How to Make Decorative Refrigerator Magnets Out of Jar Lids

Bored children can wreak havoc on their parents sanity when they are cooped up indoors on a rainy or cold day. The following project will help you keep them occupied while keeping them off of your last nerve.

The following project involves using inexpensive items such as jar lids, art supplies and magnets to make decorative refrigerator magnets that your budding artists will be sure to love.

The project does not require any cooking or other kind of heating so it is safe for older children to complete the project without direct adult supervision. However you will need either super glue, or a glue gun to glue magnets to the jar lids, so you will probably wish to complete that step yourself.

Begin preparing for the project by obtaining several jar lids. Unless you already have a habit of keeping jar lids you will probably need to begin collecting lids a few weeks before you plan to complete the project. Once you have obtained the lids you should run them through the dishwasher to remove any food particles or odors. If that is not an option then thoroughly wash the lids in warm, soapy water. Then soak the lids in a solution consisting of 1 quart of water and 1/4 cup of baking soda for one hour. The baking soda solution will remove any residual odors from the lids. Rinse the lids and then allow them to dry; the lids will then be ready to decorate.

The art supplies you use are entirely up to you. You can simply provide paper and paint or markers, or you could really get into the project by providing glitter, googly eyes or even small photographs and glue. The project is versatile; you can paint or use marker directly on the inside of the lids or decorate materials and glue them to the inside of the lids. After you have laid out the materials your budding artists will take it from there, giving you a much deserved breather.

After your children have finished decorating the lids to their hearts content, place the lids in an area where they will not be disturbed so any glue or paint you have used can dry. Once they have dried use super glue, or hot melt glue from a glue gun to glue strong magnets to the backs of the lids. You can find these type of magnets at craft, discount and hardware stores.

Once the glue has dried, the magnets are ready for use on the refrigerator. This gives you the perfect excuse to involve the children in more art projects so they'll have items to hang with the magnets.

If you wish you may also customize this project with a holiday theme. You can provide items such as green and red paint along with Christmas tree shapes for a Christmas theme or pastel shades of paint and rabbit shapes for Easter.