July 7, 2011: Summer is in Full Swing

1. School is out and the kids are home. That means finding ways to keep them busy (and out of trouble). But doing so doesn't always have to mean breaking the bank by taking a day trip or visiting an amusement park this summer. A few items from around the house or the local crafts shop can fill up an afternoon in a hurry and leave the kids with a sense of pride after having made their own crafts.

2. A trip around the house can result in many project ideas, making for a free and green project. You'd be surprised what can be recycled for use in a crafts project. For example, you know all those paper and plastic bags you've accumulated from the grocery store? Well remove them from wherever you've settled on stashing them and get creative. You can use old paper bags (even smaller lunch bags) to make a pinata. Try adding some color with magic markers or finger paints. For a more scholastic approach, use the paper bags to create a paper notebook. You can also use the plastic bags to make a dog bed for you four-legged family member. There's a chance you already use them to clean up behind them on walks, but your furry friend would always enjoy an extra spot at the foot of the bed. About.com's Family Crafts page has crafts ideas using household items that range from things you find in the laundry room (those stray socks may actually come in handy) to the compact discs that are collecting dust.

3. The fun of summer can also be enhanced with homemade accessories for the beach and everyday wear. FamilyFun.Go.com offers a variety of inexpensive ways to keep your youngster entertained and looking good during summer break. Some easy projects include: chime bracelets created with felt, sea shells, yarn and glue; "hydro" bracelets, which are made of clear tubing, and filled with water and glitter or beads; a waterproof beach bag or water purse for days at the beach; and with a couple pieces of leather (purchased at a local crafts shop) you can include the athletically inclined by making these great-looking baseball bracelets.

4. It may come as a surprise, but crafts projects aren't just for the little ones. Crafts.Kaboose.com offers great crafts ideas for your teen and tween (you know, that age when the attitude starts to develop, but they haven't hit 13 yet). A few of their ideas include turning a pair of old pants into a fabric necklace, using paper to make a beaded necklace, turning old albums or compact discs into funky clocks and using beads to make a one-of-a-kind teacup.

5. You can also go to the old standby, my personal favorite: friendship bracelets. They're a hit with every age group and use easy patterns for the novice and complex ones for the veteran. MakingFriends.com is an excellent resource for making bracelets, necklaces or anklets using floss or hemp. Those new to making them shouldn't be shy, the site offers step-by-step guides to making all patterns.