When it is raining outside and the kids are going stir crazy here are a few ideas that might keep them occupied for a couple of hours. These projects are easy but the kids will need some help from a big sister, brother or even Mom or Dad. It will be great fun and it will give you a chance to spend some quality time with each other.
Be sure to try
COLORING RICE & PASTA TUBS
Color your rice or pasta tubs to give it a nice effect. Here is a recipe for adding color. Works great!- One pint pasta or rice
- Two teaspoons food coloring
- Three teaspoons rubbing alcohol
SPAGHETTI PICTURE
When you cook spaghetti, cook a little extra, drain it and cool it. Your child can arrange the strains of spaghetti on colored paper or cardborard in a picture or design. He presses the strands to the background, and as they harden, they stick to the surface. Then pat a newspaper over the picture and a heavy book over the paper. This flattens the spaghetti picture on the card board as it dries. When the weight is removed, some the spaghetti strains will crack, but they will stick to the background.YARN ART
Save leftover lengths of yarn, any color. On a background paper or cardboard the child draws a picture or any outline. The child outlines this drawing by gluing the yarn to the paper. Put a blob of glue in a jar lid so the child can dip the yarn lightly in the glue. If the child wants to fill in the entire outline picture with colored yarn, the child can spread glue on a small area of the paper and press the yarn into place, then go on to another area.SAND AND GLUE MOSAIC
This is for an older child. Purchase various colors of sand at the near craft store. Provide a tube of glue. Squeezing the tube gently, the child dribbles the glue on heavy colored paper or on cardboard. The child then sprinkles the desired colors of sand over the surface of the paper. The sand adheres only to the glue. The excess sand falls off when the paper is tipped and shaken gently. The abstract dribble design he made with the glue stands out, covered with sand.WAXED PAPER ETCHING
Give the child a piece of heavy waxed paper and a tool, such as a lollipop stick, wooden meat skewer, blunt nail, plastic or metal spoon or fork. The child draws a picture on the waxed paper, being careful not to puncture or tear it. Then he mounts the waxed paper sheet on a colored paper--black is good. The etched picture show up well.PLAYDOUGH
- 2 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup salt
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups boiling water
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Food coloring
FINGER PAINT
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups water
- food coloring
KOOL AID ENHANCED PLAYDOUGH
Try a variety of Kool Aid flavors and colors. Also, add little alum to the dry ingredients to preserve the playdough for a longer time.- 2 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup salt
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Kool Aid
BUBBLE PRINTS
Materials needed are white construction paper, 2 or 3 kitchen dixie cups, straws, and tempera paint (powdered mixed with water so it's kind of runny works best).Pour paint mixture into cups. Put straw into each cup, have child take turns blowing the mixture until bubbles are ready to go over edges. Gently lay paper on top of cups, when bubbles have popped, take paper off. The bubble designs will be left on the paper.
TATTOO PAINT
Don't worry mom this comes off with soap and water! This is also terrific as face paint.What you need:
What you do:
- 1 tablespoon of cold cream
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of water
- Food coloring
- Paint brush- clean
- Mix all of the ingredients together. Stir completely.
- Using the paintbrush create your own personal tattoo. Have fun!
CORNSTARCH PAINT
Materials: painting paper, cornstarch, water, liquid tempera,large brushes, paint cups.Add cold water to 3/4 cup cornstarch to make a smooth, thick paste. Stir in boiling water until mixture is a painting consistency. Thick and almost clear is the way it should look. Spoon the mixture in small cups that the children can hold in their hand if need be. Stir in 3 or 4 tsps. of liquid tempera into each cup.
Let the children brush this almost dripless paint on large sheets of painting paper to make designs and pictures.
You can also use this mixture for finger-painting. Store in refrigerator for later.
Try these fun recipes to add variety to your Spring and Summer outside activities.
Soapy Finger Paint - Whip 1 cup soap flakes with 1/2 cup of water. Tint with food coloring or dry tempera. Paint on white shelf paper or waxed paper.
Colorful Creative Salt - Add 5-6 drops food coloring to 1/2 cup household salt. Stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread on waxed paper and let air dry. Store in an airtight container. Use as you would glitter.
Homemade Paint - Mix 1 teaspoon water and 1 teaspoon dish washing liquid with 1/2 teaspoon of food coloring to make vivid colored paint. Be sure that the children wear an apron or play clothes to do this project.
Homemade Finger Paint - Mix 2 cups flour with 2 teaspoon salt. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water. Stir until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to 2 cups boiling water. Boil until smooth and thick. Add food coloring, then stir until smooth.
Paint Roller - Pry the top off a roll-on deodorant bottle. Fill it with tempera paint and snap the top back on the bottle. Now you have a giant paint pen.
Disappearing Paint - Mix 1/8 teaspoon Mrs. Stewart's Liquid Bluing with 2 cups water and let the kids paint the patio. It disappears!
Bubble Soap - Mix 1 cup dish washing liquid, 10 cups water and 1/4 cup glycerin (available at your drugstore, for longer lasting bubbles) Make bubble blowers from a straw, a kitchen funnel, or a thin wire shaped in creative forms.
Get your own Free Homepage