Shoe Box Crafts

Kids and boxes go hand in hand.....that is why they are going to love shoe box crafts!

These sturdy boxes are great to use for dioramas, building blocks and many other great craft projects.

So....go ahead and buy more shoes because you will also be providing your kids with a great pass time...a little rationalization never hurts!

Here are some of the most creative shoe box crafts that I found:

1.  A super fun shoe box puppet stage by Coloured Buttons:

Here is a craft idea that will provide endless hours of fun.  Creating the stage is just the first part!  

2.  A miniature dollhouse by Cassandra Parkin:

A little house can be decorated in a number of ways by your budding interior designers!  It makes a nice home for small dolls or action figures.

Here is a version with a tutorial by Creative Jewish Mom:

3.  Toy computer by JGB Interiors:

Now your kids can play on their very own computer....as much as you do....with this super creative version.

4.  A shoe box wagon by Blonde Search:

I love the wagon idea - especially if it was used to travel around and pick up small toys left out!

5.  A pirates chest by Free Kids Crafts:

A pirates chest is a perfect use for an old shoe box and can be filled with all kinds of fun treasures.

6.  A shoe box tunnel by Chest Of Books:

Buying all of the different parts and accessories to an electric train set can get very expensive.  Using shoe boxes as train tunnels is a wonderful option.

7.  A functional school supply box by Projects For Preschoolers:

The separate holders for the crayons makes this box very functional and fun.

What ideas do you have for using shoe box crafts for kids?  Share your ideas below!

Valentine Crafts For Kids

It won't be long and Valentine's Day will be here!  Most kids love to take part in this holiday and have a lot of fun making their own cards or treats to pass out to friends.

They may also enjoy creating their own decorative box for collecting valentines or for storing them at home.

You will find, here, a variety of super fun valentine crafts for kids which they can make to help celebrate the day.

1.  Cut Out Hands Valentines by Martha Stewart:

Here is a uniquely personal way to make valentine cards.  They can be decorated in a variety of different ways to add even more personalization.

2.  Fluffy Love Bugs by Examiner:

I just love these adorable little love bugs in all of their fluff!  Kids will love passing these out to friends.

3.  Melted Crayons Heart Form by Crystal & Co.:

Clean out that crayon box and use those short stubbie ones in this fun craft project.  Just melt the crayons in a heart form and you have a great gift crayon to give away with a fun message.

4.  Lollipop Flower by Jumpstart:

A lollipop flower is more fun to give than just a lollipop or just a flower!!

5.  Valentine Card Mailbox by Celebrations:

A valentine card mailbox is the perfect container for receiving all of those cards and other "mail"!  I love the monogram initial on the door of the mailbox too!

Unique Kids Crafts

Are you looking for something a little different for your kids to create?  Maybe they are getting bored with some of the more common craft projects.  Or, they are looking for something that is just plain funny!  I found several unique kids crafts that will rejuvenate their interest in crafting and bring about a little laughter at the same time.

Here are the top five:

1.  Tube Sock Snowmen by North Texas Kids:

How often do you find a single sock coming out of the dryer without its mate ever to be found?  Well now you can save those mismatched socks for a fun craft project like this.  Tube socks make up the body of these snowmen and they are clothed with the more decorative and colorful assortment of socks!

2.  Hand Art by Hope And Honey:

You may be pretty familiar with kids hand art that is typically made as a gift for mother's day.  It is common to see a child's hand prints that have been dipped in paint.  However, this project is unique in that the hands are traced a colorful paper and then glued to a decorative wood slab.

3.  Bubble Wrap Crocodiles by Positively Splendid:

These super cute crocs are made up of bubble wrap and card board.  So...just save your packaging whenever you receive a shipment and you will have the majority of supplies needed for this fun craft project!

4.  Litter Bug by Free Kids Crafts:

This unique craft project is literally made up of trash!  Kids will have a riot making up their own version of litter bugs with whatever they have on hand.

5.  Painted Rock Paper Weights by Taking Time For Mommy:

Here is an easy idea to throw at them in a pinch - no don't throw the rocks just the idea!!  Let them decorate smooth rocks with paint and other embellishments to use as a fun paper weight.

Bird Crafts For Kids

If you are looking to make a bird with your kids, then you have come to the right place!  Today's theme is all about birds and it is full of cute and colorful ideas.

