Spooky Fun Halloween Crafts

DIY Monster Mugs

Got little monsters that you need to keep busy and entertained? Try some of our crafts, activities and snacks that tie in great for Halloween, harvest time and autumn seasonal learning! Here's just a few to get you started!

Cool Spider Treats
A very yummy spin on cupcakes - you provide the cupcakes, your kids will provide the inspiration for creating spooky little spider treats!

Finger Ghosts
A funky way to create fun little finger ghosts. All it takes is some paper, glue, tissue and little hands to create cute ghostly hand puppets.

Footprint Bat
I love a good handprint or footprint craft because I love preserving my kids' little hands and feet into an artful holiday painting - or just a zany Halloween decoration!

Ghost Footprints
Another silly way to create painted ghosts. Get those feet out and some white paint. Your little ones' feet will make the cutest ghosts ever.

Handprint Spider
Handprint crafts are fun and easy and always turn out so cute! With paper, paint and your little one's hands create a cute spider to decorate any room for Halloween.

Paper Bag Pumpkin
This two day craft is a fun way to create a painted paper bag pumpkin to hang around the classroom or a front porch. There's a lot of painting so this might be perfect for bigger kids.

Handprint Pumpkin Patch
With paper, some paint and a few little hands you can help your little ones create an adorable pumpkin patch to display or share with a friend or grandparent!

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, snacks and activities for Halloween! 

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Applicious Ideas For Fall

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fall is the perfect time to express your love for apples, orchards and all things under the harvest moon! I've collected and shared a few craft and snack ideas to get you and your kids well on your way to enjoying and celebrating the autumn season!


Apple Bag
This project may be used as a lesson tool, classroom decor or Autumn take home craft. It's simple and you may already have the supplies on hand.

Apple Hod Pad
This craft is very unique and fun. However, the instructions call for hot glue (which works best) but could be hard for younger kids to work with.

Apple Face
A fun and easy craft project to make with preschoolers, this craft also doubles as a nice bulletin board decor for fall in the classroom or homeschool room.

Apple Painting
One of my favorites, this art process is a little different. Use an apple, cut in half, as your paint "stamp" and dip it in paint to create interesting shapes on paper or burlap.

Apple Cobbler
This apple snack is very simple and yummy. I think it's the perfect autumn snack, especially on chilly fall evenings.


Visit The Idea Box for crafts, snacks, games and activities for fall! 

Connect with us on where I share more ideas and inspiration!
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Pinterest

Celebrate Summer!

Paper Dot Rainbows

Summer means play dates, camping trips, swimming pool visits and kids saying "I'm bored. What can I do?" At least that's how it goes at our house. It seems like no matter how many adventures I plan someone still gets bored. 

I have the habit of making chore lists for when someone says they are bored. But you could also try some of our free crafts, activities and snack recipes too...if you are feeling super nice.


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!

Bugs!
This simple craft uses materials you have on hand including an egg carton, paint, pipe cleaners and glue. (If you don't have pipe cleaners on hand and you have kids under 5 in the house - go get some. You'll thank me later.)

Ants on a Log
Make celery more appealing as a healthy snack choice by adding cream cheese or peanut butter and raisins to create adorable little ants on a log. (Make up a fun little story to go along with it too!)

Visit The Idea Box for crafts, games and snacks to create for summer fun! 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!

Patriotic Snacks And Crafty Fun!

We've got some last-minute patriotic projects and yummy snacks you can create with your kids to really get your 4th of July fun going! 

From pretty wreaths and safe sparklers to a fruity parfait to beat the summer heat, I know you'll enjoy trying some of our fun snack recipes and crafts to add a little American pride to your holiday!

Or switch up the colors to reflect other nations' flags to celebrate your heritage and ethnic diversity. 

Red, White & Blue Wreath

Patriotic Parfait

Handprint Flag

Sweet Stars

Safe Sparklers

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!

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!

Patriotic Projects for Memorial Day Weekend

Celebrate Freedom Hat

Memorial Day is a special time to honor those who have passed while serving our country in the military. It's also an opportune time to teach kids about patriotism and make some special and fun crafts too.

Handprint Flag
Handprint crafts and activities are some of my favorite, although a little messy.  Put your littlest hands and fingers to work to create a flag mural for your classroom, or a smaller version to take home with them.

Patriotic Parfait
This is a fun and patriotic snack that the kids can help prepare.  Assemble your fruit, let your little fruits assemble the snack, add whipped cream...and enjoy!

