While school is out, and there will be days when the rain and bad weather will keep us inside, why not set aside time for some crafty activities with the kids? If possible, head out to your local discount store, and stock up on crayons, construction or cardstock paper, glue sticks,  child-safe craft paints, simple craft items (stickers, pompons, googly eyes, chenille stems, etc.), then bring on the smiles with these fun ideas: 

The Younger Set 

• Introduce your toddlers to coloring with crayons! Having a set of the thicker crayons are perfect for little hands, give them some plain paper, and let them scribble away! 
• Make these toddler-safe watercolors, have your older children help, and sit the younger one in a high chair and let them paint away, and if a little goes in their mouth, no harm! 

• All your preschooler needs to make the sun shine bright is a paper plate, yellow pipe cleaners, yellow paint and a bit of glue! 
• Bean art is back! Use a variety of beans to create animals, and paint over them with craft paint. 
• A lint roller for crafts? Why not?! Attach foam craft sticker shapes to the adhesive side of the roller, dab some paint on each shape, and roll across any kind of paper. 
• Everyone will probably enjoy making scented playdough! This involves a bit of cooking, but the older ones can be involved and help you choose color and scent combos. 
• Fastest homemade pompon ball ever; all you need is a new skein of inexpensive yarn, string, and scissors. (This craft is best for those who can use larger scissors.) 

Older Kids 

• String art is a fun craft from beginning to end for the older set, and they just might be willing to set up some for younger siblings to try. 
• Create a garland:  plastic eggs (make sure they have those tiny holes!) can be thread on thin twine or fishing line and made into a fun Spring garland. Or, for something to decorate the bedroom, cut small shapes out of colored paper or old greeting cards, and glue them together on either side of the string, and allow to dry. 
• Do you remember making friendship bracelets? Introduce your kids to this nostalgic craft! 

• Jazz up flowerpots with decoupage! Cut from magazines or print images of flowers, and using decoupage medium and a foam brush, adhere the images all around the outside of the pot.    
• A small coat hanger can become the base of a mobile! Follow these instructions to create a friendship theme, but the possibilities are endless!                   
• Origami is a craft that’s truly an art form. Older children can create many things, from tiny boxes to boats to float and animal faces.  Origami Instructions website is the perfect place for beginners to experts–all you need is origami paper or cut your own! 

Be sure to protect clothes from paint with an apron or even an old button-up shirt, keep scissors out of reach of the younger ones, and use only kid-safe materials.  Have patience when showing them a new skill and make clean-up a game after your project is over–think of it all as time spent together!  

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Photo credit: whatmomslove

Have you been walking in your community, and found a pretty hand-painted rock with a motivating message? The Kindness Rocks Project trend can lead to adventure for you and the kids, and can be a fun neighborhood project.  All you need is a few supplies, time and imagination! 

Supplies 

• Smooth rocks of any size.  You can look for these laying around outside, or purchase them from a craft store or home center. If you’re finding them in a natural setting, make sure you have permission! 
• Any of these decorating mediums: acrylic paint, non-toxic paint markers, colored Sharpies, inspirational phrases printed and cut out, Mod Podge Outdoor or clear acrylic sealer spray, paint brushes of varied sizes, a paint palette or tray to hold paint, newspaper, and soap and water for clean-up. 

How To 

• Clean the rocks thoroughly, using a brush and clean water.  Scrub the whole surface, and rinse completely, then let dry. 
• Lay newspaper down to protect your surfaces, and get supplies ready while the rocks dry. 
• If you are using paint markers only, seal the rock with Mod Podge, or, using adult supervision, clear acrylic spray. 
• Paint any design or brief inspirational message on the rock surface, and allow to dry.  Make sure to wipe the brush after each dip so paint doesn’t run on the rock.  Younger children may need some help with this from the older kids. If you need some inspiration or design ideas, you’ll find some here. 
• Add your local rock-finding group hashtag to the back of your rock, a hashtag unique to your family, or use #TheKindnessRocksProject so when your work of art is found, you can keep a trace on it, and others can see it as well, through social media. 
• Another way to add inspirational messages is to use quotes pre-printed on paper.  Adhere the paper to the rock with Mod Podge.  Once it’s dry, paint or draw your design on the rock.  Seal the paint and paper with a few coats of Mod Podge, and the paper will be protected from the elements. 
• Once your work of art is complete, seal it with a few coats of Mod Podge or clear acrylic sealer spray, once again, using adult supervision. 

Hide and Seek 

• Place your rock in a hiding spot, but make sure it can be seen–you want other rock hunters to find your rock. Public places are great for leaving your rocks, just not in National Parks.  
• When you find someone else’s stone, give it a new hiding place after taking a photo and posting it along with the hashtag on social media.  Most local rock-finding groups have Facebook pages–search for them by your town or community name so you can share the fun! 
• Keep a basket of finished rocks in the car, and if you see a space that needs some inspiration, leave a rock for others to enjoy (ask first, just in case!). 
• Ask your local children’s hospital if you can contribute rocks so kids who aren’t able to go outside can rock hunt inside. On the same token, get permission from a nursing home or assisted living center to leave rocks for seniors to find. 

Rock painting and hiding is a trend that will hopefully continue.  Leave the rocks to inspire, as well as to bring joy. You never know whose day you may be brightening, just like Megan Murphy of Massachusetts, who was inspired to start The Kindness Rocks Project.  Now, get painting, have fun, and inspire someone today! 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website. 

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.  

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction. 

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Photo credit: https://modpodgerocksblog.com/2017/08/rock-painting-ideas.html