Looking for some fun activities that won’t break the bank and will keep the kids busy during their spring break? Have no fear; Ocean State Job Lot is here! We’ve got plenty of ideas to help you keep the kids entertained, and most of the art supplies are available right in our stores. Here are three simple activities that are so much fun you’ll look forward to them as much as the kids!
Eggshell Smash Art Keepsake
This is messy, but that’s half the fun! Plus, you’ll have a keepsake for your wall after the activity! It requires a little planning. We suggest prepping the eggs one day and doing the activity the next.
To get started, you’ll need a few simple materials:
- Washed and dried whole eggshells (as many as you want)
- A butter knife
- Tissue paper
- Disposable gloves
- Glue sticks
- Acrylic or tempera paints in different colors
- Canvases
- Smocks or old adult-size T-shirts to protect your children’s clothes.
Take an egg, and using the butter knife, crack the shell about ¼- to ½-inch of the way down, being careful to keep the shell as intact as possible. Empty the white and yolk into a separate container and save them for cooking. The yolk and white will last a day or two in the fridge. Gently wash the shells with warm soapy water and let them dry.
Once they’re dry, fill them about ¾ of the way full with acrylic or tempera paint. Cut a piece of tissue paper slightly larger than the opening of each egg and glue the tissue paper over the opening.
After the glue dries, you can head outside for some egg smashin’ fun! Gather your blank canvases, your eggs, and your children (wearing their smocks). Place the canvases flat or propped up on one of our tarps, and keep your grass and driveway clean! Luckily acrylic and tempera paint are non-toxic, so they won’t harm the grass if there’s a spill. Have your child take an egg and throw it at the canvas. Some eggs won’t completely smash, so feel free to let the kids pick them up and smash them again! When all the eggs have been broken, take the canvases and let them dry. Then, hang them on the wall to show off your children’s masterpieces!
Tie-Dye Coffee Filter Butterflies
This activity is fun and easy and fun for children of all ages and abilities!
You’ll need the following:
- White paper coffee filters (not cone-shaped)
- Washable markers
- Pipe cleaners
- Spray bottle of water
- Googly eyes and clothespin (optional)
Stack two coffee filters on top of each other and let your child color the top one making any design or color combination they choose. Keeping the filters together, spray the top one until the water saturates them both. You’ll begin to see the tie-dye design emerge as the water saturates the coffee filters. Now you can separate them and let them dry. This will take several hours. After they’re dry, grab your other supplies and get ready to assemble the cutest little butterflies. Pinch each coffee filter in the middle, so it looks like a bow tie. Then wrap the pipe cleaner around them, so it looks like the butterfly’s body and antennae. Get creative with them, too! Instead of pipe cleaners, you can color a clothespin, use self-adhesive plastic gemstones, and add googly eyes!
Rock Animals
Pet Rocks were trending for about six months in the mid-1970s, long before the days of social media. Now, they’re popular again and are a fun and simple activity that doesn’t require a lot of materials or preparation. Your only limit is your imagination! They also make great gifts and are fun to collect and trade with friends. Gather some smooth stones as large or small as your little ones’ hands can carry. Paint, decorate, and color them using any art supplies you have on hand. Parents, you can even hot glue some yarn hair, pipe cleaner antennae, or googly eyes on them! The fun doesn’t have to stop here. Make little beds for them using an empty shoe box and a blanket made of scrap cloth or an old face cloth. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating a whole world for your amazing rock animals.
Fun for the Whole Family
These activities are meant to inspire creativity and give you a chance to spend some quality time with your family. Ocean State Job Lot values family and loves nurturing our relationships with our customers. These craft ideas are designed to involve the whole family and can be done over and over again. You can count on Ocean State Job Lot to have the supplies you need for these crafts and more at an incredible value!