Meet Amazing Crafty Kid Bloggers and find Inspiring Easter and Egg Theme Crafts for Kids

Easter Theme Art Projects and Crafts for Kids

While searching the net for things to do with egg cartons and eggs for a kids Easter theme roundup, I came across the most amazing crafty blogger. I was astonished to see she only had 14 GFC followers. Say whaaat? Well, we'll fix that.

Egg Shell Chalk from Pink Stripey Socks.

So, rather than doing a round up, I decided to start a new series where I feature amazing bloggers who aren't getting the exposure and blog love they deserve. Pink Stripey Socks hasn't monetized yet. She hasn't got links for a Facebook page or Pinterest, but with some searching I tracked down her Pinterest Boards. She does have a "subscribe to posts" at the bottom of each one and you should. Her ideas are not only creative; they are inspired recycling! I wanted to pin each one.

Spring Flower Wreath made from Egg Cartons from Pink Stripey Socks.

So, who is the wo-man behind the blog? Leslie describes her crafting as crapty adventures. I love that! Like many of us, her secret dream is to be a children's book author. She hangs her magic glue stick in New Jersey. Leslie, 11 Pinterest Followers today... 1000 tomorrow. This is your calling :)

Here are some of the great ideas Pink Stripey Socks shares for things to do with eggs/cartons.

Eggshell doll craft from Pink Stripey Socks. Click image to see how to make blown eggs.

This blog will keep you busy for hours. Hop over and find something crapty to inspire your life. :)

Recommended Reading:

Egg Story for Kids

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How to make a Kitchen Stove for Kids Pretend Play from a Cardboard Box

Recycle Boxes and Bottle Caps for the Best Cardboard Play Stove Ever.

Is there anything better than cardboard box for creative play? A box is the best toy ever so we made a cardboard kitchen stove for kids pretend play. Here's a 'how to make' picture tutorial.

Cardboard Pretend Stove with all the Recycled and Upcycled bells and whistles, ahem, knobs and handles.

DAY ONE

First, measure a width of wax paper and trace onto cardboard front of your box. Nevermind, if a flap is in the way, we'll fix it later. Now cut out the window (for your oven door) and reinforce the flaps with duct tape. Tape the wax paper on the inside. You can also use plexiglass and duct tape. Get a cardboard paper towel tube and attach to top of oven door. This will become your handle. 

The difficult part is attaching the interior shelf. Get a glue gun and attach strips of cardboard to each side to serve as the ledge the shelf sits on. Make them 2-3 pieces of wide, glue together, and attach face side to the right and left walls of oven. Cut shelf to fit. I used flaps from another box. Now it will slide in and sit atop your pieces of cardboard. I also added "legs" for extra play durability. (The cat likes to climb in and sleep on our shelf!)

Now tape up the bottom and back side flaps of the box. Leave the top box flap up to serve a the area for a clock and knobs. See the photo above, I also added a flap from another box to hold this flap upright, otherwise it likes to fall closed. You are tired and worn out from all of the cutting, taping, and thinking. Sleep on it and save the rest for day two.

DAY TWO

See picture below. Now, trace the fast food cup holders on the top of your box. You may have room for four burners. Cut the hole about 1/2" smaller than the tracing. I used duct tape to attach the burners, but I encourage you to use hot glue and reinforce with tape... BUT NOT YET.

First, cover the sides and the door with some leftover wrapping paper. I used a glue stick on the box and secured the edges with tape. Then, cover your cardboard tube with foil. Cover your stove top with foil. Yes, the whole top. Poke a hole in the center of each opening and cut a small "x". You will have a slit opening with triangles. Fold the triangles in and tape on the underside to the "stove top". Now you can attach your fast food "burners". Tip: I cut the foil about 3" more than what I needed to cover the top of the stove and neatly folded it down forming a chrome edge. 

Go take a break; it will look better after you've had some time away from it.

When you return, attach your knobs (soda and milk lids glued together) and your clock front (Numbers printed off from a Word Document). Let these dry for at least 15 minutes. Remind the kids not to really turn the knobs these are the push to start variety :) We lost one on the first play!

Now, call the kids! It's time for a session of creative play. We save the little french fry containers, small cereal boxes, and juice containers to pretend.

And... the Mommy you are awesome hugs and rewards are worth the frustration :)  

Make a PAPER CHEF HAT

Make a cardboard kitchen stove.

