by Joan Collins

Created on: March 31, 2010

It doesn't take long for boredom to set in when the weather keeps the kids indoors.  Craft time will keep them busy, happy and creative.  It doesn't take a lot to keep a small craft kit on hand for emergency rainy or snowy day craft opportunities.  Simple and fun, these crafts can stave off the boredom and excite your kids.

Sponges can be used to create neat projects.  With a regular pair of scissors, cut different shapes and designs out of the flat, thick sponge.  Cut slots in the center of the sponge's top so you can insert a spring-controlled clothespin as a handle.  Put various colors of tempera paint in extra large cupcake holders.  Dip the sponges into the paint and apply it to the surface of your choice.  You can use plain paper or unprinted fabric.  

Newspaper can also be put to good crafting work.  Make paper maché by tearing the paper into small pieces.  Mix one-half cup of water and a pinch of salt to enough water to make the flour a gooey mess.  You can add a little white school glue if you want extra stickiness.  Place a small glass bowl upside down on a piece of newspaper.  Spray the bottom with aerosol cooking spray.  Dip the newspaper into the mixture one piece at a time.  Lay it across the bowl.  Cover the bowl and let it dry.  Continue until you have several layers of paper maché.  When the final layer has dried, lift your new paper bowl off of the glass bowl.

Trim the top of the bowl.  Add another layer of paper maché around the top edge of the bowl to smooth it out.  Once it has dried, paint the bowl on the inside and around the top of the bowl's outside.  Dry between coats, but add enough coats to cover the newsprint. Turn the dry bowl upside down and repeat the process with the outside and bottom of the bowl.  Spray it with a sealer.  (an alternative to painting is to cover the top of the bowl with a few layers of colorful tissue paper.)

Soap carving is an age old art.  Using a pencil, trace out the shape you want to carve out of the bar of soap.  Using a butter knife, carve very carefully, moving the butter knife from your body to the open space - never cut toward your body.  Cut off thin slivers until you get the the pencil lines.  Once all of the extra soap has been cut away, smooth out the remaining edges.  If necessary, wet your fingers and rub them over the area.

Indoor fun can be as enjoyable as playing outside.  Next time the weather is bad, pull out the craft box and let your kids get creative.

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