DECORATIVE WRITING PAPER:
write a letter to a far-away relative or friend and decorate the paper. Pop it in an envelope and stick a stamp on it. Go for a walk to mail it and make someone's day by sending them a letter! You might get one in return!
REUSE AND REPURPOSE TO CREAT|E SOMETHING FUN!
Find a box and turn it into a house for toys! What other things can you reuse for furniture...corks, plastic lids, soap boxes etc..
creative canvas:
Go wild and be creative. paint on a dollarstore canvas with dollarstore paints and create whatever you want!
MANDALAS
My youngest son and I worked together to learn how to make Mandalas by watching You Tube! So beautiful. We liked them so much we made a chalk one, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3-tMYwFQwo -
Summer Jar
POPSICLE CRAFTS and/or ICE CREAM CRAFTS
FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A POPSICLE OR VARIOUS ICE CREAM CRATFS LOOK TO OUR SUMMER THEME DAY - CRAFT PAGE.
IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY - IMITATE AN ARTIST!
Find a famous artist and copy his/her style. Take out an art book from the library or look online. Find a style or painting you would like to create and give it a try. Many Dollar stores have small canvases for purchase.
GEOMETRY DASH TO YOUR ART SUPPLIES....
...and create a colourful painting using painter’s tape on a piece of canvas. I can't find the original link using acrylic paint but here's one for watercolour: https://www.giftofcuriosity.com/tape-resist-watercolor-painting/
FUNNY FACES
FOR BASIC INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A FUNNY FACE MAGAZINE COLLAGE PICTURE CHECK OUT THE SOCIAL DISTANCING ART TIME PAGE.
We’ve made funny faces as crafts many times before. This link adds the idea of including pre-drawn heads: http://www.listotic.com/29-fun-crafts-kids-adults-will-actually-enjoy/25/
PAPER UMBRELLAS
What goes well with lemonade? Paper umbrellas! This is where I found the idea for making paper umbrellas: http://www.the36thavenue.com/2014/05/diy-drink-umbrellas.html
FINGERPRINT ART!
Fingerprint Art was a favourite of mine as a kid: http://www.fabartdiy.com/diy-fingerprint-drawing-artwork-for-kids/
FINGERPRINT MONSTERS ARE FUN TO MAKE, TOO:
http://intheplayroom.co.uk/2015/09/07/finger-print-monsters/
WATERMELON DAY IS AUGUST 3rd!
TO learn how to make a watermelon craft check out the Summer Theme Day Craft PAge.
HOT AIR BALLOON ART!
What art supplies do you have? use the hot air balloon as inspiration. If you use watercolour paint, sprinkle some salt for a cool effect. Or try chalk or oil pastels for other ways to capture the brightness of the balloon in the sky.
Copyright 2011. Family Theme Days. All rights reserved.
MONSTER BEAN BAG TOSS GAME:
If you have large pieces of cardboard hanging around be sure to add this craft to the jar.
Cut out a mouth and then have the kids/family paint a monster face around it.
Fill old mismatched socks with rice and tie up to use as bean bags.
YOU'RE OUT OF THIS WORLD!
a Nebula Jar for some far out fun: http://www.momdot.com/diy-nebula-jar-instructions/
MAKE A POINT!
Learn about a DIFFERENT style of art by researching Pointillism online and then make your own picture out of dots. Here's an Easy Pointillism craft for your little artists: https://artfulparent.com/pointillism-art-for-kids/
CRAZY HAIR PICTURES:
Draw a face and dot some watercolour paint with lots of water above the head. Use a paper or res-usable straw to blow the watercolour and create hair. FOR MORE INSTRUCTIONS Check out the Social Distancing ART TIME IDeas PAge. .
YOU ROCK!
Paint rocks for your garden or balcony. Check the Garden Theme DAy - Craft PAgefor instructions and other ideas
CRUMPLED PAPER ART
It is better to use firmer paper for this craft. We had to do it twice. I found the idea for this easy project here: http://buggyandbuddy.com/crumpled-paper-art-for-kids-inspired-by-ish/
5 things I love about you:
Spread a little love and positivity. write a list for every member of your family and decorate. If everyone in your family does this then you will all receive nice lists to make you smile.
HOT ROCKS!
The idea for the Hot Rocks came from Pinterest as well and this link: http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2011/03/04/hot-rocks-painting-with-wax-on-rocks/ Be careful though as these can burn. I’d recommend this for older kids only as we had a bit of trouble with this one.
GO FISH!
We first paired the card game "Go FISH" with this Fish Craft - http://blog.darice.com/kids-crafts/diy-fish-craft/
Here's another fun fish craft: http://krokotak.com/2018/04/accordion-fold-paper-fish-2/
A-MAZE-ING!
Make a Marble Maze on a paper plate for some rolling fun: http://buggyandbuddy.com/paper-plate-marble-maze/
SUN WEAVER
The woven sun craft instructions were found here:
http://www.michelemademe.com/2011/08/amidst-rain-woven-sun.html
3,2,1...FIRE!
Make a Pom Pom Catapult for some high flying fun: https://livingwellmom.com/catapult-for-kids/
SKETCH IT!
draw in a brand new sketch book. Choose your favourite cartoon character, your favourite superhero, your favourite animal etc. as your subject.
