Big Sister Gift Idea for New Baby

Nothing's sweeter than preparing for a new little one's arrival.  Including older children in the preparation and celebration makes it extra fun!   Mama's Doodles has this simple idea that's super easy for kids.   All you need is fine grit sandpaper, crayons and a baby T-shirt.

Visit Mama's Doodles for the simple 6 step instructions.  Oh so sweet!

How to Make Shrinky Dinks from Recycled Plastic

Using:

Permanent Markers,  #6 clear plastic, and an oven you can make your own Shrinky Dinks.   A super fun activity to do with kids of all ages.

Look for this #6 symbol on clear plastic, such as containers for take out food.

Skip to my Lou has complete and thorough information and directions.   A Family Fun Project!

How To Make A Marble Fun Run

Fun, fun, fun!   One of the best ideas I've seen.   Kids will love this!   

Visit Family Fun for the complete how to.   

And here is another marble run from Serving Pink Lemonade.   Great idea!

How To Make A Cardboard Pirate Ship

Every Tuesday is Art Tuesday at our house.   Eric and I get together and create.   Now I know what next weeks craft will be.    We'll make our own pirate ship out of the left over boxes from Christmas.   Free, fun creativity!   Combine the ship with some action figures and he'll have a great time! 

Thanks to ikatbag for the sweet tutorial and idea!   Visit ikatbag here. 

Creative Learning Activities for Kids

Nails, Screws and Cardboard Boxes

What you need -   A cardboard box, a screwdriver, a rock,  screws and nails. 

Look at the concentration on their faces!  Using tools provides great eye - hand coordination.

Here's the link

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/04/nails-and-screws-and-cardboard-boxes.html 

Sewing and Embroidery

Ages 4 to 6

What you need - Dollar Store drawer liner, colored yarn, a blunt needle, sharpie permanent markers.

Here's the link

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/02/sewing-and-embroidery-for-kids-with.html

Cut Paper - Wavy Weaving 

Ages 6 - 12

What you need - colored paper, cardboard, pencils, scissors, masking tape, glue sticks, tweezers

Here's the link

http://www.artforsmallhands.com/2010/03/cut-paper-wavy-weaving.html#more

Build and Paint a Castle

Ages 3 to 10

What you need - toilet paper rolls, small cracker or cereal boxes, paint, scissors

Visit this link

Filth Wizardry

Cut Paper Stand Up Self Portraits

Ages  3 - 6

What you need - colored paper, scissors, glue

Visit this link

http://www.artforsmallhands.com/2009/10/cut-paper-stand-up-self-portraits.html

Make a Cardboard Rainbow

Ages 3 to 6

What you need - cardboard, pencil, scissors, glue, colored paper

Visit this link

http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/03/rainbow-collage.html

Look, Draw, Eat and Draw

Ages 5 to 10

What you need - paper, pencil, markers or crayons,

fruit.

Visit this link

Art for Small Hands

Easy indoor activities to do with your child today

       Hopscotch

All you need is masking tape and a flat floor surface

http://lilla-a-design.blogspot.com/2010/04/hoppa-hage-var-nya-matta.html

 Ribbon Wand 

All you need is a long ribbon or fabric a cardboard tube.

Put on some music and dance together.

http://lilla-a-design.blogspot.com/2010/02/boll-och-band-utan-boll.html

Decoupage flower vases

All you need are baby food jars,  Mod Podge, brushes and tissue paper

http://lilla-a-design.blogspot.com/2010/07/blomvaser-med-decoupage.html

Animal Pull Toys

3 year olds will LOVE this idea - I promise

All you need is a shoe box, tape, string or yarn, cardboard or paper for the head.

Let them pull around their toy and gather items around the house.

Play a counting and color game by asking them to get - (example) 3 red items. etc. 

http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-craft-in-lmnop-magazine.html

Tin Can Telephones

All you need is - 2 tin cans, string, tape

http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/04/tin-can-telephones.html

Dress Up Drawings

All you need is fabric, scissors, paper, glue or tape

http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/02/dress-up-drawings.html

Learning how to make an airplane

Today we made our own airplane out of cardboard. 

With the idea in mind of teaching my son how to safely use an exacto knife 

and a hot glue gun I made up this pattern for an airplane.

Then today, He used my pattern and designed his own. 

First he cut out the pattern pieces and traced them on to the cardboard

Well done!   Now he plans on building an army tank on his own.

Juice Carton Wallet

What a goofy little wallet!

But you know what?   I love how the flap folds over, 

then the cap screws back on to keep it closed. 

A 8 to 10 year old boy would love this gadget.  

I'm going to give it a try!! 

Want to?   Visit family fun for the free template and video tutorial: 

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/carton-wallet-675068/

Paper Collage Bookmarks and Pendants

Gather pictures from vintage wallpaper, gift wrap, Anthropology catalogs, patterned paper... 

anything you find interesting.

Cut and paste to make a collage, seal with 3 coats of Mod Podge and cut

 into bookmarks, pendants, key chains... the possibilities are endless.

Fun project!   Creative end result.   Love it 

Visit Artsyville for the complete tutorials:

http://artsyville.blogspot.com/2010/04/cut-and-paste-necklaces.html