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DIY Water Wall

By Rachelle

Does it feel like summer in your part of the world? It’s heating up here, and my kids have been enjoying this easy and inexpensive new backyard water feature. All you need is a nearby water source, recycled plastic bottles, and a wall to attach it to.

My older daughter helped me build this one afternoon last week while my toddler was napping. She loved the responsibility of holding the bottles steady while I drilled and took a lot of pride in our finished water wall. It’s not gorgeous, but it’s a lot of fun and an upcycler’s DIY dream.

water wall build

To replicate this upcycled playscape in your own garden or patio, I’ll break this down into some simple steps.

collection of water wall materials

DIY Water Wall Supplies

Plastic bottles

Screws (our nifty kit is from IKEA)

Drill. The one in the photo is no longer with us. Sniff. However, our brand new, favorite drill is this cordless Makita drill  (affiliate).

Exacto knife. This one (affiliate) is a good deal

DIY Water Wall Steps

With the exacto knife, cut a hole in the side of the bottle. The hole will be large enough for you to fit your hand into it so that you can easily position and drill in the screws.

score bottle and add screws

Using the exacto knife, score an “X” on the side of a bottle and push a screw through the “X” from the inside. Repeat one more time so that you have two screws poking through the bottle.

Screw the bottles to a fence or wall. Tilt them slightly downward to help the water pour through. You might have to shift the bottles around or cut the holes a bit more to make the water wall work properly. Test as you go.

water wall testing

Test it out to make sure it works. Add a bucket at the bottom to catch the water, which can then be added to plants or returned to the top of the water wall.

Invite some friends over to play.

water wall play

Set up a water-filling station and add some pitchers, watering cans, and cups.

And be prepared for eye-opening, open-ended fun.

How to make an easy summer water wall

Filed Under: DIY, Elementary, Outdoors, Pre-School, Recycled, Sensory, Summer, Toddler

11 Classic Summer Camp Crafts for Kids

By Rachelle

Classic summer camp crafts for kids

11 classic summer crafts that you'll remember from your own childhood...all in one place!

Now that summer is officially underway, I’ve been getting nostalgic for classic summer camp crafts. You know, the ones that you would make every year — things to wear, hang on your wall, and gift to your parents at the end of summer.

These projects are intended to take you back to your childhood, and maybe inspire you to bring some of this time-tested goodness back into your life this summer. I know that my 4-year old will enjoy tie-dying and sand casting, so I’m adding those to my summer bucket list.

What crafts do you remember from your camp days?

Tie Dye Camp

Tie Dye Tutorial, YouTube video with So Sallyo. You could also try this one-step tie dye kit.

friendship bracelet camp honestly wtf

Make simple Chevron Friendship Bracelets.For all the supplies you’ll need, I love this multi-pack of embroidery floss.

God’s Eye,  For a colorful selection of yarn, check out this bright 8-pack of tiny, soft yarn skeins.

Summer Camp Craft: Paint Birdhouses

Paint Birdhouses. TinkerLab. Pic up inexpensive wooden birdhouses at the craft store, add acrylic paint, and you’ll have a birdhouse or bird feeder for summer. For non-toxic acrylic paint, you could try Reeves non-toxic acrylic paint set (affiliate)

Sand casting camp paint cut paste

Sand Casting with Plaster and Shells, Artful Parent. Need plaster of paris? Amazon has you covered!

diy windchimes camp hands on as we grow

DIY Wind Chimes, Hands on: As we grow. Need brushes? You could try these silicon basting brushes.

Rain Stick camp Imagination Tree

DIY: Rain Stick, The Imagination Tree

Sand candles camp Child Central Station

Sand Candles, Child Central Station. If you need candle wax, this natural soy wax (in a 10 lb. bag) is an Amazon bestseller.

colored rice bottles camp plain vanilla mom

Colored Rice Bottle Art, Plain Vanilla Mom

Nature Impressions in Sculpey camp Plum pudding

Nature Impressions in Sculpey, Plum Pudding. Sculpey is a polymer clay that’s easy to use and bakes hard in your oven. Awesome stuff. And there’s a great deal on it over here.

Bell Shaker camp Mini Eco

Bell Shaker Instrument, Mini Eco. Make your own with acorns, bells, fishing wire, and a stick with a V-shape.

Papier Mache Bowl camp

Papier Mache Bowl, Art Projects for Kids

Classic Summer Camp Crafts for Kids

Filed Under: Art Activities, Craft, Summer Tagged With: summer camp

July Art Challenge

By Rachelle

Hey Sketchbook Challenge fans! Who’s up for a July sketchbook challenge? I have a brand spanking new spread of prompts to make this extra fun and challenging.

