Need an activity to do indoors that will help the kids burn off a little excess energy? An Indoor Hopscotch Game with Painter’s Tape is just the thing you need.

indoor_hopscotch_painters_tapeIndoor Hopscotch using Painter’s Tape

When the weather outside is frightful and your kids are less than delightful, lay a roll of painter’s tape on your floor and soon your kids will be having fun indoors.

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

How about that for a quick little limerick? Well, this project is almost as quick. All you need is a roll of painter’s tape (I used ScotchBlue for delicate surfaces, but you can use any type) and a pair of scissors.

scissors_tape

Lay out your hopscotch grid on the floor. (It was easy on our square tile floor because the tile layout acted as a guideline for our course.)

lay_out_hopscotch_on_floor

Add numbers inside the squares.

painters_tape_hopscotch

And let the kids loose. Soon they’ll be a hop skippin’ and a jumpin’ that energy away…

boy_playing_indoor_hopscotch

…well, maybe not all their energy.

boy_jumping_in_air

Important note, don’t leave the tape on the floor for weeks on end or you may struggle to get the adhesive up. But, in the meantime, have fun and let’s pray we can all venture out safely soon!

Anyone else have any great ideas to let kids burn off energy indoors? Please, leave me a comment, I need help here.

PHGFancySign

An idea for making your own hummingbird feeder! Great kids craft and perfect for Spring.

Happy Spring Everyone! What a difference a few weeks can make. Like many of you, I am grappling with the uncertainty of this challenging time. My children are now home with me every day, for the foreseeable future. In Seattle, life has completely changed. Almost everything is shut down, even playgrounds are closed at the moment. And so, I’ve been focused on creating little projects that my kids and I can do while stuck at home. Let’s talk about DIY Hummingbird Feeder.

I came across these DIY hummingbird feeders with jelly jars and was instantly inspired! I’ve had a hummingbird feeder on my Amazon wishlist for quite some time. I’m not sure why I never considered making my own instead. This turned out to be a very kid-friendly project and they even learned a little bit about hummingbirds.

Make your own hummingbird feeder out of spice jars

The only issue was, I didn’t have jelly jars. So I improvised a bit and used these 1oz McCormick spice jars. I emptied out the contents and washed them out thoroughly. These little spice jars are the perfect size for those dainty hummingbirds.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

DIY Hummingbird feeder from little spice jars

Instructions:

Follow these steps to make your own hummingbird feeder.

Step 1: Prepare your spice jars

Wash your spice jars with hot soapy water - they are the perfect size for little hummingbirds!

Thoroughly wash your spice jars and lids with hot, soapy water. You don’t want any lingering spice odors or tastes that will turn off potential hummingbirds. I also removed the stickers from the jars with a little goo gone.

McCormick spice jars have a lid with holes in it, covered by a snap-top. All you need to do is rip off the snap-top section, we don’t need it. Hummingbirds will use their long beaks to drink the nectar from each hole.

Step 2: Make Hummingbird Nectar

Make Hummingbird nectar - recipe in post - then pour into your jars!

The recipe for making Hummingbird nectar couldn’t be easier. It’s just sugar water – but you need to know the correct ratio. Too much sugar can be harmful to hummingbirds and too little sugar doesn’t provide enough calories for them.

I followed the recipe from the Audubon website.  It’s ¼ cup of refined white sugar and 1 cup of boiling water. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Cool the mixture and then fill your spice jars to the top. Now, just replace the lid with holes in it.

Replace the spice lid on your jar - hummingbirds feed on the nectar through the holes.

Step 3: Attach Jute Twine for Hanging

Tie some string or jute twine to your jars for hanging on a tree!

I used some jute twine to create a little loop for hanging. Tie your knots tight and make sure the lid is secure.

Cut excess string from hummingbird feeder jars before hanging.

Now just hang it up somewhere outside and wait for those hummingbirds!

These spice jars make a great hummingbird feeder and it's the perfect activity for kids

Hang your feeder from a tree, where you see hummingbirds visit

We haven’t had a visitor yet that I could photograph, but I know those hummingbirds are on the way.

Hummingbirds love the nectar that you put in these jars

DIY Hummingbird Feeder from old spice jars!

