The existing pandemic has taught us a different way of leading life. Schools have shut down and parents have been pushed to be with their kids 24×7, grooming them, teaching them, and spending time with them. With so much “quality time” to be had, much of it has lost its true quality. Boredom has unfortunately set in, and now people of all ages are exploring fresh ideas to revive the energy. ‘Do it Yourself’ or DIY projects have increasingly grown in popularity as people search for ways to keep engaged and enjoy some screen-free time. To encourage this refreshing attitude, we’ve come up with some exciting DIY projects that you can try with your kids. These are easy to do at home with a few little things you might already have at hand or can easily purchase at the bigbasket stationary e-aisle.
DIY nameplate
This project is for both children and adults. It’s perfect for creating something that’ll leave a mark in your child’s rooms or a nameplate that can be hung on their door. Plus, it’s a fun and creative activity that you can enjoy together with your kids.
Things you’ll need:
A small rectangular wooden plywood or a wooden chopping board (size may depend on the name of the person), small ½ inch nails, colourful thread or wool, two small hooks for hanging your artwork, and a handy hammer.
Method:
Give the wooden board an even coat of paint. Use a pencil to write the owner’s name in a stylized way. Use a hammer to nail the nails on the written name. Ensure to leave some space to wind the string or the wool. Connect the nails with the string or wool. Your personalised nameplate is ready. Stick or screw the hooks on the back of the plywood and hang it wherever you please.
DIY stationery organiser
Kids always find it difficult to find their stationery. Misplacing pens, pencils, scissors, erasers, and other miscellaneous items is a common thing. An organiser made using the cardboard rolls of an empty aluminium foil or cling film looks creative and smart.
Things you’ll need:
Two or three cardboard rolls found at the core of empty aluminium foils or cling films, disposable plates, glue, and coloured pens or crayons.
Method:
Draw the face of any animal on the disposable plate and cut it out. Choose an animal that is easy to draw. Colour it accordingly. Draw and cut out its tail and legs from the disposable plate only. Cut out 6 inches of the roll and colour them with coloured pens or crayons. Painting them is also an option. Cut out circular discs and stick them to the base of the rolls to close the bottom. Stick the rolls together using glue. Stick the face at the start of the roll and the tail at the end. One can use their imagination to make any animal of a favourite cartoon character.
DIY fountain
This project helps in understanding the physics behind motors and the Principle of Heron’s hydraulic theory. Though the project is academic in nature, the fountain can be used at home to add aesthetic value.
Things you’ll need:
A flexible pipe for water to flow, a mini water pump or motor, a yarn of strong thick string, waterproof adhesives, 4 pieces bamboo, a metal basin or dish, decorative items like floating candles, stones, flowers, etc. and an electric point to connect.
Method:
The project needs 4 pieces of bamboo of varied sizes. A 3 feet bamboo, two 2 feet bamboos, and a 1-foot bamboo. Tie the smallest 1-foot bamboo to the largest 3 feet bamboo such that it forms an L-shaped structure. The horizontal one, i.e. the smaller bamboo stick, is the one through which water flows out. Tie the two 2 feet bamboos together. The two similar-sized bamboos are for decorative purposes only. Place the motor at the foot of the long vertical bamboo and fix the bamboo firmly on the inner edge of the basin with waterproof adhesives. Let the pipe attached to the pump pass through the horizontal pipe. Ensure either the basin is big enough or the horizontal pipe is small so that the water falls in the basin only. Place the 2 similar sized bamboos over the basin. Place decorative candles on the side of the basin or pebbles inside it and pour some water. Connect the motor to the plug and start it. You now have a working fountain at home.
Dream catcher
This project is a fun dream catcher that can be placed anywhere in the house. Dream catchers add a good vibe to your abode. They are stylish and have a rustic appeal. Moreover, they can be made with simple stationery items.
Things you’ll need:
A racquet (any racquet would do, broken and unusable ones preferred), a few colourful threads, things to hang like pompoms, lights, decorations, beads, fresh flowers or feathers, and some adhesives.
Method:
Remove the original strings of the racquet. Connect the colourful strings in a creative manner. Simple video tutorials of this method are also available online, but to put it in words—tie a knot on the racket, and take the thread around the circle tying knots on the racket at regular intervals. Finally, you’ll have a one-dimensional heptagon or octagon, depending on how many times you loop the racket. Once you’ve completed the polygon, take the thread around again, tying knots and connecting the midpoints of each side of the polygon. Continue the process till you reach the center of the circle. It’s easy and quick. With the danglers, one can be innovative. Few options are fresh or plastic flowers, pompoms, a string of lights, or even Christmas tree decorations. Create a small loop at the top of the racquet to hang the dream catcher.
Quilled paper jewellery
Paper quilling is a fun and creative art form that teaches children patience and technique. It’s also useful for making paper jewellery or just plain art. The technique involves rolling strips of paper and creating shapes that are glued together to form patterns. Once the paper is rolled, it is pinched, curled, and twisted to create various shapes. This art form is loved and mastered by children and adults alike. The more you practice, the more capable you become at creating intricate designs.
Things you’ll need:
Chart paper, scissors, and glue.
Method:
Though for advanced quilling, people use quilling tools, for starters, you can simply begin doing it by hand. First, cut the chart paper into thin strips. Then begin tightly curling the paper with your hand. Once rolled into a circle, the paper will hold its shape when left loose. This loose circle is your quilled paper. Stick the free end of the paper with an adhesive. Now you can pinch, poke, push, and twirl your circle into different shapes. Roll up many of these to stick together to create creative patterns.
How you liked our DIY ideas. Do let us know in the comment how your creations turn out!
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