Two Winter Activity Ideas

DIY Painted Canvas

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Periodically I bundle up my boys and boot them out into the backyard to romp and build snowmen and forts. But eventually they wander back in begging for hot cocoa. Once the hot cocoa thaws  their lips the first words out of their mouths are "I'm bored."

I've been looking for some kid-friendly DIY projects and activities to try while the snow and cold weather pile up outside. There are so many winter themed activities across the kid blogs with titles like "453 Penguin Activities for toddlers" and those are great. But I don't have toddlers anymore.

I found two DIY projects I think you'll like and, more importantly, that my boys may be willing to try. The first is this DIY Painted Canvas. It's the perfect opportunity for kids to flex their creative muscles and for parents to gain a rather nice abstract piece of art out of the process!

DIY Arm Warmers

The second one is DIY Arm Warmers. I think these would be especially fun to do at a girl's birthday party or maybe teenage girls sleepover. Be warned: if you have a favorite pair of holiday socks...hide them now. I am not sure how my boys will like this one, but I am willing to try anything to stave off the winter boredom blues.

Until my next post, enjoy the cold weather! What's your favorite winter activity for kids or for the classroom? Share with me in the comments.

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, snacks and activities ideal for your kids and classrooms! 

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Patriotic Paper Creations for the 4th!

Celebrate Freedom Hat

Looking for fun, frugal and creative ways to celebrate the 4th of July with your little firecrackers? If your kids love quirky hats, they will love doing this project with you. Create a freedom hat with some cardstock, glitter and stars!

Memorial Day Bunting

This simple bunting craft is perfect for patriotic holidays. Or change up the colors and create bunting for any occasion using paper, a little paint and yarn - super simple!

American Eagle Handprint

Your kiddos will enjoy this easy eagle handprint craft because it's fun, flashy and festive! Hang some eagles up to enjoy those cute little handprints.

Patriotic Paper Chain

The kids can also help decorate - let them create yards of patriotic paper chain to hang on the porch, mantle or back yard. It also makes a great barbecue accent!

Red & White Veggies with Blue Dip

And don't forget the snacks! Our simple Red and White Veggies with Blue Dip is always a big hit because for some reason kids really like eating blue things! (Blue Raspberry Shaved Ice anyone?)

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, games and snacks for the 4th of July! Connect with us on Facebook where I share more ideas from other crafty bloggers and sites or follow us on Pinterest and create your own pinboard full of kids crafts!

More Awesome Autumn Activities!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Don't you love the colors and weather change Autumn brings us? It's got to be my favorite season! Sure the days are shorter and air is chillier, but the harvest comes in and there is so much to be grateful for.

This week I have some fun fall activities and crafts for you to try with your kids to keep them busy and creative during Autumn. Have a blast and jump in some leaves for me!

Fall Colors Place Mat
This is a unique project with a twist on fall colors and using leaf patterns in art. The best part - when the kids are done creating, you can turn their project into a place mat to keep!

Fall Handprint Wreath
This is a clever way to create a handprint fall wreath to decorate your class or to send home and hang. Little kids love this because of the paint and mess. Have fun!

Fall Number Tree
Take the kids outdoors for a little leaf gathering walk and it becomes a fun fall method to learn their numbers.  Practice numbering the leaves back inside!

Fall Tree
This is a simple painting project that makes a nice fall tree to display somewhere special to enjoy during fall, a great craft for kids ages 4 - 8 years.

Fall Wristband
I love this simple idea for incorporating a nature walk in to a unique make and take project. Head outdoors with some masking tape and fill those wristbands.

Try one of our awesome Autumn activities this week. Connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite fall craft or visit The Idea Box for more Autumn projects and fun!

Low Cost Summer Fun Craft Ideas

A Slice of Watermelon

Summer is coming! Are you ready? We have some low cost ideas to help you keep little brains and fingers busy! This watermelon craft is fun to do with preschoolers and they look super cute displayed on a bulletin board or on widows for summer!


Backyard Bubbles
This is a fun bubble experience for toddlers and preschoolers who have yet to master blowing bubbles! And it has a mess rating of zero, if they keep it outside!