Thanks so much for reading and being here today. Stay safe, stay healthy!

karen signature

~ See More of Karen’s Tutorials ~


karen from decor hintHello!  I’m Karen, the creator of the Home Decor and DIY Blog: Decor Hint. I’m a Native of the East Coast, but I currently live in beautiful Seattle with my hubby, our two wonderful children, and our spunky wheaten terrier.

You can usually find me with some sort of craft in one hand and a coffee in the other. And I’m always rearranging furniture or moving lamps from room to room. I have a passion (read: obsession) for decorating, DIY, and gardening. In short, I love making my house into a home.

Like many, I’m inspired by what I see in home decor magazines, but I’m not so inspired by the price tags.  Consequently, I love finding and creating beautiful budget-friendly home decor items. In a head to head competition, I bet you’d never know the difference between the designer items and my DIY creations!  Many of my DIY projects focus on sewing, crafting, upcycling and organizing. Some of my favorite projects have been making pretty wreaths, sewing my own tassel hand towels, and crafting these trendy wood bead garlands. I can’t wait to inspire you and spark your creativity through my DIY projects.

You can always connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

 

Liked this project? Check out these DIY Hanging Beaded Vases for another upcycled craft!

 

Does your tween or teen love to make things? Hands-on projects are a great way to help your kids stay creative, use problem-solving skills, and practice small motor skills. Read more to discover 30+ DIY Crafts Tweens Will Love!

30 crafts teens would love pinterest image

30+ DIY Crafts Tweens Will Love

DIY crafts for tweens are a great way to allow them to make something while keeping them away from those never-ending screens. Teens and tweens can make creative items as gifts for their family and friends or just a fun item to keep for themselves. These crafts will boost their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment as they create things that didn’t exist before. Check out these awesome ideas for more than 30 DIY Crafts Tweens Will Love.

These colorful DIY paracord bracelets are a fun project for tweens of any gender to make.

 

Using a ceramic mug and simple colorful sharpies, they can create these fun personalized Monogram mugs.

 

Use nails, thread, and a board to make this Custom String Artwork for their own bedroom decor or elsewhere.

 

Upgrade a pair of flip flops by using fabric to make these Scrappy Flip Flops in any color!

 

Do your kids like secret codes and messages? Have them make these Morse Code Bracelets for a friend.

 

Quick and easy, these Washi Tape Hair Pins can be made to match any outfit for any occassion.

 

Your tween will love holding their money and library card in this colorful Patterned Duct Tape Wallet.

 

Your tween can take a boring old vase and turn it into a beautiful DIY Glittered Vase.

 

Have your tween or teen practice their origami skills with these Folded Paper Bracelets.

 

Get them hemp twine and beads and let them create Beaded Wish Bracelets in any color or for all their friends.

 

They can create these adorable personalized Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Letters for them to display in their bedroom.

 

Practice their art skills by making these Beautiful Floral Ceramic Mugs using permanent markers.

 

Does your tween love to read? Have him or her make these DIY Tassel Bookmarks for a fun way to mark their progress in the book.

 

If your tween loves a boho style, show them how to create these easy-to-make Silk Wrap Bracelets.

 

They can keep track of all their fun summer outings by making this colorful DIY Summer Memory Journal.

 

 

Have your tween make a Personalized Dot Flower Pot for their favorite plant.

 

If you have seashells lying around, these colorful Puffy Paint Seashells would make great art for any tween or teen bedroom!

 

Find some vintage doilies and lace so they can create these Vintage Bohemian Doily Dreamcatchers.

 

A fun upgrade from elementary art, use multiple colors of paint and shading techniques to make some DIY Leaf Print Art. 

 

Have some white tennis shoes that just need a little color and sparkle? They can make these fun Decorated Tennis Shoes!

 

Fun to make AND throw, these Folded Paper Stars are a great project for a rainy day.

 

Use markers and an old t-shirt to create this fun DIY Science Tye Dye Shirt.

 

They may need a little assistance, but this DIY Kids Scooter would be something your tween would absolutely love!

 

 

Rock painting never gets old, especially when they can show their moods by creating fun Emoji Rock Paintings.

 

A little homemade room decor is always fun, have your tween create this DIY Yarn Pom Pom Garland.

