Family Fun Kids Crafts for the Fourth

It is always good to keeps the kids busy and entertained, but some of their crafts can be super useful at your party too!

These Uncle Sam pins are cute, but you could even put peoples names on the hat and use them as name tags for the party if you are gathering a group of neighbors that may not know eachother:

Firecracker Favors can be used to decorate the table and then taken home as favors, since there is candy inside:

The perfect star with one snip can be hung on the wall, set on the table, or even used as a place card.  And you can make tons of different sizes:

If your celebration is going to take you outside (and whose doesn't on the 4th) you might want to consider having the kids make everyone a fan:

And a confetti launcher, well that is just too much fun NOT to be useful:

Flag Chair Covers

I love these chair covers from Family Fun:

LOVE!  Since they are made from felt and most of it is glued on, they are actually really easy to make.  You only have to sew the two side.  Even I can do that!

The blue wall on the other hand isn't as easy!

Tie Dyed Bunting

Family Fun has a cute spin on red, white and blue bunting:

Tie Dye!!  You can get the how to on making your own bunting HERE.

Unfortunately the tutorial is no longer available online.  That happens somtimes, especially when the posts are from 2010!!  

Independence Day Cupcakes

If you are looking for some cute treats for the 4th that are easy to make and the kids can help create, these cupcakes from Hoosier Homemade might be right up your alley:

My favorite are the cupcakes with the stars:

She used candy melts, but I would want to make them with chocolate.  Yum!

You can see how she made all of the cupcakes HERE.

Patriotic Paper Wreath

I have been searching for kid friendly crafts for our fourth of July party today and fell in love with this paper wreath:

Super easy to make and really cute, you can no longer get the instructions from Family Fun, but if you make paper cones and then glue them to a paper plate or circle piece of chipboard, you should be all set!

Polka Dot Wall Tutorial

Samster Mommy has a really great tutorial to paint these perfect polka dots on your wall:

I am not sure I am crazy enough to attempt it in a bedroom, but maybe in a smaller space, like a bathroom.  You can see how she accomplishes it HERE.

Colorful Flower Hanging Pots

I found this gorgeous picture from Martha while browsing through some of her summer crafts:

She shows you how to color the pots, but most importantly she tells you how to HANG the pots!

To hang a pot, just fasten a clamp-on hanger to the lip, and suspend it from a nail or screw on the wall.

This post from Polly from Helping Little Hands will show you how to turn an old t-shirt into a pair of summer shorts:

She even uses the existing seams to save you some of the work!

Patriotic Pillows

Amy from Positively Splendid has patterns on her blog to make all of these cute patriotic pillows:

They are perfect for an outdoor party or to use why you are watching fireworks on the 4th.  You can get the patterns HERE.

Shell Candles

Martha used wax and candle wicks to turn regular sea shells into candles:

and the perfect centerpiece for a beach themed party.  You can find out how to make your own HERE.

These make me want to pack the kids up in the car and drive to San Diego to play on the beach.  And that is saying something since we just spent 15 hours in the car already!  Don't you love the beach?

Cheesecake in a Jar

This cheesecake with roasted nectarines from Chez Pim looks delicious all on its own:

But the square jar it is baked in makes it all that much better!

Cupcake Bloomers

I saw these at Sweetnicks:

And it makes me want a little one to put these cute bloomers on!  The perfect set for a birthday dress!

Fabric Tray

Lemon Tree Creations updated this old tray with a cute fabric cover:

It is a cute way to match the tray to your decor, but it would also be a fun way to decorate for the holidays. Just add some festive red, white and blue fabric.

You can see the tutorial HERE.

Fondant Beach Towel

Sweet Creations has a tutorial to make this cute striped beach towel out of fondant:

Now I just need to find a reason I need a cute striped fondant beach towel!

Flag Wreath

Sarah (Ms. Thrifty Decor Chick) made this cute flag for her door:

The only thing about not being home for the 4th that I am sad about is not getting to decorate.  But if you want to make one of these cute flags you can find out how to make your own HERE.

Vinyl Toenails

Craft-O-Maniac has another cute use for vinyl:

She used it to dress up her toes!  Another reason I need a machine that will cut vinyl!

This is Cool

This light is cool:

And so is this pitcher:

They have absolutely nothing in common, except that I think they are both cool.

Burlap and Doily Americana

At Second Street made this flag with burlap and doilies:

I love doilies!

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups

I think the title says it all!  I found this image at Crazy Domestic.  The post is about organizing recipes, but if you look really close you can see the recipe for the brownie peanut butter cups!

YUM!

Patriotic Hair Bow

I love this hair bow idea from Sugar Bee:

And the best part is the kids can make it all on their own!  You can check it out HERE.

Silverware Art

Char from Crap I've Made made this:

and I think it would be cute in my kitchen!  You can check out her tutorial HERE.