Patriotic Paper Chain

Red, White, & Blue Wreath
Add a little flair to your classroom, home or front porch with this easy paper wreath. It will add some sparkle to your room and some sparkle to your kids!

Safe Sparklers
Want to make something to really celebrate with?  Try our safe sparklers craft with older kids as it is a little more work for little hands to manage.

Stars & Stripes Snacks
Try this super easy and yummy snack!  Even the littlest hands can manage this one and they have tons of fun creating and eating their little flags.

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, games and snacks to create for Memorial Day! 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!

Enjoy your Memorial Day and your kids!

Beautiful Butterflies

Spring Butterflies

Are your kiddos going a little stir crazy as they wait for the weather to warm up and the sun to stick around? Celebrate Spring with an easy-peasy butterfly craft! Make this cute little flyer with a sandwich bag, glitter and construction paper.

Here are some other super cute and fun butterfly themed crafts and snack ideas to get you ready for Spring!

Butterfly Puppet
With some cardboard and imagination, your class can make personalized butterfly puppets to play with, perform with, or decorate your room with.

Butterfly Flyer
Collect a straw, some yarn, construction paper and a few other bits from your craft cupboard - and create a butterfly flyer, perfect for your little ones to fly high.

Butterfly Surprise
Using craft sticks and creativity, make some cute little butterflies to play with and use in all sorts of decor for Spring time.

Very Neat Butterfly Feet
I love this artsy painting project for preschoolers and even little tiny ones too - paint the bottoms of their feet and create a painted butterfly to share or display!

Butterfly Sandwich
Turn a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a yummy butterfly snack with a little ingenuity and imagination!

Find more spring themed crafts over at The Idea Box to create with your class, kids or homeschool group. Connect with us on Facebook where I share ideas from other crazy-cool crafters too! Find us at Pinterest too for more imaginative inspiration!

Easter Crafts Part 2

Watercolor Easter Eggs

It's amazing what coffee filters, magic markers and water can do to create something special for Easter! Your kids will love this simple and easy craft, and you can use it as an object lesson. Or turn the coffee filter eggs into classroom decorations or pair with another craft project as an accent.

Easter Bags
I love this simple craft for creating Easter "bags." Using white lunch sacks, paints, stickers, etc your class can create their own "baskets" to fill with Easter grass and candy!

Easter Cupcakes
This is a fun snack activity that the kids can help decorate. You furnish the cupcakes and some fun toppings and let the kids get messy and create their own decorated Easter treats.

Easter Egg Fantasies
This is quite the art project for an older class (and I don't recommend it for small fingers). It involves actually cutting into uncooked eggs and emptying out the insides, then decorating the insides with small scenes.

Easter Egg Surprise
Essentially a paper mache project, this is a fun idea for creating a bit of mystery and a surprise. Again, I wouldn't attempt this with small children but it's definitely a fun idea!

Green Easter Basket
Talk about going green! This project takes it to the next level by planting and growing grass in your Easter baskets. I think it's such a fun idea and makes a great learning tool too.

No matter how you celebrate Easter, at home or in the classroom, enjoy the Spring weather, signs of new life and all that Easter symbolizes!

Visit The Idea Box to find many more crafty Easter ideas or connect with us on Facebook where I share daily inspiration and fun ideas I find out on the Internet!

Easter Crafts 1...

Easter Eggs

Are you ready for Easter? Do you have any Easter crafts or activities planned for your little chicks? Grab some paper towels and washable markers to create this simple and pretty Easter egg. Or try one of our other suggested Easter crafts!


Paper Plate Easter Baskets
Grab those paper plates and some ribbon to create simple Easter baskets to fill with a take home treat or something sweet!

Paper Plate Easter Hat
Pull out the paper plates and as many different kinds of embellishments as you can find. This craft reminds me of making a bride's practice bouquet from her shower gift ribbons.

Swirled Easter Eggs
With some clear plastic eggs and paint your class or home-school group can create some very pretty swirled Easter eggs to keep or share.

Easter Basket Cupcakes
Bake some cupcakes and add green frosting. Then set out some Easter candies (jelly beans, peeps, etc) and let the kids decorate. Don't forget the licorice handles!

Easter Egg Dance
This activity takes a bit of prep time before the dance actually begins. It works a lot like a cake walk, only with laminated Easter eggs on the floor to land on - have fun!