Bark Giraffe
Do you have an animal lover at your house? Try the giraffe craft and let their artistic talent shine! It's also a great way to explore trees outdoors. (You'll need bark for this!) 


5 Cup Fruit Salad
Fruit cocktail, pineapple, marshmallows and yogurt...Sounds tasty if you ask me! And most little kids like these ingredients too. Mix them together and serve up as a sweet summer snack!


Bee Hive!
A fun cereal craft incorporating lots of fine motor skills, your preschoolers will have a blast drawing, cutting and gluing. You will enjoy keeping them occupied for a little while too! And they are super cute to hang up when finished.


Enjoy your summer! Find us on Facebook and share some of your crafty ideas for keeping kids entertained during summer.

Patriotic Paper Chain

Kids love to make paper chains, they are so easy and can be truly spectacular to a little person! :) Traditional instructions say to use a stapler, but we suggest using a glue stick. It works just as quickly as a stapler, is easier to use than tape, and you won't be worried about any sharp objects.


Make this patriotic paper chain craft, or try out some of our other 4th of July crafts!

Fingerprint Spring Flowers

Fingerprint crafts are always cute and kids love making them. This colorful project is perfect for spring!

Get the instructions for Fingerprint Spring Flowers!

Coffee Filter Earth

The Idea Box has several easy Earth Day crafts, this is one of our favorites! While the instructions, and the project in the photo, use food coloring, you can achieve the same effect with water color paints as well.

Get the instructions for our Coffee Filter Earth!

Paper Kite Craft

We know you are always looking for easy craft ideas for kids, so we work hard to bring you plenty of fun ideas that are simple to make. There are plenty of craft ideas out there, but many of too hard for little ones.

This paper kite is simple to make, uses only a few supplies, and you can vary it in color to suit your child's preference. Get the instructions for the Paper Kite Craft!

Crafty Wednesday: Fall Colors Place Mat

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Fall Colors Place Mat

white and black construction paper
tempera paint
paper towels
fallen leaves
clear contact paper

In a sink or a water table, wet one side of a large sheet of white construction paper. Use paintbrushes to drop yellow, green and red tempera paint around on the wet side of the paper. Tip the paper back and forth so that the colors run together, you may want to add a little more water to get an all over effect. Let it dry on some paper towels. Place several collected leaves on the large sheet of black construction paper (do not glue). Trace around the leaves. Remove the leaves. Carefully cut out the leaves. When the color swirled paper is dry, glue the black paper on top of it so that the colors show through the leaf cut out shapes. This is a great effect. You can add a decorative edge to the place mat. When done, place clear contact paper over the mat, or laminate.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Apple Photo Pins

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Photo Pins

red fun foam
green fun foam
tacky glue
photos of mom/dad
photo of child
apparel pins

Everyone knows that a young child's very first day of school can be traumatic for both the child and parent! Make and wear these apple photo pins to keep that very special person "close by" all day! Cut an apple shape out of the red fun foam. Cut out stem and leaves from green fun foam and glue onto apple shape. Next, cut out a favorite photo and glue to center of "apple". When glue is dry, glue apparel pin onto the back of apple. Let dry completely before wearing on that first day of school!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Halloween Wind Sock

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Halloween Wind Sock

Halloween Cookie Cutters or Halloween Sponge Shapes
(1) 12"x18" Orange Construction Paper
White Paint
String
Tissue Paper Streamers (Black & Orange)
Stapler
Tape

To Make a wind sock decorate paper with shapes dipped in paint, let dry. Roll paper in a tube and staple. Punch two holes in the top of tube and attach string then attach tissue paper streamers to the bottom. Tie string and hang!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Acorn Napkin Rings

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Acorn Napkin Rings

acorns
glue
thin cardboard
construction paper
scissors

Cut a piece of cardboard into a 2" by 5" strip. You can use an empty cereal box as the cardboard. Cover the strip with yellow or orange paper. Make the strip into a loop and staple to form the napkin ring. Glue acorns all over the ring (you may need a strong glue or a glue gun(with adult help)). Then cut small green leaves and glue in between the acorns. Let dry and then enjoy on your Thanksgiving table! * You could use a paper towel tube cut into strips as well.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Tuesday Recipe: Puffy Paint

