Family camping
trips are all about creating memories, and one sure fire way to make them
memorable is to bring along some simple craft materials so the kids can
create their own masterpieces. Here are a few ideas for campground crafting
fun:

Cookie Cutter Bird
Feeder

What to bring: Birdseed, envelopes of
unflavored gelatin, measuring cups, twine or string, cookie cutters and wax
paper

How to make them: Dissolve one
envelope of gelatin in ¼ cup of hot water and let it cool for a bit. Stir in
¾ cup of birdseed or a bit more if needed to absorb the liquid. Place cookie
cutters on wax paper and fill them half way with the birdseed mixture. Knot
the end of a piece of twine to make a loop, and lay it over the birdseed. Add
more birdseed mixture until the cookie cutter is full. Allow the bird feeders
to dry overnight, then remove them from the cookie cutters and hang them from
the trees for the birds to enjoy.

Sponge Water Bombs

What to bring: Packages of colorful
kitchen sponges from the dollar store, scissors and string or fishing
line.

How to make them: Cut the sponges
into 1” strips lengthwise. Stack three rows of three strips each in varying
colors on top of each other. Tie the bundle tightly together in the middle
with string or fishing line and twist the sponge strips into a ball shape.
Make a big batch of these, add them to a pail of water and let the water
fights begin!

Paper Bag Kites

What to bring: Large brown paper
grocery bags, crayons or markers, a hole punch, hole reinforcement stickers
from the office supply store, rolls of crepe paper or colorful plastic bags,
strong string

How to make them: Give each kid a paper bag to
decorate with crayons or markers.  Punch two holes on each side of
the top of the bag and apply the hole reinforcement stickers.  Cut
two 30” pieces of string, thread them through the punched holes and tie them
to create two loops. Loop a third piece of string (30” or longer) through the
two loops to make a handle. Cut streamers out of the crepe paper or plastic
bags and have the kids glue them onto the edges of the bag. Once the glue is
dry, the kites are ready for flight!

Thumbprint Bugs

What to bring: Non-toxic,
non-permanent ink pads in varying colors, drawing paper and thin black
markers

How to make them: Have the kids use the ink
pads to create thumbprints in the shapes of butterflies, centipedes, lady
bugs, spiders or other insects. Then, once the ink is dry, have them use the
markers to add eyes, legs, wings and antennae to create their own colorful
bug zoo.