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3, 2, 1, launch! Try making these super simple paper cup launchers for a backyard rocket launch competition that’s out of this world.

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Place two rubber bands lengthwise across the cup, making a cross shape over the opening.

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Add a third rubber band around the cup, to secure the two rubber bands in place. This will be the "rocket."

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Get ready to launch! Place a second cup upside down on a flat surface. Put the "rocket" over the base cup. Holding the lip of the rocket cup, pull down and release! Watch your "rocket" go flying!

cups (2)

rubber bands (3+)

Rubber Band Powered Cup Launcher

puzzles

indoor game

Kids can create their very own personalized puzzle to solve again and again. Choose a favorite photo, greeting card or patterned paper and get started!

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Trim the photo, greeting card or paper into strips that are slightly narrower than the width of the craft sticks. For exact edges, draw guiding lines with a pencil and ruler or get grownup help to use a paper cutter. 

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Use a brush to spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over the craft  sticks. Let them dry for a few seconds. Then place one paper strip on each stick. Let the paper strips dry completely.

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Paint another thin layer of Mod Podge on top to seal the sticks. This step helps to protect the images and prevents peeling or yellowing.

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Once the sticks are totally dry, it’s time to solve the puzzle! Use a marker to number the sticks. The numbers make it easier to keep track of the pieces and put the puzzle back together again. Mix them all up and do it again!

craft sticks 

Mod Podge

Photos

paintbrush

markers

scissors

ruler

pencil

Craft Stick Puzzles

backyard games

I must admit, I am a bit of a paint chip fanatic.  All the beautiful colors--all the possibilities (though I can't really imagine having the guts to paint a room anything like these).  I was in the paint store recently picking up some paint for a touch-up in our bathroom, and brought some extra paint chips home* for some fun with the kids.  I had seen this cute idea for a Paint Chip Scavenger Hunt, and thought that sounded like a great activity for indoor or outdoor fun. (*Note: I don't really think of this as unethical--they are FREE after all, and I'm sure the paint companies provide them with gazillions, but I made sure not to wipe them out of any of the colors.)

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I chose the paint chips with 4-5 shades, and decided to cut them into individual colors.  I also went ahead and punched holes in them so we could gather them together easily. I threaded a rubber band through, so the kids could carry them around. ( In the end, it seemed easier to not have them all connected--so if I do it again, I'll skip the hole punch step.)

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After that, it's just off to the races. It was a rainy day outside, so S just explored the kitchen, finding all the items she could that matched her set.  You could make all kinds of fun games out of it: set a timer to see how many different colors you can find, make a chart of how many items of each color you can find, play paint chip bingo!  We kept it pretty simple today, but I know we'll come back to this again.

We were frankly a little amazed at the everyday items that matched our brilliant colors.  The exercise was a great way to open our eyes to the technicolor world we live in!

Again, if you're looking for an activity to occupy your kiddos for 15 minutes or so while you move dinner along (as I always am!), this is a good one.  You could also have a great time with this outdoors, as well.

I think we can come up with some more ideas for how to use these paint swatches, so stay tuned!

paint chip samples

Paint Chip Scavenger Hunt

Aim and Shoot! Knock all of the ping pong balls off with water to win! 

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All you need for this wild and wet game is a block of styrofoam, golf tees, ping pong balls (or something similar), and a water shooter or water gun. 

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Have your child push the golf tees into the styrofoam and balance a ping pong ball on each golf tee. This was his favorite part! 

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Shoot! How many can you knock over at once? So fun! The kids took turns shooting the balls and balancing the balls back onto the tees. What a simple and exciting water game! 

ping pong balls

styrofoam

golf tees

water shooter

water

Water Blast Game

birthday party games

We had some rainy days lately and discovered that masking tape is great for indoor games! Try this no-mess indoor one.

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Begin by taping three squares on your floor. We taped a large, medium, and small one on our dining room floor. Don't worry if it's not perfectly even!

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Next, get a small ball, stand back and try to roll it and get it as close to the small square as you can!

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The closest one wins! Clean-up was a snap... have fun!

masking tape

ball

Bulls-Eye Bowling

pretend play

Rainy day with the kids? Have a house full of birthday party guests? Don't fret! Instead, play this fun and easy game that will help get the wiggles out and encourage listening and eye tracking skills!

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Gather your child or children in front of you and stand on a chair. Take your movement scarf and instruct children that you are going to drop the scarf from as high up as you can. The anticipation of waiting for the scarf to drop can give kiddos a case of the giggles!

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Next, tell them that you will call out an action they must do. Examples to try include: jumping jacks, saying their ABCs, hopping on one foot, laughing, etc. Tell them that they are allowed to do the action ONLY while the scarf is falling. When the scarf hits the floor, the children must immediately stop. In this picture, I told my daughter she had to clap her hands until the scarf touched the floor.

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Anyone who does not stop by the time the scarf touches the floor will be out! (Sometimes it's just fun to try to catch the falling scarves too!)

lightweight scarves

Falling Scarves Game

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It was so much fun putting together a DIY photo booth for our family's New Year's Eve celebration! Not only did it keep the kids and adults entertained, but we got some silly Instagram-worthy pictures to remember the occasion.

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Download our <a href="http://images.kiwicrate.com/diy_ad/KiwiCo-Photo-Booth-Printable.pdf" target="_blank">printable</a> and print it out on white paper. Then, cut out each of the shapes to create traceable templates.

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Use a pencil to trace the outline of each shape onto the colorful cardstock. Then, carefully cut them out.

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Tape each shape to a wooden dowel to create your props!

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To create a photo booth backdrop, cut 4' long pieces of different colored streamers. Alternatively, use a foil curtain as a backdrop! 

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Tape your streamers or curtain to a wall, set out your new props, and get the camera ready!

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colorful cardstock

white paper

wooden dowels

Tape

crepe paper streamers (or foil curtain)

Scissors

printable

Photo Booth

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For last minute party fun, I love this quick and easy holiday game. It’s fun for the younger kids in the group and hilarious to watch in action!

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Draw the reindeer face and ears on brown construction paper. Cut them out. Add details like eyes, mouth, and ears.

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Draw a pair of antlers on dark brown construction paper. Cut them out.

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Draw and cut out a few red circles for the nose! Attach some masking tape to the back of the circles.

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Tape the ears and antlers in place and you’re all set! Hang up Rudolph and see which kids can pin his nose in place. To make it extra challenging, have each kid spin around before pinning his nose!

8 awesome party game projects for kids

Screen-free fun!