July Sketchbook Challenge

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

You’ll start each day with a new prompt and it’s up to you to interpret it however you like. For example, if the prompt is “magnify”, you could draw a magnifying glass, place a magnifying glass over a small object and draw what you see, or zoom in on something and draw its details on a larger scale. The possibilities are endless.

More Details

For more details on how the TinkerSketch Art Challenge works, click here to read for a full list of recommended resources and ideas on how to get started with this challenge.

Filed Under: sketchbook, Tinkersketch

10 Kids Summer Activities that are Under $10

By Rachelle

10 Kids Summer Activities for Under $10

With so many summer days to fill with fun and meaningful activities, I’m always on the lookout for fun and inexpensive kids summer activities. The ideas in this article will save you money and help you connect with your kids with purpose, fun, and meaning.

Kids Summer Activities for Under $10.

Kids Summer Activities Beach Soap

Beach Keepsake Craft. Preserve your beach memories with a Glass Jar, Sand, Shells: Fireflies and Mudpies

Clean (and sort of messy) Soap Experiments: This is a fun way to explore and experiment with soap, and it includes a printable experiment sheet, Teach Mama

Kids Summer Activities Water Fight Wall

Stay cool on a hot summer day with this genius Water Fight Kit made of sponges and buckets. Bring this to your block party or family reunion! Via Inner Child Fun

If you like to upcycle (we do!), this project is practically FREE. Gather recycled bottles and make your own Upcycled Water Wall to explore how gravity works and stay cool at the same time, TinkerLab

Kids Summer Activities Croquet Pool Noodle Travel Kit

Do you have any extra pool noodles? Turn them into a fun game of Pool Noodle Croquet, Via The Joys of Boys

Do you want to travel light this summer? Follow these tips for making an Easy Itty Bitty Art Kit for on-the-go creativity, TinkerLab

Kids Summer Activities Book Nook Scavenger Hunt

Take the summer reading list outdoors and make an outdoor Summer Book Nook with a sheet, hung from the trees, No Time for Flash Cards

If you have a smart phone, this one is completely FREE: Grab a smart phone or kid-friendly camera and go on a Photo Scavenger Hunt. Via TinkerLab

Kids Summer Activities Paper Bag Mask Bubble Solution

If you get paper bags from the grocery store, you probably won’t spend a dime to make a Paper Bag Mask, Via Hands on as we Grow

Gather supplies you already have in your kitchen to make this Easy 2-Ingredient Bubble Solution, Via TinkerLab

10 Kids Summer Activities Under $10

Filed Under: Summer

May Art Challenge

By Rachelle

Join us for a month of open-ended art making in the May TinkerSketch Art Challenge.

May Art Challenge

Are you feeling inspired? This month explores a new range of daily sketchbook prompts to get your imagination running. If you missed last month’s challenge, read this post for more details.

Copy this image and save to your phone or desktop. Print it out and glue into your art journal. Re-share on your Instagram wall. Post to Facebook. Art challenges are more fun with friends, so be sure to ask a buddy to join you.

If you’ve done this Month’s challenge before, there are a couple changes. Nothing major, so if you want to use an older list, that will work, too.

No experience necessary. Kids and adults welcome.

Cut and Paste Prompt List

If you’d rather cut and paste the list into a document or something else, here’s the full list for the May Art Challenge:

  1. Giant
  2. Bump
  3. Water
  4. Window
  5. Sparkle
  6. Old
  7. Straight
  8. Time
  9. Mask
  10. Multiple
  11. Cloud
  12. Boundary
  13. Sand
  14. Sweet
  15. Drop
  16. Moon
  17. Angle
  18. Square
  19. Road
  20. Arrow
  21. Wrong
  22. Salty
  23. Curves
  24. Puzzle
  25. Shadow
  26. Active
  27. Secret
  28. Monochrome
  29. North
  30. Welcome
  31. Doodle

On Instagram

Share your TinkerSketch creations over on Instagram with the hashtag #tinkersketch. You can see over 13,000 entries here.

FAQ

What is the TinkerSketch Art Challenge?

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

Who is this Art Challenge for?

Anyone who wants a creative art boost. The stakes are low and it’s super easy to do, even if you have no experience or low confidence with making.

How much time will it take?

While you can spend as much time at this as you like, just set aside 5-10 minutes each day and you’re in business.

I need some tips for carving out 5-10 minutes

  • Carry a sketchbook in your bag and pull it out when you’re waiting in line
  • Designate “creative time” where you and your child draw in sketchbooks side-by-side
  • Wake up a little earlier than usual. You can make this more pleasant by lighting a candle, brewing tea, and sitting with your sketchbook for a few minutes before the rest of your home wakes up

What’s the goal?