MONSTER BOOKMARKS
These are easier than they first appear to be. I used the basic instructions for this craft here (but we didn't add patterned paper, we used the template as the craft itself but making three on different coloured papers): http://tallystreasury.com/2011/02/corner-page-bookmarks-3/
MAKE A WISH UPON MANY STARS!!
First, we better make those stars…out of paper, of course. https://www.playfullearning.net/resource/crafts-for-kids-kite-paper-stars/
TAKE TIME TO READ AND MAKE A BOOK MARK FIRST:
HERE ARE THREE IDEAS:
1) Make bookmarks using splattered watercolour paint on watercolour paper. You can use regular paper but the bookmark won't be as sturdy. We splattered the paint on the paper, let it dry and then cut the paper into strips!
2) FOr another bookmark idea decorate craft sticks or recycled popsicle sticks using markers.
3) Use the above Zentangle Pattern Link to create a Zentangle bookmark. You can keep it black and white or add colour as my son did.
SUN WEAVER
The waxed paper Stained glass requires wax paper and sharpies. Look to the Summer Theme Day Craft Page for instructions. The link for this Pinterest picture didn’t give instructions only the Pinterest box did so I shall include that link only: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284149057716385550/
SHADOW ART
I found the initial idea for the shadow drawing on Pinterest. The link only has a photo so we made up the rest of the craft idea. Bascially, we took paper outside and looked for interesting shadows. Then we traced the shadow onto the paper. LAstly, we used crayons to colour in the shadows. Here's the initial link: http://palisadespreschool.org/gallery
SHINE ON!
For instructions on how to make a mulit-day craft similaR to this check out the Star ARt at the bottom of the Stars & Constellations Craft Page.
Here is the Pinterest Pic that inspired our sun pictures: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284149057709869074/
ETERNAL BOUQUET
I adore this twig bouqUet and it Has brightened my computer desk every day since we made this in 2017. GO FOR A FAMILY WALK IN THE WOODS AND COLLECT SOME TWIGS FOR THIS: http://www.homemadeginger.com/2015/08/painted-twig-bouquet.html
SCRAP THAT!
Oh, sorry I meant scrape that!
Using paint create some beautiful cards to use as thank you or birthday cards in the future.
Craft Suggestions
to fill your jar with...
LET'S GO SURFIN' NOW!
Surf Boards for your toys - I worried about using the foam board from the dollar store because the outer layer is paper and I thought they'd deteriorate fast, but they held out pretty well. here is the link where the original idea and templates for the boards came from: http://play-trains.com/toy-surfboard-craft-for-kids/
WHAT WILL WE CREATE IN 2020?
Check back soon!
CHALK ART!
USE CHALK FROM THE STORE OR MAKE YOUR OWN CHALK PAINT AND GET OUTSIDE TO BRIGHTEN THE WORLD. DRAW PICTURES, WRITE INSPIRING WORDS, COPY A FAMOUS PIECE OF ART, TRACE YOUR BODY! HAVE FUN.
Check the SUmmer Theme DAy - Craft PAge for insturctions on how to make chalk paint.
MAGICAL ROCKS!
For some “Far Out” Art paint some rocks white and then use water and nail polish, then watch the magic happen. https://www.kiwico.com/diy/Arts-and-Crafts-Ideas/1/project/Marbled-Paperweight/2584
JUMPING JELLYFISH!
this craft is a great toilet paper roll craft to try: http://buggyandbuddy.com/cardboard-tube-jellyfish-craft/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&
DON’T TOSS THAT TRASH!
save a few Styrofoam trays and use those to create some printmaking art! https://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/marker-prints-a-super-easy-art-project-with-impressive-results/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=581192334_21756660_134828
Make a board game:
Tape together coloured paper and cut out coloured circles. write funny things to do on the little circles and other game steps (like sing a song, move ahead 2 spaces, hop up and down, have another turn...). glue these to the paper board. Flip a coin to move little toys or paper markers: heads moves 1, tails 2 spaces.
FLIP FLOP ART!
i have seen the Flip Flop Craft all over Pinterest. Here’s one site that has instructions: http://www.savingsaidsimply.com/2014/07/summer-kids-craft-footprint-flip-flops.html#sthash.5ZiwR8Pr.dpbs
Craft Ideas we never tested..
- We never got around to picking this one from the jar but it looks like fun. Sidewalk foam paint: http://thetiptoefairy.com/2016/05/diy-sidewalk-foam-paint/
- Who doesn't like a fort? I really wanted to make this one but it was never drawn from the jar:
http://modernparentsmessykids.com/play/
SUNCATCHER
Here's a link for some directions on how to make a suncatchers: http://kidscraftroom.com/round-suncatcher-craft/
UP UP AND AWAY!
Make a Hot-Air Balloon Mobile! http://www.craftymorning.com/spinning-3d-hot-air-balloon-craft-for-kids-to-make/
STAR JAR!
This didn't work out as nicely as I'd hoped. The stickers totally stuck to the jar/paint and were difficult to remove while maintaining their shape. perhaps I used the wrong paint? Anyway, I based the idea on this and it still looks pretty cool:
http://addicted2diy.com/.../02/patriotic-mason-jar-lanterns/
GET YOUR ZEN ON!
Draw some waves and fill them in with zentangle designs! Need some ideas? Check out this Pinterest Board of Zentangle PAtterns.