Crafty Boredom Busters

When children are stuck inside all day long, they can become agitated, frustrated and bored. Beat the boredom with fun craft projects that will not only keep the kids amused and occupied but will help them explore their creativity as well. These craft ideas require minimal supplies, yet they will keep children busy for hours without a hint of boredom.

Paper Masks

Provide the children with construction paper, markers or crayons, safety scissors, glue sticks and craft sticks. Allow them to draw their own animal faces and then cut them out. Make sure they cut out eyes so they can see through their masks. Glue a craft stick to the back of each mask near the bottom to use as a handle.

Hand Print Butterflies

Give each child three sheets of construction paper in different colors. Ask them to draw two hand prints on each of the different colored papers. On separate pieces of paper, have the children draw a long oval to create the butterfly's body and a small circle for the head. Attach the head to the top of the body using a glue stick. Glue three of the hand prints to each side of the body, with the fingers pointing outward. Fold a pipe cleaner in half to form a V shape for the antennae and then attach it to the back of the butterfly's head using glue. Use liquid glue to adhere the google eyes to the butterfly's head.

Finger Puppets

Supply the children with pipe cleaners and pompoms in a variety of sizes and colors as well as google eyes, fabric scraps, liquid glue and fabric paint. Allow them to create their own animal finger puppets such as cows, cats, bunnies and dogs by decorating the pompoms into faces with google eyes and fabric scraps. Twist and bend the pipe cleaners to create the shapes for a body, ears, arms and legs. Glue the pieces together using liquid glue.

Recycled Jewelry

Save your packing peanuts for making jewelry. Set out craft paint in a variety of colors and allow the children to dip packing peanuts in the paint to create their own "jewels". Once the paint has dried, poke holes into the center of each jewel using a wooden skewer or chopstick to allow easy threading. String the jewels onto yarn, ribbon or string to create necklaces or bracelets. Add plastic or wooden beads to make a pattern with the homemade jewels.

Pet Rocks

Take the children outside and allow them each to choose a variety of flat, smooth rocks. Bring the rocks inside and rinse them off with water to ensure there is no crusted dirt or debris attached. Allow the rocks to dry. Have the children paint the rocks using tempura paint to create their favorite animals or creatures such as cows, ladybugs, zebras or frogs.

Use these craft project ideas repeatedly with children of all ages to create different animals and designs. Never again will parents have to here "I'm Bored" from their children on a rainy day.