Fun DIY Activity Kits for Kids

Visiting the Grandparents Kit

When the kids aren’t in town, Gramps can store these art supplies and games in his garage.

 

• Giant Wonderfoam World Puzzle Mat. Your child’s first activity can be to piece together this foam map of the world, which can double as a carpet protector.
  
  To buy: $32, csnstores.com.
  
  
• Paper-airplane book. The World Record Paper Airplane Book, by Ken Blackburn and Jeff Lammers, teaches kids how to fold and throw everything from biplanes to space shuttles.
  
  To buy: $16, amazon.com.
  
  
• Arts-and-crafts materials. Raid the aisles of an office-supply store for colored pencils and paper, markers, foil stars, hole punches, brass fasteners, Post-it notes, scissors, tags, and pads.
  
  
• Cool Card Tricks and Games. When the hosts would rather be entertained than entertain, this book and magic kit will encourage the grandchildren to stage a magic show.
  
  To buy: $10, kidstoysell.com.
  
  
• Design-your-own note cards. Guess what? Ordinary index cards fit just so into ordinary coin envelopes. Have kids mail daily doodles home.
  
  To buy: Index cards, $2 for 100; coin envelopes, $24 for 500; staples.com.
  
  
• In-out clock. This simple storefront sign is a great time-teaching tool—and might be just the prop needed to instigate an afternoon session of Shopkeeper.
  
  To buy: $6, officemax.com.