Crafting on the fly with Emma and Stella

This summer I made a loose schedule for me and the kids.  I say loose because I  am not the best at sticking with a schedule, so I need some flexibility.  Part of our routine each week includes a craft time with Emma and Stella, after lunch, while Lincoln is napping.  Sometimes, actually most of the time,  I have no idea what we are going to make until moments before craft time officially begins.  So I quickly look through our stash of supplies hoping for an idea, using things we already have for a craft on the fly.

Craft on the fly: Sticker books

Emma and Stella love stickers and needed a cute place to put them.  First, we cut rectangles for the pages and the cover.  Then I helped the girls bind their books on my sewing machine. They sat in my lap and I showed them which buttons to press, then we pushed the paper through while sewing down the middle of the rectangle.  After the pages were sewn in they decorated the covers.

Then they filled their pages up with stickers.  They LOVE stickers! 

 Craft on the fly: Paper Chains

 I found leftover paper strips from Emma's party in our stash so we made paper chains.

The paper was already cut so that was easy.  We didn't have any scotch tape and rather than messing with a gluestick I found some double-sided adhesive tabs in my scrapbooking stash.

I think part of the excitement with this craft was the presentation. It took me about 5 minutes to set it up, but I think it made the craft time feel more official for Emma and Stella.  I put some strips of paper and a strip of the adhesive tabs in an empty cigar box and set it on the table in front of their chair.  Then I did a little demonstration of how to make the chains and was ready to assist if they needed me. 

What crafts have you made with your kids this summer? I would love some more ideas!