1. DIY Jellyfish
You’ll probably have to help with the sewing on this one, but the kids can help design and craft their own slip-on, slip-off mermaid tail for undersea adventures. Get the tutorial at Ikat Bag
It turns out that adding ink from a highlighter to some bubble solution makes bubbles that glow under a blacklight. Ready for some glow-in-the-dark fun? Get the tutorial at Paging Supermom
4. DIY Nature Craft Bugs 
The old backyard sprinkler gets a major upgrade with this kiddie car wash, which uses PVC pipes and a hose connector to become the ultimate backyard car wash. Your kids will have endless fun running between the sponges and pool noodles. Get the tutorial at Mom Endeavors
These may not sound like the real thing, but they look adorable — and you can dress them up basically any way you want. They’re the perfect doll-sized instrument for a pretend band. Get the tutorial at The Craft Train
Glitter and glow sticks make it possible to “capture” a fairy and watch as her magic illuminates a colorful jar. Get the tutorial at MomDot
Get in touch with your roots via a hands-on genealogical project. Dot the print-out template with thumbprint leaves, then start mapping extended relatives galore. Get the tutorial
We love a two-for-one activity: First, paint abstract shapes with watercolors, and then have older kids cut the paper into strips and fold them into wearable art. Get the tutorial at Picklebums.com
When skipping through the sprinkler loses its charm, pull out these homemade spiky sponges for a riff on water balloons (that won’t cause bruising). Get the tutorial at Endlessly Inspired
Handprint turkey, step aside: A new paper craft can rule the roost. Add string to the cup’s sides, and you’ve got yourself a feathered cap, too. Get the tutorial
This mom takes rock painting a step further: After the paint’s dry, the images on the stones become characters in a story everyone can tell together. Get the tutorial at Handmade Mood
Celebrate your kid’s love of doodling by making temporary tattoos out of her own art. It’s a project that bends (but doesn’t break!) your mess-minimizing rules. Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful
File this under genius parenting hacks: A piece of rain gutter picked up at the hardware store becomes a slick race track when you add water and an adorable soap boat. Get the tutorial at I Heart Naptime
Because the only thing better than making a mom-approved mess is doing so with the extra fun of polka dots. (Can you guess what they’re made from?) Get the tutorial at Fun at Home With Kids
Take your washi tape stash to the floor to create a colorful, customizable race track for tiny cars — and a place to park them when playtime is over. Get the tutorial at Juliette’s Garden
Strips of scrapbooking paper look super cute when rolled into beads, but you can also have your kids experiment with wrapping paper, magazine clippings, or newsprint for a craft you can do without going to the store. Get the tutorial at Sowdering About in Seattle
Easy Crafts To Do At Home
When the fun of folding origami frogs is over, extend playtime with sidewalk games to see which hopper can jump the furthest. Get the tutorial at Itsy Bitsy Fun
To you, it’s just glitter; to them it’s magical pixie dust. Sprinkle some over your pint-sized garden and wait for the fairies to come out and play! Get the tutorial
There’s just something about sparkly crayons in celestial shapes that makes coloring time extra exciting. Get the tutorial at Minieco
This three-ingredient recipe is a little bit art, a little bit science. The paintable foam (which kids can pipe out of plastic bags) hardens overnight into super-cool, puffed-up masterpieces. Get the tutorial at Dabbles & Babbles
It’s a twist on the classic science fair exhibit: Bend pipe cleaners into letters or shapes, and watch them grow sparkles overnight in a borax solution. playdoughtoplato.com
Don’t worry — we’re not suggesting you surrender your patio doors to your kids’ artistic ambitions. This activity uses a clever dollar-store find and just water, so it’s totally removable. Get the tutorial at And Next Comes L
In a bit of bubble magic, a dish soap solution morphs into a crazy-cool growing snake. Get the tutorial at Housing a Forest
Put that stockpile of markers to good use by sketching out a few silly features. Clip the cards together, and the countless combinations will keep ’em entertained for hours. Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things
Transform a windowed pencil case into an armchair treasure hunt with this no-sew project. Get the tutorial at Six Sisters’ Stuff
Collect shells on the beach and make them into a fun game that jogs her mathematical memory. Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards
Raid the recycling bin for most of what you’ll need to create this easily assembled firefighter outfit. Then, watch your garden hose carefully. Get the tutorial at Crayon Box Chronicles
Let your kids dip into your stash of never-going-to-wear-again nail polish for an artsy afternoon. Get the tutorial at Pink Stripey Socks
Easy Crafts To Do At Home
Fold painted paper plates into the perfect size for little hands before you spend the day berry picking. Get the tutorial at Design Mom
This explosive science experiment (disguised as permission to make a mess) is a lot more palatable when contained in a glass dish. Get the tutorial at Momdot
It’s amazing how a piece of paper loaded up with watercolor doodles, stickers and pictures from thrifted design books becomes instant art when framed. Get the tutorial at Molly Moo Crafts
Fashion straws into 3D shapes for an activity that’s one part science, one part silly fun with bubbles. Get the tutorial at Babble Dabble Do
When they start using the pool noodles as makeshift swords, tie the toys to a pegboard and hold a good, clean water race instead. Get the tutorial at Teaching Mama
Skip the cupcakes and make this sprinkle-packed, two-ingredient play dough instead. The mixture is even edible (but nearly all sugar, so don’t turn your back on little ones for too long). Get the tutorial at Smart School House
On rainy days when everyone is stuck inside, surprise your crew with an indoor-approved way to play with bubbles. Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky
A paper napkin and some string is all you need to turn a figurine into a mini paratrooper. Plus, it’s kid-approved: This blogger’s son called the toy “the best craft ever.” Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards
Food coloring and a few other ingredients make colored ice cubes that can decorate the driveway during one of those long, hot days at home. Get the tutorial at Growing a Jeweled Rose
When food coloring, olive oil and water mix, the result is so mesmerizing that kids will want to watch it happen over and over again. Get the tutorial at Paging Fun Mums
Kids love boxes (got a moving box-turned-fort in your house?), so show them how bubble wrap can be just as fun. Get the tutorial at Art Bar
