July 21, 2015- Lollipop Vase
This is a really cute gift idea for friends and family, and also simple. The materials needed are minimum 50 Dum Dum lollipops, a vase or flowerpot, and a Styrofoam ball to put atop the vase. Just stick all of the lollipops into the Styrofoam ball and then you have a great gift for a friend!
June 13, 2015- Glitter Keys
This DIY is super quick. Do you think your key is boring and plain? Just take glittery nail polish and cover the top part in it! It will turn your keys from blah to cute and girly!
May 10, 2015- Gold Animal Figurine Box
Do you have little plastic animals lying around that no one even plays with? Well, this is a simple idea that reuses them to decorate your room. All you need is a plastic animal toy, a small box, glue, and gold spray paint.
First, put your animal on some newspapers and spray paint it gold. Do several layers, waiting about 10 minutes for the paint to dry between each layer. then, get some super glue and spread it on the animal's feet. Place the animal on top of your box and wait for it to dry. Now, you have a cool room decoration!
This idea is from Youtuber Diylover. Click her name to see two other gold animal ideas!
First, put your animal on some newspapers and spray paint it gold. Do several layers, waiting about 10 minutes for the paint to dry between each layer. then, get some super glue and spread it on the animal's feet. Place the animal on top of your box and wait for it to dry. Now, you have a cool room decoration!
This idea is from Youtuber Diylover. Click her name to see two other gold animal ideas!
April 1, 2015- Balloon Invitations
This idea makes an original and cute invitation. All you need is a balloon, a sharpie, tape, and a piece of paper.
For this idea, the balloon will have the details of a party or event written on it and will be attached to a piece of paper to send in the mail. First, use the sharpie to write the time, date, place, etc. on the balloon, but DON"T inflate it- otherwise you can't send the invitation. Next, tape the balloon to the piece of paper. On the paper, write what the event is about (birthday celebration, barbecue party, etc.) and to blow up the balloon. Lastly, send in the mail. Your friends will love the unique card!
For this idea, the balloon will have the details of a party or event written on it and will be attached to a piece of paper to send in the mail. First, use the sharpie to write the time, date, place, etc. on the balloon, but DON"T inflate it- otherwise you can't send the invitation. Next, tape the balloon to the piece of paper. On the paper, write what the event is about (birthday celebration, barbecue party, etc.) and to blow up the balloon. Lastly, send in the mail. Your friends will love the unique card!
March 20, 2015- Greek Yogurt Face Mask
I found online that if you apply some plain greek yogurt to your face, your skin will feel refreshed and clear. For this easy facial, just spread yogurt generously over your face with a cotton ball. Leave on for 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water, using a towel to dry yourself. This trick will make your face silky and soft!
February 9, 2015- Paper Heart Wall Art
Is there a giant space on the wall that has nothing on it? This is a great room decor idea for you if you have this situation All you need is tape, string, and construction paper.
First, Pick a shape: A heart, a diamond, a peace sign? It can be anything. Then, make like 100 of this shape with the construction paper. They each should be about the size of a computer mouse. Be creative- some shapes can be different colors or sizes than others. You can even do more than one shape.
Next, tape 10 or so of the shapes on a long piece of string. Repeat until you've used all of you shapes. Since it's going to be hung up, make sure everything is secure and tight.
Lastly, tape the strings in a row on your wall or ceiling where it feels boring. The decor will make your room look awesome!
Note: I got this idea from a website called Top Dreamer. Click the title to go to the article.
First, Pick a shape: A heart, a diamond, a peace sign? It can be anything. Then, make like 100 of this shape with the construction paper. They each should be about the size of a computer mouse. Be creative- some shapes can be different colors or sizes than others. You can even do more than one shape.
Next, tape 10 or so of the shapes on a long piece of string. Repeat until you've used all of you shapes. Since it's going to be hung up, make sure everything is secure and tight.
Lastly, tape the strings in a row on your wall or ceiling where it feels boring. The decor will make your room look awesome!
Note: I got this idea from a website called Top Dreamer. Click the title to go to the article.
January 12, 2015- Reverse Alphabet Language
You can use this for secrets messages between you and your friends. It's even more undecipherable without a chart than Pig Latin! Backwards Language works like this: The first letter of the alphabet is the last letter of the alphabet and vice versa; the second is the second to last, etc. A chart would be wise to carry with you if you want to use it:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A
The letter on top of the line equals the letter on the bottom. So as you see, C = X and X = C. "Hello" would be "svool" and "meow" would be "nvkd". It sounds a little complicated, but as you use it it gets easier.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A
The letter on top of the line equals the letter on the bottom. So as you see, C = X and X = C. "Hello" would be "svool" and "meow" would be "nvkd". It sounds a little complicated, but as you use it it gets easier.
