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

Put your old adult sized t-shirts to good use - make super hero capes
for boys or girls. What you need:
T-shirt
Scissors
Fabric Glue
Felt
Glitter paint

Via http://www.ohdeedoh.com

I ma gushing over Gerald the giraffe which has to be the cutest softie
toy out there. If you are feeling crafty, find the pattern at Hop Skip
and Jump.
http://www.hopskipjump.bigcartel.com/product/pdf-sewing-pattern-gerald-giraffe

Put away the electronic and battery powered toys and have your child's
imagination be powered by play silks. Play silks encourage creative
play, where children learn, explore, develop and learn to express
themselves. Above all have fun. Follow these simple steps to make your
own.
First of all you will need to buy some plain white silks.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1741-AA.shtml
You will also need Kool-Aid in different colors/flavors
To prepare your silks for dyeing, they need to soak in a bowl filled
with boiling water and about 1/2 cup vinegar for half an hour.
In a large glass or microwave-safe bowl, mix ttogether 2 cups boiling
water, 1/2 cup vinegar and 3 packets Kool-Aid. Place silks in mixture
to dye. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 minutes on High.
Remove liquid and repeat this process two more times. Place in sink of
cold water and rinse
.

     

Click here to download:

Play_Silks_-_How_to_Dye_with_K.zip (1023 KB)

Keep the summer fun going by taking photos of your favorite objects,
place, friends and family members - make your own memory game.
Supplies Needed:
Cutting mat
Cardstock in one color
20 photos total: 10 different photos with doubles
X-acto knife
Spray adhesive
Pen
20 sturdy cardboard or wood pieces. Mine were 3'' x 2.5'' from the
scrapbook aisle at my local craft store, but anything similar in will
work just fine.

On top of a cutting mat, lay the cardboard square on top of each photo
to frame the main image.Trace around the cardboard and cut the photo
with the x-acto knife. Do the same thing with the cardstock. Trace and
cut out 20 pieces.Your photos, cardstock and cardboard pieces should
all the same size. Spray one side of the cardboard with the adhesive.
You may want to lay down paper towels before to avoid getting glue on
your mat. Carefully apply the photo to the sprayed side. Do the same
with all the photos and cardboard pieces. Let them dry for a few
minutes.Then spay and stick the card stock as well to the other side
of each of the cardboard pieces. There is even adhesive card stock
available which would make this part easier. After you let the pieces
dry for a bit, you're ready to play. Lay them all with with photos
facing down and show your child how to pick them up one at a time,
trying to find matches. They'll love the familiar objects, people and
places as they learn to identify pairs.

If you have a sewing machine and are feeling bold - go check out this
super easy, quick tutorial on how to make a super hero cape. And let
your kids soar!
http://bit.ly/4Br1MV

Via http://blog.creativekismet.com/

Summer is in full swing - serve a joyful drink with rainbow ice
cubes.These ice cubes were made by simply adding a few drops of food
coloring to an ice cube tray and then filling.

Via http://blog.craftzine.com/

If you really want to recycle your newspaper, try turning the paper
into gift bags.
http://bit.ly/dnCGo8

Via http://howaboutorange.blogspot.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/

Pull together some pie tins, rubber bands, a paint stirrer, and
crayons, and then strum away.

Via http://www.parents.com