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Donate your car for Kids? Teach Philanthropy and Giving

Did you know you can donate your car for kids? 

Begin to teach your children about philanthropy at an early age to build a lifetime of giving. Donate your car for kids. Enjoy!

We give tons of things to Goodwill every year. You probably already know you can donate your vehicle to Goodwill and get a tax credit (write-off), but I bet you didn't know lots of other organizations are hungry for that old car too. It doesn't have to run. They can sell it for scrap where it will get recycled. Scrap Metal is a hot commodity so the charity can get a significant financial donation from your old car- probably more than most of us could give otherwise.

Gotta an old, race car? Maybe a crashed up derby car?
Yeah, they'll take it off your hands at no cost to you. 

Here are the 3 reputable charities where you can DONATE YOUR CAR FOR KIDS (to Charity):

Unicef - Donate your car for kids
Your car donation makes a personal difference from birthing kits 

to help women have safe deliveries, to delivering vaccines to 

children worldwide, to portable School-in-a-Box kits to make 

classes possible almost anywhere.


Donate your vehicle to Make-A-Wish® Wheels for Wishes
They even pick your vehicle up for you! Proceeds from the sale of your vehicle donation benefit your local Make-A-Wish® and help grant wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.

The Ronald McDonald House Vehicle Donations
Donate a vehicle you're not using, and the One Car One Difference® program will auction your donation vehicle for cash for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Supporting more than four million families a year, RMHC and its local Chapters ensure families have the stability and resources to keep their child healthy and happy.

There are many other organizations in your local community anxious for your donation. I help fund raise for Santa's Elves of Indy. Every Christmas we collect toys and clothing for children in need. If you are in Indiana, visit the Santa's Elves Facebook page and comment or leave a message. We'll make arrangements to pick up your old, abandoned vehicle. No need to wait, we accept donations year around.

Donating to most of these organizations is a tax deduction, but be sure to check with your tax preparer.

What are you waiting for a child somewhere needs Bessie, it's time to let her go!


Recommended:

Visual History of the Automobile*

Community Service Ideas






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

What She's Wearing: Valentine's Craft for Kids_Make a Doll Purse by Upcycling Gift Bags

How to make a purse from a gift bag for dolls or girls it makes a cute classroom valentine tote too.

She's wearing red for Valentine's Day, and so is her Teddy Bear with its upcycled gift bag purse craft. Ready to recycle? Grab a gift bag, (we like the shiny ones) and make a clutch hand bag for your favorite Valentine. It's easy and it doubles for a classroom valentine goody bag. Enjoy!

This purse or gift envelope was cut from the bottom of a large, gift bag.

Five Fab Classroom Valentine Crafts

Cut the bottom of a large bag to recycle the existing lines as a pattern or use an easy cheat and make your own pattern with a gift card envelope, separate it where it's been glued, lay it out flat, and trace it onto your gift bag. PDF pattern here tomorrow.  Fold the paper on the lines where the envelope had been glued folding a 1" section at the bottom of the envelope to serve as a base for your doll's clutch bag and also on each side.

Poke holes in the sides and insert ribbon for the purse strap. Tie a knot inside the purse at each hole. Get crafty and add a sticky gem or gems from the dollar store. Any American Girl Doll would kill for this purse, now if we could just find her some ruby slippers to match. Yep, I'm a matchy poo-poo.

Mayhem prefers high-top sneakers to ruby red slippers 
and teddy bears to "girly" dolls.

Recommended Reading:


Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! (If You Give...)*


Valentine Recipe for Kids










ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Countdown to Christmas Gift Advent Calendar with Toilet Roll Tubes and Wrapping Paper

Toilet Roll Cardboard Tube Advent Calendar for Kids

Make an Advent calendar from recycled cardboard tubes and wrapping paper. It is an Easy Christmas craft for kids. Enjoy!

Easy Preschool Advent Calendar from cardboard tubes.

So, we save our toilet tubes. Yes, I am one of those people (I save my jars too) here is a post from one who is not, it made me LOL. Just imagine the possibilities?

Jar lids make great messy spoon holders, paint mixing trays, and chimes. Jars make amazing things! When I was a kid, my Dad had a glass cutting kit, and he'd make all kinds of "fancy" glasses from jars. (You know, just like Waterford Crystal.) 

