Unique Shoebox Crafts for Kids

Want to keep the kids occupied on a cold or rainy day? Break out the craft supplies and start making any of the shoebox crafts we've provided below. All you'll need are a few basic materials you already have at home, and several unused shoeboxes. Chances are, if you rummage through the closets, you'll find a bounty of boxes that can be used for all types of shoebox crafts for kids.

Homemade Aquariums - These crafts for kids are so much fun to make, and look nice either on a side table or hung from the wall. If your child has ever been to aquarium, he'll like these shoebox crafts. You'll need the following supplies:

- Adult-size shoebox
- Construction paper
- Tissue paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Clear fishing line
- Blue acetate film
- Acrylic paints (blue and teal)
- Paintbrush
- Scotch tape

Cut the bottom out of the shoebox, leaving a ½" border. Discard the shoebox lid. Paint the entire shoebox a solid color of blue and allow it to dry. Go back with a different shade of blue or teal and add wavy lines and streaks. Cut a piece of blue acetate film and tape it on the inside of the box, so that it covers the hole.

Draw different fish shapes, starfish shapes, seahorse, etc., from construction paper and cut them out. Attach a piece of clear fishing line to the back of each fish (with tape) and then tape the other end of the line to the top of the shoebox. This will give the illusion that the fish are swimming. Cut out wavy shapes from tissue paper and tape it, too, to the top of the of the box so that they hang down. Lastly, tape the other sea life shapes to the inside of the shoebox for a finishing touch.

Tic-Tac-Toe Board - Make a portable oversized tic-tac-toe board that your child can take in the car when traveling. To make this kids craft you'll need the following:

- Adult-size empty shoebox
- Pipe cleaners
- Tacky craft glue
- Scissors
- Craft foam (three colors)
- Craft paint
- Paintbrush

Paint the outside and the lid of the shoebox using acrylic craft paint. While the paint dries, cut out 'X' shapes using one color of the craft foam, and 'O' shapes from a different color. Make nine of each color. This way you'll have a few extras in case others are misplaced. From the remaining craft felt, cut out a large rectangle the same size as the bottom of your shoebox. Glue the rectangle in place at the bottom of the shoebox and glue in a Tic-Tac-Toe grid using the pipe cleaners. When the board is not in use, your child can store the pieces inside the shoebox and keep everything secure by closing the lid.

Slippers - Shoeboxes make great play slippers for the kids. Making these crafts for kids is easy too! Gather together the following supplies:

- Two empty shoeboxes of your child's shoe size
- Sandpaper
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Tacky craft glue
- Craft felt
- Acrylic craft paint
- Paintbrush
- Glitter, pom-poms, appliqués, or other embellishments

Sand down the bottom of the shoebox to prevent slipping. Then, duct tape the shoebox lid to the box itself (you may want to do this twice to secure it in place). Cut a slit in the top of each shoebox, just big enough for your child's feet to fit in. Apply craft felt to the top and sides of the boxes with tacky craft glue. Allow your child to add the finishing touches to these crafts for kids by coloring on painting them and decorating them with their favorite craft supplies.

Pretty Dollhouses - Your little girl will have so much fun decorating these shoebox crafts, which will look like dollhouses when complete. Adults will need to take a large part in assembling these shoebox crafts, but the kids can paint them and add all the decorations. You'll need the following supplies:

- Shoebox with hinged lid
- Cardboard
- Tacky craft glue
- Acrylic craft paints
- Razor with retractable blade (adult use only)

You'll need a shoebox with a hinged lid so that it can open, close and extend to resemble an actual dollhouse. Paint the entire outside of the shoebox with an acrylic craft paint (color of your choice). Then, use a razor to cut out windows and a door on the front of the house. Measure the width of the dollhouse and cut out a piece of cardboard that is ½" longer than the measurement. Fold ¼" on both sides of the cardboard and set it in place as the second floor of the house. Glue it in place on the folded lines and allow it to dry. Now, your child can complete these kids crafts by adding more detail to the outside of the dollhouse, decorating the inside with fabric for wallpaper, construction paper for flooring, and many other ideas.

Bird feeder - Kids crafts are more fun when parents get involved, and this is one project that requires adult supervision. To make a bird feeder from a shoebox, you'll want to use a slender shoebox (such as one that came with a woman's shoes). Then follow the directions in this article 'How to Make a Milk Carton Birdfeeder', but replace the milk carton for a shoebox.

Animal Barn - Make an animal barn to hold plastic horses, sheep, cows, and other barnyard animals, or make it a place to store small stuffed animals. For this kids craft, you'll need the following:

- Empty shoebox
- Corrugated cardboard
- White glue
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Colorful markers or craft paint
- Plastic animals

Flip the shoebox on its side and apply thin line of glue every two inches. Press a small piece of corrugated cardboard onto each line of glue. This will create four animal 'stalls' inside the barn. Then, have your child finish off these shoebox crafts by coloring the roof red with either markers or craft paint, and the floor brown. Your child can decorate the outside of the barn by drawing flowers, grass, windows, and so on.

Use your imagination and see how many different shoebox crafts you can come up with on your own! You may be surprised at the ideas you'll come up with. Let your creative mind go to work and come up with ways to make a mini ping-pong table, mini corn hole game set, miniature puppet theater, homemade gift boxes, small toy storage boxes, and so much more!

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Homemade Wrapping Paper Ideas

DIY Thank You Gift Ideas

40 Free Things To Do With Kids

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network