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Puffy Paint

Flour
Salt
Water
Tempera Paint

Mix equal amounts of flour, salt and water. Add liquid tempera paint for color. Pour mixture into squeeze bottles and paint. Mixture will harden in a puffy shape.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our kid's recipes and craft recipe ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Autumn Bookmark

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Autumn Bookmark

Hard orange art paper
clear,shiny contact paper
real leaves in assorted colors
scissors
glue

Cut orange art paper into a 9-inch by 2-inch shape. Break leaves into 1-inch pieces and glue onto both sides of the art paper. Let dry. Cut contact paper into 9-inch by 4-inch piece and wrap around entire bookmark until both ends of contact paper meet. Enjoy!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Apple Photo Pins

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Photo Pins

red fun foam
green fun foam
tacky glue
photos of mom/dad
photo of child
apparel pins (found at craft stores or fabric stores)

Everyone knows that a young child's very first day of school can be traumatic for both the child and parent! Make and wear these apple photo pins to keep that very special person "close by" all day! Cut an apple shape out of the red fun foam. Cut out stem and leaves from green fun foam and glue onto apple shape. Next, cut out a favorite photo and glue to center of "apple". When glue is dry, glue apparel pin onto the back of apple. Let dry completely before wearing on that first day of school!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Don't forget to enter our giveaway, you can win a copy of Winnie the Pooh: Return to the Hundred Acre Wood!

Crafty Wednesday: Clothespin Pal

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Clothespin Pal

wooden (doll-type) clothespin
markers or paint

On the top (head) of the clothespin, draw or paint a face for your pal. Decorate the rest of the clothespin with fun and bright colors. Let your Clothespin pal dry. Slip on to your shirt at the collar, pocket, your pants pocket or your backpack to carry your pal with you to school or around town.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Apple Bag

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Bag

small paper bag
red/brown paint
green construction paper
newspaper
and a rubber band

This is a fun apple project for a fall day. Take a small lunch bag and stuff it with newspaper. Tie a rubber band around the top of the bag leaving some bag at the top for a stem. Next, paint below the rubber band red for the apple and the top stem should be painted brown. After this dries, you can cut out and attach a green construction paper leaf. **Looks great on a bulletin board or in a big basket for display!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Paper Plate Cat

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Paper Plate Cat

9" Paper Plate
Black Paint
(2) Black Construction Paper Triangles
(2) Yellow Colored Sticker Dots
(1) Black Colored Sticker Dot
(6) 4" Black Pipe Cleaners
Glue
Paint Brush
Stapler

Paint one side of the paper plate black and allow to dry. Attach triangles to paper plate using glue or stapler to form ears. Use sticker dots to give the cat two eyes and a nose. Glue or staple the pipe cleaners to form the whiskers!

Variation: You can also simply use a black plate to start with, and use wiggly eyes or yellow construction paper eyes. Then use a black pom pom for a nose, and you can also make wiskers out of long thin pieces of black construction paper. Use your imagination!

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Apple Face

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Apple Face

paper plates
brown pipe cleaner
green paper leaf
2 wiggly eyes

Glue 2 red paper plates back to back. Leave enough space to insert a green pipe cleaner twisted in the shape of a stem. Glue on a green construction paper leaf. Then glue the 2 moveable eyes on and draw a smile with a black marker.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas

Crafty Wednesday: Acorn Napkin Rings

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a fun craft to make with your kids!

This week's craft is...

Acorn Napkin Rings

acorns
glue
thin cardboard
construction paper
scissors

Cut a piece of cardboard into a 2" by 5" strip. You can use an empty cereal box as the cardboard. Cover the strip with yellow or orange paper. Make the strip into a loop and staple to form the napkin ring. Glue acorns all over the ring (you may need a strong glue or a glue gun(with adult help)). Then cut small green leaves and glue in between the acorns. Let dry and then enjoy on your Thanksgiving table! * You could use a paper towel tube cut into strips as well.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our crafty ideas