December 15, 2014- Earring Bandanna
This is extremely useful if you keep losing your earrings and forgetting where you have put them. And, it only has two steps! Unclip all of your earrings from the places you keep them and gather the ones lying around on your shelf or desk. Next, get a bandanna or handkerchief you never use, and clip all of your earrings onto it! If you have enough space on it, you could even sort the earrings and put them in groups by type or color, if you want. Simply hang your new earring center by where you keep the rest of your jewelry and unclip the earrings to wear them, clipping them back after.
November 5, 2014- Personality Collages
Note: This is an idea from my school art teacher.
Although this may take a while, it's a great piece of artwork to hang in your room to reflect your personality. You'll need glue, paper, a printer, scissors, and pencils/crayons/markers.
First, get pages and pages of pictures of things you like or enjoy, or your favorite things-- maybe CA will be one-- from the internet and print them out. Then, plaster all of the pictures onto the paper in an layered, blended way so all of them are overlapping and angled at different directions. After you have cut the pictures to format the rectangular shape of your paper, it should be completely covered in the pictures. Lastly, draw your name or your hands or whatever you'd like on a second piece of paper and cut it out, gluing it on top of the pictures paper in the center. Lastly, hang up your collage and admire your personality on paper!
Although this may take a while, it's a great piece of artwork to hang in your room to reflect your personality. You'll need glue, paper, a printer, scissors, and pencils/crayons/markers.
First, get pages and pages of pictures of things you like or enjoy, or your favorite things-- maybe CA will be one-- from the internet and print them out. Then, plaster all of the pictures onto the paper in an layered, blended way so all of them are overlapping and angled at different directions. After you have cut the pictures to format the rectangular shape of your paper, it should be completely covered in the pictures. Lastly, draw your name or your hands or whatever you'd like on a second piece of paper and cut it out, gluing it on top of the pictures paper in the center. Lastly, hang up your collage and admire your personality on paper!
October 30, 2014- Pumpkin Pen Decorations
All you need for this is a pumpkin, any pumpkin, and a pen, any pen. Simply set the pumpkin down on the table and start designing patterns on its surface! I suggest types of loops, like mine, maybe geometric shapes, or line designs. Even though you're only using one color, the intricate patterns will make it look beautiful.
September 26, 2014- Goal Calendar
This is a really creative way to set goals. First, get a blank calendar--or make your own--to use. Put a goal you want to achieve every day on the calendar by the year after the calendar starts. Then, the year after, check if you reached your goal. If so, set a new one on that day in a new calendar. If not, then rewrite the goal onto the new one. Keep repeating this, year after year, to see your achievements.
If you're confused, read on for an example. If you put Ride a Hot Air Balloon as your goal for January 1st, then the next January 1st after that January 1st, you check if you completed the goal. If you did, set a new one. If you didn't, keep the same. With every day, you check exactly a year after the date the goal is written in.
It may seem boring, but it's actually really cool, especially with creative goals!
If you're confused, read on for an example. If you put Ride a Hot Air Balloon as your goal for January 1st, then the next January 1st after that January 1st, you check if you completed the goal. If you did, set a new one. If you didn't, keep the same. With every day, you check exactly a year after the date the goal is written in.
It may seem boring, but it's actually really cool, especially with creative goals!
August 17, 2014- Puzzle Race
This idea is number 20 on the the list at http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/kidsactivitiesfamilyfun/a/ideas-for-kids.htm.
This simple activity needs at least 2 people and 2 equally pieced puzzles. To make things more interesting, everyone can have a banner to represent themselves. Every "competitor" gets a puzzle. Whoever finishes their puzzle first wins!
This simple activity needs at least 2 people and 2 equally pieced puzzles. To make things more interesting, everyone can have a banner to represent themselves. Every "competitor" gets a puzzle. Whoever finishes their puzzle first wins!
July 8, 2014- Room Mailbox
This is a great idea if you have your own room, for other family members to put stuff of yours they find in. All you need is a shoe box and duct tape.
To start, cut a slit wide enough for a standard piece of paper to fit through. The slit should be on opposite side of where the shoe box is opened. You can do this by stabbing a hole through the cardboard and cutting from the hole. This slit is where the mail will be put in. Next, decorate the mail box with duct tape patterns. You could even write "Mail" In mini tape if desired. Now your mailbox is finished. Make sure you check it daily!