Toilet Tubes are even better. They just cry out for re-purposation. Do you like that word? I just invented it. There, now I copyrighted it too. 12/2012. Maybe, I can trademark it?  "You're fired!" Wait, what was I saying? Toilet Tubes and Cardboard Tubes = Awesome craftability.

So... we save our toilet roll tubes. Except we moved, and then we didn't, so I had to start all over. I barely had enough for 25 days, and they were all different diameters and lengths. We had fun, but it wasn't perfect. Remember, it's the fun that counts.

To make our Advent Calendar tree, we took an idea from something similar we saw on Pinterest and it sparked an idea.  You know, how that goes. Hmmmmm, very pinteresting. I wonder how I can recreate it to make it my own?  

Cardboard tube Advent Calendar Tree.

Ow, my brain just exploded a little! I'm going to get my crafty blogging buddies together and make a contest. I'll call it, "The American Crafter" and we'll find something pinteresting and give everyone an assignment to make it their own and you can vote but not by phone- maybe just by comments. Copyright, Trademark, and Hashtag that please.

Digression ~ 

He digressed so often that it was hard to follow what he was saying. 

To turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument.

I do that a lot when I write on Sundays. It's my little form of meditation. So who's in? Are you up for a Voice/American Idol style Crafter contest? 

I'll make the winner a handmade, toilet tube crown with a fancy jar torch. (wink, wink)

What? You came here to make an Advent Calendar or a cute holiday decoration?  Here goes:

You will need 25 Toilet Roll Tubes minus the toilet paper, but I guess you could use the toilet rolls, now wouldn't that be pinteresting?

Tape or a Hot Glue Gun

Wrapping Paper or Scraps 
(Yes, of course, I save the little bits of paper from the previous year that aren't big enough to wrap a package. They are so pretty, I can't bare to throw them away. No, I talk about hoarding, but I'm not really a hoarder not yet anyway. My cat is alive and well, The food in my fridge isn't expired, and you can walk through the rooms of our house just fine. Well, most of them.)

Construction Paper

1.  Cut little squares of wrapping paper and roll onto your tubes. Attach with tape.

2.  Decide how many will be in each row to taper to one on top.

3.  Attach the bottom row together with a little piece of tape inside the end of two tubes.

4.  Stack the next row. Repeat step 3. Choose to glue first row to second row or use tape.

5.  Repeat.

6.  Cut out a Star or Angel from Construction Paper and glue to top of Christmas Tree.

7.  Fill each slot with little gifts or fun notes until Christmas Day.


Recommended Reading:

Holiday Party Favor Basket Ornaments

Turkey with Fall Leaves

New Year's Eve Rocket Popper

Look What You Can Make With Tubes: Creative crafts from 
everyday objects






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

KCC Kids Make Native American Art and Crafts in honor of the Wampanoag Indians contribution to Thanksgiving

Studying Native American Art and Crafts? 

Get crafty with Alex Toys and celebrate the Wampanoag Indians.  Without them, we'd have nothing to celebrate. Here are companion activities for your lessons on Native American History.

Native American Footprint Headband Craft

Mayhem wanted to go outside and collect stones and leaves in her pouch like a real  hunter-gather. "Indian Dress" paper grocery bag tutorial.

What a fun word, Wampanoag. Here is a site with fun facts about the Wampanoag. We learned some Wampanoags are from Natick, Massachusetts where the Daddy was born.


Wampanoags today  See the real Mayflower here. See our version here.  Daddy is not Native American, but Mommy is related to Pocahontas about five different ways- her Indians are known as the Powhatan or Virginia Algonquian. One day, we'll write a post about this relationship.

Tie Dye Fashion Groovy Tote Kit from Alex Toys ~ Fun way to learn about dyeing clothing.

Alex Toys has great products for your Thanksgiving celebration or to help teach Native American ways and honor their contribution to our country in the classroom.

I wanted to teach dyeing with the Tie Dye Fashion Groovy Kit and teach weaving with their Native American Loom, but the projects seemed a bit daunting for a six year old, eight year old, and an OCD Mom. So, I kept  putting it off. 

We'll do that post next week. We can do it tomorrow. It just has to be done by Thanksgiving...

The Tie Dye kit by Alex Toys is awesome, super easy, and nearly mess free ~ we did most of it in a tub in the kitchen sink.

Soaking items to dye before tying off with rubber bands and twist ties.

Knotting off patterns with bands included in the kit and recycled bread bag twist ties.

