Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Roll Monsters

Toilet paper rolls can be used for so many different crafts.  We decided to use ours to make monsters.  This is a very easy way to spark your kids imaginations.  

Here is what you need:
Empty toilet paper rolls
Empty paper towel rolls
Paint and brushes (or Markers/crayons)
Google eyes
Poms
Pipe Cleaners
Stickers (optional)

To make your very own monsters simply cut the paper towel rolls in the height you'd like your monster to be.  Then press in both sides of one end of the roll (either paper towel roll or toilet paper roll).  Then paint (or color) the toilet paper rolls (allow time to dry if using paint).  Then decorate your monster using the eyes, pipe cleaners and stickers.  We used the pipe cleaners as arms.  An easy way to insert the arms is to use a pen to poke a whole in the toilet paper roll first then insert the pipe cleaners.

Stay tuned to find out how to create your very own monster cave!

The Cardboard Box Fort

I'm going to start off with one of the easiest homemade toys, the cardboard box.  This one is a big hit with kids of all ages.  You've always heard the saying that kids rather play with the box instead of the brand new toy they received.  Well in most cases this is 100% true... especially if you turn the box into a fun and exciting fort.  Here is what you need:

Items:
Cardboard Box (as many as you'd like)
Scissors
Tape and/or stapler
Markers, stickers and other tools to decorate

 To create your very own Cardboard Box Fort start by cutting a one side off the box to make a doorway.  You can stack the boxes on top of each other after cutting out one side from each box.  There really is no right or wrong way to make a cardboard box fort, just cut where you want and let the magic happen.  Allow your kids time to personalize their forts be decorating however they wish.  

Here is our cardboard box fort.  My so want a garage door type opening so here is how we did it!

What do you do with your cardboard boxes?

Welcome to Homemade 4 Kids

Hi and Welcome to Homemade 4 Kids.  I am a mother to 2 wonderful boys who are very creative and love to be involved in everything we do.  I have decided to create this blog to share all of our wonderful homemade creations.  We will be sharing everything from homemade toys, instruments, food and so much more.  Making homemade items became very important to us for many reasons.  It is a great way to save money, spend more quality time with the kids and it opens the door to new learning opportunities.  So please take a look around and share in the fun.  I also author a blog called Tips 4 Saving where I blog all sorts of money saving tips, freebies and business information.