Visit The Idea Box for more Easter crafts and activities or other class ideas for Spring, May Day and Memorial Day. Connect with us on Facebook where we share even more craft ideas and inspiration!

Luck O' The Irish...

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Have you visited our St. Patrick's Day crafts & activities page? If you're lucky you will find all kinds of ideas and projects for your class, home-school or Sunday school to keep you and your little leprechauns busy! Here are a few good ones to get you started.

Bell Pepper Shamrock Prints
Using a bell pepper and some green paint, you can help your kids use your garden veggie to create pretty shamrocks on paper.

Paper Dot Rainbows
Using a hole punch and a whole lot of colored constructions paper, your little ones can create paper dot rainbows - they make great wall hangings!

Shake & Make Shamrocks
A salty alternative to using glitter, help your little ones create green "glitter" from salt to decorate they pretty paper shamrocks with.

St. Patrick's Day Crown
With some simple craft supplies, you and your class can create some pretty funky crowns in honor St. Patrick's Day or to use as lesson tools!

Pots of Gold
This craft is a nifty tool for teaching counting skills or creating a fun decorative object for St. Patrick's Day

Lucky Charms Sort
Another fun counting tool, this activity not only teaches little kids how to sort shapes and colors while counting, but it also makes a fun snack too!

Visit The Idea Box where we have tons of great holiday crafts, games and snack recipes. Connect with us on Facebook and join our community to receive inspiration and more great ideas for your classroom.

Leprechaun Love!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.


Leprechaun Gifts
This is a fun gift (and easy craft) for kids to make to share with someone special in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Gold Stone
A fun way to decorate small stones and then hide them for kids to find either around the class, home or even in a sandbox.

Leprechaun Search
A fun game of hide the leprechaun gifts and letting kids seek them out by following festive clues you leave around the class or home.

Handy Shamrocks
A cute handprint craft to create a shamrock and share with parents or grandparents and perfect for March, St. Patrick's Day and good luck!

Leprechaun Treats
This is a fun edible craft that kids will enjoy creating and then eating at snack time. The ingredients are simple and you may already have them on hand.

Irish Soda Bread
Make a traditional Irish soda bread with your kids to enjoy at snack time or as part of a lesson about St. Patrick's Day, Ireland or even bread making. Enjoy!

Need more craft ideas for March or St. Patrick's Day? Visit The Idea Box where we have tons of great holiday crafts, games and snack recipes. Or connect with us on Facebook to join our community and get daily inspiration and even more great ideas for your classroom or homeschooling.

Valentine's Day Kids Crafts Part 2

Cupcake Liner Lollipop Flowers

Yes, today is Valentine's Day. And if you find yourself stumped and looking for some quick, easy and fun crafts either for sharing or just for something to do - we have some fun crafts and activities waiting for you at The Idea Box.

Doily Hearts Sachets
Using paper heart doilies and yarn, you can make this super simple sachet to share with teachers, grandparents or friends.

Footprint Valentine
I love hand and foot print crafts and this one is super sweet! You need a little bit of white paint, red paper and of course sweet little feet to create a special Valentine!

Edible Valentines
Little kids always seem to enjoy making crafts they can eat later. Grab some graham crackers, frosting and conversation hearts and make some edible treats!

H-E-A-R-T
And if singing is your thing, try adapting the tune of "Bingo" by substituting the letters for "Heart" and see what fun you can have with your little valentines

Glitter Coffee Can Valentine Box

And if you are needing a last minute Valentine's Box - turn your coffee can into a simple container to hold all that love! Visit The Idea Box for more crafts and ideas just for kids or connect with us on Facebook for even more inspiration!

Valentine's Day Kids Crafts Part 1

Craft Stick Heart Frame

Got sticks, hearts and glue? You can have an adorable stick heart frame too! This simple frame is fun for kids to create, lets them paint and the result is a lovely gift for a parent or grandparent. Been there, done that? We have more crafty Valentine's activities for you to try!

Cloth Valentines
This is a simple crafty valentine that takes a bit of fabric, glue and polyfil. The result is an adorable Valentine to hang or decorate a class with.

A Valentine Song For You
Sung to the tune of "If You're Happy And You Know It" this little jingle will bring smiles to the adults and giggles to the kids! (Perfect for a preschool class!)

Beaded Valentine
This cute and crafty valentine uses simple supplies but takes a bit of work to master. You will love the results and it would be a great Valentine's Day craft for 1st and 2nd graders.

