Summer Fun

Summer Time Fun - Crafts to Do
 From www.KidsDomain.com

Ocean Bottle  ~  Fun Sun Glasses  ~  Fancy Flip Flops ~  Ball Catchers  ~ Can Stilts

Ocean Bottle Project
Here’s a science project that doubles as a fun craft. Create your very own ocean waves in a plastic soda bottle. Display for all your friends to see!
Age : 3 and up

This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
What you needpicture

  • Empty two liter plastic bottle with lid
  • Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil
  • Water
  • funnel
  • Blue food coloring
  • Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures
  • One tsp glitter
  • White craft glue
  • Hot glue

What you do 

  1. Wash and dry two-liter bottle and remove all labels
  2. Fill bottle halfway with tap water
  3. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix
  4. Add glitter
  5. Add sea creatures
  6. Fill bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil using a funnel
  7. Be sure that rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap.
  8. Use a layer of hot glue around the outer edge of the cap for added protection from leakage
  9. Turn bottle on its side and gently rock the bottle to create a “wave” inside your ocean habitat!

Helpful hints

  • Use lightweight starfish, shells and other sea creature toys that can float. Test them first in a bowl or glass of water. Find these at your local craft supply store or discount department store.
  • Make the ocean any color you choose! Blue is standard of course, but if your child’s room is decorated with red and yellow, go with red food coloring. There’s no rule that says your ocean must be blue.
  • Small children will be mesmerized by this creation. They can help make this every step. Let them insert the sea creatures, hold the funnel and help add the tap water. In the steps that may be more difficult for little fingers, have them hold the bottle steady for you while you add the glitter.

 

Summer Fun Sun Glasses
The summer sun is bright and hot. Ease the glare with these cool shades made just for you! Fun to make for kids of all ages, easy to manipulate foam makes this a great summer project! picture

Age: 3 and up

This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
What you need

  • Foam sunglasses (found at craft stores)
  • Foam shapes for decorating
  • White craft glue

 
What you do

  1. Use foam letters, animals, flower shapes, or anything else you choose, to decorate your sunglasses.
  2. Glue foam shapes in place with white craft glue, or use foam shapes stickers.
  3. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

 

Helpful hints

  • Foam sunglasses can be purchased at craft stores such as Michael’s for around $1.00 and they come in a variety of vibrant, fun colors. They are also available in different shapes.
  • Foam shapes can be found in a multitude of different shapes, colors and sizes. Some are stickers with peel off backing, others are plain foam shapes that you glue on. You can also buy foam sheets and cut out your own shapes!
  • If you personalize your child’s items with their names, please use caution in public places. We do not recommend that children wear their names on their clothing or accessories outside of home or school for safety reasons.

Fancy Flip Flops
During warm weather months, your children live in their flip flops! Take an ordinary pair and jazz them up with fancy feathers or brightly colored buttons.

Age : 6 and up

This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
What you needpicture

  • Pair of flip flop sandals
  • Colorful feathers, an old feather boa, or various colored buttons
  • White craft glue


What you do 

Button flip-flops:

  • Using white craft glue, starting in the center of the flip-flop strap, attach buttons, one after another.
  • Allow the glue to dry for an hour or two before wearing.

Feather flip-flops:

  • Start at the bottom of one of the straps and glue feathers in place, one by one, working your way up toward the center. Repeat this process for the other strap, meeting in the center.
  • Fill in any gaps with excess feathers.
  • Feathers can be trimmed with scissors as you go, if needed.
  • Allow the glue to dry for an hour or two before wearing.

Helpful hints

  • Flip flops are available at any discount department more, drug store and even in craft stores. Flip flops in craft stores are generally about $2.00 per pair and come in a variety of colors.
  • Feathers in a multitude of colors are available in bags from any craft store. You can also find them at discount department stores but the selection is usually not as large.
  • We do not recommend hot glue for this project as it comes loose from the plastic too easily. White craft glue will hold better.

Ball Catchers
These are great for children that are too young to catch a small ball as they may have a better chance of catching them with these containers! The detergent bottle catchers worked as well for us as the ones you purchase in the store!

Parental supervision is recommended. Caution: The milk carton or soap container can be hard to cut, so have an adult or parent do it for you.

This project is rated AVERAGE to do. picture
What You Need
 
 

  • 2 Plastic milk cartons or laundry detergent bottles
  • Sharp scissors
  • Colored electrical tape or "Painters" paint markers
  • Ball to play with

 
How To Make It
 
 
  1. Wash and let dry the milk cartons well before starting. Note: It may be easier to cut the bottom off of the containers first.
  2. Use the sharp scissors to cut the milk carton or detergent bottle. First cut off the bottom, then cut a U shape under the handle. Make sure you don't cut into the handle so you can hold on the ball catch. (see photo)
  3. Use the colored electrical tape or "Painters" paint markers to decorate the milk cartons.
  4. Have fun playing catch and toss with these fun toys.

Can Stilts
This is a fun craft and activity I did as a child. Now my children are having fun with these can stilts.

Caution: You will need help from a parent or adult to punch the holes in the juice cans and cut the rope.

This project is rated AVERAGE to do. picture

What You Need

  • 2 large (about 64 ounce) juice cans (unopened)
  • Hand bottle/can opener (with the triangular end)
  • 2 long pieces of rope
  • Heavy duty scissors to cut the rope
  • Various colors of electrical tape or various colors of paint and paint brush
How To Make It
  1. Use the bottle/can opener to punch 2 holes in either side of one can towards the top. (see photo)
  2. Repeat with other juice can.
  3. Let the juice drain out of the cans (save it in a pitcher, container, etc.). Rinse out the cans with water and allow them to air dry.
  4. Cut 2 pieces of rope long enough to go through the holes in the can and up to your child's hands to hold on to.
  5. Thread each piece of rope through the holes in the cans.
  6. Tie the two ends of each piece of rope together. You should have a loop of rope going through each can that is long enough so your child can hold on the the rope as handles.
  7. Use the scissors to cut the different colors of electrical tape and decorate the cans. You can also use the paint to decorate them.

 

 

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