Eight Inexpensive Ideas To Keep Kids Occupied
When the kids get home from school in the afternoon and say ‘I’m bored’, at least you can point them towards doing their homework – however – when it’s the week-end, a long week-end or school holidays – you know that it won’t be long until you hear ‘I’m bored’ several times a day!
Times are tough economically but entertaining kids has never been an expensive enterprise - so here are eight ideas to keep your children busy, creative and active during these long summer months.
Milk Jug Bird Feeders – Rinse out the empty plastic gallon milk jug with lid. Cut a window in the front of the jug, and make two small poke holes for the perches. Insert sticks for perches and fill the bottom of the jug with bird seed suitable to the birds in your area. Depending on the ages of the child, let them problem solve and figure out the best way to secure the perch and if they wish they can decorate the birdfeeder before hanging it on the balcony or in the garden.
Aluminum Can Crafts – Paint an empty, rinsed out tuna can with acrylic paint or spray paint. Decorate with glitter and glue – scavange for stickers, buttons or lace too.Once completed these make cute little holders for hair accessories, paper clips, rubber bands, keys, jewelry etc. Apply the same idea to an empty soup can to make a pen or pencil holder. These are great to give to dad to take into the office.
Coloring in – Coloring in was the staple activity of many summer holidays when I was la litle girl. If you have access to the internet, have some paper and a printer, it means you don’t even have to pay for a coloring book. When it comes to coloring pictures, you really can’t go wrong with Disney and at sites like Disney Coloring Pages you’ll find the best Mickey Mouse colouring book pages
Coffee Can Stilts – Using two 1-pound coffee cans, turn each can upside down so that the plastic lid is on the bottom. As a parent – and using a screwdriver - poke two holes, one on each side of the can. Using some rope, thread through holes in the cans. Tie off inside the can and practice walking on them. Kids can decorate the cans if they so wish to make them more personal.
Jar Candles – Keep aside the stubs of candles. When you have saved several, melt them all together using a double boiler. Color the wax by adding small pieces of wax crayon to the mixture. Pour the wax into glass jelly or mason jars or metal cans. Use cotton string for wicks and decorate the outside of the candle holder with acrylic paints. Once the sun sets – light your candle…but always make sure that you surpervise your children around flames!
Paper Towel Rain Makers – Young kids love anything that makes a noise such as maracas. Color, paint and decorate paper towel rolls. Cover one end of a paper towel roll with waxed paper and close it off with a rubber band or three. Pour a handful or three of dried beans in the open end and close the open end the same way as the other. Poke toothpicks through the rolls at different intervals to add a ‘rain shaker’ sound – like the ones the aboriginal people of Australia create.
Paper Towel Tube Holders – Decorate a paper towel tube with paint, markers, stickers and crayons. Once decorated this is a colorful carrying tube. Roll up drawings and put them inside the tube to take them to their teacher, grandparents, friends or relatives.
Pet Rocks – Pet rocks have stood the test of time and any rock can be turned into a pet rock with a lick of paint and some googly eyes. First, find smooth, flat or round rocks. Be sure to clean off any mud or sand and dry completely before starting. Painting with acrylic paints. Decorate faces by using googly eyes, yarn for hair, glitter and any other bits and pieces you like. I always put freckles on mine!
Enjoy yourself these summer holidays!
Acrylic Painting Techniques – Painting A Hooded Oriole Bird with Acrylics
|
|
iPop Rachel Salomon Blossoms and Birds 4 Pack Magnet Set and Big Click Duo $18.00 Amazingly strong magnets that go click on your fridge. A set of four magnets and a jumbo Big Click magnet, each featuring colorful eye-catching artwork…. |
|
|
Cypress Home 17-Ounce Insulated Cup With Lid and Straw, Bird Study $6.75 Who said cups with lids had to be boring? Birds and butterflies perch amid bright pink blooms feeling the warmth of the sun on their wings, enjoying the sounds and fragrances of the morning. They are captured handsomely on this cup, changing any moment from plain to having panache. Perfect for summer parties with ice cold lemonade that is served best chilled, the Bird Study Insulated Cup is festiv… |
|
|
Mouse and Robin (acrylic on paper) by.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can … |
|
|
The Inspiration of Painting: Bluebird, How to Paint Feathers Features instruction by Artist and PBS TV show host, Jerry Yarnell…. |
|
|
Dalen OW6 Gardeneer 16-Inch Molded Owl $11.33 DALEN GREAT HORNED OWL *18″ high *Hand painted *Plastic *Natural predator of small animals and birds *Effective scarecrow… |
|
|
Solar Powered Hummingbird Garden Stake Light. Color changing LED light. $9.98 Great for Garden decorations, and flower beds. Easy to put anywhere it gets sun. A day in the sun lights up the whole evening.Exposure time in the Sun decide the lighting time in the evening. 8 hours in the sun lasts 6+hours…. |
|
|
Mr. Light Solar-Powered Hummingbird Garden Stake with Color-Changing LED Backlighting $9.99 Our solar garden stake has a unique design which features an integrated solar panel midway down the stake. Inside is a rechargeable AA NI-MH battery. A color-changing LED atop the stake shines through the clear acrylic 4″ x 5″ hummingbird to give a spectacular, decorative lighting effect in your garden. Plant the stake in the ground where it will get full sun, and the photo switch in the solar pan… |
|
|
Stainless Steel Nail Clipper with Nail File and Pouch by ToiletTree Products. Lifetime Replacement Guarantee $19.95 ToiletTree Products Stainless Steel Nail Clipper with Nail File are designed with strength in mind. This stainless steel nail clipper is ideal for trimming thicker fingernails or normal toenails. This stainless steel nail clipper comes in a matte finish which cannot be overstated. Comfortable designed handle making it easy to use.Care and Cleaning: This tool is 100% stainless steel and is design… |
|
|
Sullivans Clear Bead Tree 36 $39.95 Sullivans Clear Bead Tree 36″… |
|
|
41820 Part# 41820 – Burs Acrylic Trimming Tungsten Steel Assorted 6/Pk By Yates & Bird $52.38 … |