DIY Archives - Page 4 of 9

2 In DIY/ kids

How to make a DIY Mud Kitchen

This mud kitchen has been in the making since the beginning of summer and I’m so excited it’s finally complete! (If you’ve been following along on my Instagram Stories then you know what I mean). When I think back on childhood, I have so many memories of making mudpies and little creations outside in the dirt. I wanted to create those same memories and experiences for the boys but keep the mess contained. A mud kitchen seemed like the perfect idea but rather than buy one (which costs easily over $100), decided we could make one of our own.

Using an old desk, some stuff we had around in the garage and a few details from the dollar store, I’m showing you how to make your own DIY mud kitchen.

DIY mud kitchen

You will need:

old desk
paint stripper
sandpaper 80grit/150grit/220grit – linking this pack on Amazon here
orbital sander
any exterior stain
tupperware containers (we got from the Dollar Store)
jig saw
6 2x4s
S hooks – get them on Amazon here

1.) The first thing we did was we picked up a used desk that someone was giving away on the side of the road.

2.) We brought it home, first removed the hardware and then applied paint stripper as I wanted to take the original black paint off.

3.) Once the paint stripper is completely dry, we sanded the piece using an orbital sander and 60 grit/150grit/220 grit paper.

4.) Using some extra 2×4’s we had laying around the garage Rick built a hanging rack for the back. We added some S hooks for the kids to hang their spoons, buckets and kitchen utensils.

5.) Next we stained using exterior stain.

6.) I got a few containers from the Dollar Store to act as like a sink and bowls. Trace the containers where you want them and then using a jig saw, cut out the spots for the containers.

Then you can add some fun details like measuring spoons, buckets, pails, etc. We put it back by their sandbox so it’s all in one spot.

It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job and the kids have fun! They like to pick various leaves and flowers and fill buckets of water to make “soup”.

For more sensory play ideas check out my edible sensory dough

And this homemade bubbles solution

Also be sure to check out my Earth Day Seed Bombs

I hope you found this post inspiring! Feel free to pin on Pinterest for later. Happy creating!

August 2, 2021 By Nicolle

9 In DIY/ kids

Earth Day Seed Bombs

This post contains affiliate links

If you’re looking for a cute and super easy Earth Day activity to do with your littles this is it. Earth Day seed bombs. That’s right, little balls of paper that look like earth that you can plant to grow wildflowers.

You will need:

Scrap pieces of blue and green paper – construction paper on Amazon
2 bowls
water
a blender
packet of wildflower seeds – got these on Amazon as well
Cookie sheet or pan
Paper towels

Directions:

1.) Take your scrap pieces of blue and green paper and rip in small pieces. I let my guys help me with this part and sort into bowls by matching color.

2.) Fill each bowl with warm water, enough to cover the top and let sit for 30 minutes.

3.) After letting soak, take your wet paper and blend each color separately. You may have to add more water so that it can blend easier and that’s ok because you can just squeeze out the water at the end.

4.) Squeeze out any additional water and put the shredded paper back in separate bowls.

5.) Take your wildflower seeds and sprinkle into the blue bowl, mix together

6.) Take a handful of blue paper/seed mixture and roll into a ball.

7.) Take some small pieces of shredded green paper and place into ball and roll to combine, making an earth shape.

8.) If planting right away, you can plant right in the ground following the directions on the back of the seed packet. If you’re not planting right away, let your seed bombs dry on a pan or cookie sheet lined with paper towel. Just soak for a little bit prior to planting.

For more kids ideas check out

my DIY Mud Kitchen

Edible Sensory Dough

Homemade Bubbles

April 19, 2021 By Nicolle

3 In DIY/ Easter/ holidays

DIY gorgeous floral Easter Eggs

DIY gorgeous floral decoupage Easter eggs

This post contains affiliate links

Easter is a little less than 2 weeks away and it’s time to break out the Easter Eggs! This year I decided to do something a little different with our eggs, giving it a more upscale feel. Using faux flowers from The Dollar Store and spring themed napkins, I’m going to show you how to easily make these DIY gorgeous floral Easter eggs.

You will need:

Eggs (You can use real eggs or wooden craft eggs I got from Amazon.)
Faux flowers (I got a couple stems from The Dollar Store)
Paper napkins (choose some fun spring ones)
Scissors
Glue or Modge Podge
Hot glue gun
Small paint brush

Directions:

Step 1: I chose to keep my eggs the natural white but if you wanted them to be colored you could paint them or dye them.

Step 2: Open your napkin all the way so it is a single layer. Using your scissors, cut out the pieces that you want to use to put on your egg, trimming as close to the object as possible.

Step 3: Take your flowers and clip the flowers off the stem, clipping as close as you can to the base of the flower.

Step 4: Using some glue and your paint brush, dab some glue on the egg where you want your napkin pieces to go and press the napkin pieces firmly onto the egg. There may be some slight creasing, so try to smooth it out as you go. If any of the edges start to come up, you can also dab some clear glue or modge podge over the top.

Step 5: I found that a hot glue gun worked best for the flowers. Put some hot glue on the backside of your flower and press onto your egg.

That’s it!!! I love how intricate and gorgeous these look! And if you use the wooden eggs, you can enjoy them for many more years to come.

If you do make these, share a photo on Instagram and tag me @ourtiny_nest

And for more Easter inspiration check out

these Easter Basket Ideas

DIY bunny treat jars

Bunny Bait Easter Snack Mix

Spring Vegetable Goat Cheese Quiche

For more spring DIYs check out my

Spring DIY beaded Wreath

Easy housewarming gift

Lilac lemonade

Pin for later

March 24, 2021 By Nicolle

2 In Christmas/ DIY

How to make scented salt dough Christmas ornaments

Learn how to make scented salt dough Christmas ornaments with this easy DIY. And your little ones will have fun helping you too!

This morning was a rainy and chilly one. A perfect day for staying in our pajamas and adding some touches of Christmas throughout the house. So we made homemade salt dough ornaments. I had never made them before but they were really easy to make. The kids loved helping roll out the dough and playing with the cookie cutters and the house smelled like Christmas. Salt dough ornaments look great on the tree, you can add to a garland, or paint them and use as gift tags.

Homemade scented salt dough Christmas ornaments

You will need:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup of water
3 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
Optional 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (I did a blend of Eucalyptus and Orange)
Twine

Directions:

Preheat oven to 170 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl mix together flour, salt and spices. If you choose to add some essential oils, add those in as well.
Add in 1 cup of water
Mix well until dough comes together. It should not be sticky.
Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface.
Use some cookie cutters to cut out your ornaments.
Make a tiny hole on the ornaments using a straw.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 1 hour then flip and bake for an hour on the other side.
Let cool. String with twine.