Start your family band by crafting some awesome homemade instruments. Most of these are super easy to make, and kids will have a blast banging on a tin can drum, shaking DIY maracas, and making some tunes. Looking for other creative projects for kids? Check out our collection of crafts for toddlers, classic paper crafts for kids, and things kids can make with toilet paper rolls.
Why Are Homemade Instruments Important?
Making and playing homemade instruments allows kids to use not only their artistic creativity but their musical creativity as well. In addition, according to the Ethnomusicology Review, “When fully engaged in musical invention, children can develop their naturally imaginative and participatory approach to learning.”
A rain stick makes the prettiest sound, and it’s very easy to make one at home with a few simple items. We love the tutorial for this found over at Kid Made Modern.
Cardboard Guitar
Perfect for toddlers who aren't ready for the real thing, we love this cardboard guitar spotted over at Pink Stripey Socks. You can paint it in any design, too!
Kids can twist and twirl these homemade hand drums to their heart's content! Find the tutorial over at Minted.
Bongo, Shaker, Güiro All in One
Mama. Papa. Bubba
This fun little instrument is really three in one! Kids will enjoy shaking it or playing it as a drum and it's super easy to make. Get the tutorial over at Mama.Papa.Bubba.
This adorable nature-themed tambourine-like DIY instrument is the perfect addition to a May Day celebration or even just a day outside. Easy to make, you can find the tutorial from Buggy and Buddy.
If you've got a serious hankering for DIY projects, this adorable xylophone kids can play along to "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music fits the bill. From Lovely Indeed, you'll need to make a trek to the home-improvement store for all the materials, but the chic design and good sound quality mean you'll want to keep it out instead of stashing it away somewhere. Be sure to check out all the other adorable projects over at the Sound of Music Crafting Corner.
This super cute and colorful homemade instrument is as much fun to make as it is to play. Get the scoop on how to do it yourself over at And Next Comes L.
Paper Plate Tambourine
Gabby Cullen
This little DIY instrument packs a jingle and it's a great use for paper plates left over from a birthday party. If you have the plain white ones, even better, though because then your little maestro gets to decorate her own. Get the complete step-by-step here.
It's one of the world's oldest instruments, and your kids can make their colorful version in one afternoon. The secret to making it look real? Earth-toned paint colors. You can find the entire tutorial over at KiwiCo.
For an outside-the-box take on a homemade instrument, you’ve got to try this “chicken in a cup” from All for the Boys. It’s super easy to put together using household items, and kids will get a kick out of the squeaky sound it makes.
If you've got a cereal box and a couple of rubber bands lying around, you've got a guitar! Made by Joel has the super simple how-to. Older babies and toddlers can help you decorate the cereal box with stickers or washi tape, then get to strumming. No cereal box? Rubber bands stretched around a loaf pan will produce a similar effect.
Keep it simple (but still super fun) with this sweet DIY instrument idea from Red Ted Art. Kids can paint the “drums” however they want, and then they’ll have a blast discovering the different sounds they can make with kitchen utensils.
Banging on a pot with a wooden spoon is practically a rite of passage in babyhood. Why not take it a step further and construct an outdoor music wall for your kids like this one from PreK + K Sharing? Scour your house for any seldom-used odds and ends that make a fun sound (or hit up your favorite thrift store), then use a hammer and nails to secure a section of fencing.
Easter Egg Maracas
iStock
Shake to the sound of rice with these easy-peasy maracas. All you need is rice, plastic spoons, easter eggs, and tape! Best part? These shakers have been tried and tested by lifestyle blogger and mom of three, Katelyn Fagan of What’s Up Fagans, and they are certified to play at a decent volume without being too annoying.
Explore sound and science with Buggy and Buddy’s homemade kazoo. With simple materials that you’re bound to have at home, this kazoo is perfect for vocal tots who love to spend their days humming and singing. What a fun homemade instrument!
Did you know empty containers hold a secret melody? All you need are some rubber bands, a shoebox, and split pins; then your quick-fingered tot can get their twang on. For the key to perfect, magical sound, check out the tutorial over at Minieco.
With a little more time and effort, your wooden mandolin is set to last much longer than your musician’s first gig. Hello Bee has an awesome tutorial on making a mandolin that’s worthy of being part of a kid-sized Philharmonic.
Strum up a tune with bobby pins. This experiment and discovery project by Pi'ikea Street explores how different sounds can become just by changing one object.
Ring in a merry afternoon with these bell shakers. This tutorial from craft blog Hello Bee requires some drilling, but the modern look and long-lasting build are worth it. Now your littlest can join the family band with just a wriggle of the wrist!
We love these sensory bin shakers because they'll extend sensory play time. It's also easy for your kids to make on their own. Head over to Fun-a-Day to see how to make your own.
with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton, Amber Guetebier, and Gabby Cullen
Looking for science experiments for kids? Thanks to common household ingredients, some ingenuity, and our guide, these at-home science experiments for kids make any day exciting. To help you prepare, we’ve rated each experiment from one to five sponges so you know the messiness factor ahead of time. If you’re looking for seasonal projects, check out these water-themed science experiments. Or how about a few science projects for kids that are perfect for the backyard?
TIP: Did you know there are a ton of awesome science kits and subscription boxes that will further develop your child’s love of science? KiwiCrate is one of our favorite ed-tech companies, as they offer seriously fun & enriching science & art projects, for kids 0 months up to 13+.
When these nails and copper wires collide, heat is generated (psst ... heat is a result of expended energy, so you can explain to your little runner why he feels warmer after a race around the house). But with some potato magic, the properties of the nail and copper stay separated, allowing the heat to become the electric energy needed to power up your devices. Build your own potato battery with this tutorial from Wiki How .
Messiness factor: One sponge
Make a Baking Soda & Vinegar "Steam" Powered Boat
Melissa Heckscher
A lesson in: Chemical reactions
Sure, anyone can do the old baking soda and vinegar volcano, but what about creating a boat that is propelled by this classic chemical reaction? Keep your little Einsteins busy this afternoon with this cool science project for kids that doesn't require a lot of prep.
Can you make water float? We bet you can. No, you don’t need to be a wizard or a witch. You don’t need to cast a spell. There’s nothing magic about it at all, in fact. You can make water float using science. The “trick” to this experiment is air pressure. Get everything you need and the how-to, right here, thanks to Mike Adamick and his book, Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments.
This germ-growing science project for kids will help them understand how even the cleanest-looking surfaces (and hands) can be filled with germs, is one of the easiest science experiments for kids we've found. Get the fun and yucky instructions at Kids Activity Blog.
This futuristic science experiment will leave your kids wanting to know more about chemistry. Quench her thirst for knowledge when you create an edible membrane around teaspoons of water to make these handy water “bottles.” The tutorial is in video form over at Inhabitat. Trust us, it’s as cool as it looks!
This grow-your-own experiment lets you grow crystals inside an eggshell. Be sure to get alum powder that contains potassium, or else you won’t get any crystal growth. Adding drops of food dye to the growing solution yields some super cool crystals. A perfectly formed geode takes about 12-15 hours to grow, making this a great weekend project. Get the tutorial for this science experiment for kids at Art and Soul.
You’ve probably seen the label that says “fortified with iron” on your cereal box, but how much iron is actually in your cereal? Is there enough to cause a magnetic reaction? This super easy experiment doesn’t require too many fancy ingredients (cereal + magnet) which means you and the kiddos can try it right away. The results may surprise you! Get the how-to at Rookie Parenting and get started!
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
Learn About Shooting Stars
Kate Loweth
A lesson in: Astronomy
With this fun video from They Might Be Giants, kids can learn that shooting stars are not stars, they're meteorites. Then, take it out back for a fun backyard stargazing session. We love this science experiment you can do at home!
Using only marshmallows and dry spaghetti noodles, kids can experiment with structure, stability, and weight distribution. Get the instructions from Kesler Science by clicking here.
Messiness factor: 1 sponge
Paper Airplane Science
Melissa Heckscher
A lesson in: Aerodynamics
By making various paper airplanes, your scientists can test the drag of each plane, which will have an effect on how far they fly. Get more info on this science project for kids here.
Messiness factor: 1 sponge
Walk on Eggs
Shelley Massey
A lesson in: Weight distribution
How can you walk on eggs without breaking them? Steve Spengler shows us how and teaches an awesome lesson on how an egg’s unique shape gives it tremendous strength, despite its seeming fragility. Check out this easy science experiment for kids to get started.
Messiness factor: 1-3 sponges, depending on the state of the eggs in the end!
Fill a shallow dish with milk, drop food coloring, and make sure the drops don't touch. Then, dip a cotton swab in dish soap and place it in the middle of the dish. The colors will begin to swirl and seem as though they are moving on their own! Explain to your kids that the soap reduces surface tension and makes the fat molecules in the milk move. Click here for more science experiments that use food coloring.
