Raisin Box Maracas

What you'll need

·         2 empty 1-1/2-ounce raisin boxes

·         Dried beans

·         Tape

·         Paint

·         Jumbo-size craft stick

·         Glue

·         Rubber bands

·         Red paper

·         Double-sided tape

·         Paper in assorted colors

·         Patterned-edge scissors

How to make it

1.     For each one, you'll need two empty raisin boxes. Place about a tablespoon of dried beans inside each box, then tape the boxes shut. If you like, paint a jumbo-size craft stick and let it dry. Glue the boxes together with the craft stick between them. Secure the stack with rubber bands until the glue is dry.

2.     Cut a 4- by 10-inch piece of red paper. Fold back the shorter edges of the paper about 1/4 inch to make a clean edge. Stand the maraca stick side up. Use double-sided tape to secure the shorter end of the paper to the handle end of one box, butting against the craft stick. Wrap the paper around the boxes to meet the other side of the handle, and adhere with double-sided tape. Fold and seal the remaining open ends of the paper as you would wrap a gift.

3.     Decorate your maracas by gluing on strips of paper. We cut our paper with patterned-edge scissors. (Crafter's Tool Box: Patterned- or decorative-edge scissors are available at craft stores for as little as $2.50 each. They are ideal for making cards and scrapbook elements — or any time you want an even, perfectly patterned edge.)

Cardboard Box Seats

What you'll need

• Scrap cardboard
• Measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Square box (12 by 12 by 12 inches)
• Hot-glue gun
• 4 rectangular boxes (17 3/4 by 12 1/4 by 3 1/2 inches)
• Drop cloth
• Mod Podge
• Foam paintbrushes
• Assortment of scrapbook paper or gift wrap torn into pieces (8-inch squares and strips work well)

How to make it

1. 

From the scrap cardboard, cut 2 pieces as specified in the diagram and fit them together to form an X. Then turn the square box so the flaps are on the sides and insert the X (this will strengthen the chair seat). Hot-glue the box flaps closed (a parent's job).

2. 

Glue the remaining boxes closed. Then glue all the boxes together as shown, starting with the chair arms and finishing with the back.

3. 

Working on a drop cloth, brush Mod Podge onto a small section of the chair and randomly press on pieces of paper, overlapping the edges a bit. Continue in this way until you've completely covered the chair. Then seal the entire surface with a coat of Mod Podge and let it dry overnight. Don't worry if the paper looks wrinkly at this point; it will flatten as the sealer hardens.

Marshmallow Catapult

What you'll need

·         Family-size tissue box

·         Scissors

·         Hole punch

·         Ballpoint pen

·         Pushpin

·         2 rubber bands

·         2 unsharpened pencils

·         4-inch length of pipe cleaner

·         Tape

·         Plastic cap

·         Glue dots

How to make it

1.     Expand the opening of the tissue box by cutting off the sections shown.

2.     Punch a hole 2 inches from one end and 1/2 inch down from the opening of the box. Enlarge the hole with the ballpoint pen. Make a matching hole on the opposite side of the box.

3.     In the center of the far end of the box, poke a hole with the pushpin 1/4 inch up from the bottom. Enlarge the hole slightly with the ballpoint pen.

4.     Snip one rubber band to create a strip. Use the strip to wrap and tie the pencils into a cross, as shown. Loop the other band around the 2-inch pencil section as shown, and tighten.

5.     Insert the pencil cross into the box holes. Fold the pipe cleaner around the rubber band loop and poke both ends through the hole near the base. Spread open the pipe cleaner ends and tape them to the outside of the box. Attach a plastic cap to the end of the pencil with a couple of glue dots.

To use your catapult, pull the capped pencil back, load it with a marshmallow, and let go! (To be safe, do not launch any hard or sharp items.)

Magazine Bead Bracelet

What you'll need

·         Cardboard

·         Ruler

·         Old catalogs and magazines

·         Wooden skewers

·         Glue stick

·         Mod Podge Sparkle

·         Paintbrush

·         6 feet of clear elastic cord

How to make it

1.     Cut out a cardboard triangle with a 1-inch base that is 6 inches high. Use it as a template to cut 30 to 35 triangles from colorful magazine and catalog pages.

2.     To make a bead, tightly roll one triangle (base to point) around a skewer, then glue down its tip. Leave the bead on the skewer and roll the next one beside it. When the skewer is full and the beads are dry, slide them off of the stick. Brush on a thin layer of Mod Podge Sparkle and let the beads dry.

3.     To assemble the bracelet, thread one bead onto the center of the cord. Add the next bead, as shown, threading one end of the elastic through each end of the bead. Pull the elastic tight. Continue adding beads in this way, tightening and straightening them as you go, until the bracelet is long enough to stretch around your child's wrist. Feed the remaining lengths of elastic back through the first bead, then knot them multiple times and trim.

Easter Basket Cupcakes

What you'll need

·         1 dozen cupcakes

·         1 bag jelly beans

·         2 cups white icing

·         Sweetened coconut, colored with green food coloring

How to make it

1.     First, frost the cupcakes with white icing. Bend a pipe cleaner or a piece of red licorice into an arch and push the ends into the sides of each cupcake.

2.     Shake the shredded coconut in a stainless steel bowl. Sprinkle on food coloring bit by bit, mixing vigorously to distribute the color

3.     Place a pinch of shredded coconut on each iced cupcake. Now place three jelly beans on the "nest" of coconut.

4.     Tie a small ribbon bow on the pipe cleaner or licorice handle at a jaunty angle.

5.     Put one cupcake basket by each place setting at Easter brunch or give them as gifts.

Chocolate Easter Egg Nests

What you'll need

·         5 large Shredded Wheat (or 2 cups spoon-size)

·         1/3 cup good quality milk chocolate chips

·         1/3 cup good quality bittersweet chocolate chips

·         1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter

·         3 tablespoons golden syrup, such as Lyle's

·         mini candy coated chocolate eggs

·         OR

·         3 cups Rice Krispies

·         scant 1 cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips

·         3 tablespoons butter

·         2 tablespoons golden syrup, such as Lyle's

Notes:

Hands-On Time: 20 minutes
Ready In: 3 hours
Yield: 8 chocolate nests

How to make it

1.     Crush the Shredded Wheat into a bowl with your fingers. Put the chocolate chips into a saucepan together with the butter and golden syrup and melt over a gentle heat.

2.     Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Stir the Shredded Wheat into the chocolate mixture and spoon eight mounds onto the lined cookie sheets, shaping into rounds with a dip in the center.

3.     Chill in the refrigerator for several hours until set, then peel the nests carefully away from the parchment and fill with mini chocolate eggs.