Kids Craft: Pop Bottle Firefly

My kids are begging me daily to come up with some sort of craft for them to do and I am running out of ideas.  Thank goodness for Pinterest!  This Pop Bottle Firefly is one of the gems I have found there.  My kids LOVE glowsticks and Daddy loves Mountain Dew so we already have pretty much all the needed supplies.  My girls could spend hours playing with these and I love that it is reuseable.  Once the glowstick light burns out you can just replace it with a new one.  Thanks Crafts For All Seasons!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • One 20 ounce green plastic soda bottle, empty and cleaned out (label removed)
  • One glow stick
  • Three 12 inch pipe cleaners in green or black, for the legs
  • One 12 inch pipe cleaner in gold, silver, or black (for the antennae)
  • Two yellow pony beads (for the eyes)
  • Construction paper or card stock (for thorax and wings)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Black paint
  • Clear tape

Here’s how to make it -> Pop Bottle Firefly Tutorial

 

Kids Crafts: Glow Jars

There are glow jar tutorials floating all over Pinterest, but once you start looking into many of them, you realize that your end result most likely will not look like the beautiful picture you see on Pinterest.  The Gold Jelly Bean has tested many of these and found what really works.  My girls could have hours of fun with these!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • glass jar
  • glow sticks (you can get them at the dollar store)
  • rubber gloves to protect your hands
  • scissors
  • a piece of tulle (optional)

Here’s how to make them -> Glow Jar Tutorial

 

Here is another awesome glow jar tutorial from From Panka With Love.  The glow in these jars will last much longer, but the special glow paints  can be kind of pricey.

Here’s how to make it -> From Panka Glow Jar Tutorial

Kids Craft: Puzzle Planks

I never realized how much I would miss preschool and playgroups this summer.  My kids are so bored and I am left trying to find crafts and games to keep them occupied all day long.  These puzzle planks are perfect.  They are both simple and inexpensive to make.  My kids love the idea of making their very own puzzle and then sharing with their sisters.  It is even fun to mix and match pieces to come up with silly looking creatures.

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • craft sticks
  • tape
  • markers

Here’s how to make them -> Puzzle Planks Tutorial

(Thanks Family Fun!)

 

Kids Craft: Marshmallow Shooters

These marshmallow shooters are such a quick, easy an inexpensive craft that will keep your kids playing for hours!  They look so fun I just might get in on the action too.  Thanks for sharing Come Together Kids!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • plastic cups or yogurt containers
  • balloons
  • mini marshmallows (or pom poms)
  • scissors

Here’s how to make them-> Marshmallow Shooters Tutorial

 

4th of July Craft: Firecracker Party Favors!

This would be such a fun party favor to hand out at your 4th of July barbeque this year.  They are fairly easy to make, too.  Even the little ones could get in on the fun, stuffing the tubes with candy and little toys.  Thanks for the cute idea and printable It Is What It Is!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • Paper towel roll or toilet paper roll
  • Tissue paper
  • Ribbon
  • Printable label
  • wrapped candies and/or toys

Here’s how to make it -> Firecracker Party Favor Tutorial and Printable