Cheap Crafts Ideas for when you can’t think of anything else!

Being a crafty mom is hard.  Those moms who exist on Pinterest, well they’re not the norm, at least that’s what I tell myself.  Sure, I have craft supplies, paint, hot glue guns, beads and more.  But my kids get bored with our “same old” craft stuff.

So when my 9yr old started complaining it’s no fun at our house and that she and her friend were bored, I tried hard to think of something they’d agree to do.  (they’re picky)

That’s when somewhere in the depths of my memory I recalled a craft where you use nail polish to paint.  I grabbed a couple beer bottles (we kind of have plenty of) and took the labels off.  Bam!  Instant fun for 9yr olds!  The polish is sparkly, the brush is built in, it dries quickly and it looks pretty when it’s done!

*Note, do turn on a fan and face it toward the craft area.  The nail polish fumes were pretty bad without it.

Next, Valentines craft for when you realize you need to make something valentines related and you have no supplies.

My sons needed to make valentines card collection boxes for class.  All I could find was pink paint, we were out of red, and heart buttons.  I thought they might think it was too girly but they had a blast.

Lastly, those Banangrams games I picked up at a yard sale came in handy.  The tiles are the same as scrabble and we glued them on to personalize the boxes.  With little to no mess and almost no real valentines supplies we managed to pull of these cute boxes!  Yay me!

So, what are your “go to” craft ideas for when you don’t actually have supplies.  Have you ever pulled off something amazing and fun for the kids unexpectedly?  What was it?