Remember when you were a kid and built a birdhouse, or when you knew someone who made their own bookmarks, or candles? Nowadays, at the click of a button or at the nearest shop, you can find anything you want 24/7, and depending on the quality, you won't spend too much money. But what about the satisfaction of doing it yourself, and what benefits are there to encourage middle schoolers to try and make or create things on their own?
Making something from scratch boosts self-esteem, enhances skills, and kids will learn lessons for life with DIY.
1. Inspector Gadget
Everyone loves gadgets and digital devices, robotics and electronics are the future. Tweens love the digital world, and they need to learn about electricity and how things work and move. This will open doors for them for projects, hobbies, or DIY crafts. You will shock your family and friends with these cool STEM Activities.
Learn More: Hessun Academy
2. Fun Felt Projects and easy Art projects
Felt is a really cool medium to work with. You can sew it, glue, it, and use it to make endless things. Make useful things like book covers and key chains or more elaborate things like cushion covers or toys. Make some beautiful pieces of art with felt and its low cost.
Learn More: DIY Craftsy
3. Slime that glows in the dark
Slime is something that will always be in style, and here is a 2 ingredient DIY to make your own glow-in-the-dark slime. Out of this world, cool and great to play with on your own or with friends. Awesome craft to do anytime!
Learn More: Pinterest
4. Woodworking Wonders
Woodworking is a hobby of the "past" and kids and teens would build birdhouses. Now we need to encourage our middle schoolers to get back into wood crafts. It gives a child great satisfaction if they build something out of wood DIY and it helps with math skills too! Here are some fun ideas to get started.
Learn More: House Grail
5. Weave your way to success
Making bowls and weaving is something that we normally leave to the experts, but with these step-by-step instructions, you can make beautiful woven bowls for friends and family. Using basic supplies like yarn glue and paper plates. Become a super weaver!
Learn More: Pinterest
6. Cool Cooking DIY
Kids need to learn autonomy, and one of the ways they can do that is to cook in the kitchen. Don't call the fire department, yet. Give tweens a chance to learn measurements, ingredients, and reading instructions. They need the chance to show you what Master Chefs they possess.
Learn More: Taste Of Home
7. Coca-Cola and Science go hand in hand.
You would be surprised by all of the things you can do with Coke and once again we have some pretty cool science experiments that are cool projects to do. There are only 4 awesome ideas here so no spoilers. Wear goggles and have adult supervision so you stay safe and watch the wonders of coke meet science. Be patient as some of you will have to wait for on results.
Learn More: My Baba
8. Pom Pom rug DIY
This is such a fun colorful rug to make where you and your friends can chill, or make two and gift one. You will need a lot of pom poms and patience. You probably can't make this all in one sitting but it is worth the wait and effort. This unisex rug can be made in any color, shape, or size, and if you have a creative flair, you can even make a design.
Learn More: Pinterest
9. Need Paint? No worries just make it DIY!
I never thought if you mix a bit of salt, flour, and food coloring you could have painted. Now it is not the paint that Picasso used but it works really well and you can make the color as intense as you want by adding drops of food dye. Also, it's not expensive, and you can reuse your ketchup bottle to keep it in.
Learn More: Home Talk
10. Broken Crayons into Candles?
Have you got a bunch of old crayons laying around? Well, these DIYs are perfect for you. You can make very cool tie-dye candles to use or gift with just a couple of materials. Shaped Crayons to make for a younger sibling or even jewelry for yourself! Remember to be safe when in the kitchen.
Learn More: 5-Minute Crafts PLAY
11. A= Abstract
This is so cool! I love abstract art and how is and fun is this one? Get some paint samples from a local paint shop. They are usually free and then choose your design template - fruit flowers, cars, butterflies anything to your heart's desire. Cut the samples up in different geometric shapes by shade and cover your picture. The results are amazing!
Learn More: Pinterest
12. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle with this Candy Wrapper DIY
Halloween is around the corner and gets your friends and family to save you the candy wrappers. You will be able to turn those wrappers into useful and fun items such as coin purses and bags. Follow the step-by-step instructions and your projects will be a success. There are so many things you can make. Candy is good but DIY crafting is addicting and sugar-free!
