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Community Corner

Keep Kids Busy With Arts and Crafts

Frugal Family columnist Tori MacLennan offers her list of arts and crafts projects that keep children busy during the summer.

Summer is officially here, the kids are out of school, and no matter how well you have planned out activities to keep the kids busy, inevitably someone will get bored. Here are some of my favorite go-to crafts for kids that recycle and repurpose things you may already have in the house.

  • Homemade crayons. I help the kids make crayons out of all the broken bits. You can use any mold, but I have an old heart-shaped silicone mold that I no longer use for food. Have the kids prepare the crayons by peeling off the paper, then sort into the mold by color. We like to throw in a few lighter colors like white or yellow to give the finished crayon some swirl. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees, and bake for about 10-15 minutes (times vary) or until mostly melted. Be sure to check the oven frequently so it doesn't start smoking. Remove the mold from the oven and let cool. When the wax hardens, the new and improved crayons will pop right out of the mold.
  • Magazine collage. Let the kids cut out pictures from magazines and glue  themonto card stock or construction paper.
  • Button bracelet. I use the spare buttons that come with the clothes we buy. Thread a piece of elastic through the buttonholes until you have the size you want. Finish the bracelet by tying the ends together.
  • Edible jewelry. Using licorice laces, the kids can string cereal like Cheerios or Fruit Loops for an edible necklace or bracelet.
  • Recycled crafts. Let the kids cover a six-pack cardboard bottle caddy with paper, color and decoratations. This can be used as a portable art supply holder.
  • Make Playdough. Playdoughrecipe.com has recipes for every type of homemade playdough you can imagine, from edible to no-cook dough.

If you have a frugal craft idea for kids, please let us know!

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