Dipped Marshmallows
What part of marshmallows dipped in chocolate and coated with all sorts of candies and sprinklers doesn't sound good to you? The kids will love it.

Conversation Heart Banner

Didn't see something you want to make here? Visit The Idea Box for lots more Valentine's Day crafts and activities. Or connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite Valentine's Day kids crafts and get inspired too!

Ground Hog's Day Fun!

Pop-Up Groundhog

Are you so excited for Groundhog's Day? Well, maybe you aren't but the kiddos will be! What a fun holiday?!

It provides an opportunity for teaching kids about nature and animals...and a reason to do fun crafts based on a super cute small fuzzy creature! Kids can relate.

I've rounded up some really fun crafts, all with a groundhog theme. First, try out AllKidsNetwork's Pop-Up Groundhog craft with your little ones.

Here are some other groundhog crafts and activities in honor of our furry little friend, from The Idea Box.

Popping Groundhog

Groundhog Tunnel Game

Groundhog Day Song and Puppet

Groundhog Day Shadow Screen

Groundhog Snacks

Visit The Idea Box for crafts and activities for many different holidays and occasions. Or connect with us on Facebook to share resources and more fun creative crafts for kids!

Ho Ho Hope You Like Candy!

Candy Jar

Are you ready for Christmas? Or are you stressed out and shopped out trying to get the perfect gift for all the special people in your life or your kid's life? Not to worry. Simplifying may be the answer. If you really want to take holiday prepping to a whole new level - let the kids help! Put the those little elves to work!

Whether creating a candy jar filled with treats or crafting a candy cane masterpiece, your little ones will love these ideas. Kids really do love giving, and it can get spendy if you have a long list. Keep it simple and keep to your budget by creating some of your gifts. Here's just a few to get you started.

Candy Cane Hearts
I love this super simple craft! It's adorable used on a homemade card, as a package accent or thoughtful edible ornament!

Candy Cane Mouse
I've seen this one done before and it makes for an adorable little critter to share with friends or decorate a tree or classroom with.

Candy Cane Sled
This is one of my favorites and also one I hadn't tried! Create a chocolate sled with candy cane tracks and nibble your way to fun.

Candy Cane Reindeer
This one is a simple take on a traditional favorite - gather some yarn and pompoms and create some crazy candy cane reindeer to share or keep!

While I know you have your hands full preparing for the holidays and keeping kids entertained before and after Christmas (because they just had to give all the kiddos a two week winter break afterward), try some of our simple Christmas crafts to keep little hands and minds busy.

Connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite go to homemade craft project or visit The Idea Box for more Christmas crafts and projects.

More Punkin-Lunkin Fun For Fall!

Handprint Pumpkin Patch

Don't put those pumpkins away just yet! There is still plenty of pumpkin fun to be had with your little punkins, even though Halloween and Jack-O-Lanterns are behind us. Fall looks lovelier with some pretty pumpkins adorning your doorstep or table!

Our Handprint Pumpkin Patch is a great place to start to create fun fall decorations for your classroom, a bulletin board or just to record those precious little handprints on paper!

Paper Bag Pumpkin
Don't have pumpkins at hand? Or don't want the orange beasts about? Make your own paper bag pumpkins as an art project for the kids to take home or use to decorate your classroom.

Pass The Pumpkin
Our fall version of Hot Potato - gather your kiddos or class into a circle, turn on your tunes and get to passing that pumpkin around.

Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
A great way to entertain and feed your kiddos, make some cupcakes, mix up some orange frosting and then let them do all the work of decorating their pumpkin cupcakes.

What's Inside A Pumpkin?
A fun activity that could also be used as a teaching tool or lesson prop, kids learn what's inside their pumpkin and get to really dig in to it too!

Visit The Idea Box for more fun fall ideas or connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite pumpkin craft!

Pumpkin Love and some Crafts!

Pumpkin Pie Craft

Are you ready for November, Turkey Dinner and Pumpkin Pie? Me too! I've collected some fun and easy pumpkin themed crafts and games for you to enjoy with your kiddos, to help while away the fall. Cooler temperatures mean more indoor time - what better way to keep kids entertained?


Pumpkin Patch Game
This is a great game for teaching manners, language development, money awareness, descriptive words and so much more. Visit the link for the details.

Musical Pumpkin Game
A combination of charades and musical chairs...With some music and a plastic pumpkin, you can play this game with preschoolers and older kids too!

