Fun craft activities to keep the kids entertained this summer

Summer

 

Keeping the children entertained in the summer holidays can be a full-time occupation and one that will leave you trying to think of new and fun ways to keep them busy without breaking the bank. In this article, we take you through 5 fun craft activities that you can try with your kids this summer. So let’s get started and tell you what you’ll need to enjoy these craft activities.

1. Decoupage
Transform an old shoebox into a treasure chest or a metal biscuit tin into a bank with the help of decoupage. Wallpaper, stamps, photos, magazine cuttings and wrapping paper are just some of the materials that can be used as decoupage material. The idea is to cut pieces of material out and stick them to your item of choice before finishing with a clear glue coating on top to protect and seal your work. Embellishments such as ribbons, buttons, rhinestones, glitter and charms can all be added with a final clear coat of glue.

Tins

2. Make some slime
We’re yet to meet a child who doesn’t adore slime so this one should go down well with children of all ages. There are many recipes on the internet for homemade slime but most feature ingredients that are hard to come by in the UK. So here are the ingredients you’ll need: PVA glue, bicarbonate of soda, contact lens solution that contains boric acid, gel food colouring and glitter.

Method: To make your slime add 1 cup of PVA glue into a large clean bowl and mix in 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Next, add your food colouring – a couple of drops should be enough, and add in your glitter if using it and mix well until combined. Finally, add 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution and use an old wooden spoon to mix together until it becomes stringy, continue stirring until it no longer sticks to the bowl and then finish off by kneading with your hands.

3. Soap making
Not only will soap making keep your kids entertained but it will also make bath time that little bit more enjoyable as they’ll want to use the soap that they made. Young children will need some adult help to make their own soap but older kids will be able to do this on their own. Things you’ll need: plastic soap moulds – cups also work, vegetable cooking spray, pure glycerine soap, microwave safe measuring jug, assorted soap dye colours, essential oils, small plastic toys or trinkets.

Making the soap is simple and involves spraying the inside of the mould with vegetable oil, melting the soap in the microwave and adding a couple of drops of your soap dye and essential oils before pouring into the mould. Toys can be embedded in the middle by pouring the soap in 2 stages and placing the toy on the first layer of soap prior to pouring the second half. Soap making is a fun activity for kids of all ages.

soap

4. Tin can skittles
Hands up who remembers tin can skittles from their childhood? Not only will tin can skittles bring back nostalgic memories but it also provides a great and fun way for you to pass on this fun game to your children. What’s more, you can eek out the time by decorating your own skittles using nothing more than empty food tin cans, we’d recommend using the ring pull variety as these have a smooth internal edge.

To make the skittles you’ll need 9 empty and clean food tins that have had their labels removed. You can decorate the tin cans with any standard paint such as emulsion or use chalk paint to create cans that you can write on. For those who don’t want to use paint the tin cans could be wrapped in wallpaper or wrapping paper for speed. Just line up and use a soft ball to knock them down for a game that your kids will love.

5. Tie-dye a shirt
Have some fun on a warm summer’s day by making some tie-dye shirts and hanging them out on the line to dry. This is a great activity for groups of older kids as they can have fun with their friends creating something that they can keep and that is completely unique. It’s not just older kids who will love tie-dye as the whole family can get involved.

Method: Make sure that the kids are wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting dye on. Mix the fabric dye in a large stainless-steel container and add a cup of salt to help enhance the colour. Tie rubber bands around different sections of your plain white t-shirt to create your patterns. Soak the t-shirt in hot water and then wring out any excess water prior to dipping in the dye bath. For multiple colour patterns hold each section in the different dye colours for between 10 – 20 minutes. Remove t-shirt from the dye and rinse with warm and then cooler water until the water runs clear, make sure you wear gloves so your hands don’t get dyed. Once rinsed just hang out on the line and admire your handiwork.


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