Messiness Factor: 2 sponges
Professor Egghead's Lesson about Light
A Lesson in: Light
Learn all about the sun and what it gives humans (think energy and warmth!) You'll also do an experiment to learn about different kinds of light, even ultraviolet rays. Get the video from Professor Egghead here.
Messiness factor: 1 sponge
Cup Amplifier
Storey Publishing
A lesson in: Sound
Slide a mobile phone into this low-tech amplifier and the result will be music to your ears. The audio is deeper, richer, and louder, thanks to the science of sound waves and the natural amplification created by the cone-shaped cups. If the two cups look a bit like the attentive ears of a cat or fox, that’s no coincidence. Animal ears use the same science, but in reverse: they help creatures hear by gathering sound waves and directing them into the ear. For engineers, that’s a design worth copying.
Customize your amplifier to fit any size phone!
Tabs cut all around the hold make it easy to glue the cardboard tube in place.
Cut a slot with a flap to support your phone.
What’s Going On The Cup Amplifier focuses and projects sound waves, in the same way that a cheerleader’s megaphone (or even just your cupped hands) amplifies your voice. Once sound waves are created, they want to spread out in all directions. The amplifier directs them from your phone’s speakers into the cardboard cups, where, instead of scattering, they are gathered and channeled in one direction—out the openings.
A great way to get rid of extra candy, this easy science experiment for kids uses Skittles and whatever liquids you want to use. The idea is, the candy is made of ingredients that dissolve, so kids get a chance to guess which liquid will make the Skittles dissolve the fastest. Get more info over at Little Bins for Little Hands.
An easy science experiment to do at home is one that helps kids find out what affects the surface tension of water! You'll need basic materials like a penny and a water dropper, and be sure to make a hypothesis before you start. You might be surprised! Get the tutorial from Rookie Parenting.
This simple experiment requires a trip to the hardware store, but putting it all together is a cinch. Once you've completed the system, have your kids pick up different-sized rocks and make a note about how difficult it is. Then, try with the pulley. Is it easier or is it harder? To find out how to make your pulley, and for other questions to ask your kids, head over to Little Bins for Little Hands.
Messiness Factor: One sponge
Make a Volcano Explode
iStock
A Lesson in: Chemical reactions
There's a reason why this science experiment is so popular. When the solid baking soda (sodium bicarbonate—a base) mixes with the liquid vinegar (acetic acid—a weak acid), it creates a gas—carbon dioxide! Besides the chemical reaction, kids enjoy making the actual volcano, whether it's out of clay, mud, or foam sheets. Get a great step-by-step tutorial from The Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experimentsby clicking here.
Messiness Factor: Four sponges
Bake Hygroscopic Cookies
Allison Sutcliffe
A Lesson in: Hygroscopy.
This simple science experiment is best when you check in on it the next morning. Bake up a batch of cookies, then place them in an airtight container with a piece of fresh bread. Watch as the cookies stay straight-from-the-oven soft thanks to the moisture of the bread (The sugar in the cookies is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water molecules out of the bread). The best part? Getting to eat the cookies!
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
The Juice-Tasting Challenge
iStock
A lesson in: Taste buds and olfactory senses.
Tummy’s rumbling–it’s time to eat! Did you know that you “eat” with your nose and eyes as well as your mouth? It’s true. Put your family’s sense of smell and sight to the test with this juice-guessing game.
How to: 1. Stack a piece of tape on the bottom of each glass and number them one to four, making sure your partner can’t see the numbers. Pour one type of juice into each glass.
2. Send your partner out of the room. Drip a different food coloring into each juice and stir so your partner can’t recognize the juice by its color alone. Record the number, juice type, and color in each glass on a piece of paper.
3. Call your partner back. Tell her to hold her nose, sip from each glass, and guess the juice If she’s like most people, she’ll be kind of confused–her eyes and tongue give her two conflicting flavor messages.
4. Ask her to unplug her nose, close her eyes, and sniff the juice before drinking it. Her guesses should be on target now. All hail the mighty schnoz!
Dyes are fiber reactive, so there's a chemical reaction between the dye and the fabric. You can do this experiment with everything from paper to t-shirts. We've got a great list of tie-dye projects here.
Unravel the mysteries of time. Or at least figure out the basics by setting up a sundial outside. Take time each hour to check the sun’s positioning and make note of it so your sidekick can see the bigger picture.
Dry ice is already cool enough on its own, but it takes science to turn them into bubbles. When you add water, it changes the temperature of the dry ice, causing the ice to go from solid to gas. That’s where the fog and bubbles come from! Head to Simply Modern Mom to get the full tutorial. But be careful: Dry ice can cause serious skin burns, so make sure your kids are well-supervised and know not to touch the ice.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
Invisible Licorice
From Candy Experiments 2 by Loralee Leavitt/Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.
A lesson in: Light and perspective.
Did the candy melt or disappear? Your sweetums might think it’s magic, but it’s really all about how oil redirects light, causing half the candy to disappear! Click here for the instructions on how to recreate this mind-warping experiment.
Your whistler has the basics of air pressure down just by using their mouth to blow. And now you can amaze them with this science experiment for kids. There is a little fire play involved (dropping a lit paper into the bottle), but that’s what causes the unbalanced air pressure, which pushes the egg into the bottle. Want to test it out? Head over to Steve Spangler Science for the tutorial.
If your snacker has noticed how their apples have turned brown after being left out for too long, then they’ve seen oxidization in action (loss of electrons and nutrients when in contact with oxygen). Fortunately, lemon juice only oxidizes when in contact with heat. This method works with baking soda and milk too. Click here to find out how to write secret messages with your little spy.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
Kid-Safe Lava Lamps
iStock
A lesson in: Density and intermolecular polarity.
These sound like big words for our little ones, but there’s an easier way to break it down. Water and oil won’t mix because they’re not the same “weight” or substance (just like clay and LEGOs won’t become one). Now add a drop of food coloring (which is heavier than oil) and a fizzy tablet and watch the air bubbles take coloring with them to the top. Head on over to S. L. Smith’s blog to see how it’s done.
Be careful: The water only has the power to make the sugar crystals “invisible” when it’s piping hot. After the water cools down and evaporates, the sugar turns back into a solid. And with a little help of your sugar-soaked string, the crystals will find a home to grow upon and become rock candy. Learn how to make your smart sweets with these instructions from the Exploratorium.
Harness the power of the sun to make your favorite campfire treat! With just a few common household items you can create an eco-friendly oven just for melting marshmallows and chocolate, plus you can teach kids about the power of the sun. Click here to learn how.
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
Homemade Slime
Melissa Heckscher
A lesson in: Polymers.
Is it a liquid or solid? The answer is both! This DIY slime—made from glue, borax, and water—is also known as a polymer (molecules that can stick close together to be a solid or spread apart and take liquid form). And it’s all thanks to borax, which acts as a binder to prevent the glue from going completely liquid. Check out Explorable’s recipe for mixing the ingredients. Prolong the life of your goo by keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge. And, if you need help with cleanup, check out our guide for how to get slime out of clothes, couches, and hair.
Plain old fresh-squeezed lemonade is so last year. Boost the fun quotient and learn a simple science concept simultaneously when you recreate this edible Fizzy Lemonade drink from Learn With Play at Home. It’s super easy to mix and little sippers report it’s pretty tickly too. A great alternative to the baking soda-vinegar volcano, it shows kids what happens when an acid and base are mixed together.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
Whirlpool in a Bottle
iStock
A lesson in: physics, weather science.
This easy little experiment doesn't take much: just two empty and clear 2-liter bottles, a metal washer, water and duct tape. Food coloring is optional. Fill one bottle with about two-thirds water. Place the washer on the bottle and line up the empty bottle on top of the water-filled one. Wrap the duct tape around the middle securing the two bottles together. Then, turn the bottles upside down. Does the water go straight down or do you see a mini whirlpool (Swirl the top or bottom a bit for a better effect.)? The spinning water is called a vortex, and all tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons are examples of air vortexes. Since you’re using water, this is an example of a whirlpool. As the water spins faster, it pushes to the outside of the bottle creating a hole in the middle. The air from the bottom of the bottle comes up the middle and the water from the top flows back down through the hole.
You’ve probably tried a salt crystal growing kit at some point in your life (5th grade Science Fair perhaps?) but Schooling a Monkey takes the idea to a new level with these Salt Crystal Feathers. This awe-inspiring project is deceptively simple and inexpensive to achieve, and requires just a wee bit of patience to see the results—kids will love checking in on the progress.
A lesson in: Chemistry, pressure, and release of pressure
This experiment is one you'll definitely want to do outside. Step it up with this Mentos + soda experiment: head to Steve Spangler for all the need-to-know details on this engaging experiment.
