Back to School Toolbox For Students and Dorm

The best project kit ever - you may even have to make one for yourself!

Last year I was asked to help my grandchild Chris with his project. It was then that I realized he did not have the proper tools at his fingertips. I was an artist and my son always had access to my ART tools like special adhesives, instruments and craft tools.  To this day he is great at hands on projects because of it.

While we were working on his project Chris had to gather items from places all over the house or didn't have things we needed at all! I thought, how can my grandson not have everything he needs to make a professional looking project...or even a great one?

I decided now that he was older it was time he had his own toolbox and one he could replenish and even keep for college if it lasts that long.

So, I went out and got an attractive toolbox.  Filled it with items I thought he would need to make nice presentations and have at his fingertips. All while doing any of his creative or educational projects.  

It was the biggest hit ever! Now when I visit and he is working on something I see him go right for the kit! School projects or other!

This is even a great toolkit accesory box for kids, teachers, even the Dorm Room. 

So, If you want to make a toolkit for your kid,  what should you put in a Project Toolbox?

Here is a handy list.  
Make it age appropriate of course. Dorm room kit might include items such as tools, wipes, bag clips...things needed in the dorm.

You can always toss in a gift card so that they can buy anything they might also want in it! Why not add to it as they get older.

The Master Project Kit List:

Writing / Drawing instruments:
Markers (wide and thin)

Colored Pencils
Crayons
Pencils
Pens 
Paint Box


School Tools:
Erasers
Sharpener
Ruler
Tape Measure
Magnifier
Calculator
Post It Notes


Lettering and Drawing:

Various Stencils 
Templates (lettering and shapes)
Label Maker
Triangles


Crafting Tools:
Protractor
Compass
Burnisher
Scissors
Exacto Knife and Blades
Matt Cutter and Blades

Adhesives:
Stickers
Tape
Glue
Glue Stick
Spray Mount
Stapler / Staples
String
Spring Clips
Paper Clips
Thumb Tacks

You can find most of these items 
in your department store, arts and crafts store.
I'm sure you can find things to add to your bin.

Happy School Year!

Our New Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Painted Benches Not Just A Place to Sit

Picturesque And Perfectly Painted

On a recent trip through Cape Cod, MA. I came across these lovely painted benches, located along the waterfront and among the artist sheds of Hyannis.   

Artists Sheds, Hyannis, Cape Cod

Not only were they inviting but masterpieces.  Almost too nice to sit on! These benches should inspire you with some ideas for your next upcycled furniture project you plan to paint.

Notice the way they extended the painting to the boardwalk.  An Idea for your deck?

Know How To ReGrow

You can regrow anywhere, even in your kitchen!

I'm a big fan of Regrowing! It's pretty simple and one you can easily do right in your very own kitchen or back yard. Whether you call it a garbage garden or scrap garden , it is regrowing! Grow in the garden, in pots or glasses outside or inside!

Some things grow in water until they grow new greens and some are harvested for their seed and re-grown again.

Check out this list to see what you can regrow in your kitchen or garden:

