Your child will get a real laugh out of this playful craft project. These yummy little clowns are easy to make and they taste great! So rather than taking a trip to the store, spend time with your child making these delicious treats. And when the clowns are finished, head outside and chill out on a hot summers day.

Materials

* Ice cream
* Paper cupcake liners
* Ice cream cones
* Chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, candy, or other small edible items (not for children under 3 years)

Help the kids practice their colors and learn sorting skills with a colorful matching activity.

Materials

* Large sheet of white construction paper for each child.
* 15 tongue depressors or frozen flavored treat sticks per child
* Black marker
* Box of colored markers or crayons

May is a special month for mothers, so help the kids make a special Mothers Day gift for their own moms.

Materials

* Plastic lids from margarine or other plastic containers, enough for each child
* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors
* White glue (non-toxic)
* Felt or paper doily
* Camera or photograph of each child
* Magnetic tape

Take the kids on a fishing expedition and let them catch a few surprises

Materials

* Plastic or rubber fish, small inexpensive toys, wrapped snacks, and/or other surprise objects, 2 to 3 per child
* Tape
* String
* 2 magnets per child
* Large cardboard box or table covered with sheet
* Wrapping paper tubes or plastic poles for each child

Celebrate this all-American holiday with a patriotic craft. As you put it together, you can explain the history behind our celebration of the 4th, or talk to your child about the meanings behind the colors of our flag - for example, For our country's first flag, Betsy Ross used red for bravery, white for freedom and blue for truth. When the noisemakers are done, your child can join the parade with a one-of-a-kind instrument!

Its back to school time, when your child will be learning new concepts or brushing up on ones that were introduced last year. Help your child review at home with this craft idea that reinforces a number of important math skills: number recognition, counting and matching. Its a cooperative activity that gets her involved in the learning process from the start - and the more you can make her part of the process, the more learning will stick!

Materials

* 22 small index cards
* Black marker
* Stickers or dot stickers

For Mothers Day, your child wants to make something beautiful for you or for his grandma. This project contains steps your child can do independently - for example, let your child go through some of your family photos to select a picture that holds special meaning for him or her. When the projects done, you'll have an endearing reminder - not only from the picture the frame holds, but of your time spent together making this special gift.

Materials

* Child's blunt-tip safety scissors
* Cardboard
* Construction paper or gift-wrap
* Photo
* Dry twigs
* White glue
* Ribbon

Your child will love making this handmade bird feeder to hang outside your house to attract birds. Hang the feeder outside near a window where your child can watch the birds eat.

Materials

* Heavy string, yarn, or a shoelace
* Pine cone
* Pencil or straw
* Round oat cereal or pretzels
* Peanut butter
* Birdseed
* Stale bread
* Cookie cutter
* Popsicle stick

Making a book with your child is a fun way to encourage a child who likes to write or illustrate stories. Choose one of the following materials to begin creating your childs story.