Who is in the mood for some fun DIYs?
What’s more? Your kids also get to join in the fun too!
Let me tell you how I got into creating something useful from everyday home materials with my kids.
I had initially intended to make mobiles with some empty coat hangers, but when I started gathering supplies, I thought, what else can the ubiquitous wire hanger become? So I dug around in our recycling bin, found some small containers. We added a bit of yarn and paper clips, and voila! We had a simple scale!
This is an easy project for your younger kids to enjoy. Gather a bunch of small, light objects, and let your little ones weigh away!
Here, let me run you through the easy process of creating a simple scale as I did.
You need the following supplies:
- a wire coat hanger
- two small plastic containers of similar size and weight
- Yarn, string, or ribbon
- a pair of scissors
- 1 tack and 2 paper clips
Age limit: children 3 and above. Younger children will need help, but they can use it on their own once it is made.
Time range: 5-10 minutes
Now let’s get those hands dirty.
- You can use individual cereal containers as we did or anything from your recycling bin for the scale baskets.
- Use the tack to make a small hole at each corner and let your kid measure out the yarn by holding it finger-tip to shoulder.
- Cut 4 pieces of the yarn (or whatever similar object) about 18-20 inches long
- Cut each piece in half so that you have 8 pieces of equal length
- Thread a piece of yarn through each hole and tie it to secure
- Tie the pieces of yarn together at the top so that the basket hangs evenly
- Push a paper clip up through the knot and hang it from one end of the coat hanger
- Repeat the previous step with the other basket.
- Use a square of paper or tape to keep the baskets from sliding
- Finally, tape a chopstick or pencil to the edge of a table and hang your scale!
In the spirit of creative and fun DIYs, Curious Jane, founded by contributor Samantha Razook Murphy, offers project-based after-school programs and summer camps revolving around creativity in the arts and sciences.
Read more on our blog.
POSTED IN: KID DIY. TAGGED: ART PROJECT, CRAFT FOR KIDS, EASY CRAFT, EASY KID CRAFTS, INDOOR ACTIVITIES