To start, cut a slit wide enough for a standard piece of paper to fit through. The slit should be on opposite side of where the shoe box is opened. You can do this by stabbing a hole through the cardboard and cutting from the hole. This slit is where the mail will be put in. Next, decorate the mail box with duct tape patterns. You could even write "Mail" In mini tape if desired. Now your mailbox is finished. Make sure you check it daily!
June 20, 2014- Friendship Flowers
You just need two papers and pencils for this fun, quick project! But first, pick a picture of a flower from the internet or a book.
Once you pick your flower, then get a friend. Both of you should draw the flower on separate pieces of paper. You should also sign your name. When you are done, give your drawings to each other and cut them out. Lastly, hang your friend's picture on your bedroom wall as a sign of blooming friendship.
I did this with my friend, who is also CA editor/AM member summer9700.
Once you pick your flower, then get a friend. Both of you should draw the flower on separate pieces of paper. You should also sign your name. When you are done, give your drawings to each other and cut them out. Lastly, hang your friend's picture on your bedroom wall as a sign of blooming friendship.
I did this with my friend, who is also CA editor/AM member summer9700.
May 14, 2014- Love List
All you need for this is a piece of paper and something to write with. This is a fun thing to do when you're bored.
First, choose a number. A random number, a special number, a lucky number-- any number! I recommend from five to twenty. Next, make a list of that number of things and people and places you LOVE! Make it as decorative as you want. (As you can see, I did a little decorating, too.) Then, show it to your parents and friends (hopefully they are on there). THey will be happy to see you appreciate them. Finally, hang it up for everyone to see.
First, choose a number. A random number, a special number, a lucky number-- any number! I recommend from five to twenty. Next, make a list of that number of things and people and places you LOVE! Make it as decorative as you want. (As you can see, I did a little decorating, too.) Then, show it to your parents and friends (hopefully they are on there). THey will be happy to see you appreciate them. Finally, hang it up for everyone to see.
April 9, 2014- Choco Balloon Bowls
To eat these bowls (that sounds funny!), you need:
- at least one balloon, depending on how many people are eating
- bag of chocolate chips
- regular mixing bowl
- tray
- wax paper
Take the chocolate chips and place them in the mixing bowl. Next, heat them in the microwave with fifteen-second intervals until they turn to liquid. Wait a few minutes for it to cool down, and then dip a tied, upside-down balloon in the chocolate. Repeat with all the balloons. Next, wait for the chocolate on the balloons to dry. After, dip the balloons in the chocolate again to make them less likely to break. Wait for that to dry as well, and finally, you are ready to enjoy ice cream, cookies, or even cake in a chocolate bowl!
This idea is from You-Tube. Click to see someone make these.
This idea is from You-Tube. Click to see someone make these.
March 20, 2014- Tissue Paper Flowers
All you need for this project is:
- tissue paper
- pipe cleaner
- pom pom
First, take the pom pom and wrap the pipe cleaner around it tightly 3 times. Then, fold the tissue paper (you can use more than one sheet, it looks better with multiple colors) like a fan. Put the "fan" onto the pipe cleaner below the pom pom and wrap the pipe cleaner around it real tight one time. Next, spread the different colored papers out so they look more like flowers. Lastly, put your flowers wherever you want!
Note: you can use more than one pipe cleaner with a pom pom on each for a wilder effect.
Note: you can use more than one pipe cleaner with a pom pom on each for a wilder effect.
February 21, 2014- Pig Latin!!!!
I didn't invent this, but I think it's really cool. Every kid should know it!
Pig Latin is a made up language where you take an English word, make the first letter or group of consanants the last, and then add "ay" to the end. For example, "hello" in Pig Latin would be "ellohay". Can you guess what "Iay ovelay isthay ebsiteway" means?
Pig Latin is a made up language where you take an English word, make the first letter or group of consanants the last, and then add "ay" to the end. For example, "hello" in Pig Latin would be "ellohay". Can you guess what "Iay ovelay isthay ebsiteway" means?
January 4, 2014- Duct Tape Maze
What you need:
- mini duct tape -click to see the type I have, the big ones don't work well for a maze on a standard piece of paper
- 2 pieces of paper
- marker
- scissors
Lay one of the pieces of paper out in front of you.Then, use the duct tape to design a maze going on the paper. Make it as hard as you want! Next, use the marker to show the start and finish. Finally, give your duct tape maze to a friend to challenge her/him!
December 5, 2013- Home Made Projector
An idea from my friend, AM Member speedyfeetgummygirl. Click her name to view her own website!
What you need:
What you need:
- cube shaped cardboard box- make sure it's fully sealed so no light can come through! And empty!