Messiness factor: Three (very epic) sponges
Melting Rates
Shelly Massey
A lesson in: Solar science and absorption
Different colors have different heat-absorbing capacities. Black has the greatest heat-absorbing capacity, which results in ice melting quicker than white, which reflects the most light. Learn how to observe and report on which colors affect ice’s melting rates here on Curiodyssey. Get more sidewalk science ideas here.
A lesson in: Chemistry and the exothermic process <<<impress your kids!
If you’ve ever wondered how elephants keep their tusks clean, we’ve got the answer. They use elephant toothpaste! Find out how to mix your own and figure out the science behind this dynamic exothermic (heat-releasing) reaction from Fun at Home With Kids. Our favorite part? That you get to throw in some sensory playtime after the action’s over.
Messiness factor: Three sponges. Maybe four.
Bending Water with a Comb
Amber Guetebier
A lesson in: Electrical currents and static electricity
This static electricity science experiment couldn't be any easier. In fact, other than a balloon or going down the slide, it might be the easiest way to teach kids about electrical currents. And, you can impress them with your wizarding skills once before you reveal the science behind it. Click here to get the step-by-step.
Insert a little plant science into the mix by re-growing food from scraps. Think onions, potatoes, and lettuce for this one (psst… green onions are a super easy, fast option). Get the low down on all that recycled goodness at Mrs. Happy Homemaker. Since plants need water and sunlight to grow, exposing scrap roots to that winning combo helps them recharge.
It happens to the Statue of Liberty and it happens to the change in your pocket! Create your own home lab with just a few household ingredients (this experiment will literally cost you just pennies). It’s also a chemical reaction with very non-toxic ingredients, so it’s safe and fascinating even for young kids. Click over to Buggy and Buddy to get the simple how-to.
Like the popular baking soda and vinegar experiments, this film canister rocket literally takes it to the next level by using that creation of gas and energy to jet off into the sky. If your explorer has seen videos of mountain tops getting blown off during a volcanic eruption, this science project is pretty much any space lover’s version. Get the building instructions over at The Science Kiddo.
Can you and the kiddos solve the mysterious case of the disappearing eggshell? Following the simple how-to at Go Science Kids, you’ll learn the step-by-step and talking points about the process along the way. Warning! Although it’s totally non-toxic, toddler-aged kids will be tempted to squeeze the egg at the end so make sure it’s a supervised experiment. Visit Go Science Kids to get cracking!
Children living in snow-covered cities might witness their neighbors salting the driveway. Well, while that is definitely not for fun, this experiment is. Salt lowers the freezing point of ice so it melts, but it won’t be able to freeze unless it’s cold enough. See how The Science Kiddo made a clever game with this knowledge.
Let your imagineers pretend shaving cream is a cloud that holds colorful raindrops. As they squeeze more and more food coloring, their “cloud” will soon release the excess below—just like how real clouds get too heavy and let the rain loose on a gloomy day. Learn how to re-create this weather experiment here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
Dyed Plants
Mike Adamick for Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments
A lesson in: Capillary action.
Find out how plants “drink” water with some food coloring. Use carnations, roses, or stalks of celery submerged in the colored water and watch the liquid slowly seep through the plant’s “veins” and towards the leaves. Keep an eye out -- you could have a very colorful bouquet just after the first day. Get the rundown by Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments over here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
Dancing Oobleck
iStock
A lesson in: Sound waves.
The word “oobleck” comes from a Dr. Seuss story where a young boy must rescue his kingdom from a sticky substance. But the neat part of this experiment is how oobleck reacts to vibrations. Put the oobleck over a subwoofer (on top of a cookie sheet!) and watch it dance to different frequencies. Your dancer will see how sound isn’t just about volume! Check out more of this awesome experiment from Tammy of Housing a Forest.
A lesson in: Static electricity. (Or weather science.)
Lightning is essentially electrons moving uber fast between the sky and the earth—and with a few simple materials, you can use homemade static electricity (the reason behind your hair sticking up when you rub a balloon or go through a tunnel slide super fast) for DIY lightning. Figure out how to recreate a family-friendly version of this spark by visiting the activity blog Learn Play Imagine.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
Make a Bug Vacuum
Excerpted from Mason Jar Science (c) by Jonathan Adolph, photography (c) by Carl Tremblay, used with permission from Storey Publishing.
A Lesson in: Entomology
Scientists capture bugs for study using a mouth-powered vacuum, called an aspirator or a pooter. Kids can make their own version from a mason jar, then use it to gather ants (or other small insects) and observe them in action.
How to: 1. Open the milk carton along the seams and flatten it out. Use the inner lid of the mason jar as a template to trace a circle on the carton. Cut out the circle and punch two holes in the center about an inch apart.
2. Carefully slide the short ends of the bendy straws into the holes. Tape a piece of gauze pad around the end of one straw to prevent any bugs from getting sucked up.
3 Set the lid on the jar and fasten it in place with the ring.
4. To use your pooter, place the tip of the straw without the gauze near a bug. Put your mouth on the straw with the gauze, and gently suck in. The bug should travel up the straw and land unharmed at the bottom of the jar.
Take It Further Capture some ants in your bug vacuum, then use a magnifying glass to observe these remarkable insects up close. Open the jar and feed them a few drops of sugary water or corn syrup, or try giving them some birdseed. Ants live in colonies headed by a queen ant, and they can’t last long on their own. When you are done observing them, release your ants where you found them. (Note: Some ants bite, so be careful handling them.)
Tell Me More Ants were the Earth’s first farmers. For millions of years, certain species have been creating underground gardens where they grow their favorite fungus for food. They tend to their crops, bringing them water and even weeding out other fungi they don’t want.
Teach kids the importance of smell with this activity that asks them to use only their noses to identify objects. Can they sniff out the fish oil over the garlic cloves? The lemon juice over the orange oil? Homeschooling blogger Ana has the instructions at Babble Dabble Do.
Teaching children chemistry can become a fun, at-home activity as a weekend afternoon project or as part of their remote learning curriculum. One of the best experiments you can do is the mixing activity. With this exercise, children will learn the difference between soluble and insoluble substances. Do not worry! You can do it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Ingredients
Water
Oil (cooking oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
Food Coloring
Table Salt
Sand
Transparent containers with a lid or transparent cups with a spoon to mix
Experiment
Before you begin the activity, ask the children what each ingredient is—whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas—and what they think will happen when you begin mixing them. This guarantees a hands-on experiment that will allow the children to feel they are in control.
Mix the water and the sand. Children will notice there is a separation between both ingredients and that layers have formed, so it is an insoluble reaction.
Mix the water and the food coloring. Children will see them combine—the water turning into that color—and know it is a soluble reaction.
Mix the water and the table salt. The salt will disappear in the water, making it another soluble reaction.
Mix the water and the oil. This time, a clear layer will be formed, showing another insoluble reaction.
After these mixing activities, you can further this experiment by letting the children find other ingredients to mix with water and have them determine if that substance is soluble or insoluble. The main goal is to show them different reactions and layers.
For a clear example of this experiment, check out this video.
Messiness factor: 2 sponges
Experiment courtesy of Dr. Stephanie Ryan. See more fun about science over at letslearnaboutscience.com
From Christmas ornaments to pillowcases, here are some homemade holiday gifts that are easy to create with kids
Get ready to get gifting! And no, you don’t need to brave the crowd-packed mall just to buy the perfect presents for your extended fam. Instead, your creative kiddos can cook, craft, and more. These homemade holiday gifts include cute keepsakes, holiday-themed treats, and imaginative art perfect for surprising your nearest and dearest.
Upcycle your child's old toy trucks and turn them into these awesome auto-inspired ornaments from Mama Papa Bubba. This eco-friendly craft is a gift your friends and family will cherish for years to come.
Hot chocolate goes glam with this at-home spa-like skincare gift. Sweeten almost anyone's beauty routine with this make-your-own chocolate sugar face scrub. Learn how to whip up a batch from Mini Monets & Mommies.
What's a better gift than Christmas cookies? A Christmas cookie cake bar! This holiday treat is sweetness at its sugary best. Get the step-by-step how-to from Bitz & Giggles.
Give family and friends a sweet paper craft to adorn their holiday tree! These paper poinsettias are fun to create and even better to give as a heartfelt gift. Learn how to make these ornaments from Mini Monets and Mommies.
A teacup garden is an awesome DIY Christmas gift because it a) brings a bit of greenery to any space, b) is easy to make, and c) is oh-so-cute! You and the kiddos may even be able to craft your own with things you have on hand. For full instructions, visit Fireflies + Mud Pies.
Your littles can get crafty and create this photo gingerbread ornament. Sculpt, paint, and add a cute portrait to this holiday-themed gift. Get the how-to from Mini Monets and Mommies.
We love how these truffles (courtesy of The View from Great Island) look like pretty little ornaments ready to go on a tree. These sweet treats are surprisingly easy to make—if you have kitchen-savvy kiddos, they can help roll and decorate!
