Kids Crafts On A Buget

Whether its a rainy day or you can't find nothing to do with the kids, crafts always seem to come in handy. Some crafts, however, take a good amount of money only for a small amount of fun! I have made a short list of fun crafts you and your children will enjoy together without breaking the bank! All projects will be fun for both boys and girls, from young to old!

DIY Lava Lamp

This creates the look of a lava lamp in a fun, DIY project!

Things you will need...

• Clear plastic or glass bottle (Any size, shape) with lid
• Vegetable oil (olive, canola, ect.)
• Food coloring (water based), or old markers
• Alka seltzer tablets

First, fill up the bottle (about 1/4) of your choosing with water.

* If you are using markers to color your water, cut out the inside cotton tube and place it in the bottle and shake it around until color is desired. Then remove the tube.

Next, add vegetable oil to the bottle, leaving about one inch at the top open.

*If you are using the food dye (water based) now add drops according to bottle size and color desire. This should float to the bottom in small balls. The bottle may need a little shake to break then balls of dye threw the oil to hit the water.

Then, break up the alka seltzer in small pieces. Add a few pieces at a time to the bottle and watch what happens!

DIY Yarn Lantern Light

This is a great craft that can be hung in the child's bedroom once it is finished or even in your living area for a unique decor piece! Also great for holidays and parties!

Things you'll need...

• Large blown up balloon -or- rubber kick ball -or- beach ball (works best)
• Kids craft glue, Clear works best
• Yarn (color of your choice)
• Sharpie
• Christmas string lights (any color) - Small strand
• One extension cord

First, take your ball of choice and wipe it clean, let it dry. Then take the sharpie and mark a circle big enough to fit the Christmas light thru in a balled up fashion.

Next take your glue and put a nice amount in your hand. Then take your yarn and run some of it thru your hand, soaking it in the glue to ensure it sticks well to the ball.

Now, wrap the yarn around the ball, avoiding the circle your made with the sharpie. As your doing this, continue to pull the thread thru your hand while unraveling it to cover the yarn in glue to help it stick. Make sure you cover any big gaps to ensure the ball does not go limp when its dry.

Once you have it wrapped pretty well, cut the yarn leaving enough to hang it while it dries. Tie it off lightly thru some yarn that has been glued down and pad it down to the ball with more glue. After this, take more glue and cover any spots that appear weak or dry with glue globs, lightly patting it.

Let your ball dry for 48 hours.

After it has dried, either pop the ball, or if you used a beach ball, you can deflate the ball and remove it gently without pulling to hard thru the open space you left un-yarned.

Then pull your Christmas lights thru the hole you left open(bottom), taking another piece of yarn to tie it to the top of your yarn ball. (Keep the lights balled up) Once the lights are secure and how you want them, take your extension cord and plug it into the lights. Hang the light, plug it it, and enjoy! *You can also put the extension cord thru the side to face the back, or thru the top like a paper lantern.

*Blinking lights make a really cool effect!

DIY Koolaid Play-dough

Play-dough is fun for all ages, but what about making your own to enjoy!? You can make any color and it even smells great!

Things you'll need...

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 package of koolaid
• 1/4 cup of salt
• 2tbsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup of warm water
• 2tbsp of vegetable oil

First, combine all dry ingredients into a sauce pan, mix and then stir in warm water, add oil.

Then, continue to stir this on a medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until the mixture forms into a ball.

Remove from heat and let it cool. Knead the play-dough and store it in the fridge until ready to use. ENJOY!

DIY Slime

All kids love the look and feel of slime, but it is often over priced. Here is how to make your own with a very simple recipe that even a kid can do, and it's non-toxic!

Things you'll need...

• Borax (Laundry booster)
• Kid's craft glue (Clear for transparent slime, white for non-transparent)
• Food coloring
• Water

First, mix one tea spoon of borax with one cup of water. Stir this until the borax is completely dissolved.

Then, in a separate bowl, mix one cup of glue (About one standard bottle of kids glue) with a half of cup of water. Add coloring to this mixture.

Last, pour the glue/water mixture into the borax mixture and the slime will form instantly! Store in a plastic zip lock baggy. ENJOY!

DIY Snow Globe

These are always cool and you can make any type of theme you would like! *Recommended for kids 10+

Things you will need...

• Glue gun and glue sticks
• A small glass jar, but plastic may be used for safety.
• Small figurine
• Glitter
• Baby Oil

First, you want to take the lid of your jar and using a good amount of glue, glue it down to the inside of the lid. You can use more glue and some glitter to cover the base.

Next, take the jar and fill it with water. Add a small amount of baby oil to the water. Then add the glitter.

Once the glue is dry with your figurine, take more glue and go along the inside edge, all the way around and quickly fasten the lid to the jar of water.

Lastly, go around the outside edge of the jar with some more glue, let dry a few minutes, and enjoy!

*You can get more creative by adding several small figures to your globe and lightly coloring the water with food dye.