On the Cheap

While searching Pinterest I always come across great and simple ideas to do with the boys during our days at home.  Some of them I have seen before and even done and completely forgotten about.  Yesterday Big Brother and I sat down and did some salt painting.  Find the post here.  Yes, it is a bit messy BUT it is cheap and fun way to make some art.

All you need:

cardstock or cardboard

glue (liquid NOT a glue stick)

food coloring

salt

a container (we used baby food jars, I will get to that in a minute)

box lid or cookie sheet

1) Put maybe a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of salt in each jar, add a couple drops of food coloring and mix.

2) Let your kiddo doodle a design, write their name or practice letters and/or numbers onto the cardstock. 

3) Now let your kiddo sprinkle/pour/dump the colored salt onto their glue masterpiece.

4) Pour off the excess and set aside to dry.

What I did:

For the containers I used Little Brother's cleaned out baby food jars that I had been hoarding (see honey I do have a use for all these little jars :-).  Using a hammer and a small nail I hammered holes into the tops of the baby jar lids making them into 'salt shakers'.

Do you know how much a spent on this little activity...? NOT A PENNY because I already had everything on hand, love it!  Plus it gave Big Brother and me a new activity to do.

Gift Bag: $0

Empty boxes

Wrapping Paper

Ribbon

Cut the tabs off the box and start wrapping your paper of choice.

With a hole punch, punch two holes of each side string your ribbon through and knot on the inside.

A gift box for any party and it cost $0. 

I am not sure the link is working but I shared the idea at: Full of Great Ideas: $0 Budget Party

Reuse: Formula Cans

Now You aren't going to do this to every formula can that comes with a little one but I cleaned up a few and made these cute storage tins.  I have used these cans for several different things as our little guy has grown.  At first it one held lotions and creams, another small toys next to our changing table.  Lately they have been used as crayon containers and markers for easy and gun storage to bring our and sit at the table.  And might I add super cheap when you aren't thinking about how much you paid for formula.

What you need:

* empty, cleaned formula can (s)

* 12x12 scrapbook paper

* ribbon

*stickers

*adhesive

1.  I don't recall how tall the cans were, I will get back to you about that, but measure the height and cut your 12x12 paper to that height.

2.   Roll adhesive on the short end of your paper and start to place the paper onto your can, add adhesive as you go.

3.  Embellish the can with any ribbon or stickers you wish to add.

4.  I did keep the lids and painted them in a coordinating color to the paper.