DIY KOOL-AID PLAY DOUGH

Running with Glitter has a tutorial on how to make your own play dough using Kool-Aid using cooking oil, salt, flour and Kool-Aid packet.  For the tutorial, click here.

 

Photo:   Running with Glitter

DYEING MACARONI

Boy, I wish I had thought of this year ago - my son's first birthday party theme was "Under the Sea" and I made colored macaroni necklaces for the guests if they wanted to wear them and hand painted each noodle. 

Instead The Mother Huddle dyed them instead putting about a half a cup of rubbing alcohol in a bowl and 10-15 drops of food coloring then dumped the macaroni in the mixture to soak and when the desired color achieved, dump on a paper towel lined tray to dry.

This will not be likely something I will use in the near future, but keep in my "Grandma bag" arsenal for a rainy/snowy indoor activity with future grandchildren.

RAINSTICK FROM CARDBOARD TUBE

(free clipart from http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/spring_clipart.html)

My son loves the sound of the rain and as a present for Easter I want to make him a rainstick out of a cardboard tube.

I couldn't remember exactly how these were made so I surfed and found this one which is as close as I can recall except it uses popsicle sticks instead of cardboard inserts, uses pasta and rice in addition to beans and is decorated in yarn instead of painted.
http://www.mycraftbook.com/craftidea.asp?craftID=297



This one at Enchanted Learning is interesting - it uses 2 coiled up pieces of aluminum foil and it is easier to follow as it has diagrams. It uses Small dried beans, unpopped popcorn, rice, or pasta.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/music/rainstick/