We have just the thing for the Star Wars fan in your life! These sweet little planters are a fun way to add the Force to any garden, desk, or windowsill. Get the full instructions at Lemon Lime Adventures.
It's hard to resist peppermint bark around the holidays, and this reindeer version is sure to go down in history as a truly tasty gift. It's Always Autumn even has "quick and dirty" tips for melting chocolate the easy way. Box up your bark, and you'll be all set for any gift exchange!
A literary playdough kit? Um, genius! This idea from Mama Papa Bubba is perfect for inventive bookworms, curious kiddos, and anyone who likes to tinker! It's inspired by the classic Little Blue Truck, though we bet any book could serve as inspiration.
When the weather outside is frightful, give the gift of an at-home spa day! These pepperminty bath salts are simple to make and a perfect present for loved ones who could use some R&R. Get the instructions over at Boulder Locavore.
This gift idea from A Subtle Revelry is perfect for your little Picasso. It involves printing off cherished family photos (you've been meaning to do that anyway, right?) and letting your littles get their coloring on. We guarantee friends and family alike will love the personalized result.
Psst! Did you know that you can make personalized candles for cheap—and it's easy enough that kids can do it on their own? It's Always Autumn has everything you need to know to make these great gifts, so start gathering your fave photos now.
The best way to guarantee sweet dreams this holiday season is with this sweet homemade pillowcase. All you need to make this keepsake is fabric markers, a pillowcase, and a creative kid. Get the full (easy) instructions over at Mama.Papa.Bubba.
Not only is this the cutest herd of reindeer we've ever seen, but it's also an absolutely brilliant last-minute gift! If you have pipe cleaners, you're halfway there. Low on googly eyes? Use paint or stickers instead! Learn more at Life of a Modern Mom.
Who knew that duct tape makes a great fashion accessory? This craft from Clumsy Crafter is so simple, even a preschooler can help—but it's fun enough for big kids, too. Perfect for all the fashionistas in your life!
Now this is what we call a graphic tee. It's a simple toddler art project (courtesy of Small + Friendly) that yields a totally cool gift that any loved one would be stoked to wear. You only need three materials (nothing fancy) and artistic kiddos.
This Christmas present really rocks. Have your kiddos paint rock portraits for each member of the family and gift them as worry stones, paperweights, good luck charms, or simply works of art. Get the how-to (and a free printable!) over at Mer Mag.
Give your loved ones some greenery to tide them over until spring! It's easy with this idea from Bit Square. And we love how this eco-friendly craft involves repurposing an egg carton!
Bam! Pow! Your little caped crusader will go bananas for this superhero build-a-fort kit from Megan + Andy. It's incredibly creative and uses simple materials like a sheet, glow sticks, and a flashlight.
Making this delicious and delightful gift from Post Punk Kitchen is as easy as funneling the ingredients for a batch of homemade cookies into a glass jar. For an extra personal touch, send a faraway friend or family member their favorite deconstructed cookie recipe!
These adorable thumbprint ornaments from Little Bit Funky can get even the tiniest hands (or thumbs!) involved in the DIY gift-making process. They're super easy to make, and you can even make them in bulk for everyone on your list! Bonus: it's a great keepsake for years to come.
Mugs really are everyone’s cup of tea, especially design-savvy monogram mugs. These classic cups are easy to pull off if you follow the DIY tutorial from Design Mom. (She scored her inexpensive white mugs at a Goodwill shop, making these gifts thrifty and eco-friendly too.) Recipients will think of you with every sip!
Earl Grey or green all the way? Tea connoisseurs will love this clever idea from Dollar Store Crafts and you can easily personalize it with their favorite flavors and alternate the teabags with notes and kid-made art. You can even have your youngster color the clothespins.
This cinnamon vanilla body scrub is easy to whip up and is even edible. It also smells like the holidays, so it's an extra festive treat for loved ones. Try making a large batch and giving this out to anyone you know who could use a little pampering. Get the how-to at Food Renegade.
We love the idea of giving personalized gifts that are useful, like this painted serving ware. These spoons could be a great host gift if your family is booked up with holiday parties. Get your kiddos involved and make the stems of these utensils as colorful as they want! Learn more at Infarrantly Creative.
This gift looks as good as it tastes! Include all the trimmings for making a killer ice cream sundae, including the waffle cone, chocolate sauce, and of course, sprinkles. Find out how to make your own incredible, edible kit from Jan Scott over at Savvy Mom.
Easy Reindeer Hot Cocoa Gift
Forever Freckled
This adorable gift idea is easy to make and who doesn't love hot chocolate? Courtesy of Forever Freckled, you can see what you need to get started by clicking here.
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Shopping for kids can be a struggle, especially when you’re trying to be creative and avoid the toy aisle for birthdays and other special occasions. But what if they could get something new and fun every month? That’s where a subscription box or service comes in. From celebrating women who’ve helped change our world to learning their way around the kitchen and exploring new worlds, scroll down to see our favorite subscription services for kids for any time of year.
Alltruists
Alltruists' subscription box isn't just an activity, it's a carefully curated program of at-home volunteer and giving projects. Using creativity and play, each eco-friendly box helps kids understand social and environmental topics and comes with conversation guides for parents, a donation experience, projects and empathy-building activities. Boxes include important topics like homelessness, clean water, bees and hunger.
We love this kit because it combines science with cooking! Each adventure kit is filled with a recipe, pre-measured dry ingredients and 2-3 STEAM-based projects that are all theme related. Uncover a new adventure and learning experience every time! In the Galaxy Donuts kit, you'll learn about the constellations and how to calculate the weight of planets.
Lovevery’s new Toddler Play Kits are an expansion of its highly praised subscription box service. Previously available for infants ages 0-12 months, Toddler Play Kits are designed for a child's second year of life. Expertly designed to foster brain development and help advance cognitive development, each Toddler Play Kit includes science-backed, sustainably produced play products and activities toddlers want and require for brain development, at exactly the right time. For parents, the Play Kits include need-to-know guidance in the form of The Play Guides—mini books that walk parents through the "how tos” of making the most of play time with their children, backed by all the research parents often don’t have the time to read. Unlike Baby Play Kits, which are shipped every other month, Toddler Play Kits ship every three months with fuller boxes.
Deliver some holiday cheer with a gift box from YearCheer! This fun subscription box offers holiday decorations and more that come right to your door. Targeted for kids ages 4-10, YearCheer's Halloween box came packed with fun like a haunted village to build and set up on your table, spider garland, spooky sounds noisemaker and more. There was even a ghost-shaped cookie cutter and instructions on how to create a boo box for your friends. Tying it all together was a favorite Halloween book, Room on the Broom. Available in single-month and longer subscriptions as well as non-recurring giftable options.
If your tween is obsessed with everything Claire's, this is the gift for them. Choose a one-time or monthly subscription and they'll get surprise glam delivered right to their door.
We Craft Box is an award-winning monthly kids craft kit for kids ages 3-9. With a themed story, 4-5 coordinating crafts, easy-to-follow photo directions, and all materials sent right to your door, the box can be shared between two children. You'll especially love the themed holiday boxes!
Get your three favorite Dr. Seuss™ & His Friends books for just $3, delivered right to your door. From The Cat in the Hat to P.D. Eastman's classic Are You My Mother? Dr. Seuss™ & His Friends offers sturdy, hardcover books they'll read again and again. Start out by building your welcome package of the first three books. After that, you'll get three books shipped to your door, each month. You’re in control: you can pause, skip, change shipping frequency or cancel anytime. You can even preview your three books online and add or replace books before they ship!
We love this subscription box for kids ages 5-9 and know you will too! You'll get a new science kit every month to learn about scientific topics like pressure, immiscible liquids, strength and jet propulsion. Download the AR app to get even more in-depth info on your project. Cancel your subscription at any time.
Want your kiddos to experience the ultimate joy of reading? The Just Right Reader subscription box combines entertainment and education in the perfect way. Kids will receive books specifically selected for them alongside items like superhero outfits, funny glasses, necklaces, laser reading pointers, reading finger buddies, stamps, stickers and more to get them amped up to read.
Little fashionistas will love Rowan's earring subscription box. Every month, littles will get a pair of nickel-free, hypoallergenic earrings designed in Brooklyn, NY with your choice of Gold Vermeil or Sterling Silver. In addition, every month your box comes with a thought-provoking mindfulness card to inspire conversation and a surprise accessory. You can also choose to upgrade your first box and snag a signature Rowan accessories bundle which includes an acrylic earring stand, satin travel pouch, journal, pen and a surprise extra pair of earrings while supplies last.
