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Crafting has a ton of benefits: it boosts creativity, confidence, concentration, and can also improve your little one’s motor skills. Best of all? It doesn’t have to cost anything.

You and your kids can make fun, educational projects every day using nothing more than common household items that you already have at hand. Here are some creative ideas that are both entertaining and budget-friendly to get you started!

Homemade Playdough

Playdough is the best thing ever – it’s nontoxic, reusable, plus easy to make at home. On top of that, it’s a fantastic sensory activity for your kids.

• Ingredients: Mix one cup of flour, half a cup of salt, one tablespoon of oil, and one cup of water. Add a few drops of food coloring for fun – pick your kiddo’s favorite color.
• Cook: Stir the mixture over low heat until it thickens.
• Knead: Once cool enough to touch, knead the dough until it reaches the right consistency.

Quick Tip: Store your homemade playdough in an airtight container to keep it fresh longer. And of course, let your children help choose the colors to make the activity even more engaging.

Paper Mache Projects

Paper mache is a classic, and for good reason. You can transform old newspapers into almost anything with a little imagination and some paste.

• Gather Materials: You’ll need newspaper, flour, water, and a balloon or cardboard for the structure.
• Mix Paste: Combine one part flour with two parts water until it’s smooth. This will be your glue.
• Create Layers: Dip newspaper strips into the paste and layer them over your balloon or cardboard structure.
• Dry and Paint: Once dry, paint your creation with any colors you like.

Quick Tip: Use custom design templates online to find shapes and ideas for your paper mache projects. There are plenty of printable cutout shapes that can add detail to your crafts.

Painted Plant Stands

Have some old tin cans or old jars? Turn them into beautiful plant stands. It’s a simple way to teach kids about recycling while adding a pop of color to your home.

• Clean and Prime: Wash the cans or jars and apply a primer if you have some. This helps the paint stick better.
• Paint: Let your kids paint the containers with kid-safe paints or make some yourself. They can use patterns, solid colors, or even paint their favorite characters.
• Decorate: Add extra decorations like stickers, ribbons, or glitter once the paint dries.

Quick Tip: If you plan on displaying the stands in a prominent place, consider drawing some pretty shapes yourself and then let your little ones color them. You can also print out stencils to trace onto the containers for a professional look.

DIY Kaleidoscope

A kaleidoscope is a fascinating project that teaches kids about light and reflections. Plus, it looks so cool!

• Materials: You’ll need a paper towel roll, reflective paper (aluminum foil works too), beads, and plastic wrap.
• Assemble: Line the inside of the tube with reflective paper. Place the beads between two pieces of plastic wrap at one end.
• View: Seal the end with the beads and look through the other end. Rotate the tube to see the patterns change.

Quick Tip: Use clear tape to secure the plastic wrap tightly. This will ensure the beads don’t fall out while rotating the kaleidoscope.

Egg Carton Animals

Don’t throw out those egg cartons just yet. They can be turned into cute animals and insects with a little creativity!

• Cut and Paint: Cut the egg carton into individual cups. Paint each cup to look like different animals or insects.
• Add Details: Use googly eyes, pipe cleaners, or paper to add details like legs, antennae, and wings.
• Assemble: Glue the pieces together to complete your critters.

Quick Tip: Use online templates for animal shapes and features if you want more realistic and detailed animal shapes.

And there you have it – some simple yet super-fun crafts that require next to zero investment. Experiment some more and encourage your kids to do the same – who knows, maybe you’ll invent a new, cool craft that’s better than anything you can find online!