Tin Can Robots

Tin cans have a great second life as an upcycled craft making robots.  They're so shiny and metallic they make the best base for your kids to create a pretend artificial life form.  Just add some additional objects such as stickers, paper, pipe cleaners, pom poms and tape.  Make sure to tape the sharp edge before playing.

A fancier version that doubles as a table centerpiece storing yummy cookies and plastic utensils.

Cutting Sensory Box

Give the kids a bunch of different types of papers and fabrics and a scissors. They'll have a lot of fun feeling the different textures and seeing how difficult and easy it is to cut the different types of items.

Washi Tape Magnet Bookmarks

Lemon squeezy home covers card stock with cute washi tape and sticks on magnets to the end to solidify the bookmarks. 

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.lemonsqueezyhome.com/2013/05/magnetic-washi-tape-bookmarks-diy.html

Shrinky Dink Bracelet

Free pretty things for you shares a pretty template of printable charms to make a bracelet.  The main item you need is shrinky dink printing paper and a link bracelet and jump rings to hang the charms. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/2013/05/shrinky-dink-charm-bracelet/

Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands

Life with moore babies turns pipe cleaners into bubble wands.  They even decorate them with beads and create unique shapes for the bubbles.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://lifewithmoorebabies.blogspot.com/2013/05/pipe-cleaner-bubble-wands_12.html

Toilet Paper Roll Washi Tape Houses

Zakka life turns toilet paper rolls into cute little houses using washi tape to decorate the homes. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2013/05/make-washi-tape-village.html

Make Your Own Geoboards

Turn lots of different designs into geoboards using dot paper and markers to teach their kids about basic shapes such as triangles, stars, and rectangles.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Hello wonderful uses wood and nails.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/easy-diy-wooden-geoboard