July 23, 2009

Five Fun Crafts to do with Kids this Summer

Author: Yanique

DIY projects are a great way to keep kids busy, productive and entertained during the summer vacation – Here are 5 fun crafts that are easy to create based on easily available and inexpensive craft products.

•    Paper drink umbrellas
What you’ll need: Decorative scrap paper, glue, pencil, toothpick (or wooden kebab skewers), pinking shears or scallop scissors
How to: Use a pencil to draw circles on the paper by using a Heinz baked beans can. Cut the circle shape and then cut a tiny slice into the paper circle. Wrap around into a cone shape and add glue to edges. Add white glue to head of the cone and stick in skewers, then allow to dry.
Price range of scrapbook paper £0.10 – £2.00
Price range of pinking shears £5.90 – £22.00

scrapbooking stickers sheet 1

•    Decorated Flip flops
What you’ll need: plastic flip flops, ribbons, flower beads (bead box), glue
How to: Wrap the Y section of the flip flops with your desired ribbon using the glue to secure both ends. Add your beads or embellishments and decorate as you wish. Then allow to dry for a couple minutes.
Price range of flip flops £0.75 to £15

wooden painted flower beads 1

•    Tie dye t-shirts
What you’ll need: t-shirt, rubber bands/strings, dye, rubber gloves, large pot/bucket, BBQ tongs (to hold shirts and stir dye), newspaper and plastic bags (to protect your work area)., rags/paper towels (to clean up)  – OR you could buy a tie dye kit which allows you to do up to 5 shirts!
How to: Follow kit directions, but bear in mind that using a plain white t-shirt is best for achieving the desired results.
Price range of kits £6.75 to £12.50

tie dye kit 1

•    Finger Printed Shopper
What you’ll need: plain, light coloured canvas shopping bag and finger paint
How to: Most finger paints are non-toxic and washable such as the Crayola Beginnings 3 Washable Finger Paints. You can get as creative and artistic as you like as there are no set rules to paint your bag.
Price range of shoppers – £0.75 to £10.00

crayola beginnings 3 washable finger paints 1

•    Paper party bracelets
What you’ll need: scissors, old paper towel tube, scrapbooking paper, glue, buttons, and other embellishments (beads, photos etc)
How to: Use scissors to cut tube along length, to desired size of bracelet, glue scrapbooking paper and embellishments to decorate.
Price range of scrapbook paper £0.10 – £2.00

cute dinosaur themed buttons 1