Parents looking for things to do with kids will be happy to know that there are several items already in their homes that can be used to create easy crafts. Here are four fun activities that cost little, but provide hours of fun.
Make Homemade Play Dough
Homemade play dough can be created with 3 cups of flour, 1-1/2 cups of salt, 6 teaspoons of cream of tarter, 3 tablespoons of oil and 3 cups of water. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and stir over medium heat until a ball begins to form by pulling away from the sides. Knead the dough mixture until the consistency becomes that of play dough.
A few drops of food coloring and vanilla extract can be added for bright colors and an extra preservative. This play dough can be used for sculptures and crafts, left to dry for permanent art, or stored in an airtight container and used again and again.
Making Stamps
For two easy stamp creating methods, gather all sizes of rubber bands, glue, cardboard, scissors, foam trays from packages of meat and a pencil or pen.
For the first method, cut the cardboard to the size desired for the stamp being created. Then cut the different sizes of rubber bands into shapes to glue into the desired design on the cardboard. Let dry and then dip into paint or ink before pressing to paper or other surfaces. For a more permanent stamp, try gluing the rubber onto small pieces of wood.
To create foam stamps, cut the foam trays to the desired size and use a pencil or pen to press the design into the foam. This will create a reversal of the design when stamped.
Always remember to create mirror images of letters for them to face the correct way when stamped.
Create Homemade Shrinky Dinks
Collect plastic cookie containers, and clear, plastic lids from deli items to create shrinkable plastic art. Just check to make sure that the containers have a recycling designation of “6” or less.
Use a magic marker or pen to draw designs on the plastic and cut them out. The shapes can be colored with colored pencils, or magic markers at this time, just lightly sand the plastic to give the color a better grip. Keep in mind that the colors will get brighter once baked.
Place the plastic pieces on a baking sheet and set in an oven pre-heated to 350 for just a few minutes; they will curl and shrink quickly, so keep a close eye. If the pieces come out slightly curled at the edges, flatten them using a phone book. If they haven’t been colored yet, use paint, markers and colored pencils to decorate.
This plastic art can then be used to make jewelry, sun catchers and other fun projects.
Use Magazines and Fliers for Kids Collage
Gather unwanted catalogues, fliers and magazines, along with construction paper and glue to create collages. Have kids come up with a story to tell through pictures, or have them find images that would illustrate the theme of a favorite book. Collage can also be used to create imaginative, abstract art. Layer and tear the paper, adding paint, glue and sparkles for truly unique artistic designs.
Activities for kids do not have to be expensive or time consuming. By collecting items around the home, parents and kids can find hours of fun, as well as new uses for ordinary things. Take a look inside the kitchen cabinets and the recycling bin, and get started on a project today.
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