 

If you have a bunch of crayon pieces laying around, have your tween make some Shaped Melted Crayons for a new fun coloring adventure.

 

Tweens may still like dolls, especially if they create a Make Your Own Monster Doll. 

 

Have your tween make these Glass Bead Magnets with their favorite characters or images to show off their personality.

 

 

If your tween is into animals, they might just love this DIY Log Bird Feeder and watching all the birds that will come to feast.

 

So many colors and options, have them customize their own DIY Tie Dye Shoes!

 

For back to school or just everyday fun, it’s easy for them to upgrade from boring pens and notebooks to Sparkly Office Supplies. 

 

They may need some assistance to make this, but they will certainly love this DIY Headphone Stand. 

 

Teach them a few woodworking skills (assist please!) to make this unique Retro Phone Speaker for their room.

 

I hope your tween or teen really loved these ideas and found inspiration on how they can create something awesome! Comment and let me know what you (or they) think! Which is your favorite?

Hi, I’m Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs. Here are a few fun stats about me: I like love chocolate and peanut butter (together of course.) If you like stats, I have been crocheting for about 16 years, crafting for 20, and woodworking for about 4 years. I found a passion in making and being creative and began documenting my projects online at Hazel + Gold Designs.

When not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband, four children, perfect dog, and ornery cat. You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Read all of Sheri’s tutorials.

~Find more of Sheri’s projects here ~

Hang up your Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

Learn how to make a mini macrame wall hanging - you can hang this anywhere and it only takes 20 minutes to make!

How to Make a Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

If there’s one hobby that has become quite the obsession for me – it’s macrame! It’s really fun to create and the projects are inexpensive to complete.  Right now macrame wall hangings are all the rage, and add an eclectic look to your decor.  Today I’m showing you how to make a mini macrame wall hanging.  So chic!

If you’ve been wanting to start macrame—but are intimidated—you’re in luck! This project is small, simple, and can be completed in about 30 minutes!

This mini macrame wall hanging is a subtle nod to bohemian decor and it will look great pretty much anywhere in your home! Hang in your bathroom on in your office. Or, include it with a grouping of gallery wall prints for a more collected feel.

Here’s how to make it …

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials Needed for Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

Instructions:

Step One – Cut your Cords

Measure and Cut Macrame Cording to Size

Start by cutting your macrame cording. You will need 20-20 inch cords for this project. (20″ will make a mini wall hanging. After you get the hang of this, you can make your macrame art skinnier or longer. Whatever your heart desires.)

Step Two – Attach with Lark’s Head Knots

 

Once you have your cords cut, you want to attach the cords by creating 20 lark’s head knots. Here’s a quick video to show you how to make a lark’s head knot:

Take your cord and fold it in half. Take the loop part and fish it under your rod. Loop the ends of the cords through the cord – and pull tight! Now repeat this 19 more times with the rest of your cords.

Step Three – Make a Row of Square knots

Now that your cords are all attached, we are going to make Square Knots and Alternating Square Knots. Here’s how to make a square knot:

To make a square knot – take the first four adjacent cords and do the following:

  1. We are going to take the outer left cord and cross it over the two middle cords. Now take the outer right cord and place it on top of the left cord and UNDER the two middle cords.
  2. Loop it through the hole on the left side.
  3. Now pull to tighten the knot.
  4. Now take the outer RIGHT cord and cross it over the two middle cords.
  5. Take the outer left cord and place it on top of the left cord and UNDER the two middle cords.
  6. Loop it through the hole on the right side.
  7. Now pull your cords tight.

You have completed the full square knot.

You want to keep working the next four adjacent cords to make a row all the way across of square knots.

Step Four – Make a Row of Alternating Square Knots.

Our next row is going to be alternating square knots.

To make these knots – follow the same steps as above, however skip the first two adjacent cords – start with the third cord and work the adjacent 3 cords.  Continue all the way across the row!

Step Five – Make a Row of Square Knots Again

To complete our mini macrame wall hanging, our last row will be a row of square knots – so follow Step 3 again.

You should have something that looks like the photo below.

Trim the bottom of the wall hanging to even it up

Step 6 – Cut and Fray the Ends of your Wall Hanging

Take your scissors and cut straight across to create an even line of fringe. Take each cord and unravel it with your fingers.