The brainchild of Bay Area Children's Theater Company, Play On! is an audio musical adventure kit for kids. There are two different boxes: Discover (0-5) and Adventure (5-10), and the boxes make it easier for BACT to share their award-winning programming with kids all over the U.S. during COVID and beyond. Every month, kids get everything they need to bring the magic of theater to their own homes; the most unique aspect is the audio elements that can be unlocked once the box arrives. Kids can use the materials to perform again and again. Opt for a single kit or a monthly subscription.
Cost: $40 for a single box, $120 for a year's subscription.
For the kiddos who love to lounge in the tub, this monthly subscription is a great gift idea. Each box contains goodies like waterproof books, bath bombs, activities, bath crayons and more. It's basically a bath party in a box!
What started as a family book club focused on literature about or from African countries has grown into a monthly book box that focuses on globally diverse books and learning materials for kids. Founder Bunmi Emenanjo says "Studies have shown that kids who are exposed to diverse cultures cultivate a global awareness that makes them more empathetic and compassionate. I firmly believe that such exposure leads them to not just accept cultures different from their own, but to celebrate them!"
There are four levels for different readers ranging from picture books to young adult novels. In addition to the books, subscribers will also get fact cards, a postcard, a culturally relevant souvenir and more. You can even purchase some of the previous month's boxes if they are available.
After she saw how travel (especially international) helps parents to empower their kids with cultural awareness, founder Dr. Zabina Bhasin—child psychiatrist and mom of two—came up with the idea for InKidZ. Focused on countries like Turkey, Guatemala or Australia, each box has been carefully curated by Bhasin and a few parent ambassadors (thing puzzles, jewelry, activity sheets, stickers, crayons and more), and each one strives to educate kids about various global cultures in a thought-provoking way. The “In the Know” cards are especially fun. Similar to trivia cards, they’re great for the car or family dinners. Topics range from how to speak in Turkish to knowing milestones made by iconic Black Americans.
Cost:Choose between bi-monthly ($49 for one kid, $59 for siblings) or annual ($270 for one kid, $300 for siblings, six boxes a year).
Founded by a Black CEO and father of six who sought to create nonfiction books covering topics that his kids were ready to discuss, A Kids Book About Box includes best-selling and popular titles like A Kids Book About Gratitude, A Kids Book About Racism, A Kids Book About Empathy, and A Kids Book About Belonging. Other books touch on subjects like bullying, creativity, disabilities, voting and more. Even better, A Kids Book About celebrates diverse authors who write stories influenced by their own experiences, which gives readers access to all kinds of voices.
Cost: Starting at $20/book, and monthly subscriptions start at $17
Baketivity boxes are sure to put a smile on your little baker's face! Each themed box comes with pre-measured ingredients, kid-friendly instructions, colorful lessons and games to play while your treats bake and a shopping list if you need to add anything extra. All the included ingredients are vacuum-packed fresh, and when you sign up for a subscription, your kiddo will get a Baketivity hat and apron! The newest kit is the limited-edition Positivity Cookie Kit Project, which aims to encourage conversations about diversity and equality, and there are tons of other baking kits, like whoopie pies, pull-apart cupcakes, muffins, cinnamon buns, cookies, cake pops and bagels. You can buy a one-time kit or subscribe to receive one on a monthly basis.
From the creative genius of Sago Mini comes the new Sago Mini Box subscription, a kit that creates hands-on experiences for kids ages 3-5. Every month, subscribers will receive a new box that encourages open-ended play and make and play activities that are easy to assemble. In addition to the box and three themed activities, kids will receive a letter from a Sago Mini character! Sago keeps sustainability at the forefront, with all paper materials constructed from recycled content or sourced from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC Certified).
Cost: $19 per month, or $15 per month when you subscribe annually
GIRLS CAN! CRATE is a new subscription box that celebrates the lives of women who've changed our world. From Bessie Coleman and Dr. Irene Uchida to Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Madam CJ Walker and Dorothea Lange, GIRLS CAN! CRATE celebrates the lives and stories of diverse women across race, profession and the world so that every girl who picks up a crate will see something of herself reflected in her GIRLS CAN! experience. Choose between two monthly offerings: the original GIRLS CAN! CRATE which includes a 20-page activity book, two or three STEAM activities, a collectible button, tote bag and tips for grown-ups related to the month's featured lady's trait; or the mini-mailer which is a smaller version of the original GIRLS CAN! CRATE. All aspects of the GIRLS CAN! experience, from start to finish, are curated by its all-female owned and operated company.
Cost: Crate subscriptions start at $35 per month. Mini-mailers start at $18.50 per month.
Little Global Citizens is a subscription box that looks to take children (ages 4-10) on a new adventure around the world every other month, focusing on the culture and the people of a new country. Each box brings to life a new country through carefully curated books, cultural activities in the form of games, puzzles and quizzes, interactive crafts, language and recipes for a themed dinner party night. The brand uses their Montessori Educator to curate each box. The founder of LGC, Akeelah Kuraishi, says that the ultimate mission of Little Global Citizen is to foster open-mindedness, compassion and global awareness.
Cost: $40 for a bi-monthly subscription; $50 if you want to add an additional set of craft and activity materials for a sibling.
Kids who love cooking and STEM learning will love this new subscription box from America’s Test Kitchen Kids. The Young Chefs’ Club box is jam-packed with kid-tested, kid-approved recipes, science experiments, creative items (think: DIY board games, tortilla warmers, special sprinkles) and more. Designed to inspire a new generation of empowered cooks, engaged eaters and curious experimenters, each box contains recipes that have been tested by over 5,000 kids in the US and received at least an 80% approval rating. Each month, kids will receive a box based on a theme, ranging from specific ingredients such as cheese or bread, to cooking techniques like cake decorating, to scientific subjects centered around texture or molecular gastronomy. The projects range from 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on the child's age and ability, and grocery lists are emailed before the boxes arrive. The Young Chefs Club is designed for kids ages 5 & up.
Good to know: Members get access to America’s Test Kitchen Kids' extensive digital library of recipes, experiments, videos, fun food trivia and more.
Cost: Starting at $20 per month for a 12-month subscription.
KiwiCo, a parent fave for STEM, STEAM, science and art subscription kits for kids, recently launched its Panda Crate line designed specifically for babies and toddlers. Made in partnership with researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital, KiwiCo ensures that all the products and information delivered in its crates are perfectly suited for a child’s developing brain. Plus, a portion of every Panda Crate purchase is donated toward child development research. Designed to grow with baby's development, the Panda Line crates are broken up into five separate age bands–delivering an age and stage-appropriate crate every other month as baby grows over two years. Each crate in the subscription line is billed and delivered every three months, and you can easily adjust the timing or cancel anytime.
Cost: Starts at $15.50 per month for two year’s worth of Panda Crates (12 shipments).
Based on the world-renowned 0-3 Montessori curriculum, Monti Kids provides the only at-home Montessori toy program for babies and toddlers ranging in age from birth to 36 months. The subscription-based program was founded with the mission of helping parents support their babies during the most critical years of development. With a Monti Kids subscription, Montessori toy curriculum is delivered every three months with exactly the right learning materials needed at each developmental stage. Each Monti Kids box also includes guides for parents which consist of short videos and articles on how to introduce and use the materials with their baby–also great for caregivers and grandparents! Choose from eight different levels.
Good to know: Before your toys arrive, you’ll have access to the Monti Kids Learning Center, packed with instructional videos, research and tips.
You know and love Raddish because it takes the guesswork and stress out of teaching kids to cook. It also provides a bonding, interactive and tasty adventure for families to share. Each month features a new exciting theme, from "Edible Experiments" to "Ticket to Japan." Kits include a set of three laminated and illustrated recipe cards with easy-to-follow instructions and tips to develop safe and smart kitchen techniques. Kids also receive a kitchen tool, craft, experiment or foodie game, monthly collectibles in the form of Table Talk conversation starter cards and a colorful apron patch. And now, your preschooler can get in on the action, with the Cook + Play Kit. Kids can mix, mash and stir as they whip up 123 Blueberry Muffins, ABC Chips and Guac and Rainbow Pasta Salad while learning the alphabet, counting, colors, measuring and even setting the table.
Good to know: Raddish includes a digital and printed grocery checklist, but does not include the actual food. Raddish also has an expansive library of free content from bonus recipes to activities and playlists and offers dietary modifications for all recipes.
Izzy & Liv Brown Sugar Box for Little Girls & Tween Girls
Lifestyle brand Izzy & Liv recently launched a version of their Brown Sugar Box for kids and teens. Both the Kids Box (for ages 4-8) and Tweens Box (for ages 9-14) are similar to the adult boxes where even though the items will be a mystery until opened, everything included will equal a retail value of at least $100. The boxes are designed with African American girls in mind, with culturally inspired items featured in every box. You'll get at least one Izzy & Liv shirt and other sweet things made with the brown sugar girl in mind. Little girls might get school supplies, hair accessories and books, while tweens can expect to get beauty products, lunch totes and even pillow covers.