Condiment Gun

I love this condiment gun that you can pick up at Amazon.  Of course, what I really want to know is if there is a way to make a regular squirt gun do the same thing.

Great American Backyard Campout

If you are looking for something fun to do with the family tomorrow, June 26th is the Great American Backyard Campout (you can check out the details HERE)

And if you know me or have read my blog for five seconds you know that S'mores are one of my most favorite things.  I so want to try this double decker S'more:

So pick up some Marshmallows, Graham Crackers, and  Hershey Bars (or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...or Carmel Hershey's...or you get the idea) and go out back and make yourself some S'mores!

4th of July Printables

The Sweetest Occasion has some really great printables on her blog for the 4th.  There is a cute invitation, buffet signs, and (my favorite) these straw flags:

They were designed by The Pink Orange and you can download them for free HERE.

Fourth of July Flag Wreath

Stephanie from Meet the Newcombs saw this cute wreath in Good Housekeeping:

 and made a flag wreath of her own:

You can check out her tutorial HERE, and if you find a good deal on flag toothpicks, pick up a bunch so that you can make your own.

Ruffled Ribbon Headband

Twelve Crafts 'til Christmas has a tutorial for this really cute headband:

and you can find out how to make it HERE.

Ticket to Party

Look at the very cute invites that Taylor from Mary Janes and Galoshes had made for her sons birthday party:

Aren't they so fun!  And you could use them for more than a baseball theme.  You could do movie tickets, or tickets to a play, or if you were doing a car themed party you could even send out speeding tickets with the date and time they are to appear in court.

Flower Pot Brownie Cakes

See these cute flower pots:

They have a little secret.  Everything inside is 100% edible:

Beth from The Stories of A to Z made these cute little treats with brownie mix!  And I love that she used real mint leaves!  You can get the how to HERE.

Eat More Cake Cupcake Liners

CJ from Pink Tea made these cupcakes:

using this cupcake decorating set:

The cupcake wrappers are priceless, but I am pretty sureI could recreate the party hats and even the presents on my own with some cute paper and a few toothpicks!  Such an easy and fun way to decorate a cupcake!

Paper Roses

Creative Jewish Mom made gorgeous paper roses using THIS technique and then used them as table decorations:

They are beautiful and I am pretty sure you can't get any more inexpensive than that!   You can see her table HERE and get the tutorial for the flowers HERE.  And if you don't love the white paper, you could go with colorful felt:

Independence Day Door Hanger

The only thing better than a monogram wreath, is one with three letters on it:

Amber from Sew Totally Smitten has a tutorial for this great USA Wreath on her blog HERE.  And if your last name is short enough, you could use the idea for a personalized door hanger year round!

Mushroom Marshmallow Pops

My Paper Pony is still preparing for her Smurf Day Party and these mushroom marshmallow pops are her latest creation:

The cute mushrooms, made from marshmallows, donut holes, and a few decorative touches work not only for the Smurf and Mario themes, but if you make them a pretty pink they would be perfect for a fairy themed party as well.

You can see how to make your own HERE.

Take Along Doll House

So we arrived in Arizona safely and I have to say that 17 hours is a REALLY long time to be in a car!  We will skip the fun story about how I almost ran out of gas for the first time in my life in the middle of no where Texas.  What I will tell you is I really wish Ruby had one of these cute take along doll houses from Serving Pink Lemonade to play with:

Then she might not have said "I want to get out" 800 million times.  And if that number isn't accurate it is because I am rounding down.  I might have to try making one before the trip home!  Cute little furniture and all:

The tutorial for this cute house also comes with a tutorial for these cute wooden dolls:

Don't these cute little dolls remind you of the original Little People?

Fabric Flower Flip Flops

320 Sycamore has a super cute flip flop tutorial that requires that requires absolutely zero sewing:

A pair of flip flops, a pair of scissors, some fabric and string is all you need!  I bet you have it all in your house already!

You can check out the tutorial HERE.

Daily Dot Calendar

I saw this calendar idea from PB Teen on One Cool Pick:

Which makes me wonder if you can write on vinyl like a dry erase board?  Because if you can this would be SUPER easy to make.  Even if you can't it wouldn't be too hard with some dry erase paint?

So can you write on vinyl with a dry erase marker?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Fruit Tart Cupcakes

I love cupcakes, but I REALLY love fruit tarts.  This could be the best of both worlds:

You can get the recipe for these yummy treats at C&C Cakery.  I think I am going to have to give it a shot. I am wondering if it is better than just eating both a cupcake AND a fruit tart.  I might have to try both.

Creative Magazine Storage

Now THIS is a neat way to store your magazines:

The vintage wine rack came from HERE, and you can check out some more cool ideas at Apartment Therapy.