Summer Crafts for Kids

If you caught abc15's Smart Shopper segment on Tuesday, June 2nd @ 5pm, you probably saw by the tons of craft projects that we've been busy! Most of our craft ideas are made from recyclable materials and with cheap, everyday items.

Here are a few of our most recent favorites:

Paper Plate Clock

You'll need:
* One paper plate per clock
* Paints
* Sharpie pen
* Cardstock scrap paper
* Metal brad fastener

1. Paint the "face" of the clock and let dry completely.
2. Add numbers around clock and minutes. We used sticky dots to indicate the quarter hours and dashes for the minutes.
3. On your cardstock or other heavy paper, cut out two arrows: one short for the hour hand, one a bit longer for the minute hand.
4. Layer the hands in the center of the clock and use the metal brad to affix the hands to the clock.

Paper Towel Rocket Ship

You'll need:
* Empty paper towel tube
* Paints
* Stapler
* Cardstock or other heavy paper
* Aluminum foil
* Stickers (to decorate)

1. Paint the paper towel tube and let dry completely.
2. Cut 4 slits on one end of the tube. Each slit should be about 2 1/2 inches long, and each pair should be located opposite another. (They should divide the tube into 4 equal sections.)
3. Using cardstock, cut out two triangles that are about 5 inches long and 4 inches tall and cover with aluminum foil (you may need to add some glue). Cut a slit in each of the two triangles. Each slit should go halfway through the triangle; one goes through the top of a triangle, the other goes through the bottom of the triangle.
4. Using the triangle with the slit in the bottom, slip the triangle onto the rocket's body in two of the slits. Using the triangle with the slit in the top, slip the triangle onto the rocket's body (in the other two slits). In addition to going onto the rocket, this triangle should also slip into the other triangle. You may have to jiggle the paper a bit to line the slits up.
5. Using cardstock, cut a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Cut a slit from the outer edge to the center. Turn the circle into a cone, and secure it with glue or tape.
6. Tape the cone to the top of the rocket. Decorate the rocket with stickers, markers or crayons.

Water Bottle Bowling Set

You'll need:
* 6 more empty water bottles
* Acrylic paints and brushes
* 1/8 c. dried beans per water bottle
* Heavy Ball (we use a rubber band ball)

1. Remove the labels from the empty water bottles and ensure that they are dry and clean inside.
2. Paint the bottles any colors you choose.
3. (Optional) Add numbers on the fronts of the water bottles.
4. After the bottles have dried, add 1/8 c. dried beans (kidney beans work great!) to the inside of the water bottles. Replace the caps tightly.
5. Line up the new bowling pins to resemble those at a bowling alley.
6. Using a heavy ball, see if you can earn a strike!

A Handful of Sunshine

You'll need:

* Paper plate
* Yellow and orange construction paper
* Glue
* Google eyes
* Pom-pom (for the nose)
* Yellow Paint
* Pipe cleaner (for the mouth, optional)

1. Paint the paper plate yellow.
2. Add google eyes, nose and mouth with glue.
3. Trace child's hands on construction paper and cut out.
4. Glue handprints on the back of the sun face around to make rays.

Personalized Planters

You'll need:

* Terra Cotta pots and/or empty, clean aluminum cans
* Acrylic paints and brushes
* Assortment of stickers, pom-poms, etc. to decorate (optional)

1. Cover an inexpensive terra cotta pot or empty aluminum soup cans with some fresh paint and cute designs to create unique planters!
2. Add soil, seeds, and water for a handcrafted garden.
   

NOTE: Herb seeds work great in these soup cans! Keep a row of them on your window sill for some fresh herbs at dinner time.

Egg Carton Animal Masks

You'll need:
* Egg Carton
* 1/4-inch Wide Elastic
* Pom-pom balls
* Pipe cleaners
* Masking Tape
* Glue
* Scissors

1. Cut one cup section from your egg carton and paint it the base color of your animal. Let dry completely.
   
2. Cut a piece of elastic big enough to fit comfortably around your child's head and thread through poked holes on the sides of the snout. You can either tied the ends off inside the snout or tape them securely with masking tape.
   
3. To make whiskers, poke matching holes in the sides of the snout and thread a pipe cleaner in one side and out the other.
4. Add a pom-pom nose, freckles or teeth with a permanent marker!

NOTE: These are great for younger children to re-tell or act out a favorite story!

More FUN Ideas:

• Paper Bag Puppets - Use printables from Enchanted Learning.com
• Coffee Can Drum
• Create handmade cards or postcards to send to friends
• Decorate a Summer journal
• Make beaded jewelry
• Tye-dye some old shirts

• Keeping the Kids Cool Ideas -- Is the Arizona heat bringing out the worst in your kids? Use the tips for keeping your "cool."
• Keeping the Kids Active -- Get the kids off the couch and moving with these fun activities.
• Keeping the Kids Learning -- School's out, but learning should never be "off." Encourage your kids with these new experiences!
• Getting Crafty with the Kids -- The ultimate boredom busters using recyclable materials and ideas for local places to visit for FREE craft days!