Ninja Squishy Balls

Balloons turn into little squishy ninjas with frugal fun for boys and a marker.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://frugalfun4boys.com/2013/05/02/ninja-stress-balls/

Andreas notebook leaves off the face.

Get the instructions here:
http://andreasnotebook.com/how-to-make-the-coolest-ninja-squishy-balls/

Candy Popsicles

Licorice, fruit chews and other gummy candy hide in frozen fruit juice or lemonade to make surprise popsicles with kids activity blog.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/27122/popsicle-ice-pops

Bottle Cap Fish

Bottle caps turn into cute fish with I heart crafty things.  She adds paper tails, googly eyes, glittery gills and even a smile. She makes a whole school of fish adding tissue paper seaweed and white paint straw bubbles. 

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2013/05/bottle-cap-art-fish-and-flower-scene.html

Alphabet Sensory Bins

Abcderians will love this hidden alphabet and number sensory box.  And next comes l uses clear letters in colored rice for kids to find them.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.andnextcomesl.com/2013/05/two-simple-sensory-bins-using-invisible.html

Little hands big work has a very cleaver and educational alphabet search sensory bin where children need to find the letter and match it to a puzzle.

Another idea is to use just the letters in the child's name and s/he then has to find them and place them in the correct order.

Willow day has an alphabet ice scavenger hunt.  She hides plastic letters in ice for kids to chip and spray away.  She even hides them in the snow for kids to find.  Once the letters are revealed the kids have to arrange the letters to find the next one. 

Get the instructions here:
 http://www.willowday.com/2012/01/icy-treasure-hunt.html

Sand Dollars

Dried barley gets glued to card stock to make these cute sand dollars bringing the ocean and beach closer to home. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://spoonful.com/crafts/paper-sand-dollars

Crafts by amanda uses dried beans and a paper plate for her version.

Get the instructions here:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2013/07/paper-plate-sand-dollars.html

Squirrel Feeders

Got squirrels?  They'll do just about anything to get at a bird feeder.  Surprise them with this feeder that's just for them and it's super simple to make.  Just wrap a slinky through a pipe cleaner, stuff with their favorite peanuts, and hang from a tree.  They'll love it.  Find all of the details at kiwi crate.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kiwicrate.com/projects/Squirrel-Slinky-Feeder/2087

Star Sun Catchers

Tissue paper of multiple colors makes up this star sun catcher from brass tacks and basics.  She shows step by step how to fold and put together this multi-pointed star shape.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.brasstacksandbasics.com/2008/03/simple-window-stars-tutorial.html

The Eric Carle Museum shares their version using coffee stirrer sticks to make the outline of the stars.  They then hang them like a mobile.

Get the instructions here:
http://carlemuseum.org/blogs/making-art/wood-and-paper-stars