My kids have the End-Of-School countdown started and are already celebrating by staging elaborate wars between their assortment of Lego Stormtroopers and Webkinz (score: Webkinz 0, The Empire 682). 

Wanting to steer their energies away from the Dark Side, I spent last night's "me time" looking for more constructive outlets for their fertile imaginations. It's also Earth Day this coming Monday (April 22), and I have 2 large recycling bins stuffed full of perfect art supplies. 

Without further ado, our collection of Spring and Earth Day-themed craft ideas:


(1) Garden Planter (via Lushome.com)
Supplies: old tires, paint, potting soil, plants
Difficulty: Easy
You might also like: Tin Can Indoor Planters

(2) Can-Do Robots (via Spoonful.com)
Supplies: soup tins, magnets, wires, metallic odds & ends, hot glue
Difficulty: Medium
You might also like: Spring Lamb Pencil Holder 

(3) Egg Carton Fairy Lights (via RedTedArt.com)
Supplies: string of lights, egg carton, scissors, paint, white glue, glitter
Difficulty: Medium

(4) Pet Food Holder (via Crafts.Kaboose.com)
Supplies: liquid laundry detergent bottle, foam stickers (or DIY appliques), paint, heavy duty scissors
Difficulty: Easy
Our Tip: the narrow shape and handle of this bottle makes feeding Fido easier (and less likely to spill) for small hands!
 

(1) Bike Rack (via Lushome.com)
Supplies: Old tires, cutting instrument or shovel (if needed)
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Our Tip: for outdoor use, bury tires halfway into the ground. For storage space use, cut tires in half and fasten to a plank with bolts. A good service project for a Boy or Girl Scout!

(2) Cork 'Bots (via Lushome.com)
Supplies: wine corks, push pins, small Legos or plastic parts from old toys, hot glue (as needed)
Difficulty: Medium
You might also like: Cork Stamp Art

(3) Bottle Cap Art (via Lushome.com)
Supplies: assorted plastic or metal bottle caps, glue or small screws (as needed), base material of wood, heavy cardboard, or magnet sheet (for small projects to display on your fridge)
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

(4) Lightbulb Bugs (via SheKnows.com)
Supplies: used lightbulbs, paint, pipe cleaners, google eyes, wire or construction paper (for antennae, if desired).
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Our Tip: try ladybugs, butterflies, or wild imagination to create any design
 

(1) Spoon Wind Chimes (via Lushome.com) 
Supplies: old spoons, awl, metal cutter, pliers, string or fishing line, material for your mounting
Difficulty: Hard

(2) Mosaic Stepping Stones (via Squidoo.com)
Supplies: stepping stones (found at most home improvement and garden retailers), broken glass (or tesserae found at most craft supply stores), mortar mix, trowel.
Difficulty: Hard
Our Tip: makes a great Mother's Day or Grandparent's Day gift! Customize with a handprint, colour scheme, or tesserae pieces that have personal meaning to you.

(3) Recycled Card Table (via Lushome.com)
Supplies: old tires, surface material (wood, sturdy styrofoam, etc), fasteners, material for surface overlay, glue/hot glue as needed.
Difficulty: Hard
Our Tip: perfect for your teen's mancave!
 
(4) Decorative Mosaic Balls (via Michaels.com)
Supplies: styrofoam balls (available at most craft stores), broken glass or tesserae, tiling or mosaic grout, glue
Difficulty: Hard
Image credit: Etsy
 

(1) Spring Chicken Cupcakes (via MarthaStewart.com)
Supplies: baked cupcakes, frosting, toasted shredded coconut, garnishes such as almonds, licorice, and black gel frosting
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Our Tip: Turn cupcake upside-down, coat in simple frosting. Roll in coconut and garnish.

(2) Shark Garlands (via DollarStoreCrafts.com)
Supplies: paper plates, scissors, string (optional), paint or markers (optional)
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Our Tip: this makes a fun birthday party craft with single plates. Consider stringing these in long garlands around your pool area!

(3) Tissue Blossom Tree (via MarthaStewart.com)
Supplies: bare branches, tissue paper, white glue or thin clear wire
Difficulty: Medium

(4) Clothespin Planes (via Parents.com)
Supplies: clothespins, Popsicle sticks, paint or markers, white or hot glue
Difficulty: Easy
You might also like: Clothespin Dragonflies 

Which craft is your favourite?