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:
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.
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).
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!
Then thread your straw through the two holes in the sail (paper)
Poke two holes in the centre spots of the egg carton where you would like to insert your straws
Insert the straws into the carton and voila! An egg carton boat!
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.
Decorate the circles using different coloured markers. Be creative! The more colour, the better it looks when its spinning!
Use these circle cut-outs to trace one circle onto the cardboard and then cut out the cardboard circle.
Glue the two decorated paper circles on either side of cardboard circle
Poke two holes, about a centimetre apart, into the middle of the cardboard circle
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!
Take the piece of rope in each hand with the circle in the middle and go in circles to get the rope twisted
Then relax, pull, relax, pull and the spinner should spin rapidly into a blur of colour!
Paint the bowl inside and out and then leave to try
For the tentacles, cut 10-12 pieces of yarn/string approximately 90cm in length
Place them in a ziplock bag with several squirts of paint and seal the bag
Squish the bag until the yarn is completely covered in paint
Hang the yarn to dry
At the centre of the bowl, punch two holes about 1cm apart using the skewer
Cut a new piece of yarn approximately 1m long and thread it through the two holes in the bowl
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.
Flip the bowl, pulling the yarn taught and tie a double knot at the top
Back on the inside, grasp the tentacles in one bunch and tie a single knot
Optional: you can unravel several hanging pieces of yarn to create more tentacles
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:
Pull out the plastic lining from the tissue box before you start
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.
Once dry, paint the inside of the box a different colour
Outline the 'mouth' of the monster (the oval opening in the tissue box) with a black sharpie or marker
Glue the large googly eyes to the top of the tissue box. Remember you can add more than two eyes- its a monster!
Cut out triangular shapes from the white cardstock (or any white cardboard) and glue them to the inside of the tissue box mouth
Optional: give your monsters more character by adding decorations such as pom poms for hair, pipe cleaners for antennae.
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