pretend camp fire using stones, sticks and orange, red and yellow tissue paper with mom always finds out.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momalwaysfindsout.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/how-to-make-a-campfire-craft.jpg

Toilet Paper Roll Tea Cups

Toilet paper rolls are turned into tea cups simply by cutting them in half, gluing on a handle and drawing colorful patterns or images on them in marker.  Krokotak even makes matching cardboard saucers by cutting out round cardboard disks and coloring them in to match.  Perfect for any pretend tea party. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://krokotak.com/2013/07/sutreshnoto-kafe-na-krokotak/

Felt Salad

Large pieces of foam are cut into vegetable shapes to a make a fun pretend salad including lettuce and tomatoes.  Inner child fun also makes onion rings out of purple paper and croutons by cutting up a yellow sponge.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://innerchildfun.com/2011/11/diy-holiday-play-salad.html

Eskimo Play Date

Pay homage to the Eskimos with this fun winter themed play date.  

A paper plate and cotton balls and crayons or markers turn into a fun Eskimo face to start off this Eskimo play date.

Get the instructions here:
http://kiboomukidssongs.com/easy-winter-eskimo-craft/

Next read the classic tale about an Eskimo child testing the limits of her independence, and a mother who reassuringly proves that a parents love is unconditional and everlasting is a perfect first book for toddlers.  Available at Amazon or check it out from your local library.

Next make fun fruit Popsicle using colorful fruit.

Get the instructions here:
http://favim.com/image/37830/

Then cardboard takes on winter with mr. printables' free diy Eskimo snow scene.  Complete with all your favorite arctic animals including a moose, dog sled, polar bear,deer and sled dogs.  He even provides snow topped pine trees to complete this chilly ensemble.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.mrprintables.com/peg-dolls-winter-wonderland.html

Toilet Paper Roll Crowns

Toilet paper rolls take on the ultimate transformation thanks to Lilla a design.  After cutting them into mini crowns the kids decorate with paint, stickers and glitter.  She even adds a string so they can be tied into place to stay put on the little heads.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://lilla-a-design.blogspot.com/2010/08/liten-prinsess-krona.html

Egg Carton Bus

An egg carton and plastic bottle lids are reconfigured to make a bus for tiny plastic toy dolls or animals from free kids crafts.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/recycled-hop-hop-bus/

Flower Crowns

A great use for dandelions and great fun for kids is to make crowns with pink stripey socks.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2014/04/diy-dandelion-crown.html

Momtastic uses lots of different types of flowers as well as colorful ribbons and leaves.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.momtastic.com/diy/168071-diy-summer-flower-crown/

Cat and Mouse Finger Puppets

Will the cat and mouse be friends or will the mouse chase the cat around the house?  Kids can play games of cat and mouse with these free printable finger finger puppets from cupcakes for clara.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the template here:
http://www.cupcakesforclara.com/finger%20mouse.pdf

Cardboard Circle Animal Magnets

Cutout cardboard circles are colored and given a cute face and ears with meri cherry.  She then adds magnets to the back so kids can have fun with pretend play.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.mericherry.com/2014/06/13/cardboard-cutout-animal-magnets-diy-magnet-board/

Popsicle Stick Benches

Supplies needed:

- Popsicle Sticks
- Glue
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil

Cut 2 popsicle sticks to 5 centimeters each keeping one end rounded.  These will make the back part of the bench.

Cut 4 sticks 4 centimeters.  These will make the back part and seat for the bench.

Cut 2 sticks at 2.5 centimeters.  Keeping one side rounded.   This will make the seat for the bench.

Glue the 4 centimeter sticks to the 2.5 centimeter sticks.

Attach two cut offs of the sticks to strengthen the bench.

Next attach the 5 centimeter sticks.

Attach the seat.

Cut 4 more 2 centimeter sticks to use as the bench legs.  Use some cut offs to strengthen here as well.

Place on top of green crumpled tissue paper to make a nice grass floor.  Pink and green pipe cleaner flowers add a nice touch as well. 

This post originally appeared on arty lil which unfortunately is no longer live. 

Wire Crown

This copper wire crown is a great accessory for pretend play whether it's Max from Where The Wild Things Are or a princess tea party.  Ambrosia girl shows how to create this minimalist crown for boys and girls alike.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/wire-birthday-crown-diy/

Make and tell makes hearts into her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://makeandtell.com/make-party-wire-heart-crown/ 

The magic onions uses pompoms and a head band for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.themagiconions.com/2014/07/diy-tutorial-wire-felt-crown.html

Paper Plate Bunny Mask

Cotton balls and a paper plate becomes a cute bunny mask for Easter day fun.  Find the tutorial at cheap craft mama.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://cheapcraftymama.com/bunny-mask-kid-craft/

Another version with whiskers found on pinterest.

Mini Acorn Tea Set

Acorns change into an adorable tea set with curly birds.  She paints the tops of the inside with gold and glues on a handle and stem.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://curlybirds.typepad.com/curly-birds/2013/09/falling-down-20-autumn-crafts.html

Magic belles has a very similar set but decorates the insides with polka dot pastel paints.  Of note, the website chimes a loud noise when you visit.

Get the instructions here:
http://magicbelles.com/flutterbudclub/makes/fairy-tea-set

Pipe Cleaner Princess Attire

Create a fuzzy pretty crown from pipe cleaners with one charming party.  You can twist them to have all sorts of neat features like hearts and stars.  She also has information for how to make matching wands.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://onecharmingparty.com/2013/05/21/pipe-cleaner-princess-crown/

Cardboard Box Pizza and Oven

A cardboard box becomes a pizza oven with made by joel.  He also shows how to make a pizza as well.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://madebyjoel.com/2014/01/diy-shoebox-pizza-oven-toy.html

Of course you'll need an arrow holder

A paper tube and some great fabric and ribbon create a nifty quill with creative capital b.  A fantastic pretend play toy.

Good for ages 11 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.creativecapitalb.com/2013/10/simple-upcycled-no-sew-kids-quiver.html

Sophie world makes arrows and quills for her hunger games party.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.sophie-world.com/blog/hunger-games-party-action

Water Proof Finger Puppets

Rubber gloves lend their fingers to fun play with kidspot.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kidspot.com.au/omofunzone/Create-Finger-puppets+138+568+sponsor-activity.htm

Scribbit's version moves away from people making monster looking creatures.

Get the instructions here:
http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2007/07/rubber-glove-finger-puppets.html

Kids craft weekly uses circle stickers and draws a face to make easily changing puppets and emotions.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kidscraftweekly.com/puppets_issue.html