Woven Butterflies!

Today's post is a pretty easy weaving craft that the whole family can do. You only need five things, and the clean up is hassle free!

Here is the link with full instructions: http://www.thecrafttrain.com/1/post/2015/11/woven-craft-stick-butterflies.html.

Enjoy!

Rainy Day Foam Dough!

Who wants to make and play with foam dough?!

Here is the link with photographic instructions: http://earlylearning.momtrusted.com/2013/05/foam-dough-shaving-cream-corn-starch/. There are no exact measurements listed, but it looks like they used a cup of cornstarch with a cup of shaving cream (don't quote me on that though).

I will probably be trying this later myself and let you know how it goes!

Enjoy!

September 4:

So here is my version of the foam dough, I discovered that it is the shaving cream that you need more of because it basically acts as a binder!

Measurements are as follows:
1/2 cup of corn starch
Roughly 1.5 cups of Barbasol
Several squirts of food coloring (optional)
1 large Popsicle stick or spoon to stir

Take 1 large measuring cup (they make great mixing bowls for small tasks) and measure out 1/2 cup of cornstarch. Then add Barbasol until it is just below the 2 cup line at the top. Spritz several drops of food coloring on top and then stir it until the mixture is blended. It is ready for play when it looks like moon sand, but feels like foam!

Good luck!

Egg Carton Turtles!

It's turtle nesting season!  Until sometime in October, according to Sea Turtle Conservatory (their website: http://www.conserveturtles.org/florida.php?page=nestingseason). The last day has not been announced yet, sorry.

These are super adorable and really simple, and I'm sure you can create any design on the turtle shell that you want!

Here's the link for inspiration and full instructions: http://itsmunchkintime.blogspot.com/2013/09/easy-egg-carton-turtle-craft-for-kids.html. Enjoy!

Easter "Egg" Potato Stamping!

Make an Easter painting or greeting card for your loved ones this Sunday using paint and potatoes!

This should be less messy than last week's craft, and the kids get to play with more food as well!

Here is the link for inspiration and full instructions: http://www.craftymorning.com/easter-egg-potato-stamping-craft-kids/.

Have fun and enjoy!

Pollock Inspired Painting!

I am on a painting kick this week so I thought I would share another painting craft with you!

This is a sensory craft that includes the use of your child's gross motor skills, and being able to throw paint is such a fun way to play!

Here is the link for full instructions: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/10/paint-filled-eggs-on-canvas.html.

I would strongly recommend wearing old clothes, and it might be easiest to make a small hole at the top using a butter knife. Like your trying to extract egg yolk to make a white cake or something... Enjoy!

Fork Painted Tulips!

Looking for something more spring themed or colorful to make with the kids? Why not paint tulips using forks!?

These are attractive and simple, and the kids will have fun making a mess using the forks, I mean paint!This craft can also serve as a gift for a loved one as well: refrigerator art, wall art, etc.

Also, protective wear might be a necessity for this craft, especially with the little ones!

Here is the link for inspiration and full instructions: http://www.kidsplaybox.com/spring-art-tulip-painting/. Enjoy!

Inkblot T-shirt!

Here is a fun and colorful way to simultaneously teach your kids about symmetry and creativity that they can also wear!

The t-shirts are modeled after the Rorschach inkblot tests. The idea of this craft is that you and your child scatter colored drops of paint on a shirt, fold it in half, and open it back up to see the vibrant creation you have just made! The kids will learn about symmetry and why mixing colors produce new or different hues of color. Plus, it is also fun to re-purpose old t-shirts that are still in wearable condition!

If you do not have any fabric paint on hand, Joann Fabrics sells it for about $2-$10 depending on the bottle's brand. In my past experiences with fabric paint and iron on designs, it's best to let the material air dry after it has gone through the washing machine. This craft can get a little messy, and I strongly urge you to cover your clothes or wear old clothes because fabric paint will stain just about anything.

Here is the link for full instructions: http://www.elsiemarley.com/ink-blot-shirts.html, enjoy!

Paint Swatch Bookmark!

Do you happen to have spare paint swatches hiding in your junk drawer that you cannot see yourself parting with, but you do not know what to do with either?

If you do not have any on hand, don't worry because they are easy to get! So, try making this colorful upcycled bookmark craft that the kids will enjoy! You can find the image on The Crafty Blog Stalker.

Unfortunately, there are no instructions that I was able to find for you to follow, but all you really need to make these are a handful of your favorite colored paint swatches, some sharpies (preferably black), some ribbon or another decorative string, like yarn, that would look awesome too.

Get creative and have fun!

Valentine's Day Craft!

Try this out: paint a watercolor and wax resistant Valentine's Day card for your valentine! The water and wax resistant crafts are so much fun, and they create a minimal mess!

Click here to see the full instructions on how to create your own unique Valentine's Day card that your Valentine will surely love!

Happy Valentine's Day and see you next week!

Fall Leaf Garland

Do you have lots of leaves in your yard yet? Fall leaves are so much fun to collect so you can look at all the bright colors! You can decorate your room, or any room in your house with a fall leaf garland and bring the best leaves inside to enjoy! Click the link below for a full tutorial!

Fall Leaf Garland

Jester's Hat

Have you been reading the Jester's Joke each week during our Summer Reading Program? Jesters did more than tell jokes during Medieval times they had many different talents and would entertain at royal parties.
 Follow the link for full tutorial on how to make your own jester's hat:Jester's Hat Tutorial

Spiral Art Pendulum Pen

A Spiral Art Pendulum Pen is something you can build with a grown-up and use outside during the summer! You can reuse it once you build it and make beautiful paintings for your friends and family! Just follow the link for the full tutorial!: Spiral Art Pendulum Pen Tutorial

Sharpie Tie Dye

Summer is almost here and school will be out in just a few weeks! Wouldn't it be fun to have a cool, new Summer shirt that you design all by yourself? There is a very fun way you can make a tie dye shirt by using a few things you may already have at home!
Check out the link for a full tutorial!: Sharpie Tie Dye by The Art Girl Jackie

Pour Painted Pots

If you still have flower seeds to plant here is a cool way to complement the colorful blooms that will grow. You can make a rainbow pour painted flower pot! If your flowers are growing outside you could always use this pour paint technique on a vase so your flowers will have an awesome looking place to get all the water they need after you pick them and bring them in.

Click the link for a full tutorial!: Pour Painted Flower Pots

Flower Printing with Liquid Watercolors

Beautiful flowers are blooming just about everywhere now! It's kind of sad that flowers don't last very long. You can enjoy the flowers for quite a while by making prints using watercolors!
Follow the link to see how it's done! Flower Printing with Liquid Watercolors