We know it can be difficult to keep little ones entertained sometimes so we've compiled a list of DIY craft activities that will surely keep them happy and busy! Also, all these craft activities can be made with everyday household items so there's no need to go shopping and spend a fortune. 

 

#1 - Egg Carton Boat

What you need:

• A 6 pack egg carton
• Patterned, coloured or plain paper
• 1-2 straws
• Paint
• Brushes
• Scissors
• Pencil

 

Instructions:

 

1. Start by painting the egg carton whatever colour you'd like using the paint and brushes. Paint both the inside and outside of the carton then leave it to dry.
2. To make the sails, cut the straws to the length you would like for your mast. One of the straws should be longer (around 15cm) and the other should be shorter (around 10cm).
3. Cut out a rhombus shape in the paper then you your scissors or a hole punch to poke two holes through the paper (one at the top and one at the bottom of the sail) but be careful!
4. Then thread your straw through the two holes in the sail (paper)
5. Poke two holes in the centre spots of the egg carton where you would like to insert your straws
6. Insert the straws into the carton and voila! An egg carton boat!

Source: 

https://www.woojr.com/mayflower-boat-egg-carton-craft/

 

 

 

 

#2 -  Toilet Paper Roll Rockets 

What you need:

 

• Empty toilet paper rolls
• Glue (preferably PVA glue) or tape
• Coloured or decorative paper
• Straws
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Decorations (glitter, sequins, ribbons, pipe cleaners)
• Optional: paint brushes, tissue paper for flames

 

Instructions:

 

1. Start by decorating your rolls however you like using paint, glitter, stickers...whatever you like! Then leave to dry for a couple of hours.
2. Cut a circle from a piece of paper around about 12cm in diameter.
3. Cut a slit halfway through to the centre of the circle
4. Roll the circle into a cone shape and secure with glue (or tape on the inside)
5. Use the glue to attach the cone (the cap) to the top of the toilet rolls (the rocket)
6. Add the straw for a fuse by securing it inside the rocket with wither glue or tape
7. Optional: Add flames using ribbon or tissue paper

Source: 

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/4th-of-july-rockets-kids-craft/

 

 

#3 - Paper Spinner

What you need:

 

• Twine or string
• Hard cardboard
• Paper
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue sticks

 

Instructions:

 

1. Print two circle templates from the computer (e.g. From Word), print them and cut them out. You can also draw two circles straight onto paper if you do not have access to a printer.
2. Decorate the circles using different coloured markers. Be creative! The more colour, the better it looks when its spinning!
3. Use these circle cut-outs to trace one circle onto the cardboard and then cut out the cardboard circle.
4. Glue the two decorated paper circles on either side of cardboard circle
5. Poke two holes, about a centimetre apart, into the middle of the cardboard circle
6. Take a piece of string about 70cm long and thread them through the holes. Tie a knot at the end. TIP: to stop the ends of the string unravelling you can burn the tips but be careful!
7. Take the piece of rope in each hand with the circle in the middle and go in circles to get the rope twisted
8. Then relax, pull, relax, pull and the spinner should spin rapidly into a blur of colour!

Source: 

https://www.makeandtakes.com/diy-paper-spinner

 

#4 - Hanging Jellyfish

 

What you need:

 

• Paper bowls
• White yarn or string
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Scissors
• Ziplock sandwich bags
• Skewer or sharp pencil

 

Instructions:

 

1. Paint the bowl inside and out and then leave to try
2. For the tentacles, cut 10-12 pieces of yarn/string approximately 90cm in length
3. Place them in a ziplock bag with several squirts of paint and seal the bag
4. Squish the bag until the yarn is completely covered in paint
5. Hang the yarn to dry
6. At the centre of the bowl, punch two holes about 1cm apart using the skewer
7. Cut a new piece of yarn approximately 1m long and thread it through the two holes in the bowl
8. From inside the bowl, pull the yarn up to form a small loop. Using this small loop you can thread the painted tentacles through until they are centered.
9. Flip the bowl, pulling the yarn taught and tie a double knot at the top
10. Back on the inside, grasp the tentacles in one bunch and tie a single knot
11. Optional: you can unravel several hanging pieces of yarn to create more tentacles

 

Source: 

https://www.craftiments.com/2013/04/glow-in-dark-jellyfish-craft.html

 

 

 

#5 - Tissue Box Monsters

 

What you need:

• Tissue Box (preferably ones with the oval tops)
• Acrylic paint and paint brushes
• Googly eyes
• White cardstock (or you can reuse old event cards e.g. Christmas cards)
• Optional: decorations such as pom poms, pipe cleaners etc.
• Black sharpie or marker
• Glue

 

Instructions:

 

1. Pull out the plastic lining from the tissue box before you start
2. Paint the outside of the tissue box whatever colour you'd like your monster to be! Then leave to dry. Tip: if you do a coat of white paint on top, the tissue box design won't show through as much.
3. Once dry, paint the inside of the box a different colour
4. Outline the 'mouth' of the monster (the oval opening in the tissue box) with a black sharpie or marker
5. Glue the large googly eyes to the top of the tissue box. Remember you can add more than two eyes- its a monster!
6. Cut out triangular shapes from the white cardstock (or any white cardboard) and glue them to the inside of the tissue box mouth
7. Optional: give your monsters more character by adding decorations such as pom poms for hair, pipe cleaners for antennae. 

 

Source: 

https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/tissue-box-monsters/