• Avocado – Not every pit will produce roots, so your best bet is to try two or three pits at once. A few weeks after this growth occurs, you should see leaves. Be patient. In approximately three months, when your tree is around 7 to 8 inches tall, plant it in a 10-inch pot with adequate drainage.
• Basil – Select several 4-inch stems from a bunch of basil. Then strip all leaves from about 75 percent of each stem with a sharp knife. Put the stems in a jar of water.  When the roots grow to about 2 inches in length, plant the individual stems in a 4-inch pot
• Bok Choy – Cut off the base of a bok choy plant and place it in a bowl bottom-down. Add a small amount of water in the bowl. Once you see regrowth, transfer the plant to a container or garden.
• Cabbage – Place leftover base and leaves in a bowl and add a small amount of water in the bottom. When roots and new leaves begin to appear, transplant the cabbage into a garden.
• Carrot Greens – Add these tasty green to any salad. Place a carrot top or tops in a bowl, cut side down. Fill the bowl with about an inch of water so the top is halfway covered.
• Celery – Rinse off the base of a bunch of celery and place it in a small wide mouth bowl. Fill the container with warm water, cut stalks facing upright. Use a spray bottle to gently mist the plant every other day. After 5 – 7 days it will sprout roots. Re-lant in the garden or continue making cuttings.
• Cilantro -Just like basil, cilantro can regrow roots, and grow new plants once replanted. Simply place cilantro stems in a bowl of water, put the bowl in a sunny area, and change the water every other day.
• Garlic Sprouts – you can grow garlic sprouts—also known as garlic greens—from a clove or bulb. Place a budding clove (or even a whole bulb) in a small cup, bowl, or jar. Add water until it covers the bottom of the container and touches the bottom of the cloves. You don’t want to submerge the bulb, just the bottom.
• Ginger - With a little care you can have fresh ginger and ginger greens all winter long.
• Green Onion – works just like garlic sprouts. You will not be growing a new bulb but greens to add to salad and for cooking.
• Lemongrass –  cut off the tops of a bunch of lemongrass and place the stalks in water. Change the water every few days. In approximately two or three weeks, you should see new roots.
• Mushroom – Start by removing the mushroom’s cap; you only need the stalk. Plant the stalks in soil and cover everything except for the very top of the stalks. Harvest your mushrooms when fully grown.
• Onion – Keep the bottom of any onion (the part with roots) and place in a shallow bowl with water. You can also have success planting these directly into the garden.
• Pineapple – Choose a pineapple with green, fresh leaves. Remove the top of the 
•  ineapple, ideally by twisting it off (doing so will preserve the parts needed for regrowth). Peel back any leaves around the base so the bottom layers are exposed. Finally, cut off just the tip of the base, being sure to remove any excess fruit.
• Potato – Cut the potato into two pieces, making sure each half has at least one to two eyes. Let the pieces sit at room temperature overnight or for a few days until they’re dry to the touch. Once the potato halves are dry, plant them about one foot apart in 8 inches of soil.
• Romaine Lettuce – When you chop up hearts of romaine, set aside a few inches from the bottom of the heart. Place in a bowl with about a ½ inch of water. Keep the bowl in a sunny area and change the water every day. It will regrow roots and can be planted in a shallow container.

Learn more about Garbage Gardens and regrowing.

Play In A Bottle, Recycled That Is!

10 Recycle Toys To Make From Plastic Bottles

It's time for outdoors! Bottles seem to be everywhere.  Water bottles, juice bottles, energy drink bottles, milk bottles, soda bottles, and they all need to be recycled.  

We prefer that you bring your own bottle, and use reusable containers to save the landfill.  But, we know that is not always possible.

Next time you have a plastic bottle that needs to be recycled, why not make a recycle toy for, or with, your kids.

Teach them engineering, science, and ingenuity by making some of these clever toys.  These ideas are great for the beach, home or while camping. You can further teach about nature by filling bottles with natural objects such as shells and sand or just make a game.

Here are some fun and favorite DIY ideas from your Planetpals to make creative use of Plastic Bottles. What other toys can you think up using bottles?  

From Parents Magazine The Bottle Bowling Set.  Fill with sand or water.

From Lillaa - Wonder in a Bottle. Filled with a myriad of items.  Make sure the lid is tight!

 

From Habitat Bottle Cars and Trucks-Use any kind of bottle or jug including a water bottle.

 

From Increations Bottle Binoculars

 

From Red Ferret Bottle Catamaran Boat

 

From Momma Librarian - I Spy Bottles filled with sand or rice and small toys or natural objects.

 

From Flicker - Bottle of fun.  Like the I spy bottle, fill with small items, think about adding water and colored oils.

 

From Eco Friend -The bottle Soaker for Squirting Fun!

 

The Bottle Rocket from No Time For Flash Cards

 

from Ziggety Zoom Bottle Fish 

 

For more Recycled Toys Ideas check out our Craft Page at Planetpals.com 

The biggest "R" of all - Be Responsible !

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AUTHOR TAGS:

summer craft ideas, kids make their own toys, diy, recycle toys, upcycle, plastic bottle recycle