Cost: If you sign up now, you'll lock in a special $45 (plus shipping) quarterly rate. It'll go to $55 (plus shipping) soon.
Mail Order Mysteries are a tech-free creative experience that unfolds through a series of six weekly installments. The letters are personalized to kids from the characters in the stories. There are spies, pirates, knights, librarians, detectives, dragons and trolls, and when these characters ask for help with a top-secret mission, the kids become key characters themselves. One of their latest mysterious launches is the Case of the Missing Bigfoot, perfect for ages 9 & up, and is a classic whodunit set in an old mansion before a big dinner is about to begin. The lights go out, and when they come back on, the safe is open and empty. Uh oh. This box comes with everything to help solve the crime, including crime scene photos, suspect cards, notebooks, suspect board, interview transcripts and more.
Cost: $87 for a six-week subscription containing five letter mail envelopes and a final package.
Style knows no age, so why not encourage their love of fashion with Stitch Fix’s personal styling service for kids? Stitch Fix has recently been reinventing the shopping experience for adults as well as expanding. They now offer sizes 2T-14 for kids! Parents can easily manage their kids' profile, and they can work together to create a style profile and set up their delivery. Each Stitch Fix Kid box contains 8-12 pieces of clothing, shoes or accessories, which range in price from $10-$35. A stylist handpicks items based on the style profile. The best part? There’s no pressure to keep anything, and no subscription is required. Simply order Fixes when you like or schedule automatic deliveries. Easy-peasy!
Cost: $20 styling fee that is later applied toward anything purchased.
Kids have busy lives these days between school, sports, play dates and activities, but one important lesson they all need to learn is that kindness is key. KyndKits are a way to pair volunteering with the convenience of home delivery. KyndKits is a subscription box filled with new, customizable volunteer activities and acts of kindness delivered to your child’s door each month. These opportunities can range from making cards for Veterans to building care kits for the homeless. The projects support a variety of causes and include everything needed for a meaningful volunteer experience. KyndKit subscriptions are handled online, making sign up and subscription management easy. Packages range from single, one-person kits to large-group kits.
Cost: $19 for one project per month. Up to four KyndKits projects can be ordered per month.
So many toys, so little time. Imagine being able to borrow and return new toys, just like books at the library. Well, that’s what mom Christie Jacobs thought when she’d had enough with her kids playing on the iPads too much. With limited space, she didn’t want to keep buying new toys. Instead, she created ToyLibrary, a service that provides unlimited access to over 500 educational toys. "ToyLibrary lets you borrow and play with the newest toys, curated and selected by child development experts so parents always get the best toy for their child,” Jacobs said. "Parents enjoy an uncluttered house, great value and the convenience of free shipping straight to their door." Kids can play with the toys for a month, three months or 12 months, and then just return them in the pre-paid mailer.
Cost: $30 a month for two toys; $20 a month for six toys for three months; $12.50 a month for 24 toys for 12 months.
Little Feminist book club, which aims to teach kids about gender equality diversity and empathy, now has three age ranges (0-3, 3-7 and 7-9) for their popular book subscription service. Every month, one or two books are carefully hand-selected by a team of educators, librarians and parents, who then create discussion questions and a DIY activity to accompany them.
Let’s be honest: going to the beach with the kids isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Between making sure we have all the gear we need, packing food and applying sunscreen, there isn’t much time to enjoy the scenery. But we’ve gathered up a bunch of game-changing beach hacks that will make your seaside trip a breeze. Keep reading to get the scoop.
We know your little beach bums can’t get enough of making sandcastles, digging for seashells and burying their friends alive, but what happens when the day is over? How do you clean off all of these tiny specs of sand? This almost magical mitt will do the trick. Not only are they practical, but they work under sunblock, so you don't have to worry that your little ones will need to re-apply every time they clean off.
Sunburn Soothers
iStock
Sunburns are one of the few things parents don’t enjoy about frolicking in the sand and surf, so when it does happen, soothing the fiery feeling is priority number one. If you’re looking for a more creative way to help kids with sunburns, try making a batch of super cool aloe vera ice cubes like the ones we spotted over at The Chic Site. The cooling effect of the ice, along with the classic healing properties of the aloe vera will bring immediate relief to the most painful of sunburns.
After an afternoon of playing in the sand, cool off with this refreshing spray from Wellness Mama. With soothing ingredients like aloe vera, witch hazel and essential oils, it’s great for post-sun recovery. Get the details by clicking here.
Keep everything you need close at hand with this genius idea from Making It with Danielle. All you’ll need is an oversized towel and basic sewing skills, and you’ll have a pocketed beach blanket in no time. To get the full instructions, click here.
A visit to the beach isn’t complete without a picnic! To go with your watermelon, whip up a batch of sandwiches inspired by Easy Peasy Pleasy. The recipe uses Hawaiian sweet rolls (and the packaging), making it easy to make enough for your whole crew. Click here to see how they’re made.
Make Sunscreen Fun
iStock
Getting the kids on board with applying sunscreen every couple of hours can be tough, so why not make it into a game? Apply it in dots all over their body, and let them play “connect the dots” as you rub it in. Hop over to Simply Stacie for more smart sunscreen hacks.
If someone in your crew ends up with a sunburn, try this home remedy to help relieve the pain. Just combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area. This is also a great addition to baby's after-beach bath, to help sooth insect bites and burns.
Take a cue from Smart Schoolhouse and use a clean plastic jar to keep your valuables safe and dry. You won’t have to worry about digging through your bag for your keys or dropping your cell phone in the sand.
Forgot to buy sand toys? No worries. Check your kitchen (or the rental's kitchen) and art supply bin and gather things that'll be perfect for building. We love the items that Jill of Sandy Toes & Popsicles added to her homemade sandcastle kit: measuring cups, paintbrushes and more. See everything in her kit here.
Once you’ve lathered your kid up, stash the sunscreen in the cooler, where it will be nice and cool for the next application. You'll lower your kids' body temperature and keep them sun-safe at the same time. Grown-ups will enjoy this welcome chill, too!
Keeping home base free of grit while at the beach can be a challenge, so if you want to create a large, clean space for your kiddos, try Team Johnson’s idea. Bring an old sheet, and using a cooler, beach bags or even an umbrella, stretch out the corners, and you’ll have a pretty sweet pad.
The challenge is to keep sand and water off of your phone but still be able to use it. The solution? A humble Ziploc or similar zipping sandwich bag. Seriously, this works (although you do have to take it out to get a cute photo or two).
Heading surfside means toting the gear your kids will need for sand castle construction, burying siblings, making beach art and other fun games, but when it’s time to pack up and ship out, the bottom of your bag looks like the beach came along for the ride. Not anymore, thanks to The Idea Room's sweet hack. Putting all of the toys in a mesh laundry basket gives dried sand an escape route, and there are major bonus points for being big enough to pack your kiddo’s entire supply of beach toys.
Use a Chip Can for Valueables
iStock
Use an empty Pringles to stash your keys and some cash for ice cream (Bonus! You get to eat all the Pringles first!). Other upcycling ideas include: stashing a $20 in a lip balm container: watch this video for an easy how-to, or roll your cash and keys into a diaper—very few people will willingly pick up a "dirty" diaper.
A long day at the beach means your little one will need a comfy place to nap. Before you have visions of dragging a pack ‘n’ play over the dunes, consider digging a hole. Yes, just dig a shallow, wide hole, lay down a towel and after a little rocking, place your baby down. Be sure to angle your umbrella just right to ensure your ki has a shady spot for her snooze-fest.
Days at the beach can get pretty windy. There’s a simple way to keep the family supply of towels from blowing in the breeze; grab a few plastic bags (quart size should work) and, while setting up camp, fill the bags with sand, then seal and set on the corners of the towels and blankets. Your little plot will stay secure, and the days of flinging sand on your crew and your neighbors will be over.
Freeze a few plastic water bottles and put them in the cooler. They’ll last longer than ice and when they defrost you can drink them. Bonus: you can roll the icy cold bottle on your neck to cool down. Just remember to recycle them after you’re done: studies show freezing and refreezing disposable plastic water bottles can cause a chemical breakdown that could contaminate the water. And don’t try this trick with metal bottles because they can burst when the water expands.
All kiddies want to wade in the surf, but taking a dip in the ocean isn’t always the safest choice. Here's one idea for letting your toddlers have fun in the water; bring a small blow up raft, fill it with water, their favorite toys and presto! Baby beachcombers get to splash around as much as they want, and you get to keep a close eye on them.
If you are determined to keep your drinks from spilling into the sand this summer, try making a few of these nifty cup holders we spotted over at The Homes I Have Made. Ideal for keeping cups and bottles clean and positioned at the perfect height, you’ll need a few simple materials including a large soup can, fabric, glue, and a threaded rod. Sail over to The Homes I Have Made for the tutorial.
