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/