Projects ready to dye. The included, Groovy Tote and some of our old, stained t-shirts.

I've done some tie-dyeing in the past, but this was so much easier. Although, the kit was for one tote bag we had enough dye to dye several things. I wish we had prepped more items. We decided to use some of the dye to make super messy, water color paintings in the sink.

Leave lots of white space for better contrast and to keep colors from bleeding together.

This is our only mess! How great is that?

Squirting dye on paper and blending with plastic spoon.

Secure your items in plastic bags for 24 hours.

Patience is a virtue. Enclose in plastic bags for 24 hours to set the dye, remove bands, lay flat to dry for another 24 hours, and then wash and dry.

The bag was included in the kit and we did three shirts and several paintings.
All bottles are still half full! This would be great for a birthday party or classroom. 

Tie Dye Paper Art  ~ Less Squeeze is Best

Tie Dye Paper Art ~ Learning Phase

The loom? Oh my the loom, it was far too daunting for this post. See our weaving experiences in Jake's Journey in Art ~  Home-school Weaving. 

Native American Fruit - Persimmons

Weaving is tedious work that takes time. Imagine if you were a Native American making clothing to keep warm.

Popsicle Stick Indian Craft for Preschoolers

Next month, celebrate the spirit of giving with Santa's Elves of Indy as we collect, wrap, and donate gifts for those needing a little extra help this Christmas season.

AlexToys.com donated these toys for our unbiased review.
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Creative Country Recycling ~ Oar and Cushion Chair

Isn't this about the coolest thing you've ever seen?  I love it! Perfect for a lake cottage or rustic cabin.

Rustic Chair from Recycled Boat items.

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Top 10 Reasons to Hate Juice Packs, Recycle Plastic Bottles

Recycle Plastic Bottles for Lunch

Recycle Kid's Trash to Ease Mommy Woes. Hate Juice Packs? We're always looking for new ways to recycle plastic bottles. The juice pack mess really sparked this idea. How do you teach your kids to recycle? Enjoy!

How do you teach your kids to recycle? 

Ways to Recycle Plastic Bottles

Here are 10 reasons to hate juice packs:

1.  Straw wrappers. Everywhere.
2.  "Mommy, I can't get a straw in here!" (But they want to, try really hard, and squeeze juice everywhere.)
3.  Little dots of juice turned dirt magnets on the carpet. Everywhere.
4.  One box takes up a lot of fridge room and only lasts one day. Expensive, considering.
5.  Pouches in landfills. Everywhere.
6.  Half-full pouch tossed in trash because kids too lazy too squeeze out last drop.
7.  "I don't like Kiwi Strawberry." "I don't like lemonade." "Wah!" (Complaints)
8.  "Look, it's a volcano!" Everywhere.
9.  Added sugar.
10. Instant Balloon toys, need I say more?


Solution:
Recycle mini-soda bottles, fill with healthy drinks of your choice or even Kool-aid. Saves money, the environment, and Mommy headaches. 

Reuse Plastic Bottles: Kid's choose their favorite flavor and reseal for later.


Store recycled mini-plastic bottles in the bottom of fridge door for easy access: 
Allows for preschooler independence!

Of course, water bottles work too; maybe try it for lazy grown-ups or portion control.

Recommended Reading:

Uses for Plastic Bottles

Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons* 

Recycle a Bottle into a Valentine Card Holder

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here.Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

How to make play dough at home and 12 Fun Things to do with Play Dough

Looking for fun things to Make at Home?

Maybe you need an easy recipe for how to make dough or you're wondering how do I make play dough at home? How to make clay dough for older kids Here are fun clay and dough recipes to make at home with kids of all ages.

How to make play dough recipe:                                                         
2 c. corn starch, 1 c. salt, 1 1/2 c. boiling water, 2 tbs. cream of tartar, 2 tbs  oil (vegetable oil to keep it edible or baby oil to make it fun and a pleasant scent) Mix all ingredients together, then add a couple drops of your favorite food coloring. You can also separate into individual baggies, add a different drop of food color to each bag, and knead to mix. Let the kids do this for extra sensory play! You can make it without cream of tar tar too; the oil will fill the void it just might not stay fresh as long :)

 Sensory Guest Post from Krissy Sherman Bonning, Mama of 3, and Blogger  at B.Inspired, Mama!  (Connecting moms with kid-friendly arts & crafts, easy recipes, and preschool learning fun.) Hop over to Krissy's blog and check out all of the cool  fun from a Mommy with a Master's degree in Art Education.

