Here is a great way to beat the summer heat, a must build for the summer: KidWash. Check it out at Instructables.

The other day my kids received a package from a relative - What better
way to send a thank you with a one of a kind masterpiece? Use some
water color paints and card sock to create a simply work of art.

Via http://www.stephmodo.com

Looking for something to make out of an empty cereal box which will
keep a kid intrigued.
http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/06/cereal-box-marble-run.html

Via http://www.minordetails.typepad.com/

Here's one for older kids or if you want to practice your drawing skills.
http://bit.ly/a0A5nt

Via http://www.artprojectsforkids.org

A couple of weeks ago, I did a post on Sun Prints and how to. I just stumbled across this great kit.

This one is for all the boys out there - Download the template to make
paper planes.
http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/printables/0407c_jet_1.pdf

If you have never been camping before, a great way to introduce the kids to outdoor camping is to set up camp in your backyard. We call it "Urban Camping". Pitch a tent, set up a real or pretend campfire and bring back some of the traditional camping activities. It will be a great hit with the kids.

Making a silhouette using photography.
1. Take a photograph of your subject in profile. Although you may find a photograph, it's best to ask your subject to pose for the photograph so you can make sure the angle is
   appropriate for what you want to do.
2. Have the photograph printed, then carefully cut out the profile using scissors.
3. Trace the profile onto black paper. A heavy paper is best, as is a white or yellow pencil you will be able to see on the paper after completing the tracing.
4. Cut the traced silhouette from the black paper and position it on a sheet of white paper that's been trimmed to fit into a picture frame. Make small, light pencil marks on the
   paper to remind you where you want to affix the silhouette.
5. Apply glue to the back of the silhouette, making sure to cover the entire surface to the edges. Place the silhouette on the background, wipe away any glue that squeezes
  out from underneath, and let the glue dry before framing it.

Create a piece of art you can display in your house. This project is a great way to engage older kids. It requires some basic computer skills.
You will need
A digital camera
Indesign, Photoshop or Illustrator computer software or any other computer program that allows you to import multiple photos into an arrangement.
A baby or kid to appreciate the finished product!

Step 1:Take a trip to the city to photograph some typography.  
Step 2: Create a grid within your computer program. After some playing around, I found 5squares across and 6 down to be the best layout as it keeps the letters in portrait format which means less cropping – much easier for an amateur such as myself!
Step 3: Play around – import letters you like into the squares to make up the alphabet. So many possibilities, it’s just a matter of choosing which letters you think look best next to one another.
Step 4: I put a black background behind my alphabet so any mistakes with alignment would be lost before printing. Save your file as a pdf & send it to the printers to have made into a transparency, or film to fit your light box.
Step 5: Open your light box and position artwork, close light box and your done. Put it up in your child’s room and find yourself getting excited over your ABC’s all over again!