Learn More: Single Girls DIY
13. Face Paint 101
Tutorials are good to have especially when it comes to applying face paint to your face. Whether it's Halloween, New Year, or a fancy dress-up party, we all love to dress up and use face paint to add that extra touch or disguise ourselves. Here are some cool tutorials on " How to ". More than 15 different designs to get you going. Remember, use good makeup and protect your face with cream first.
Learn More: Spotlight Stores
14. Give a Danish Heart at Christmas
Handmade gifts and crafts are the best all year round, but extra special around Christmas time. Why not make this traditional ornament to hang? Woven Christmas Felt Heart is typically seen in Denmark. You can hang this in the window or doors to help bring in the Christmas cheer.
Learn More: Mama In The Now
15. Frozen Treats are Fabulous!
If you have a blender, some fruit, milk or juice, and a couple of other basic ingredients you can make a delicious frozen treat to have any time. Snacking is something we all do, and if you have a sweet tooth then these frozen treats are a good option. Made out of all-natural ingredients and homemade DIY so you can add nuts, coconut, or even small bits of choco! Yummy treats.
Learn More: Tasty
16. Brain Craft Brain
Build a telescope, do inexpensive STEM and STEAM projects, and do fun science experiments. This site is jam-packed and filled with DIY just for you. Science, Coding, Engineering, Art, and Maths projects that will help you learn and have fun at the same time. No couch potatoes here!
Learn More: Left Brain Craft Brain
17. PVC pipes are music to my ears.
Make a musical instrument that plays a tune using only PVC pipes. This Science project is easy to make but I would recommend having an assistant. Most of the things you can find around your house and PVC pipes are cheap. Hone in on your math skills with this project have fun playing away.
Learn More: Education
18. Eat your science, it's delicious!
Have you ever made your own Gummi Bears, or Glow in the dark Jello? What about an edible moon rover or eating your way through the Oreo moon phases? Well, all of these recipes and step-by-step instructions are on this site. There are some pretty cool science experiments using simple supplies or easy to get. So put on your lab coat and kitchen apron and eat your way through this science activity
Learn More: Pinterest
19. The Day of the Dead Mask
From October 31st to the 2nd of November people all over the world celebrate the day of the dead and Halloween. In Mexico, it is common to see these beautifully scary designs that are handmade and hand-painted. In this DIY, you can learn to make your own mask and more!
Learn More: Thanksgiving Point
20. Acrylic Painting Tutorial for Tweens
When you see art done with Acrylic paints people always wonder and think to themselves," I wish I could do that." But you can actually, with the right tutorial and patience you can create any of these crafts, remember practice makes perfect.
Learn More: The Spruce Crafts
21. Donut soap
If you love Donuts you can't miss out on these DIY Donut soaps that look and smell like the real thing without all of the calories and sugar! Only with a few materials that you can pick up in your local shop, you will have your friends and family in awe.
Learn More: Babble
22. Slime that changes color
Is it red or orange? I'm confused. Shock everyone and baffle them with your new DIY project. This is a flaming hot slime changer. But you can choose the color of your choice. Slime is a cool thing to play with and is mess-free, also reduces stress.
Learn More: Left Brain Craft Brain
23. Graffiti drawing and painting projects have never gone out of style.
Sometimes people associate graffiti with being rebellious and bad. But Graffiti is a great way to express yourself and why not make a Graffiti wall in your bedroom on paper then you can add designs daily. Teach yourself how to draw some cool designs.
Learn More: Pinterest
24. Tie-Dye your old Canvas Shoes
Turn the old into the new, Tie-Dye your old canvas shoes and give them a fresh look. Easy to do and you are recycling and reusing. You can even have a tie-dye party. Choose the colors that you like and set up the mess-free area and away you go. Such a fun craft.
Learn More: A Pumpkin And A Princess
25 Connecting With Kids Ideas That Parents and Teachers Will Love