Halloween crafts to use up your yarn stash

This post may include sponsored links. All opinions are my own

If you're anything like me, you have *somehow* accumulated more yarn than you'll ever be able to use. It's hard to let go of that precious yarn because you know it's worth. 

However, if you've realized it's time to use some of it up, here are a few fun Halloween crafts/activities to do so:

1. Giant spider's web: let your kids go wild between two trees/other objects in your front yard. I made a giant spider's web one year, and ever since, my kids love doing it themselves. This year, my 9 year old made our spider's web on her own and spent hours happily working on it.

Just hand them the skeins of yarn you're ready to let go of, and set them loose!

Halloween Craft: Spider Orb

Here's a fun, simple craft for your kids to enjoy, then you get to display for the holidays: a spider orb!

Sea shell fish wall hanging

Last summer we went to Florida and came home with a box full of shells! I've been trying to figure out ways to use those shells and here's one of the projects I've created:

Popsicle Stick Boat

My 8 year old loves building things! One day he asked if we could make a boat out of Popsicle sticks, and here was the result:

I was pretty proud of how it turned out. Now we just have to seal it so it can float. I used plant pruners to cut the sticks. I used school glue when we weren't in a rush, and hot glue, especially when attaching the sides of the boat. Here's our inspiration, but my son wanted it to look more like a canoe.

This was definitely a more time-consuming craft, but he loves it, and it sits in a place of honor on his shelf. I'll be linking up to Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie.

"Hold Me" Onesie

This is the perfect onesie for babies who just want to be held!

For those who don't know what a fermata is, it's used in sheet music. When it's placed over a note, it means to hold that note (often for twice as long).

My 8 month old is in a phase where she's perfectly happy to be held, but will scream endlessly if we put her down...which is why this shirt is perfect for her! It's the only part of the song she knows right now :).

I made this using my Cricut Explore. To save money, I had it cut on shelf liner from the dollar store. I put the stencil I made on the shirt and used fabric paint.

This could work just as well with freezer paper, or heat-applied vinyl, and would be a fun baby shower gift for any of your friends who are musically inclined.

Here's my inspiration. I'll be linking up to Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie.

Handprint Bunnies

Whether you are celebrating Easter, or you just need a fun spring craft, try making these hand print bunnies with your kids!

Toddler Fun: Watercolor Resist Painting

Now that my boys are in school, my toddler and I are always looking for stuff to do to keep entertained. One day we decided to try watercolors, with a twist...a bit of watercolor resist art!

Marshmallow Launchers

I grew up with three brothers and it still surprises me how much my boys love weapons of any kind. These marshmallow launchers were naturally a big hit in our household!

Popsicle Stick Reindeer Ornaments

I don't know how I spent most of my life without making one of these Popsicle Stick Reindeer Ornaments before, but somehow I missed out as a child since everyone else seems to have made them. Now, I get to live vicariously through my children's crafts!

Kids Craft: Spiders

It's time for all sorts of creepy-crawlies...including the cute, homemade ones! My boys loved making these spiders out of pipe-cleaners :)

Put 4 pipe-cleaners together and bend in half. Twist the bent side into a head and fan out the legs.

Add beads at the joints and position your spider in various ways :)

Thanks Preschool Crafts for Kids for the fun idea! I’ll be linking up to Making Your Home Sing Sunday, Mama Moments Monday,  Mom’s Library, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, The Mommy Club. 

Magic Snow

Magic Snow is such a simple way to give your kids a fun, tactile experience right inside your home! Plus you don't have to wait until winter to play in the snow :)

How to make Flubber

We've been trying to introduce our boys to some of the Disney classics, and recently we watched Flubber. I had forgotten how hilarious that movie was and made me miss Robin Williams even more. Since the movie was such a hit, I knew my boys would love making their own Flubber! And they did.

To make your own Flubber, you will need Borax, clear school glue, water, two bowls, glitter, spoons, and food coloring.

Climbing Toy

Make these fun climbing toys with your kids to keep them entertained this afternoon!

You will need an empty cereal box, markers, a drinking straw, a penny, yarn, and two beads.

Popsicle Stick Catapult

My boys are to the age that they are very into weapons, heroes, soldiers, etc. So when we made this Popsicle stick catapult they were beyond excited. It was so fun to watch my 5 year old's face as he launched marshmallows across the room!

I loved that this craft was quick, the boys were able to do a lot of it on their own (ages 5 & 7), and it was made of things around our house. You will need: Popsicle sticks, a milk jug or water bottle cap, rubber bands, hot glue gun, something to launch (pom poms, marshmallows, dry cereal, etc).

Groundhog Craft

Groundhog Day is February 2nd! Get ready for this fun holiday by making a groundhog in a cup craft with your kids.

Supplies you will need are: a paper or Styrofoam cup, a Popsicle stick, scissors, green paper, crayons or markers, glue stick.

Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Ornament

We go through a lot of popsicle sticks around here. Recently, my 5 year old and I made Christmas trees out of popsicle sticks, and it was interesting seeing his unique twists on the classic. Mine is on the left, his is on the right (his reminds me of trees we made 2 years ago):

Popsicle Stick Picture Frame

My boys are in school all day, and I would think they would be exhausted by the time they got home, but most days, they walk in the door and beg to do a craft. One day, we put together these fun popsicle stick picture frames:

Popsicle Stick Snowflake Shapes

Here is a fun, cheap activity that encourages your kids to work with geometric shapes and symmetry. Plus, when you’re done, nothing is wasted and clean-up is a breeze! All you need are a bunch of Popsicle sticks and some imagination to create a variety of snowflakes…

I told my boys what shape to start with and encouraged them to make their snowflakes as symmetrical as possible and here were some of our results:

The shapes we started with were (top left) square, (top right) triangle, (bottom left) pentagon, and (bottom right) diamond. My boys did this for over half an hour and it was so much fun to see how different their snowflakes were. My favorite part was that, when they were done, all they had to do was gather up the Popsicle sticks!

As an added bonus, my 7 year old even made a Popsicle stick rendition of me…

I’ll be linking up to Works for Me Wednesday, Mom’s Library, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Share It Saturday, The Mommy Club, We Made That Wednesday,Whatever Goes Wednesday, Fine Craft Guild,

Popsicle Stick Buzzing Toy

With your kids, you can make a fun toy that will make your ears and lips buzz!

Sidewalk Paint

I believe a lot of kids are back in school now (mine are...), but if you are looking for a simple, fun activity to do as summer winds down, or after school, send your kids outside with some sidewalk paint!

We did this 3 years ago when my boys were itty-bitty and they loved it just as much this time around at ages 5 & 7. Let's be honest, I enjoyed it too! :)

Go visit my original post for directions.

I’ll be linking up to Works for Me Wednesday, Mom’s Library, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Share It Saturday, The Mommy Club, We Made That Wednesday, Whatever Goes Wednesday.