Fun and colorful crafts to celebrate spring

Tissue Paper Rainbow

Spring is a time of rain showers bringing new life to the world. At the end of a rain shower, it's time to look for a rainbow. I remember sitting on my front porch after spring rains, breathing in that fresh scent and peering up at the skies for colorful rainbows. Singles or rare doubles would bring shrieks of pure joy. Bring a bit of that rainbow joy into your home with this fun craft. Kids love the hands-on nature of the craft and parents love the fun look!

This project can be done by:

Any age, very kid friendly!

Time needed: 25 minutes plus drying time

You Will Need:

Poster board

Tissue Paper in 4-6 colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple are the main colors of the rainbow)

Cotton Balls

White Glue

1. Cut out an arch shape in the poster board the size of your rainbow. Mark off the first 15-20% of the left hand side for the clouds.
2. Cut out 1" squares of tissue paper in each color. Keep the colors separate.
3. Get a small bowl of white glue.
4. Starting with reds on the top of the arch, crumple the tissue paper into small balls and tip the edge into the glue. Create a line with the adhered crumpled tissue paper. Avoid the marked off left hand side of the poster board.
5. Continue downward gluing the balls until all of the color rows have been completed.
6. Pull out a cotton ball. Pull it apart slightly to create a fluffy appearance.
7. Dip the bottom of the cotton ball in the glue and place it on the left hand side. Fill that side completely with cotton balls. If desired, add a ribbon, magnets or yarn as a hanger to the back

Painted Pot Bird Feeders

It is such a joy to watch birds flutter and fly around the yard. I love seeing them in my yard. Decorative bird feeders of different shapes and sizes give opportunities for them to feast. One special design that interested me was using a terra cotta pot and saucer to create a birdfeeder that can be tucked within a garden. This can give a beautiful opportunity to combine birds with your landscaping art.

This project can be done by:

Any age; Younger kids will need help with the glue

Time needed: 45 minutes plus drying time

You Will Need:

Large Terra cotta pot

Matching terra cotta saucer

Outdoor/Gloss Craft Paints

All Purpose adhesive (such as goop)

• 1. Prime the large terra cotta pot and its saucer with white paint.
• 2. Flip the terra cotta pot upside-down so the open flower pot part is facing downward. Paint the main area of the terra cotta pot a fun design. You can have fun and put an intricate floral design on it or go simple and just sponge paint several colors over it.
• 3. Pain the rim of the terra cotta pot and the terra cotta a complementary color.
• 4. Adhere the saucer to what is now the top of the upside-down terra cotta pot.
• 5. Allow to dry.
• 6. Place out in the garden and fill with birdseed.