Searching for ways to keep get some quality time in with your kids (and keep them busy)? Put down the tablet and bust out the toolbox—the craft toolbox, that is. We don’t condone giving power tools to children. When you’re looking for some productive indoor time to spend while empowering your little ones’ imaginations, consider these easy (but we can’t promise mess-free!) projects you can create with a few standard supplies and a lot of creativity.
Flamin-Goals
Materials
+ Pink or coral construction paper
+ White construction paper
+ Black construction paper
+ Pink feathers
+ Glue
+ Scissors
Directions
1. Using a stencil, cut out the pieces you’ll need for your flamingo from construction paper:
Pink: 4-6 circles for the body (depending on how “fluffy” you want it), neck and legs
White: Outline of the beak
Black: Beak
2. Fold the circles in half and glue them all together back-to-back to create a sphere that looks like an accordion.
3. Glue the beak and white stripe to the neck, then glue the neck to a flat side of your inner-most circle.
4. Add the legs, a black dot for an eye and pink feathers for the ultimate flamin-goal.
Piñllama
Materials
+ Cardboard
+ White crepe paper
+ Construction paper
+ Glue
+ Scissors
+ Beads, yarn, pom poms, etc.
Directions
1. Take your cardboard and cut two pieces into the shape of a llama (we found a stencil online). Then, cut strips of cardboard the depth you want your llama to be. You’ll connect these to either side of the llama cutouts to enclose your piñata.
2. Glue your strip of cardboard all along the edge of one side of your llama, then glue to the other side. (Be sure to leave a hole you can close up later so you can fill it with your favorite candy!)
3. Starting at the neck, cover the front, back and sides of your llama with white crepe paper, cutting a slit every half inch or so to create the traditional piñata look.
4. Cover all remaining sides the neck and head with white construction paper, cut to fit your design.
5. Using construction paper, beads, pom poms, tassels, buttons, etc., add some flair to the rest of your llama! Bonus points for incorporating different shapes and textures into your final product.
Cosmic Pencil Cup
Materials
+ Cardboard
+ Construction Paper
+ Glue
+ Scissors
+ Markers
Directions
1. Cut out the shapes for your rocket ship. You’ll need: (2) rocket bodies for the front and back of your ship, (2) fins, (1) nozzle, (1) nose cone, (3) rectangles for your pencil cup, and any additional cutouts for decorations, like windows.
2. Glue the your rectangular pieces to one side of your rocket ship, then glue the back on. You should have an open spot at the top where your pencils will go.
3. Glue the rest of your pieces to the front of your rocket and add embellishments as desired.
Crinkle Cuties
Materials
+ Construction Paper
+ Scissors
+ Glue
Directions
1. Prep the pieces you’ll need for each piece of your garland—you’ll need a combination of large half circles, slightly smaller half circles and any other decorative shapes you want to add.
2. Take the largest half circles and fold multiple times to make small creases, creating the crinkle effect. Glue the smaller half circles on top and then add any additional decorative shapes.
3. Punch holes in both ends of the completed product to place string through, then hang on a wall or in a doorway.