With March Break just around the corner, Canadian Family editor Jennifer Reynolds shares these cool, easy ideas to keep kids busy and entertained.

Gobble Monsters

These monsters are super cute and love to gobble things up. You can whisper your secrets to them or stick messages inside. You can also use these sweet guys as a parenting tool. Place them in a bedroom to eat up your child's bad dreams or let them become someone to yell at instead of a little sister.

Materials:

  • Tissue box
  • Paint (if an adult is supervising, use spray paint for a glossy, even finish)
  • Construction paper or craft foam
  • Glue
  • Scraps from the recycling bin, such as egg cartons, water bottle lids and small tin cans
  • Googly eyes, buttons, raffia and pompoms

To make:

Paint a tissue box and let it dry. Enlarge the opening for the mouth if desired and add two strips of teeth cut from construction paper or craft foam. Adorn with reusable materials from around your house. Find a home for your monster and enjoy.

Popsicle Stick Bracelets

This is a fun and fashionable project to work on over two days.

Materials:

  • Large Popsicle sticks
  • Juice glasses
  • Paint

To make:

Soak large Popsicle sticks overnight. Retrieve them and shape into a letter C using a small juice glass as a mould. Store the sticks inside the juice glasses until they dry (approximately 12 hours). Remove from the mould and paint the sticks with colourful designs.

Water Bottle Bowling Pins

Make these with your kids or surprise them with your colourful DIY bowling game.

Materials:

  • 10 water bottles
  • Paint

To make:

Squirt a small amount of paint into the bottom of each water bottle (we used 1-litre Aquafina bottles and a different hue for each one). Add a teaspoon of water, secure the cap and shake. Remove the cap and pour out any excess paint. Keep the cap off and allow your paint bottles to dry overnight. Find a ball and start bowling.

Water Bottle Cuffs

Recycle clear plastic bottles into stylish custom cuffs.

Materials:

  • Plastic water bottle (Smartwater bottles work best)
  • Scissors
  • Fabric
  • Fabric markers (optional)
  • Craft glue

To make:

Cut off the top and bottom of the water bottle until you have a smooth shaft. From that part, cut three plastic strips and duct tape each down with the curling side down. Cover the top with glue and apply colourful fabric (with handmade designs, if you choose) to the cuff. Let dry and trim to 18 cm by 3 cm with rounded edges. Roll the bracelet up into a tight swirl and leave it for another hour to dry. After that time, unroll and wear.

Bike License Plate

Welcome spring by adorning your bike with license plates made from sardine tins.

Materials:

  • Sardine tin
  • Paint
  • Glue
  • Stickers
  • Glitter

To make:

Personalize your tin with paint, stickers and sparkles. Drill two small holes in the can and attach to your bike with wire or twine.