Super Easy Spring Crafts for Kids

While it is entertaining to play hooky and spend the day crafting with the kids, it is not always possible. Prepare a variety of fun and easy craft projects for the kids to do on their own when you are not able to play with them. Always make sure the supplies are kid friendly and that the projects do not require adult supervision before leaving the kids to create their masterpieces.

Mud Bricks

For once, let the kids get dirty while they have a little fun. Provide each child with a bucket of mud, an ice cube tray and a spoon. Have them fill the ice cube trays with mud, press the mud with the spoon to compact it inside the mold and allow the bricks dry in the sun for an hour or so. Let the kids build miniature garages and buildings for their toy cars and plastic people using their homemade bricks.

Clay Bugs

Fulfill their need to play with slimy critters...without the creepy-crawly's. Mix a batch of homemade clay made with 1 cup of oats, 2/3 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of water. Add food coloring to the water before adding it to the dry ingredients to create colored clay. Let the kids create their own bugs and slugs using the clay. Allow the clay to harden at room temperature overnight or keep it soft inside a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Fluffy Flip-Flops

Let the kids "funk up" their sandals to prepare for summer fun. Give each child a pair of flip-flops with plastic thongs and a variety of fabric strips. Have them tie each fabric strip in a knot around the straps until they are full and fluffy. They could also string beads on to the fabric strips to add more decoration to their shoes.

Sparkling Finger Paint

Okay, so this one might require a bit of supervision, or perhaps some cleanup on the adults' part, but the kids will love it. Mix one part salt, one part flour and one part water together in a large bowl. Feel free to add any food coloring desired to the water before mixing. Allow the kids to paint their own unique designs on to poster board or other heavy weight paper using only their fingers.

Sources:
Family Fun Magazine: Spring Crafts
http://familyfun.go.com/spring/spring-crafts/1/