4 creative ideas to cure cabin fever

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.

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.

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.

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.