With just a few creative ideas and some common household items, you can make do-it-yourself toys and projects that will keep children entertained for hours. And you’ll be helping to inspire creativity and imagination in your children while spending quality time together.

Many Web sites, such as www.fun.familyeducation.com, www.diynetwork.com, and  www.activityvillage.co.uk feature step-by-step explanation of projects, generally usually accompanied by a picture of how the finished project is supposed to look.

In addition to the many Web site ideas, the book “Kid Concoctions and Contraptions” by John E. and Danita Thompson includes 54 creative ideas for children’s toys and amusement, complete with decoration tips and game ideas.

Here are some ideas that we liked:

• For older children (ages 9 to 12): “Pocket Rocket,” featured in “Kid Concoctions.” Supplies needed: One-half tablespoon of baking soda, two tablespoons of vinegar, a small film container with a snap-on lid and a small square of toilet tissue. Directions: After baking soda is poured in the middle of the toilet tissue square and the tissue is rolled around the soda and twisted at the ends, the tissue is placed in the film container.  Next, an adult pours vinegar in the film container, quickly snaps the lid back on and stands back as the “pocket rocket” launches.

• For ages 5 to 8, check out the “Play Microphone” project at the Joann’s Craft’s section of www.abcteach.com, a Web site geared toward parents, teachers and kids. Supplies and directions: Using one toilet paper tube, aluminum foil, tape, streamers and markers or crayons, children can construct their own microphone by decorating the toilet paper tube and wadding the aluminum foil into a ball and sticking it in one end of the tube.  After taping or gluing the foil around the base of the tube, streamers can be attached to the other end of the tube, completing the decorated microphone.

• For very young children ages 1 to 4, www.rubyglen.com, a Web site focusing on crafts and home improvement ideas, includes a recipe for “Soap Crayons” that can be used on the side of the tub while children are taking a bath. Supplies needed: Mild powered laundry soap, food coloring, ice cube trays and water.  Directions: After pouring one cup of powdered laundry soap to a bowl, add water by the teaspoon until it becomes a thick liquid mixture.  Stir and keep adding food coloring until it is the desired color. Next, pour the mixture into the ice cube trays and set them in a sunny, dry spot for the crayons to harden.  After hardening, they are ready to be tested on the sides and walls of the bathtub before use.

United Way of Escambia County encourages you to help a child discover inexpensive, fun projects such as these, which can ignite imagination and creativity! Here are some more ideas

Ages 9-12

Invisible Messages

Box Office

Coffee Filter Flowers

CD Box Frames

Ages 5-8

Crayon School Box

Homemade Slime

Underwater Scope

Ages 1-4

Alphabet Book

Spaghetti Mobiles

Homemade Beanbag