When school is out, it takes some creativity to keep your kids occupied and happy so you don't hear how bored they are. Although summer camps can be fun, they can also be expensive, and they only last for so long. Having play dates is a great option and doesn't have to cost anything, but summer is also a common time for vacations and friends may not be available very often. It is important to have backup plans for activities that will engage your children. Here are some craft projects that not only give your kids something to do but will give them things to enjoy they can take pride in having made themselves.

No-Sew Blankets

A colorful and cozy craft is a no-sew blanket using fleece fabric. This craft only requires the fleece from a kit and scissors to create a covering that can be enjoyed for years to come or even given as a gift. If young children will be helping, supervision with sharp scissors should be taken into consideration. Because part of the project is tying the cut pieces together, it is a craft that is easy for people to work on together. Someone can make the cuts and others can complete the ties to make a blanket for a bedroom, living room or family room.

Wind Chimes

Handmade wind chimes can be made out of a variety of items you have at home, including shells, pieces of colored plastic or glass, beads, or anything small enough to wrap string around and hang in a row. You begin with a stick or coat hanger and at least three pieces of string that you tie next to each other. Make sure you cut your pieces extra long to ensure enough length to tie each item on with, knowing you can cut the excess off when finished.

Air Fresheners

To make homemade air fresheners, you will need scissors, fabric, essential oils, card stock or an ornament and string. If you have a flat ornament you like the shape of, trace the shape on two pieces of fabric for the front and back. If you have another shape you'd like to make you can cut it out of card stock. Once you have the two pieces cut for the front and back of your shape, glue them on. When the glue is dry, soak it with essential oil and tie a string through the hole for hanging on the ornament or cut a hole through your card stock.

Hand Print Flowers

Ask your kids to pick their favorite colors out of your construction paper. You can also ask them to color or paint white card stock. Next, they should trace their hands on at least four pieces of paper and cut them out. Glue them together in the middle to form a flower. Add rhinestones or glitter in the center. Tape a popsicle stick or wooden dowel on the back. Cut out green leaves and glue to stick. Place in a jar and repeat until your bouquet is complete.

Puppets

Puppets can be made out of paper bags, socks or any other type of material you have at home that can be formed into a character or animal. You should be able to either insert your hand or a stick into the creation for it to be held. Supplies for this craft are limited only by the contents of your craft drawer and your kid's imagination. You could make a lion out of a yellow sock, orange construction paper for a mane and jiggle eyes. You could color a paper bag green, draw on eyes and glue a folded-up pink piece of paper that pops out as a frog tongue when you put your hand in. The puppets could be used for a show for family and friends.

Spending time together in activities that stimulate creativity is fun to do and especially enjoyable during breaks from work and school.