We have some fun crafts for kids, tips about preserving you child's artwork and more. If you have any craft tips or projects to share, please submit them on one of the contest pages or check out our new Crafting for Fun and Money program (see links below).
If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.
There are just too many toxic chemicals in some
of the things that our children play with. They are
also very expensive. Here are a few safe products
that will delight your youngster for hours.
Play dough:
3 cups flour
1-1/2 cups salt
1-1/2 cups water,
2 tbs. oil
food coloring
Mix all together. Divide into small portions and
add food coloring for the color you want. If too
moist, add more flour. Store in covered containers
and keep cool.
Not to be eaten just played with.
Finger Paints:
3 tbs. sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups cold
water
food coloring
Mix sugar and cornstarch in pan. Add water;
stir. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Mixture will boil, then thicken. Cook about 5
mins. Remove from heat; cool. Separate into
4-5 cups. Add food coloring a drop at a time.
Add a drop of dish detergent in each cup to
make clean-up a breeze.
Paint on paper, cardboard or posterboard.
Soap Bubbles:
1/2 cup dish detergent
5 cups cold water
2 tbs. sugar
Mix gently and pour into bottles. Makes great
bubbles.
Face paint:
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp.
water
1/2 tsp.
cold cream
food coloring
In each cup, mix the ingredients. Add a drop
or two of food coloring, a different color for
each cup. Stir and paint to the delight of all
your children and their friends.
Brings back some fond memories, doesn't it?
ENJOY!
Your Child's 1st Holidays
Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects
Materials:
pictures of child dressed for each holiday
scissors
marker
glue
holiday patterns if desired
Directions:
Place pictures in the order they happened. Cut the picture into a shape that would represent that holiday. For example, use a pine tree for Christmas, and egg for Easter, etc. Stick to page so not to cover anything important. Leave some room to write info.
The cost of children's toy boxes are SO expensive and they are so small for all the money you spend. Here's a way to make some big toy boxes for a lot less:
Buy an extra large Rubbermaid storage container ($13 for 50 gallon container at Wal Mart), enough fabric to cover the container (I got the end of a bolt for $15 enough for 2 toy boxes), and some spray adhesive that will stick to plastic (around $5 a can).
Cut the fabric to fit. Spray the container and place fabric over it and smooth it out. In less than an hour you'll have a beautiful toy box that's safe (cover won't fall on little fingers) and so much cheaper and bigger than the expensive toy boxes that you find at stores.
This 4' shop light is in my sewing room and looked too ugly by itself so I made a simple cover for it to match the room decor. This light does not get hot so there is no danger of fire and the dust doesn't show as much. Just measure the light, cut out strips of fabric leaving an opening where the ceiling chain goes and add a valance or other trim.
Children always bring home so much beautiful art work that sometime it is hard to find ways to display it. I put it on top of my kitchen table and cover it with a clear tablecloth. This way you can see it and it is protected. You can also make placemats, frame it, give it to relatives, or even put it on the refrigerator. If your child is past the artwork stage, you can also do this with any special school work.
Don't want to throw away your children's artwork? I cut up my 2 1/2 year old twins artwork they made on posterboard into bookmark size strips and laminated them. I then punched a hole in the top and added a piece of colorful yarn for a tassel and gave them to our friends and family so they can enjoy their artwork as well as use the bookmark. We have also framed artwork to give as gifts, grandparents love it! Our kid's artwork is displayed on their walls!
I found a site with free stained glass patterns (LOTS!) and FREE and that's definitely thrifty. Some people use them for quilting and glass painting too.
Rather than looking for patterns going from site to site, the patterns are classified according to topic. For instance, there is a whole page with links for angel stained glass patterns, or floral, etc.
When you need something to use as a hanger for one of your craft items, just hot glue soda pop tabs to the back of your craft. Use one or two tabs depending on the width and weight of your artwork.
I am looking for directions on how to make a purse out of decorated old jeans. I've seen a few around and they are really cute. They are made out of children's outgrown jeans.
My two toddlers are going as the Wonder Pets for Halloween and I need help with LuLu the little chicky. I already got great ideas for Tuck the Turtle on this website. I think I'll start with a yellow sweat suit and do something with a yellow boa, but i would love some input. Also, any ideas on where to find the flight googles at a good price? Thanks for the help.
Hilary from So. Cal
I need an elegant centerpiece with red apples being the main theme but with fall flowers. It needs to be simple yet elegant and not too high for tables. It is for the grand opening of nursing home. Maybe candles with fruit. I also need something for the mantle of a fireplace. I need to impress higher ups with elegance.
For a halloween costume Im looking forward to going as the ghost of Marie Antoinette. My problem is wigs are so expensive. Is there some way I could make something with cheapish materials looking historically accurate? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks
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