Summer Crafting: Beating Those Dog Days Of Summer The Crafty Way

Summer usually starts out with a bang – full of great plans and even greater intentions. But what’s a parent to do when the plans have been used up and the heat outside makes everyone want to spend whole afternoons in front of the TV? That’s the perfect time to get crafting! These easy-to-make crafts will have your children engaged and having fun and you breathing a sigh of relief.

1. Tie Dyed T-Shirts

Supplies: white t-shirts, rubber bands, fabric dye, rubber or plastic gloves, aluminum or plastic tub, paper towels, gallon-sized Ziploc bags

How to:

1. Twist a t-shirt, then wrap rubber bands tightly at various points along the t-shirt. (The areas under the rubber bands will remain white.)
2. Wearing gloves, place the t-shirt in the tub and squirt dye on the shirt, covering all areas.
3. Next, place the t-shirt in a Ziploc bag and let it rest for 24 hours.
4. Once the time is up, rinse the shirt in a sink until the water runs clear. Then, wash it by itself – or with other tie dyed shirts – in the washing machine. *Wash separately for the first two washes – it can then be washed with other laundry.

2. Paper Plate Frisbees

Supplies: paper plates, clear shipping tape, scissors, crayons or markers

How to:

1. Place two paper plates right side up and cover with shipping tape. Trim tape away from the edges.
2. Turn the plates upside down and decorate with crayons or markers.
3. Stack plates together so that the decorated sides are facing out and cut a circle out of the center of each plate.
4. Tape both plates together and tape over the entire decorated sides, tucking the extra tape into and under the center holes. *Do not tape the center of the plates together, just the sides – the center should stay elevated.
5. Go play!

3. DIY Sidewalk Paint

Supplies: cornstarch, water, food coloring, muffin tins, paint brushes

How to:

1. Put equal parts cornstarch and water into the wells of a muffin tin. Stir until smooth.
2. Add drops of food coloring to each well to make desired paint colors. Stir to incorporate.
3. Paint away on the sidewalk or driveway.
4. To clean, just use a hose. You may also need to scrub with a little soap and water.

   4. Bubble Blower

Supplies: dish soap, wash cloth, rubber band, empty water bottle, shallow container

How to:

1. Cut bottom off of the water bottle.
2. Place wash cloth on the bottom of the bottle and secure with a rubber band.
3. In a small, shallow container, place ½ cup water with ¼ cup dish soap and stir.
4. Dip the wash cloth end of the bottle into the mixture and allow the excess to drip off.
5. Blow into the drinking end of the bottle and watch the bubble magic begin!

5. Water Bottle Fire Flies

Supplies: water bottle, colored tissue paper, construction paper, modge podge, google eyes or Sharpie, pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, glow sticks

How to:

1. Using the modge podge, paste a thin layer of colored tissue paper around the middle of the water bottle.
2. If desired, use construction paper to make wings and hot glue them to the top of the water bottle (if bottle is lying length-wise on the crafting surface).
3. Twist pipe cleaners around the middle of the bottle to make the fire fly’s legs.
4. Hot glue google eyes to the water bottle cap or draw them on with a Sharpie.
5. Activate glow sticks and place into water bottle, re-securing the top.
6. Go into a dark room or outside at night to watch your firefly glow.

What are your favorite crafts for summertime?