Klutz Books

Klutz books are great.  They teach you all sorts of crafts and come in a neat package with a book.  We first got the Chicken Socks books which are Klutz books for little kids.  Hand Art, Melty Beads, and a book to make puppets entertained our kids for a long time.  They don't require much explanation and the kids can pick them up and teach themselves.

We bought a lot of others after that:  Paper Airplanes, Paper Dolls, Shrinky Dink Art, Lettering, Paper Stain Glass Art, and Pipe Cleaner Art.   Our favorite so far was "Beadlings" which you make little bead creatures.  I am afraid that was discontinued but you can still buy used ones on Amazon.

Playdough

My kids still love to play play dough even though they are going to sixth and fourth grade.  :)  This is a fun summer activity.

Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Food coloring by drops

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pan and stir.  Cook over low heat, stirring until a ball forms.

2. Add food coloring and mix thoroughly until desired color.

3. Cool on foil. Store in covered container.

This is an easier to make version of a playdough recipe, there is no cooking involved.

No-Cook Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup salt
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water
2 Tablespoons oil
A few drops of food coloring

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients very well and store in plastic bag or covered jar.

This was taken from momswhothink.com