I found an exciting feature on her blog, she accepts Submissions from other bloggers! Get your fun ideas posted and earn yourself some much deserved recognition.

Fun things to do with Playdough at home.

My kids’ go-to sensory activity is definitely play dough.  The ways you can play with it are endless.  And adding unusual objects and art supplies to it make it even more fun.  Here are some of our favorites:

1. Stencils – Use them to place on the play dough and trace around, press into the play dough to make impressions, and for imaginative play, too. 
2. Recycled Bottles – Next time you drink something out of a plastic bottle, check out the bottom.  It will probably make a really cool flower-like impression in play dough.  (from B-Inspired Mama)
3. Cardboard Boxes – Play dough details can turn boxes into buildings and even an entire city.  (from Inspiration Surrounds, Creativity Abounds)
4. Muffin Cups – Silicone muffin cups are perfect for making pretend cupcakes and muffins for an impromptu Birthday party or picnic.  (from B-Inspired Mama)
5. Fake Flowers – Plant them in play dough to make a beautiful flower garden for imaginative gardening fun. (from The Imagination Tree)
6. Animals – Green play dough makes the perfect jungle for little animal friends. (from Picklebums)
7. Googly Eyes – Bright your play dough to life and make silly monsters with lots of googly eyes. (from Pink and Green Mama)
8. Candy Molds – Use chocolate play dough to make pretend candies and fun shapes with candy molds.  (from Learning 4 Kids)
9. Laminated Play Dough Mats – Laminate images and learning worksheets for kids to add play dough details, letters, and snakes to.  (from Planet of the Apels)
10. Alphabet Cookie Cutters – Make play dough fun a learning opportunity by adding letter cookie cutters.  (from No Time for Flash Cards)
11. Glitter – Add lots of glitter to turn play dough into a glistening glob for galaxy fun.  (from Poppytalk)
12. Trucks & Cars – Play dough makes fun hills for driving over and tires on toy vehicles make awesome impressions.  (from B-Inspired Mama)

Do your kids like playing with play dough? Have you ever used anything unusual to make it more fun?

Recommended Reading:

Fun-tastic Clay Critters to Make

Modeling Clay Animals

Sensory Play Dough Recipe

Pin-it Online Scavenger Hunt 4/16/12

Be the first to know the new search words by subscribing to our emails >>>

And the Winner is (4/9)...  Jennifer O. Send address info to the hollyjollyone@yahoo.com  Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. I am on it but wait to mail several prizes at once :-)

Remember to Win it you must leave a comment on this blog post after completion of the hunt. Below this post is a divider bar on the left side you will see the words "Tell us your two cents" click here to leave a comment. Any comment will do :-)


We have several pinners but less than 10 are entered in the drawing each week!!!  


Leave a comment on Pinterest to be added as a collaborative pinner under the purple tack.

Most pinned (28 repins) pinned by Salina K. from the blog Momto2PoshLilDivas.com Homemade Bouncing Balls.

My favorite pin pinned  by Taryn Scruggs (9 repins) from the blog Noodle-head.com Pom-Pom Valentine Window.  

This week's keyword search topics are:

Arbor Day Crafts
Kid Science ~ Corn Starch
Things to do with Paper Plates
Recycled Lamp Shades

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Recycled Scrap Paper Craft Rainbow Fish Theme for Preschool

Recycled Rainbow Fish Paper Craft and Companion Story Ideas

If you are teaching children how to care for fish, this Rainbow Fish recycled paper craft is an easy, fun aquarium activity to make.

Visit the Manatee Viewing Center in Florida

The story: Rainbow Fish is different and the other fish aren't very nice until they get to know him in all his glittery glory. Did you know he wrote a second story, 'Rainbow Fish to the Rescue'?  We have some fun, preschool companion book activities for both here. Rainbow Fish is the perfect theme for preschool curriculum.

Marcus Fister's Rainbow Fish. Fun theme for preschool.

Scrap Paper Rainbow Fish Craft for preschool.

We made this fish from our scrap paper box. You can photocopy a picture of Rainbow Fish to use as a pattern. Tip: Use Wrapping Paper scraps to make a sparkly Rainbow Fish Craft.

Recommended Reading:

Aquarium Craft Activities

Fishing Activity

Rainbow Fish to the Rescue!

Paint with Spaghetti