Now, take a wire brush and carefully brush through the unraveled cords to fray them.

All done!

Hang up your Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

Now all you have to do is hang it up and enjoy your beautiful work.  Can you imagine how pretty these would be if you made a trio of mini macrame wall hangings for a cohesive collage.  I really love that idea.

I hung my mini macrame over the computer for some style and texture in this little corner.

Mini Macrame Wall Hanging in an Office

If you want some additional help and projects – go to my blog and check out my Step by Step Basic Macrame Knots Guide.  And check out the cool macrame planter hanger here on Pretty Handy Girl for another cool project!

DIY Macrame Plant Hanger

Once you learn how to make the most basic knots – you can create all kinds of cool projects for your home. Such as Macrame Pillows, Mason Jar Covers, Jar Candle Hangers, Macrame Feathers – I could go on and on!

Feel free to leave me any questions or comments below – I hope this inspired you try Macrame if you haven’t yet.

I’ll see you right here next month with another awesome project for you.

karen signature

~ See More of Karen’s Tutorials ~


karen from decor hintHello!  I’m Karen, the creator of the Home Decor and DIY Blog: Decor Hint . I’m a Native of the East Coast, but I currently live in beautiful Seattle with my hubby, our two wonderful children and our spunky wheaten terrier.

You can usually find me with some sort of craft in one hand and a coffee in the other. And I’m always rearranging furniture or moving lamps from room to room. I have a passion (read: obsession) for decorating, DIY, and gardening. In short, I love making my house into a home.

Like many, I’m inspired by what I see in home decor magazines, but I’m not so inspired by the price tags.  Consequently, I love finding and creating beautiful budget-friendly home decor items. In a head to head competition, I bet you’d never know the difference between the designer items and my DIY creations!  Many of my DIY projects focus on sewing, crafting, upcycling and organizing. Some of my favorite projects have been making pretty wreaths , sewing my own tassel hand towels, and crafting these trendy wood bead garlands . I can’t wait to inspire you and spark your creativity through my DIY projects.

You can always connect with me on Pinterest , Twitter or Instagram.

how to make glass bead magnets horizontal photo

Make glass bead magnets with the kids for a simple and easy craft project to help you get through those long summer days when the kids are home.

how to make glass bead magnets horizontal photo

How to Make Glass Bead Magnets

I love working with mod podge, especially for this decorative book with a secret hiding place and this vintage map lampshade. But, when it comes to a craft the kids can safely work on, I chose these Easy Decorative DIY Glass Bead Magnets.

We recently visited the Art Museum in Chicago and I found myself swooning over the beautiful paperweight collection. The glass magnifies the design inside the weights allowing you to see all the intricate details. While I don’t foresee making my own glass paperweights, the kids and I could get creative and use glass beads to make some beautiful magnets.

beautiful paper weight collection

A while ago, I happened upon a craft tutorial creating decorative push pins with glass beads. The next day my boys and I picked out glass beads and the rest of the supplies at AC Moore. My 3 and 6 year old were so excited when I pulled out the Oriental Trading Catalog and asked them to pick out their favorite pictures. We spent over an hour chatting and giggling as they cut out pictures from catalogs and magazines. If your children are looking for specific photos, you can always print them out from your computer first. Once you have your images, you are ready to get creative!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

glass bead magnet materials - scissors, mod podge, pencil, E-6000

Instructions:

Lay your bead on top of a picture you want to use.

boy laying out glass beads onto magazine pictures

Trace around the pictures and cut them out with an x-acto knife.

Paint mod podge on the front of the picture.

Center the glass bead on top of the picture. Then seal the picture by coating the back of the image with more mod podge.

After the beads dry, take out the magnets. Apply a dab of E-6000 glue to the magnet…

adding a small amount of E-6000 glue to the magnet

…then set the glass bead on top.


Within 30 – 45 minutes they should be dry and hardened.

Now you have beautiful custom glass bead magnets.

finished glass bead magnets

I chose mostly black and white images and graphic numbers and letters for my set.


The kids on the other hand – well, let’s just say they do love their cartoon shows!


Let me know if you make your own glass bead magnets. What images will you use?

Be sure to pin this image for a friend. You know how hard it is to keep the kids entertained over the summer, right?!

how to make glass bead magnets vertical photo