If you’re looking for some entertaining things to do with your kids, why not make the time and do a craft project? The thrill of creating something with their own two hands can not only liven up an afternoon, but will also instill good work habits, and stimulate the imagination. Below are a few fun projects to do with your little ones; they're easy to make right at home at Luke Family Housing.

Make a pirate ship out of a milk carton and have adventures on the high seas. Take an old milk carton and wash it out thoroughly, then lay it on its side. Attach a folded rectangle of cardboard to the top to make a deck. Punch a hole in the top, stick a straw through, and glue a rectangle of white paper on for a sail. Decorate it, and then have an open-seas adventure!

With some string and a little cardboard, you can create a mobile to hang in your child’s room. Use tongue depressors as a base and punch holes to thread the string through at different lengths. Cut out shapes from cardboard and hang them from the string at varying lengths. Let your child pick the theme, like jungle, princesses, or trains.

Decoupage is a great way to make colorful and exciting crafts. Lay down freezer paper and arrange cut paper, magazines, and other materials in a single layer, then coat with instant decoupage. You can use it to make collages, belts, appliques for clothes, and more.

It’s easy to make your own pom-poms out of yarn, curling ribbon, and tissue paper. You can even make them out of multi-colored garbage bags. Use craft wire to affix them together and then work with your kids to create some cheers!

Crafting is a great way to bond with your children. Sharing the creative process together will give your children a sense of pride in their work, and it's also a great way to make homemade gifts you can give to loved ones. By working together you can teach kids valuable lessons about patience, following instructions, and self-expression. Here are some wonderful crafts projects for adults and kids:

Cut out freezer paper stencils
Cut the designs out of the paper and then iron the paper onto the shirt. With fabric paint, fill in the negative space and then peel off the freezer paper when you're done to reveal your design.

Make your own board game
Draw a board with crayons and markers, use index cards to make cards, get a pair of dice, and play! Look for blank game boards at your nearest toy retailer or check online.

Mold melted crayons into new creations
Adult supervision is required for the melting process, but once you’ve liquefied the wax you can use ice cube trays, cookie molds, and more to make new art supplies.

Make stamps
Cut stencil shapes from firm, fresh potatoes and then dip them in ink or paint. Create funky, home-made designs on paper or fabric.

Make musical instruments
Making musical instruments can be a fun activity that can lead into more creative play. Put beans in cardboard boxes, tape tightly-stretched wax paper over the top for a homemade shaker or make shoebox banjos with rubber bands – the possibilities are endless. Enjoy your instruments during play time!