Calling all budding engineers, wannabe conductors, and little ones who dream of riding the rails! We’ve got a roundup of railway-inspired crafts that are sure to make train-time extra fun. From a candy bar train to a totally Thomas costume, scroll through the amazing projects below to create your own creative (and budget-friendly) cars.
1. The Railway that Rocks For a project that’s a little bit locomotive and little bit rock and roll, look no further than this idea from Sam at Thrive 360 Living. It combines trains, art, a lesson on colors, and you won’t need any fancy materials. Check out more of Sam’s amazing ideas on her Instagram, and get this rocking how-to over at Thrive 360 Living.
2. A Fingerprint Freighter
This fingerprint freight train gets extra points for being equal parts messy and fun. Throw in a lesson on colors and painted smoke made with a cotton ball, and you’ve got the recipe for a creative and train-centric afternoon. For more info and inspiration, head over to the Simply Learning Instagram page.
3. The Train That’s Full of Pasta-bilities Get ready to noodle around with a truly creative train craft from The Chocolate Muffin Tree. The kiddos will get a kick out of using food as building materials and they can go crazy with their constructions: trains, planes, automobiles, or any other moving machine that strikes a chord. Get inspired over at The Chocolate Muffin Tree.
4. A Totally Sweet Ride
Ready to give your kiddo’s favorite people mover an edible twist? Cupcakes & Cutlery has you covered with this candy bar train. It’s super simple to make and excellent for dessert decorations. If you sample a few of your construction pieces, so be it. Get the sweet scoop at Cupcakes & Cutlery.
5. The Thomas-Inspired Train
Want to pay tribute to everyone’s favorite tank engine? All you need to create your own artsy Thomas the Tank Engine is a few simple materials: toilet paper rolls, paper, glue, paint, and a heaping handful of glitter. It’s the perfect project for an afternoon of crafty fun. Learn more over at KPL Kids’ Corner.
6. The Circus Setup
No big top experience is complete without a train ride. This darling creation from Merrilee of Mer Mag is all kinds of bright and cheery, and even has a recycled twist—it’s made out of tea boxes! Get your little helpers involved in deciding which animals should go where and you’ll have a wild time, indeed. Grab the easy tutorial over to Mer Mag.
7. The Coffee Cap Choo-Choo Train
We’ll bet this adorable red engine will inspire you to think of your recycle bin as just another arts and crafts supply box. With a coffee cap light leading the way and egg carton cars, this homemade toy is a great way to turn your clutter into playtime fun. For the easy how-to, head for Bon Bon Break.
8. A Sponge-y Express
Got a train-obsessed toddler, preschooler, or kindergartner on your hands? This sponge-painting activity is perfect for the younger set who are learning about colors. The prepwork is minimal and the main materials (kitchen sponges and paint) are easy enough to find. Get the easy how-to over at Buggy and Buddy.
9. An Egg-cellent Train
The next time you serve up omelets for breakfast, be sure to save your egg cartons because The Craft Train has just the upcycled use for them. With the help of a few other basic supplies like paint and paper, those cartons can be transformed into an awesome engine. Don’t forget to paint and decorate before sending it down the tracks! Find out more over at The Craft Train.
10. The Tissue Box Train
Thanks to Mary Kathleen of Discovering Breadcrumbs for showing us tissue boxes can turn into boxcars with just a few easy steps! Not only is this a great reason to recycle, it’s also just waiting for a few stuffed animal passengers. You can even take a cue from Mary Kathleen and add in a lesson on the ABCs. Get the 411 at Discovering Breadcrumbs.
11. The It-Fits-Perfectly Train
How do you take train playtime to a whole new level? Let your little conductor actually be a train, with his very own homemade Thomas costume. The actual how-to has more instructions than your average train craft but the playtime payoff is worth the effort. To find out how to make one of your own, make tracks over to Little Red Window.
Our favorite LA museums may currently be closed, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t still experience a little of what they have to offer at home. With free live stream videos, fun DIY projects and interactive maps, places like the Petersen Automotive Museum, California Science Center and more are offering ways to make learning fun (and little easier on you). Read on for the details.
Biology class may be on hold, but kids can still experiment with melting ice cubes (while learning how mammals stay warm in frigid waters), build their own mini zipline (and get a lesson in gravity and friction), and more. The California Science Center's Stuck at Home Science currently has more than 50 free videos and activity guides for families to download.
Get a lesson in marine biology, ocean conservation and more with the Aquarium of the Pacific, which offers on-demand videos and activities for all ages, plus a schedule of interactive live programs with the aquarium's educators. Older kids (grades 6-12) can learn about coral reefs, the science of scuba diving and the anatomy of a squid; while younger ones can meet baby sea creatures, play "eye spy" in the fish tank and practice their ABC's under the sea. See a schedule of upcoming live programs here; and find past videos on the aquarium's YouTube channel.
Field Trip Alert: While the rest of the places featured in this story are closed, the outdoor exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific are open, with safety guidelines in place. Get all the details here.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Getty at Home
For kids ages 6-12, enjoy learning about art—from art history, to artists, to artmaking—through Getty videos and lessons, available on Khan Academy and the Getty blog. Listen to stories for kids while looking at art Featuring the voices of animals, monsters, angels, demons, and kids.
Follow Skirball Cultural Center on Instagram to get all their family-friendly art projects, complete with material lists, alternative ways to complete the activity and photos of the finished product. Developed by Skirball's family art educators, these fun crafts (like creature collages, pictured, and nature mobiles) are intended to be completed with simple materials found outdoors or around the house.
Kids can create their own masterpieces inspired by artists from the Broad's collection with the museum's new art activity tutorials for families. (Find the tutorials on The Broad's social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.) What better way to expose little ones to the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and more?
Visit the Norton Simon Museum to discover their art projects and coloring sheets. A couple of our favorites for younger kids? Pattern Play, using recycled materials, and Pop-Up Summer, which you can modify and create with scrap paper—one of our go-to materials for kids crafts. (Get more scrap paper ideas here.)
You can bring the museum's collections home to you with complete lesson plans, virtual tours, activities and how-to's for NHMLA exhibits Becoming Los Angeles (about the history of our city) and the Dinosaur Hall. Get all the details here.
The blog from the California African American Museum, 600State, is a robust resource for Black history, family art projects inspired by Black culture and the museum's exhibits, and playlists curated by artists and museum staff. Follow CAAM on Instagram, too, for regular "on this day" events in #BlackHistory.
Kidspace's K-Blog is full of fun at-home experiments and activities, including pretend play like The Floor Is Lava and Walk on the Wild Side. Check them out for a fun way to get kids moving and learning.
Sheltering inside is a great time to encourage everyone in your family to fire up those creative juices from the comforts of your own home. All the paints and crayons in the world can only last so long, however, without someone else guiding the activities or suggesting easy-to-do projects (not it!). So check out these LA-based art studios that are offering online opportunities to help your pint-size Picassos turn screen time into dream time.
Calling itself a "process art" studio (meaning it's all about the making and doing, not the finished product), a virtual art class from Meri Cherry is perfect to do at home. The owner places a large emphasis on using whatever materials you might be able to find laying around your house (so it's a green light on saving those pieces of styrofoam and egg cartons!). Check out their virtual videos you can purchase for a small fee that take your little ones on super fun adventures in art such as constructing small magical worlds or making squeal-worthy sensory boxes. These programs feature a list of all the art supplies needed for that particular activity, an intro to the Meri Cherry art teacher leading the video, and walkthroughs of the project making it easy for everyone to follow! New videos for purchase are released each week so be sure to stay tuned to their social media pages for updated episodes! Looking for a more cost-effective option? Follow Meri Cherry on Instagram for daily art project ideas you can do quickly at home with whatever you have on hand!
The folks at the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation know how important is is to stay inspired and create during this time and are offering free family art workshops via Zoom every Sunday through the end of May. Here families, adults, and children are welcome to join the interactive classroom environment from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. where that Sunday's activity will be repeated by the featured artist every 1/2 hour. The whole family can follow along guided project instruction with materials that can be conveniently accessed from home so be sure to check their Instagram page each week to get an idea of what's needed for the next activity. Did we mention this is free? Visit barnsdallpark to access the Zoom meeting.
For more free art activity options, check out Skirball's Family Art Project ideas on their Instagram page. Each week they post a new project complete with material lists, alternative ways to complete the activity and photos of the finished product. Developed by Skirball's family art educators, these fun experiences like shadow puppets or nature mobiles are intended to be completed with simple materials found in or around the home. So far the activities have been slightly more skewed towards older adventurers or those who might not need as much supervision with their fine motor skills but keep checking each week for new art inspirations everyone can do together!
Another cultural museum powerhouse is stepping up to the "shelter-at-home" plate with their Family-Art-Center-At-Home offerings! Create artworks at home inspired by artists from the Broad's collection with their new weekly art activity tutorials for families, which will be released every Friday morning on their social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube). Now you and your tiny crafters can get your artistic inspiration directly from a pretty spectacular source all without spending a dime!
