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4 creative ideas to cure cabin fever

When bad winter weather keeps your kids home from school, chances are boredom will start to creep in. This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your kids making fun crafts as they explore their creative skills. Here are a few easy-to-make projects that don’t require a lot of materials or time. Just be sure to stock up on some basic supplies so you’re ready to go during that first snowstorm or school closing!

A bunch of bright butterflies

You know a caterpillar can turn into a butterfly, but did you know a toilet paper roll or paper towel tube could, too? It’s true! Save them up for a rainy (or snowy) day and you and your kids will have a blast making these colorful creatures to hang on the bedroom wall. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Toilet paper tubes and/or paper towel tubes (the more the better)
  • Craft paint
  • Hot glue gun or adhesive dots
  • Poster putty (for hanging on the wall)

We love this beautiful butterfly craft idea from Parents® – click for their easy step-by-step directions to create your own.

Craft tip: Love doing projects with paints? The Get Creative™ Case is perfect for storing paints, brushes and lots of other crafting supplies. Side handles make it easy to carry, and it even opens up into a flat workspace!
Paper bag puppets

Not only are these crafts fun to make, they’re fun to play with, too! Once your kids have made their puppets, they can spend the day putting on a show! Save up your paper grocery bags and paper lunch sacks, fabric scraps, ribbons, buttons and more so you’ll have plenty of materials to make these adorable puppets. Here’s a list of some of the things you’ll need, but you can add to this list as you like:

  • Large paper bag (or lunch-size paper bag)
  • Fabric scraps and/or yarn
  • Ribbon
  • Buttons
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun (other types of glue may work as well)
  • Scrap/construction paper
  • Markers

Get detailed instructions for making your own paper bag puppets from PBS.

Craft tip: The pockets and compartments of the Get Creative Caddy help you easily organize all your crafting materials when you’re on the go, while Get Creative Cylinders keep smaller materials separated and secure.
Snowy igloo

The holidays may be over, but winter is still going strong. Why not embrace the season and create a cool little igloo with your kids? It’s a lot easier (and drier) than making a real igloo, so put on your artist’s cap instead of your parka! All it takes are a few easy-to-get supplies and a little bit of time. Here’s what you’ll need for this craft, but your kids can always use non-edible materials like cotton balls, glue, white glitter or Epsom salt:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Vanilla frosting
  • Plastic or foam cup
  • Scissors
  • Edible glitter (optional)

Get the full instructions for this cute project from Kristen over at A Day in First Grade.

Craft tip: The clear-sided Get Creative Rectangle Pouch is a great solution for storing scissors, glue, and other craft materials you use frequently. Pair it with a Get Creative Slim Pouch for pens, pencils and markers, and tuck them both into your favorite Get Creative bag.
Bookmark monsters

The perfect craft for kids who love to read or a great way to brighten up your little student’s day when they’re at school, these monster-themed DIY bookmarks are fun and easy to make! Your kids will love decorating these bookmarks in a variety of ways. They can even make a different one for each of their books – the sky’s the limit! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Construction/craft paper (a variety of bright colors, as well as black and white)
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Pencil or markers
  • Self-stick googly eyes

See the instructions and a video tutorial to make these crazy critters from Andreja of Easy Peasy and Fun.

Craft tip: Have lots of paper to keep organized? The Get Creative Sleeve was designed just for you. The clear PVC back panel makes it easy to see the contents so you can get to the papers, sewing patterns, sticker sheets or 12x12 scrapbook pages you need with ease.