MAKE IT CUTE

Outdoor decor

Surprise the parents with some bright and cheery homemade decorations. Take the kids around the backyard or neighborhood on a scavenger hunt for rocks of all sizes. When you’ve found a few, take them back to the house and wash off the dirt. Then, let the kids paint whatever designs, colors, and words on the rocks. When they’ve dried off, stick them outside the front door for the parents to ooh and ahh over as soon as they walk in!

Pinned by Meghan Tyler

Make your own playdough

Why buy playdough when you can make it yourself? Just mix 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of water, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, 1/4 cup of salt, and 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook over low-medium heat and stir it constantly. Once it begins to thicken, add in a few drops of food coloring. Leave the dough to cool off on wax paper or a plate, and then you’re free to make all the playdough cookies or people that you want. For extra fun, make a few colors and store them in airtight containers to use again another day.

Pinned by Julia Bruese

Tie-dye with Sharpies

Ask the parents for a couple old white pillows or pillowcases and spruce them up with Sharpies. Use as many colors as you want and go all out with your drawings. When your masterpieces are complete, pour some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray your artwork. Make sure you wait for them to dry before you rest your heads on them or your newest designs will be stuck on your face.

Pinned by Anyssa Gunderbutt

Fruit stamping

Get fruity with your arts and crafts using the fruit of your choice. Take some apples, oranges, pears, or whatever you want out of the fridge and cut them in half. Then take any colored paint, dip the fruits in, and stamp away on any fabric, paper, or board. This will make for a very unique (and healthy!) pattern.

Pinned by Heather Chandler

Homemade bubble trouble

Blow up the backyard this summer with these DIY bubbles. It’s super easy and all the ingredients can be found in your kitchen. All you need is 2 cups of water, ½ cup of liquid dish soap, 1/8 cup of corn syrup, and a large mixing container. Pour all the ingredients into the container and shake it up. Wait a few minutes so the bubbles to settle, and then fill the backyard with as many bubbles as you can!

Pinned by Sharon Sumner 

Ready, set, race!

Recycle those toilet paper rolls and make your own racecars for you and the kids to race. First, lay the rolls down on their sides and cut out a small square on the top middle for your driver to sit in. Then paint your rolls however you’d like- get creative! When you’re done, cut out small wheels from a piece of cardboard box and paint them black. Take the wheels and attach them to the sides of the rolls using brad pins, put your driver in the seat, and you’re ready to roll!

Pinned by Jessica Vigil