I happen to love birds and had a lot of fun coming up with this collection.  All of the following crafts have easy to follow instructions that can be found by simply clicking on the links.

Here are some of the best bird crafts for kids:

1.  Colorful Foam Wise Owl by Kids Crafts Made Easy:

This colorful owl is easy to make with geometric shaped foam piece, a backing board, scissors and some glue.

2.  Paper Plate Chick by Roots and Wings Co.:

 For Easter or any time a little chick is called for, this craft using paper plates is quick and easy to complete.

3.  Curly Birds by Spoonful:

These curly birds made from colorful construction paper strips will be fun to make and play with.  They are so whimsical and cute!

4.  Recycled CD Bird Craft by Activity Village:

I love craft projects that use recycled materials and the body of this bird is made from an old CD.  Not only is this environmentally friendly but it is very budget friendly as well.

5.  Birds Of A Feather Craft by Crayola:

Here is another project that uses recycled materials plus some craft feathers, cotton balls, paint and chenille sticks.

New Years Eve Crafts For Kids

A new year means new opportunities for your kids to get even more creative!  Let them ring in the new year full of style with fun party crafts that they can make and use themselves.

Each of these fun and festive craft ideas will keep your child entertained as they create and then later use their creations during party time.

To go along with the new years eve crafts, I also found a fun link for ten new years eve activities for kids by 4 Nannies.  You will find plenty of ideas for keeping your kids entertained for the holiday.

Here are the craft projects to get them started with the festivities:

1.  Noisemakers by Alphamom:

Noisemakers are a must and these are easy and inexpensive to make with empty raisin boxes and popsicle sticks.

2.  New Years Eve Ball by Mother Huddle:

Every party needs a new years ball to drop!  This one is full of glitz that is fitting for the night.

3.  Party Hats by Spoonful:

Party hats are a must and these whimsical hats are sure to bring a smile to the wearer.  Kids can get very creative with this one and make it their own style.

4.  Countdown Clocks by Crafts Kaboose:

Kids will have fun keeping track of the time with these countdown clocks that they have made in their favorite colors.

5.  Edible Horns by Hungry Happenings:

And finally, I love this idea for holiday horns that are actually edible!  What can be better?

Gifts Kids Can Make

Gift giving, for the Christmas season, isn't just for the adults.  Kids have just as much fun giving special gifts to the important people in their lives.

Instead of just purchasing gifts, kids can make presents to put under the tree that are especially meaningful to the recipient.  Plus, you child will most likely have more fun creating something special than going out for a boring shopping trip.

There are plenty of easy gift ideas that kids can create that will be highly appreciated by grandparents, parents, or other friends and family.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1.  Hand Soap Featuring Art Work by Givers Log

Hand soap that features the child's art work on the container will undoubtedly be so much appreciated by parents, grandparents or even teachers.  The tutorial includes some important tips but it is easy to follow and will result in a treasured gift.

2.  Artwork Checkbook or Passport Covers by Martha Stewart

I know I would rather have a fun checkbook cover, like one of these, rather than a plain blue or black one from the bank!  Kids can have fun creating any design that they want.

3.  Modern Art Plates by Craft Jr

This plate craft may just be my favorite.  It was inspired by some expensive Marimekko design plates.  These plates were created with dollar store plates and paint markers!  You have to see the inspiration plates compared to these.  Kids will be proud to give some of their very own modern art.

4.  Photo Snow Globes by Design Mom

Use recycled jars to make these fun photo snow globes.  It is a quick and easy project that kids will love to create.

5.  Melted Bead Ornaments - tutorial by Chica Circle

Finally, use cookies cutters as a form to create melted bead ornaments.  

Pine Cone Christmas Crafts

There are so many fun things to make for the holidays with just some simple pine cones.  Use pine cones from your own collection or purchase bags from the craft store to create one or more of these festive Christmas decorations.

All of these pine cone Christmas crafts are easy for kids to complete.  Just click on the links for the full step by step instructions.

1.  Pine Cone Reindeer by All Free Christmas Crafts:

All you need for these cute little reindeer are some pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pine cones and of course some red pom poms for those noses!

2.  Pine Cone Carolers by Spoonful:

I love how these carolers are made almost entirely from nature.  Just add a little paint and some construction paper and you have a fun project that is practically free.

