We’ve been having a LOT of wet and cold days this winter in Indianapolis, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop when you’re stuck indoors. It’s a great time to try something new. With just a few household items, you can make some really sweet family memories with your children, and learn a new skill or hobby together!
These projects are all easy to make, with minimal materials or ingredients. Most of these items are things you probably have around the house. Not only that, the following tutorial videos are for some of the most popular DIY projects that the kids are into these days. We hope you try one (or all of them) and have fun!
PAPER FIDGET SPINNERS
Yes, you can actually make your own fidget spinners out of paper! These little toys are super trendy this year, but you may not want to break the bank buying all the crazy fidget spinners out there. Why not make your own? This hack shows you step-by-step how to make an origami-style paper spinner with everyday items around the house—paper, cardboard, pennies, toothpick, and glue.
MAKE ROCK CANDY
Who doesn’t love colorful, sparkly candy? No one can resist rock candy and it’s easy to make if you have some patience. You can use this opportunity to have some fun with the kids AND make a tasty science experiment! It’s delicious and educational. What do you need? Water, granulated sugar, popsicle sticks, clothes pins and food coloring. If you don’t have food coloring, try using different flavors of Kool-aid!
LEARN SIMPLE MAGIC TRICKS
Kids absolutely love silly magic tricks and optical illusions. What’s better than seeing magic? Doing it yourself! You and your children can create your own easy magic tricks out of stuff around the house. Just gather common items like a tie, string, paper, a hair dryer, a candle, food coloring, markers, matches, magnets, and batteries, and get started!
MAKE FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS
Simple weaving is a popular craft for kids and adults, and it’s a fun project to do together. There are so many simple weaving tutorials on YouTube. You can make a loom from almost anything—your fingers, a toilet paper roll, a fork, straws, and a paper plate! This particular tutorial is an easy one for beginners and at the end you have a cute bracelet to give to a friend. All you need? Cardboard, scissors, and colorful thread!
SLIME!
Slime is all the rage —that sticky, stretchy goo that kids love to make and play with! There are so many different kinds of slime recipes to experiment with, as well. The best thing about slime is that you can make it with common household items. Some recipes call for Borax, while others call for liquid laundry detergent or contact lens solution. You might even dive into the Science of Slime! Ask your kids, “is slime a a liquid or solid?” and let them do some research!