Summertime has arrived and kids are itching for some entertainment! This isn’t your typical weekend, or even a spring break, we’re talking eight to nine weeks of school-free vacation!
With the amount of free time kids have off from school, it can be difficult for children to stay entertained throughout the entire break. That’s why Goodwill has come up with a collection of fun, exciting and affordable DIYs that not only entertains the kids, but gets parents involved as well. The materials needed for the crafts can be found lying around somewhere in your house, or at your local Goodwill store! So prepare to stock up, gather around and make this summer a memorable one!
- Glove monsters
Being away from school is fun, but it’s also a disconnect from peers and friends that kids see on a regular basis. What better way to fill that void than with a personalized friendly glove companion! Adults, feel free to join in on the fun by making your very own glove monster to add to the company!
Materials:
- Gloves
All the gloves at this Goodwill were marked at $1.79! These gloves are $19.99 at Sears!
- Batting
- Sewing machine (with a roller foot or walking foot attached)
- Needle/thread
This sewing kit is $1.49 and includes: 1 pouch, 1 pair of scissors, 1 thimble, 1 threader, 5 spools of thread, 1 paper tape measure, 18 needles, 4 buttons, 10 safety pins and 10 straight pins. A sewing kit at Walgreens costs $6.99!
- Buttons/felt
An alternative way to get buttons can come from deconstructing shirts! Keep your eyes peeled for Goodwill’s 50% off color tag sales to save even more! You can get this Sonoma button down for $4.49 or in this case, $2.25! A Sonoma shirt at Kohl’s can go for $36!
https://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/how-to-make-glove-monsters-tutorial
- Snake Tie
Slither your way into some joy with a nifty snake tie! Decorate and personalize your snake with trendy tie colors and abstract eyes. Just be cautious on leaving them around, wouldn’t want it to startle you!
Materials:
- Tie
All the ties were marked at $1.79, while ties at H&M start at $12.99!
- Metal hangar:
- Scissors
- Plastic bags/cotton:
- Buttons/jewels
https://www.instructables.com/Neck-Tie-Snake/
- Glow in the Dark Jellyfish
Snakes not your thing? Try this Glow in the Dark Jellyfish project that can also transition into learning about these magnificent sea critters! Craft these mystical creatures worry free knowing they can’t sting you; we wouldn’t want that to happen!
Materials:
- Heavy weight paper bowls
- White yarn/twine
This bundle of twine goes for only $1.99. Bed Bath & Beyond’s twine starts at $7, not too shabby!
- Glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint
- Paint brushes
Never opened paintbrushes by Regal for $3.47! Simply Art Brush Value Pack at CVS goes for $7.49.
- Scissors
These shears can get the job done coming in at a low price of $3.47. A pair of scissors can cost you $7.79 at CVS!
- Zipper sandwich bags
- Skewer or sharp pencil
https://www.craftiments.com/2013/04/glow-in-dark-jellyfish-craft.html
- Frog Baseball Hat
Sure, summer break is great and there’s no school in sight, but there is one slight downside about the vacation: It’s hot outside! Help protect yourself from the blazing sun with this fashionable Frog Baseball Hat! Super simple, very stylish and a whole lot of fun. Ribbit!
Materials:
- Green baseball hat
This UNT hat was only $1.79! A green hat at Walmart can run you $8!
- Acrylic paint: black, white, spring green, foliage green
- Textile medium
- Stencil sponges
- Black sharpie marker
This 4-pack variety goes for $3.47, expect to find this bundle at Office Depot for $9.99!
- Toothpick
- 3”x1” piece of red felt
- Instant grab glue
https://craftsbyamanda.com/frog-baseball-hat/
- Glitter Glasses
You’re probably thinking “Why would I ruin a pair of glasses for an art project?” Thankfully you can find generic glasses for a low price! Kids can walk in style with their flashy new glitter glasses. Be sure to strike a pose for the camera!
Materials:
- Glasses
These fashionable glasses start at $1.79. A pair of non-prescription glasses at Eye Buy Direct can cost you at $8!
- Feathers
- Glue Stick
- Sequins
- Glitter
This nifty little bundle includes sequins as well as a glue stick that doubles as glitter, all for $4.99! You can even use the top of the pen to use as the feathers for the glasses as well! Target carries glitter & glue sticks that can run you $5 and $3.59 respectively. For sequins Walmart caries them for $1.98. That’s a total of $10.48 compared to thinking outside the box and getting a bundle that includes these items for $4.99! Also a bonus if your child loves Paw Patrol!
http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2012/12/paige-crafts-four-embellished-glasses.html
- Shadow Puppet Theater
Round out the night with a cinematic shadow puppet performance. Let the kids’ imaginations run wild as they craft together not only a stage, but a captivating story as well. Grab some snacks and enjoy the show!
Materials:
- Cardboard box
- White tissue paper
- Packing tape
Packing tape spotted for $3.47, something that goes for $4.99 at Ace Hardware!
- Toothpicks
- Tape
- Foam stickers
- Flashlight
A bundle of these flashlights only goes for a total of $3.99. A single flashlight of this size goes for $7.99 at Walmart!
https://innerchildfun.com/2012/07/how-to-build-a-simple-shadow-puppet-theater-2.html
We hope you were able to find an activity that sparks you and the kids’ interest. If you’re missing supplies for a project, stop by your local Goodwill store to round out the materials! Have fun and enjoy a craft filled summer!