Pumpkin Cookies
A fun snack craft for your kids to do - decorate their own pumpkin cookies. You provide the decorations, they'll provide the giggles.

Mr. Pumpkin Head
Like Mr. Potato Head only bigger! Set out your pumpkin with some washable markers, damp sponge and accessories and watch your kiddos decorate their own Mr. Pumpkin Head!


However you celebrate November, enjoy the pumpkins and play. Connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite pumpkin craft or visit The Idea Box for more Thanksgiving and pumpkin games and ideas.

Halloween Crafts and Spooky Treats!

Paper Cup Spiders

Hey there happy Halloween crafters! How will you be celebrating this year? We have lots of kid-friendly crafts and activities that will entertain and delight your little ghouls and goblins all month. There is even a category for all things Halloween at our site to make browsing for the perfect spooky or silly game, snack or project to create with kids at home or in a classroom.

I've included a craft from our sister site Craftown, that is super easy to make and super cute to display - Paper Cup Spiders! They were too cute not to share with you. Here are a few more of my favorites...

Bat Bells
This is a simple and easy craft to make with little hands; and very inexpensive. I have seen most of the supplies for this project at the dollar stores.

Cool Spider Treats
A very yummy spin on cupcakes - you provide the cupcakes, your kids will provide the inspiration for creating spooky little spider treats!

Finger Ghosts
A funky way to create fun little finger ghosts. All it takes is some paper, glue, tissue and little hands to create cute ghostly hand puppets.

Footprint Bat
I love a good handprint or footprint craft because I love preserving my kids' little hands and feet into an artful holiday painting - or just a zany Halloween decoration!

Ghost Footprints
Another silly way to create painted ghosts. Get those feet out and some white paint. Your little ones' feet will make the cutest ghosts ever.

Enjoy creating fun and silly Halloween crafts with your kids or class. Connect with us on Facebook to share your favorite Halloween craft, snack or game. Or visit The Idea Box for more great seasonal ideas!

Well Hello There October!

Finger Print Indian Corn

When I think of October I always think of pumpkins, scarecrows and Indian corn. I remember making all sorts of fun art projects with Indian corn, acorns and straw. (We lived on a farm, so we used what we had!)

Here are corny-fun crafts and activities for you to do with your kids or class, perfect for October and the fall season. Enjoy!

Finger Print Indian Corn
Gather some paint in fall colors, paper and your little fingers to create this fun paper Indian corn project to decorate any class or refrigerator for fall.

Flower Pumpkins
Styrofoam, silk flowers and glue come together to create a unique fall decoration that you could display as a centerpiece, ceiling or wall hanging or in a pretty vase.

Fun Pumpkin Bowl
A delicious treat and cute to boot - hollow out a pumpkin and fill it with fresh cut fruits or veggies for a unique pumpkin bowl for your harvest or Halloween party.

Giant Acorns
This is a great activity to get kids thinking about nature. Paper, crayons and a nearby tree create a lovely textured acorn for craft embellishments or to display on it's own.

Handprint Pumpkin Patch
With some orange paint and a few little hands, you can create an adorable pumpkin patch to enjoy or display throughout Autumn.


Celebrate the season with some fun and funky fall crafts and activities. Share your favorites with us on Facebook or visit The Idea Box for more Autumn ideas.

Apple Fun For Fall!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Are you ready for Fall? A nice way to ring in the Harvest season is to visit a local orchard and pick or purchase some beautiful and delicious apples! Don't have an orchard near you?

Not to worry, you can find some wonderful apples at the grocery or market. In the meantime, try some of our apple crafts, games and snacks to enhance your harvest fun!

Apple Bag
This project may be used as a lesson tool, classroom decor or Autumn take home craft. It's simple and you may already have the supplies on hand.

Apple Hod Pad
This craft is very unique and fun. However, the instructions call for hot glue (which works best) but could be hard for younger kids to work with.

Apple Hunting
This artsy apple project doubles as a craft and a game. Let the kids create the apples. Laminate and hide them, and let the apple hunt begin!

Apple Painting
One of my favorites, this art process is a little different. Use an apple, cut in half, as your paint "stamp" and dip it in paint to create interesting shapes on paper or burlap.

Apple Crunch Toast
This apple snack is toastie and very yummy. I am inclined to think it just may be the perfect Autumn snack, especially on chilly Fall mornings.

Connect with us on Facebook and share your favorite Apple craft of recipe. Or visit The Idea Box for more Fall and seasonal craft projects, games and snacks.