Frugal Fun for Kids

These ideas come from an article I wrote several years ago. You can see all of the ideas here, but I thought some of these would be fun for those days that are just too hot to play outside!

Juice Carton Crayon Box

Wash and dry an empty cardboard juice carton and cut off the top. Using bits and pieces of masking tape, have the children tape up the entire carton, covering all sides, the more tape the better. Use crayons to color the masking tape box. The tape makes the box sturdier and will make a great crayon holder for their desk or dresser.

Coffee Can Stilts

Using two 1-pound coffee cans, turn each can upside down so that the plastic lid is on the bottom. Using a screwdriver, poke two holes, one on each side of the can. Using several strands of yarn braided or twisted together, or some rope, thread through holes in cans. Tie off inside the can. Cans can be decorated if you like.

Alphabet Catalog Collage

Using old toy, clothing, and plant catalogs, have the kids cut out colorful pictures that begin with a specific letter of the alphabet. Assign different letters to each child. Have them glue the pictures onto a piece of construction paper. Discuss the pictures afterward.

Cartoon Strip

make your very own cartoon adventure with crayons and a pad of paper. At the bottom of a pad, on each sheet, draw a figure (i.e., a dog). The first frame will be on the first page, second frame on the second page, and so on. Change the movement with each page. When you are finished, fan the pages with your thumb to see the show!

Bookmarks

Great for back to school or as a gift to someone you love. Make fun bookmarks with construction paper, markers, paints, and stickers. You can also use glitter, sequins, lace, doilies, buttons, and any other little bric-a-brac you have laying about. Cut strips from construction paper, painting the construction paper will make it sturdier, or you can visit the local library or office supply to have them laminated for longer lasting use. To complete the bookmark, attach a tassle make from strands of yarn.

See all 20 Fun Ideas That Won't Break The Bank

More fun: Musical Activities for Guaranteed Fun

Old Fashioned Games for Kids

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!--Anne Frank

I have several books and magazines from the 1950's and I put together some great activities for kids that don't involve television or video games. Kids sometimes resist at first,but then once they get going they have a great time!

STATIC ELECTRICITY DOLLS
But small one inch square dolls out of plain paper. You'll need a plain comb, the kind guys usually keep in their pocket. Comb your hair as quickly as you can 3-4 times. Then very quickly place the comb right over the dolls, just touching them. They should "jump" on the comb and you can make them dance by moving the comb around. Try this on a dry day, then try it again on a rainy day. Hmmm...what happens?

MOVE A PENNY WITH YOUR NOSE?
Lay flat on the floor on your back. Balance a penny on the tip of your nose. Twitch your nose and move your lips but NOTHING else. Don't wiggle your head or move your body (no cheating!). Can you make the penny fall?

THE ICE CUBE TRICK
You'll need a piece of thread about 12 inches or so long, salt, a paper plate and an ice cube. Run a little water over the ice cube and place it on the plate. Now wet your piece of thread,then lay one end of it on top of the ice cube, shaping it into a
little loop. (it will lay flat on the cube). Sprinkle a little salt over the looped thread on the ice cube. Count to 5 and you should be able to lift the ice cube by the thread even though it's not tied to it or attached!

THE JUMPING EGG SHELL
You'll need an egg, a needle, and two water glasses. First you'll need to empty the egg shell. Prick a hole in each end of the egg with the needle very carefully. Blow on one end so the egg will come out the other end. Keep blowing until it feels empty. Carefully set the empty egg down on a towel so it doesn't break. (Put the egg yolk and white in the refrigerator to use later if you wish.)

Fill the two glasses with water and place them side by side so they are touching. Place the egg in one of the glasses. The trick is to blow on the egg so it jumps into the other glass! It's difficult, but it is possible. You must figure out how to
blow so the air goes down and under the egg shell. Where should you blow to make this happen?

MARBLE FUN
Place two plastic cups (glass is too loud and may break) on a tables exactly 6 inches apart. Put 10 marbles into one glass. Take 2 unsharpened pencils and hold them in your hand like chop sticks. Try to lift the marbles out of one glass and place them into the other by using just the pencil chop sticks! See how many you can move before dropping one.

TIN FOIL BALL AND CUP
Crumble up a piece of aluminum foil into a ball. Tie one end of a 30 inch long piece of string around the ball. Tie the other end of the string to a cup handle. You can use any cup that has a handle---don't use a nice one in case it breaks! A plastic cup
with a handle works best. Hold the cup by the handle and swing it so that the ball goes into the air. Try to catch the ball in the cup. This isn't as easy as it may seem!

Make your own Pick-Up-Sticks and play with the kids!
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/pick-up-sticks.html