These days ordering food to be delivered is more important than ever, but what about ordering up some plates to paint? Color Me Mine has that covered with their To Go Kits where they basically bring the pottery projects to you. For just the price of the item(s) you choose, you also get to pick 6 paint colors for each piece you purchase and receive free contactless delivery within a 10-mile radius from participating locations ($1.25/mile round trip beyond 10 miles). Use your own brushes at home or they can throw in a pack for an additional $5. When your darling decorators have finished their ceramic masterpieces, drop it off in a designated space outside the studio for Color Me Mine employees to fire in company kilns. Not wanting to spend the money on painting pottery? Then head to their website and print out free coloring sheets at any time!
This adorable Eagle Rock art space may be temporarily closed, but they are offering weekly drawing club subscriptions for any aspiring artists who want to keep up with inspirational art ideas. After signing up (one week at a time), you will receive a drawing curriculum for the week that kiddos can do at their leisure. With that curriculum will come a list of recommended art materials, one warm-up exercise, two still life or self-portrait projects, and one imagination drawing project. These activities will be different each week and are great for families to do together or for crafty kids to do on their own.
This cheerful North Hollywood art studio's website currently has plenty of helpful links to remote activities and resources for the whole family to use while hunkering down at home. Coming soon, however, Cr8Space will be offering up their very own CR8 Kits for purchase which will have all the materials your young ones need to get started on inspiring art projects in the comforts of their own space! There will be a few different packages to choose from so stay tuned to their Instagram page for more information. As if this weren't enough, Cr8Space will also begin offering online private art lessons for your artists-in-training hosted by ZOOM and led by their staff artists. These lessons can be customized to what your mini Monets are specifically interested in creating, whether it be a guided-painting lesson a step-by-step demo on how to build their own stuffed animals or even hosting a virtual birthday party!
Parents have little time, but they always have plenty of responsibility. As a parent, it’s up to you to stimulate the curiosity of your child. By leveraging online resources, even a busy parent can find the time to promote your child’s cognitive development and provide them with skills that will come in handy for the rest of their lives.
Preparing Kids for the World We Live In
In today’s world of connectivity and digital citizenship, parents continue to play an integral role in the education of children. It seems that each generation is more technically savvy than the next. Because of this, educators increasingly recognize the importance of staying in front of the tech teaching curve.
It’s essential that parents are part of their children’s digital life to ensure their safety. Today, kids spent a lot of time online learning and playing. At the same time, open access to information and entertainment is a gateway to the outside world. Parents must know how to keep kids safe in a world where physical barriers aren’t necessarily enough to protect their children from the outside world.
Getting a Leg up on the Future
Programming is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the world. Many people may think of website development when they hear the word “coding.” However, coding, or computer programming, is necessary for much more than webpages.
In the future, labor demand will shift significantly toward technical skills. In anticipation of that shift, you can make sure your kids are ready for the new work environment by taking advantage of convenient online learning resources. Udemy, for instance, offers coding courses for kids. There are beginning courses as well as courses that kids can take to learn languages such as HTML, CSS or Python.
Tapping Into Kids’ Creativity
Even in an increasingly technological world, it’s important to nurture children’s creativity. You can encourage your child’s self-expression by giving them straightforward instructions on how to create crafts using simple materials.
Not all kids are into technology, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use technology to encourage their creativity. For instance, Udemy offers plenty of beginner art courses for kids. The Udemy learning platform features afterschool drawing lessons and other art activities.
Simple art courses that teach kids how to draw can help to build confidence. If your child enjoys the beginning courses, there also advanced classes where kids can learn how to work with various mediums such as watercolors.
Helping Kids Learn the Basics of Business
Often, there are signs that a child will grow up to become an entrepreneur. It’s usually the kid that sets up a lemonade stand or washes cars for spending money that ends up starting a business later in life. And even if your child doesn’t exhibit the entrepreneurial spirit, you can teach them valuable financial lessons with an allowance. Rather than merely giving them spending money for good behavior, use their allowance to teach them lessons, such as how to earn and how to budget.
For budding entrepreneurs—or parents who want to instill the skill in their children—there are also kid entrepreneurship courses online. Young business learners can start with basic concepts, like learning the qualities of an entrepreneur and how businesspeople come up with ideas. There are also story-based lessons that teach kids how to survive in business. After kids learn the basics of entrepreneurship, they can move on to advanced lessons about business, such as marketing strategy, pricing, and business structure.
When parents take an interest in their children’s academic performance, kids exhibit better learning outcomes. By engaging your child in learning outside of the classroom, you’ll help them develop an attitude that will help them succeed in school, work and life.
Sarah Daren has been a consultant for startups in industries including health and wellness, wearable technology, and education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life, including her position as a yoga instructor and raising her children. Sarah enjoys watching baseball and reading on the beach.
The Brothers Grimm don’t hold a candle to your kiddo’s imagination, but their stories are perfect for feeding the creative fire. Fighting dragons, hanging out in castles, finding houses made of candy–how could classic fairy tale characters not cast a magic spell? (It’s okay to admit it still happens to you, too.) Scroll down to discover what projects we declare to be worthy of your fantasy-loving little folk.
1. Little Red Riding Hood
You’d think a shoe box would be a good fit for the Little Old Lady (how does she squeeze in all those kids?) but Anna, creativity guru at The Imagination Tree had other ideas. She used hers to craft a Little Red Riding Hood story box by adding foam stickers, paint and paper. Coolest part to this project? Your kids could recreate almost any fairy tale world of their choosing. For more details on how to get started, skip over to The Imagination Tree.
2. Princess and the Frog
You’ll find it hard to resist giving your little frog a big smacker after he whips up an amphibian inspired paper plate hat. The hardest part about this project could be adorning the fly to the extending tongue. Gather up your paper plates, paint, elastic and pens and jump the pond over to My Little 3 and Me for instructions.
3. Jack and the Beanstalk
There might not be any magic involved but the kids will still enjoy crafting a “giant” beanstalk. We love this version from Fantastic Fun and Learning, not only do you get flex those artistic muscles, but the kids can be bean counters too. Simple materials include pipe cleaners, cotton balls, paper plate and lima beans. Be sure to look for the free castle print-out provided over at Fantastic Fun and Learning.
4. The Three Little Pigs
Slightly less messy than using real straw, sticks and bricks, this easy project from Red Ted Art invites hours of huffing and puffing play. Start with those ever-so-handy TP rolls, add paint, googly eyes and go! The houses themselves are a fabulous way to introduce your crafters to the art of Origami. Find your way over to Red Ted Art for the tutorial.
5. Thumbelina
Teeny tiny houses for teeny tiny people? Yes, there’s something so fascinating about building fairy houses–your littles will adore setting up lodging for make-believe characters like Thumbelina and her fairy prince. We love the house created with popsicle sticks, buttons, stones and real greenery over at Musings From a Stay At Home Mom–her version is a perfect indoor activity(save it to put outdoors in warmer weather!)
6. Sleeping Beauty
It’s quite possibly one of the best fairy tales of all time (she gets to sleep, a lot!) and it’ll be easy for your little Prince Charming to battle his way to the castle after crafting his own shield using recycled materials, including cardboard, paper and tin foil. Green Kid Crafts throws down an awesome step-by-step tutorial.
7. Aladdin
We all wish we could cruise the globe on our very own magic carpet. In lieu of finding your own Cave of Wonders, consider crafting a mini-version instead. Bright bits of yarn, construction paper and glue combined with little imaginations– it’s all you’ll need to complete this project. Fly over to Elementary Art Room for more ideas.
8. The Little Mermaid
Ariel would flip over these mermaid necklaces we found over at Mama.Papa.Bubba. Craft creator Jen Kossowan provides the how-to and the list of supplies–including sea shells, glass gems, hemp string and glitter (the more the better!)–your kids will provide the creative muscle.
9. Rapunzel
Your Tangled enthusiasts will love adorning Rapunzel’s tower with flowers, and we bet a little pint-sized Pasqual wouldn’t be out of place! Grab cardstock, tissue paper (or yarn!) for her hair, markers and color paper for constructing the tower and head over to Learn and Grow Designs for the tutorial. All that’s left is to call out “ Rapunzel, let down your hair!”
10. Hansel and Gretel
Wandering off in the woods, finding a house made of candy, making a narrow escape from being toasted up for tea? Of all the fairy tales(ahem, lessons) around, parents, this one might stick! Play out the entire story with quick-and-easy(read: printable) stick puppets waiting to be colored. Kimberley, designer over at Learn Create Love provides readers with a link to designs for several of her puppet sets, and can we say how much we are loving the homemade puppet theatre,too? Pop on over to Learn, Create, Love for the printables.