DIY ideas kids will love

Running out of ideas to keep your children busy and entertained? Make new games using basic household supplies.

After they've pelted one another with snowballs, kids can get antsy for more entertainment on a snow day, so try this: Fill several plastic squirt bottles — ketchup and mustard bottles are ideal — with water and add a few drops of food colouring to each. Kids can "draw" designs on the snow with the coloured water.

Nothing makes kids happier at bath time than splashing around and creating some good, clean fun. Bath bombs, those expensive balls found in spa shops, are a literal blast to toss into the tub, but pricey. Here's how to make your own from scratch.

You will need:

• 10 grams (2 teaspoons) baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• 5 grams (1 teaspoon) corn starch
• 5 grams (1 teaspoon) citric acid
• 20 drops glycerine (available at pharmacies)
• Food colouring or liquid watercolour paints (optional)
• Fragrance (optional)

What to do:

1. Mix baking soda, corn starch and citric acid in a medium bowl.
2. Add the glycerine, three to four drops of food colouring and a few drops of fragrance (if desired).
3. Combine well until the mixture becomes crumbly.
4. Form and pack the mixture into golf ball-sized balls (or smaller) and set aside to dry and harden overnight.
5. Place the child and baking soda bath bomb in the tub and watch the fun!

Who knew oatmeal containers could make for great and versatile play accessories? Here are some examples of the wonderful things oatmeal containers can be used for.

• Storing pencils, crayons and rulers
• Making sand-castle towers at the beach
• Filling with small plastic toy soldiers
• Using as a shaker by filling with dried beans before sealing the lid back on.
• Using as a drum (with the lid on)
• Storing dress-up jewellery
• Use as a not-quite piggy bank by having an adult cut a slice in the middle of the sealed lid.
• Storing favourite hand-me-down CDs and DVDs
• Fill with barrettes, bows and other hair accessories
• Make a time capsule: kids can write a small essay or draw a picture, add personal items, seal with lid, bury in yard and unearth next year!

Having fun with items found around the house is an easy and inexpensive way to keep the kids actively entertained — and you'll come out of it looking like a rock star!