- flashlight
- jumbo Ziploc bag
- dry-erase markers
- baby wipes
- scissors
First, cut a square out of one side of the box, just big enough to tape the edges of the bag on the border. Second, cut off the sealing part of the bag, and then tape it onto the side of the box with the square cut. It should be tight enough to write on. Then place a flashlight inside the box, towards the back. Make sure the light beam is shining through the bag. Next, cut another hole, big enough that your wrist can reach through, on the opposite side of the box. When you stick your arm through, write or draw something on the bag with the dry erase marker. Turn off the lights and turn on the flashlight. Place the box and flashlight on a table or stool. You should see your writing/drawing on the wall! Use the baby wipes to erase and put something new.
November 1, 2013- Paper Clip Earrings
What you need:
- two regular paper clips
- beads
- another pair of earrings
- pierced ears
First, unravel the paper clips so they're like sticks. Then, fold one side over with a pinch, so there is a small loop at the edge. Next, strap some medium-sized beads through it. Fold the paper clip in half- there should be a curve where it is folded, not an edge. There also should only be beads on the looped side of the paper clip. Lastly, slide the backs off of another pair of earrings and slip the paper clip earrings onto your ears and attach the backs. Make whole collections of paper clip earrings!
October 2, 2013- Cartwheel Racing
Cartwheel Racing is easy if you know some gymnasts. You need at least two people that can do a cartwheel and one that is good a judging. Here's how it goes:
The people that do cartwheels are the racers. If you want a more professional look, give each racer a different leotard. Each cartwheeler can also have a coach, but that's only if you have a lot of people to play with. It's funner with as much racers as possible.
This is how to play:
The racers start in a line and the goal is to cartwheel across a field, yard, gym, playroom, etc., and whoever gets to the other side with perfect cartwheels first wins! The person that's good at judging is kind of like a ref; they say when a racer messes up or cheats(I hope no one does that!). If that happens, that racer starts from the beginning while everyone keeps going. If you want, you can craft a gymnastics medal out of paper, string, and/or beads for the winner as an award!!!
The people that do cartwheels are the racers. If you want a more professional look, give each racer a different leotard. Each cartwheeler can also have a coach, but that's only if you have a lot of people to play with. It's funner with as much racers as possible.
This is how to play:
The racers start in a line and the goal is to cartwheel across a field, yard, gym, playroom, etc., and whoever gets to the other side with perfect cartwheels first wins! The person that's good at judging is kind of like a ref; they say when a racer messes up or cheats(I hope no one does that!). If that happens, that racer starts from the beginning while everyone keeps going. If you want, you can craft a gymnastics medal out of paper, string, and/or beads for the winner as an award!!!
September 4, 2013- Russian Piroshki Recipe
Piroshki are a traditional Russian food. My parents grew up in Russia, so lots of my relatives know how to make them. I thought it might be interesting to post the recipe online, so here it is!
Ingredients:
A big bowl of mashed potatoes, crushed meat, or spinach for your filling
A big bowl of dough
A parent
A frying pan and stove
Also, if you are using mashed potatoes or crushed meat, you should add a little onion in small, thin strips to mix in.
Instructions:
First, separate the dough into little round pieces about 2 inches tall. Then, flatten them out into small pancake shapes. Next, scoop a spoonful of your filling onto the dough. Now, fold the dough in half to get a half-circle shape and press the sides together, really hard so the filling doesn't spill out. Lastly, flatten it out, with the line where you pressed the sides together in the center of of the oval that you just created. Repeat until your bowl of dough has nothing left. You can line the piroshki in rows on big cutting boards or trays.
This is the cooking step.
UNFINISHED
Ingredients:
A big bowl of mashed potatoes, crushed meat, or spinach for your filling
A big bowl of dough
A parent
A frying pan and stove
Also, if you are using mashed potatoes or crushed meat, you should add a little onion in small, thin strips to mix in.
Instructions:
First, separate the dough into little round pieces about 2 inches tall. Then, flatten them out into small pancake shapes. Next, scoop a spoonful of your filling onto the dough. Now, fold the dough in half to get a half-circle shape and press the sides together, really hard so the filling doesn't spill out. Lastly, flatten it out, with the line where you pressed the sides together in the center of of the oval that you just created. Repeat until your bowl of dough has nothing left. You can line the piroshki in rows on big cutting boards or trays.
This is the cooking step.
UNFINISHED
August 15, 2013- Piano Language!
Piano Language is pretty simple. Divide the piano imaginably in half. Each half's white keys are the letters A-Z. You can communicate with a friend using this language because there are two sets of the alphabet.