These arts, crafts, and activities are inspired by three of our favorite vacation destinations–Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Best of all? You probably already have most of the supplies lying around your house! Turn on easy mode and let your kids' imagination transport them somewhere tropical.
Hawaii
Make Tissue Paper Leis
Read more on Smart Party PlanningSupplies
- Jute rope or ribbon
- Multi-colored tissue paper
- Scissors
Instructions
1. Cut the tissue paper into pieces about 3 inches wide and 2 inches long. Twist the middle inch together as shown below.
2. Tie one piece of tissue paper around the rope or ribbon. Tie a second piece in the same color around or on top of the first one.
3. Repeat with the second color next to the first.
4. Leave them slightly spread out about an inch in between colors. I used between 10 and 12 tied pieces for each lei.
5. Fold down the pieces of tissue paper so they are all facing down and on the same side.
The Caribbean
Make a Treasure Map Scavenger Hunt
Supplies
- Paper
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
Instructions
1. Divide a group into two teams.
2. Have each team draw a map of the surrounding area (the living room, the backyard, the neighborhood–you set the boundaries). Mark locations with clues as to what they should look for upon arrival, with one final item being the "buried treasure". Ideas? Something as small as a sticky note on a tree or as big as a baseball bat hidden in a bush!
3. Let each team take turns hiding their clues.
4. Set a timer and see which team finds the "buried treasure" first!"
Mexico
Make Mini Piñatas
Read more on Somewhat SimpleSupplies
- Paper Cups
- Colorful Napkins or Tissue Paper
- Tape (double-sided is the most convenient)
- Ribbon
- Candy and small toys to fill the pinatas with
- Rubber band
Instructions
1. Begin by poking a small hole in the bottom of each cup and threading a ribbon through. Then tie a knot in the ribbon to prevent it from slipping out.
2. Take your paper cup and trace it on a piece of tissue paper, then cut about an inch further out.
3. Fill cups with candy or small toys and cover with a piece of tissue paper, using a rubber band to hold it in place.
4. Measure how long your strips of tissue paper need to be to fit all the way around the cup. Then cut a rectangle of each color the length you’ll need, by 3″. Fold your rectangles in half, then cut slits in each strip.
5. Wrap strips around the cup, using tape to keep them in place. The trick to keeping them straight is to make sure the middles of the strips are taped to the cup, and not the tops. You can then “squish” the tissue paper and flatten it to the cup. (This part will be covered by the next color, so it doesn’t have to be pretty.
6. Attach strips all the way up and around the cup.
7. To cover the top “squished” tissue paper part, grab some ribbon, and using a tiny piece of tape, attach it all around the top.
8. Carefully attach a piece of ribbon to the bottom of the pinata onto the tissue paper.
9. When it’s time to break open the piñata, allow the recipient to pull the taped ribbon, causing the tissue paper to rip and the goodies to come spilling out!
If you're left feeling inspired, plan your next beach getaway on easy mode at AppleVacations.com
