Art projects and crafts that are easy for kids and fun for the whole family can be inexpensive, create hours or even days of fun, and even be educational. Here are five simple ideas for things to do with kids that the whole family can enjoy.
Grow Sugar Rock Crystals
Sugar rock crystals, or rock candy, are easy to make with a few simple things around the house. Granulated sugar, a glass jar, a skewer or some string, food coloring and boiling water are all that is required to grow some rock crystals.
Begin by wetting a wooden skewer or string that is a about an inch shorter than the jar being used. Roll the skewer in granulated sugar, and set aside to dry while boiling 2 cups of water.
When the water is boiling, add 4 cups of sugar, letting each one dissolve before adding the next. When the sugar syrup is smooth and liquid, add a few drops of food coloring and pour into the jar. Suspend the skewer or string in the jar an inch from the bottom. Use either clothes pins, or a second skewer and some tape to keep the string or skewer from touching bottom. Place the jar in a cool place away from direct sunlight, and watch the crystals begin to grow after 4-6 hours. Allow the crystals to grow for several days, before removing the skewer and enjoying the candy.
Make Scratch Art
For scratch art, some oil pastels, heavy paper, like a grocery bag, or some cardboard and a paperclip or other implement for scratching is required.
Spread various bright colors of oil pastels over the surface, being sure to cover the area completely. Next, spread black oil pastel over the first layer until it can no longer be seen.
Scratch away at the black layer with a paperclip to reveal the colors beneath. Create galaxies, shapes or even people to hang and enjoy.
Make a Bird Feeder
To make a simple bird feeder, perfect for cold or winter weather, gather a jar of peanut butter, bird seed, wax paper and string.
Begin by spreading a thick amount of peanut butter approximately 12” long on the wax paper. Lay the string in the center, being sure to leave several inches of over hang for hanging the feeder. Layer more peanut butter on top and place in the freezer until the peanut butter is stiff, but not all together frozen. Remove from the wax paper and roll the peanut butter log in bird seed, using the wax paper to help form it. Place it back in the freezer to harden, and then hang it from a nearby tree. Enjoy the sight of winter birds snacking in the yard.
Create Fairy Crowns
Fairy crowns are made of fresh, dried or silk flowers, leaves or even pine needles, along with wire and low-temperature hot glue.
Loosely twist or braid a few strands of wire together until the circumference fits around the wearer’s head. Then thread the stems of flowers or leaves through the holes left in the loosely braided wire, and cement with hot glue. Be sure to have parental supervision for this step, and allow the glue to cool thoroughly before trying on. Pack the flowers or leaves closely together to create a headpiece to wear.
Paint Acorns
Remove the caps from acorns, clean and dry them well to remove any dirt and paint them using acrylic paints. Use orange paint, with a black marker to make miniature jack o’ lanterns, or try two different shades of green paint to create small watermelons. Give the acorns faces and hair, and recreate family members and have miniature sculptures to place around the house for decoration when done.
These simple art projects can be done again and again by just using slight variations. Add flavor to the rock crystals, use different colors for the under drawings in scratch art, or make fairy crowns out of seasonal materials. With a little creativity these easy crafts for kids can provide fun and time well spent together for the whole family.
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