Butterfly Habitat

Fun in the making turns a cardboard box into a butterfly observatory with some pretty magazine photos and screening materials.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.funinthemaking.net/2009/07/08/myo-butterfly-metamorphosis-observatory-out-of-a-cardboard-box/

Clothespin Pendant Necklace

Mich l in la has a very clever idea using the pin of a clothes pin to showcase beautiful beads on a necklace.  Simple remove the pin from the clothespin and add on the bead, re-close and string onto a necklace. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.michlinla.com/2013/03/turn-clothespins-into-wirework-jewelry.html

Paper Plate UFOs

Crayola turns paper plates into flying saucers using ribbon and geometrical patterns.  They even include game ideas on their site.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.crayola.com/things-to-do/crafts-landing/flying-saucer-fling.aspx

Crafts by amanda makes hers silver using jewel stickers for the windows.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2013/01/paper-plate-flying-saucer.html

Pretty Thumbtacks Craft

How about orange makes adorable thumbtacks with some really pretty washi tape. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2013/03/washi-tape-thumbtacks.html

How to make a spinning top that draws

Lexikaliker has a really clever idea.  She uses a washer and a pencil stub to create a spinning top.  Place it on paper and spin.  Kids will love trying this with colored pencils too.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lexikaliker.de/2010/07/drehmoment/

Mommy me the wonder years had a junior version using a circle cardboard cut out.  She has the kids draw pie shapes of color and when the spin it it's really pretty to watch. 

Get the instructions here:
http://mommyme-thewonderyears.blogspot.jp/2010/12/craft-spinning-tops.html

How to Make a Chair from a Box

Spoonful shows how to turn a few boxes into some neat furniture with just some glue and pretty scrapbooking paper.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://spoonful.com/crafts/box-seats

Bird Nest Craft

Preschool playbook shows how to take a paper bag and some shredded raffia to create a birds nest.  She sticks birds made from colorful feathers and pompoms inside.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.preschoolplaybook.com/2012/03/adorable-spring-birds.html

Jenni can knit also makes little chicks out of pompoms, feathers, felt and glue and then gives them cute homes, making nests from shredded paper and a brown paper bag.

Get the instructions here:
http://jennicanknit.blogspot.com/2013/05/paper-sack-birds-nests.html

Niccola on tuesday uses yellow chicks for her version.

Get the instructions here:
 http://niccolaontuesday.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/paper-bag-nests.html