3.  Pine Cone Elves by Belladia:

These elf ornaments are so adorable and are made from mini pine cones from a potpourri bag!  The wooden bead heads and pipe cleaner limbs are colorfully decorated with felt which is easy to cut and glue.

4.  Pine Cone Snowman by Family Crafts:

A collection of pine cone Christmas crafts wouldn't be complete without a lovable snowman!

5.  Pine Cone Angel by The Crafty Arty Kid:

These angels would look perfect hanging from a window or as an ornament on the Christmas tree.

6.  Pine Cone Christmas Trees by Starr Kissed:

And, speaking of Christmas trees, kids can make and decorate their very own trees with large pine cones.

Since many of these crafts require some of the same supplies such as pipe cleaners, beads, pom-poms and paint, you could spend an afternoon making several of these projects without spending a lot of money.

Kids Christmas Crafts

Now that Halloween is over, it is time to start thinking about Christmas and decorations coming up.  Kids love to get involved with this and I have found several great kids Christmas crafts that will have them spreading cheer around your place in no time.

1.  Peppermint Wreaths by Martha Stewart:

Instead of using glue, these edible ornaments are held together with icing.  These would be cute hanging from a metal tree as a centerpiece at a dessert table.

2.  Candy Cane Bead Ornament by All Kids Network:

This craft is an easy one to complete with pipe cleaners and beads.  Kids will have fun decorating the tree with their very own handmade ornaments.

3.  Snowman Jars by Art Craft Ideas.

Recycle your jars and let your kids make cute snowmen to line a shelf or table.  Just fill the jars with cotton batting and decorate with googly eyes and buttons.  Use fabric, ribbon, cupcake liners, pipe cleaners or any other trim that you have for extra embellishments.

4.  Pine Cone Angels by Nini Makes:

I love crafts involving pine cones and these little angels are just so sweet!  Just a few supplies are all that are needed to create these lovelies.  Click on the link for the step by step tutorial.

5.  Toilet Paper Roll Penguins by Our Big Earth:

Some wintry penguins made from recycled toilet paper rolls are going to be inexpensive and fun to make.  All you need to add is some construction paper, markers and maybe a little glitter!

Happy Crafting!

Halloween Craft: Witches Hat

Here is a fun Halloween craft feature from PBS.  A spooky witches hat that they can create and then wear during a Halloween party or out trick or treating. Of course the hat can easily be a wizard's hat as well!

The hat is easily made from a paper plate and construction paper with fun embellishments to make each hat unique.  Check out the tutorial for the step by step instructions.

Happy Crafting!

Puppet Crafts

One of the most popular craft ideas for kids is the making of a puppet!  Let your child choose from one of these fun puppet crafts to create and then have hours of endless play time with their new puppet buddies.
Whether they make just one or several, they will have fun chatting with their new, not so imaginary, friends.

You can also get a group of kids together to create their own unique puppet friends and then stage a puppet show.  This may be fun to do at a kids party or other event for good group interaction.

I have chosen a wide variety of puppet crafts, including finger puppets and kits, for you to pick from.  All of the crafts will have easy to follow instructions.  Just click on the photos to get to the full tutorials.

1.  Frog Puppet by Pebbles In My Pocket.

This cute frog actually has a retractable tongue!  You can buy an affordable kit for this puppet with everything included except for the bright red paint for the tongue.

2.  Hand Puppet by Baby CCino Kids.

These adorable hand puppets are made from primarily from colorful construction paper.  I just love all of the individualized personalities that can be created.

3.  Pooh and Friends Puppets by Disney Family.

I am a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh so I just had to add this one!  Disney Family provides a character template that you can print to trace the character's faces.

4.  Monster Madness Glove Puppet by All Kids Network.

Your child can have their own puppet show on just one hand with this fun craft!  They can create silly monsters using scrap materials.  

5.  Sock Puppet by Danielle's Place.

A solution for those lonely socks that come out of the dryer without their mate!  Not only can you recycle those single socks but these puppets are just plain adorable and sure to be a hit.

6.  Fantasy Stick Puppets by Crafts n Coffee.

Styrofoam balls plus dowel plus craft foam equals adorable!  The fact that these puppets are on sticks makes them a little easier to maneuver behind a stage if you are wanting to do a puppet show.

7.  Tiger Finger Puppet by Kaboose.

Finger puppets like this are quick and easy to create with felt and other embellishments.

Happy Crafting!