When the kids are tuckered out from brutally hot temperatures, there’s no shame in seeking refuge indoors. But what to do? Keep the sibling squabbles at bay with these creative crafts.
Host an indoor luau.
Throw an impromptu party with easy-to-make paper leis. All you need is colored card stock, yarn or string, plastic straws cut into 1- or 2-inch pieces, a hole punch, and some art supplies (markers, crayons, glitter, etc.). Draw flower outlines on the card stock for the kids to color in or decorate with glitter. Then, cut out the flowers (6–12 flowers per person), and punch a hole in the center of each. Kids can have fun stringing on a straw piece, flower, straw piece, flower until they’ve finished their lei. To keep the luau vibe going, outfit everyone in their brightest attire and whip up some tropical fruit punch.
Create ocean treasures.
What about all those seashells your kids have been collecting? Try making a necklace or wind chime, or decorating a picture frame or mirror. With glue, string, and some imagination, the whole family can make something they love. But parents note: If you’re stringing the shells, be prepared to break out the power tools and drill holes in the shells before letting the kids have at ‘em!
Craft cute-as-a-button jewelry.
Are you really ever going to use all those stray buttons you’ve got lying around? With just glue and craft wire or elastic string, kids can make a funky bracelet or necklace. Place six small buttons in a circle and glue one big button centered right on top to create a flower that can be strung onto a necklace or keychain.
Bathtime fun can’t be beat.
Make bath balls that fizz and pop in the tub, courtesy of The Big Book of Crafts and Activities (DK Publishing, 2013). In a large mixing bowl, stir well: 1 cup of baking soda, ½ cup citric acid powder, and a few drops of food coloring. Drizzle 2 tbsps olive oil evenly over the entire mixture, then add a few drops of your favorite scented oils. Mix it all up with your hands, breaking up any lumps (kids love this part). Use the mist feature on a spray bottle to add a few squirts of witch hazel. Once the mixture feels like damp sand, press it into a circular plastic mold and squeeze shut. Let your globe harden for five hours before you plop it into the tub!