Fight the Back To School Blues!

Candy Jar

Do you have perky kids raving about all things school at your house? Or have you discovered someone suffering from back to school blues? For the few who are less than enthused - We have a cure! Create one of our enjoyable and easy crafts with your kids to lift a bit of the blues. And watch the smiles emerge. (They may be slow at first...but keep at it until you see those eyes twinkle.)

Candy Jar
Create this treat saver from supplies you have around the house, plus some goodies - it makes the perfect teacher gift, or just a fun cheery way to display after school treats!

Colorful Sun Catchers
The sun catcher craft involves shaving crayons and cheese graters - definitely a hands on experience, but probably best for elementary age kids to create.

Craft Stick Heart Frame
This sweet little number is a win win! Create a simple craft stick frame to display an adorable school picture. Simple, inexpensive and creative.

Flower Pot Kids
A cheery garden-inspired craft, the flower pot lets your kids paint and decorate to their hearts' desire and then add a sweet photo as the finishing touch.

Keepsake Handprint
This is one of my personal favorites - get some model clay and paint and create the perfect keepsake gift for grandparents, parents or to preserve for posterity. You'll also need a hand!

These crafts are sure to help bust the boredom and back to school blues, or just to add a little creative fun to the week or weekend. Connect with us on Facebook and share your favorite back to school craft or visit The Idea Box to find many more kid-friendly ideas and activities.

5 Easy Summer Crafts

Easy Wind Chimes

How does your family fill the summer days? Having trouble coming up with new crafts or activities to keep the kiddos busy?

Not to worry! I found some fun and easy crafts to try this weekend that won't break the piggy bank.

Easy Wind Chimes
Our Easy Wind Chimes are not only easy to assemble, but there's a good chance you already have all the materials at home! See, you don't even have to leave the house...

Easy Birdfeeder
I love this idea of "reusing" or "repurposing" and try to incorporate these ideas into our daily life. Our Easy Birdfeeder really can't get much easier. And your kids will think you quite the clever birdie!

Flower Pot Wind Bell
I love wind chimes and wind bells so this craft is perfect for a gentle summer breeze. Again, you probably have all the materials for this at home, waiting to be used!

Homemade Bubble Makers
This activity forces your kids to get creative and use their imaginations! Making up bubble makers from found items is a great idea for helping their little heads not to turn into summer slushies...

Fruit Kabob
I love this snack because (like the others) it's simple to assemble, you probably have the materials in your refrigerator and...even little hands can help with this! The best part is the tasty treat to enjoy when they are all done!

Share your favorite summer time boredom buster with us on Facebook!

5 Crafty Ideas for June!

Cupcake Spring Flowers

School is out at our house. How about yours? Are you ready for summer? Are you ready for bored kids telling you they have NOTHING to do? Here are a few ideas to beat the boredom blues.

Paper Bag Picnic
This easy craft is fun to create and fun to play with. Use it as a rainy-day boredom buster or take it outside into the sunshine for some make-believe fun!

Colorful Butterflies
This artsy activity is a crowd-pleaser! Marbles, paint, a shoebox and you are set to jazz up your butterflies in a most colorful and unique way.  No paint brushes required!

Bears on the Beach
Summer time is all about snacks. Get creative with teddy grahams, frosting and a few gummy worms and watch the smiles spread as your kiddos create a surf's-up-sort-of snack!

Flower Pot Decorations
If gardening is your family's forte, let the little ones help by decorating some flower pots (old or new) for showing off your summer flora and fauna!

Enjoy your summer!

Flower Power for Mother's Day!

Fingerprint Spring Flowers

Mother's Day is just a few days off and you may be wondering..."what can I create with my kids/class for all those special moms and grandmothers?"  We have a few ideas to get you started!

Flower Pot Decorations
This simple craft involves a pot, some paint, and a little imagination.  The flower pots can be as simple or elaborate as your kids like and can be embellished with glitter, buttons, bows, etc.  Fill the pot with a small flower or plant, or even some treats for Mother's Day!

Handprint Tulips
For little hands this art project is the way to go to create a sweet Mother's Day card or Spring decorations for your classroom.  These tulips will last and last and will lift your spirits!

Handprint Flowers in a Pot
A perfect paper craft for preschoolers, the handprint flowers in a pot make such an adorable bouquet for mothers or as a learning tool for exploring nature and flowers.  Your kids will love this one and it encourages their creativity!

Daisy Finger Prints
This is a simple craft for kids of all ages to create a personalized Mother's Day card or picture to share or display.  It's great for encouraging dexterity and art skills at a young age, as the kids create the daisies with their fingers and thumbs!

A Handful of Love for Mommy
My personal favorite, this handprint craft creates a beautiful butterfly bringing handfuls of love to mommy on Mother's Day!  This activity can be done with tiny hands too with help from teacher.