Protector for Your MP3 Player

Why are these ear buds plugged into the Altoids box? Well it turns out that said Altoids box is just the right size to become a protector for the Sansa e200R Rhapsody MP3 player.

It all started when my daughter had a cracked screen on her MP3 player. She likes to carry the player around anywhere she goes. Who doesn’t, right? Well, she is generally very careful about not carrying any sharp objects in the same pocket as the MP3 player. But between the tight jeans and probably the ear buds, what happened was probably inevitable.

Water-proof Purse from Recycled Plastic Grocery Bags

Preservation of the environment is on everybody’s mind these days. With a little bit of work, one can create different attractive and practical items out of plastic bags. The plastic bags are cut and strung together to make strong and colorful “yarns”.

These are crocheted into bags, mats, and many other things. It seems that these plastic strips can be very strong, water resistant, and can form very interesting color patterns just as you can do with other yarn.

Here is an example of the kind of purse that can be created.

Pebble Bugs

With a little bit of imagination and a set of Sharpie markers, one can turn a simple pebble into a colourful bug. The key is to pick a pebble with the right shape and size. Wash the pebble of any dirt and mud and dry it well. Then colour as desired. Permanent markers such as Sharpie work the best. The white areas for the eyes can be painted on with “White Out” solution. “White Out” is best to use since it dries quickly and is water resistant so other colours can be applied on top of it. However, smaller children should be careful when using “White Out”.

Here is an example of a couple of bugs that can be made. The one on the left is a simple bug with minimum colour applied. The right is covered with brighter colours. For older kids, it would be good to get some pictures of actual bugs and colour the pebbles to make them look like the bugs in the picture. It is also possible to make a family of bugs all with the same colours and/or design. One can also develop some signature colour schemes to generate unique species of bugs.

To get started you can find all the materials at any crafts store. The materials are not really special. The pebbles should be about 1 inch long in size and oblong in shape. Making Pebble Bugs can be a good activity for birthday parties and get-togethers with many children. Painting the pebbles keeps the kids entertained and at the same time allows them to express their creativity.