  • Improve your drawing, painting, mark-making skills
  • Try and explore new ways of art-making
  • Land on new ideas that wouldn’t have emerged otherwise
  • Have fun
  • Model creative thinking for your child (if you’re a parent or teacher)
  • Celebrate the imperfection of your ideas
  • Think creatively

What Tools Will I Need?

  • A sketchbook or a ream of paper. Even post-its or old receipts will work.
  • Mark-making tools like pens and pencils
  • Paint and brush
  • “Attaching” materials such as glue and tape will come in handy
  • Collage materials such as scrap paper, newspaper, old homework, or magazines.
  • Anything else that strikes your fancy. We’ve used hole punchers, chalk markers, tea, and okra (they make beautiful stamps).

See our Resources Page for a full list of recommended supplies for tinkering, art journal keeping, and art making with kids.

Can I see Examples of How this Works?

To see images from TinkerSketch past, click over here or search Instagram for #tinkersketch. You’ll see so many inspiring entries.

How do I interpret the prompts?

You can interpret the daily prompts however you want. “Drips” to one person may mean flicking watercolors off a toothbrush and to another person it might mean covering a page in marker and then leaving the page outside on a drizzly morning.

Start any time.

Filed Under: Art Activities Tagged With: art challenge

April Art Challenge

By Rachelle

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.Print out the prompts and tape them into your child’s sketchbook, or your own. Interpret the prompts as a family. Invite your class to have a drawing warm-up when the walk in (this is a great way to focus energy).

You’ll start each day with a new prompt and it’s up to you to interpret it however you like. For example, if the prompt is “tape” (day 15), you could draw make an image with tape or draw a picture of a cassette tape . The possibilities are endless.

Don’t worry about the outcomes and allow yourself to play! Our goal is to have a great time with no judgement.

How to use the Art Challenge Prompts

  1. Print out the prompts. You can screen grab the image above or scroll down for a PDF printable.
  2. Gather sketchbooks or paper
  3. Gather art-making materials: markers, paint, collage papers, glue, etc.
  4. Give yourself a few minutes each day for this challenge. Try the morning after breakfast, after school, after dinner, before bed, etc.
  5. Interpret the daily prompt. Use your imagination, be free, don’t hold back, and have fun.

Art Challenge FAQ

What is the TinkerSketch Art Challenge?

TinkerSketch is a daily sketchbook practice that invites you to experiment and play with ideas and materials in a low-stress, fun, and mind-stretching way.

Who is this Art Challenge for?

Anyone who wants a creative art boost. The stakes are low and it’s super easy to do, even if you have no experience or low confidence with making.

How much time will it take?

While you can spend as much time at this as you like, just set aside 5-10 minutes each day and you’re in business. By committing to a daily art practice, you’ll experience artistic improvement and personal growth. If you have extra time, you could always dive in for longer, but try to dedicate just a few daily minutes if you’d like to see lasting results.

I need some tips for carving out 5-10 minutes

  • Carry a sketchbook in your bag and pull it out when you’re waiting in line
  • Designate “creative time” where you and your child draw in sketchbooks side-by-side
  • Wake up a little earlier than usual. You can make this more pleasant by lighting a candle, brewing tea, and sitting with your sketchbook for a few minutes before the rest of your home wakes up

What’s the goal?

  • Improve your drawing, painting, mark-making skills
  • Try and explore new ways of art-making
  • Land on new ideas that wouldn’t have emerged otherwise
  • Have fun
  • Model creative thinking for your child (if you’re a parent or teacher)
  • Celebrate the imperfection of your ideas
  • Think creatively

What Tools Will I Need?

  • A sketchbook or a ream of paper. Even post-its or old receipts will work.
  • Mark-making tools like pens and pencils
  • Paint and brush
  • “Attaching” materials such as glue and tape will come in handy
  • Collage materials such as scrap paper, newspaper, old homework, or magazines.
  • Anything else that strikes your fancy. We’ve used hole punchers, chalk markers, tea, and okra (they make beautiful stamps).
  • Our favorite supplies are listed below.

Printable of the March Art Challenge

Grab your PDF printable here >> Download the April prompts here (PDF)

Cut and Paste prompt list

  1. Circles
  2. White on Black
  3. Draw to Music
  4. Foil
  5. Magazine Collage
  6. Polka Dots
  7. Clouds
  8. One minute Drawing
  9. Nondominant Hand
  10. Grid
  11. Leaves
  12. Tea
  13. Print
  14. Camouflage
  15. Tape
  16. Drips
  17. Eyes Closed
  18. Makeup
  19. Pattern
  20. Enlarge
  21. Symbol
  22. Horizontal
  23. Weather
  24. View
  25. Rip
  26. Stickers
  27. Dirt
  28. Abstract
  29. Stencil
  30. Copy

Filed Under: Art Activities

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