Stuck in the rain with the kids? We can help

Check out these awesome (and affordable) school holiday boredom busters.

Sock puppets

Check your wardrobe: chances are you have one missing sock and what's better than throwing it out? Upcycling it into a sock puppet for the kids. Head to Craft Jnr for the step-by-step instructions.
Dinosaur feet

With kids comes snotty noses, which means many, many tissues. A novel way to use up all those tissue boxes you'll inevitably go through is to make dinousaur feet out of them (and it'll especially cheer up a sick little dinosaur). Full instructions here.
Egg carton owls

Create your own flock of baby owls by recycling egg cartons, the only extras you need to make the owls are arcylic paint and a black texta. If you're a seasoned crafter (or handy with a glue gun) you could add pom poms, google eyes and pipe cleaners - but you didn't need us to tell you that! Via Ciderandfaun.
Paper towel bangles

This is the perfect excuse to use up the box full of spare buttons, wrapping paper, feathers or ribbon you've been keeping all this time. To create these party bangles, slice the tubes into rings with a utility knife and give to kids to decorate. When they're done, cut the rings open for wearing and glue while they're still intact (via Martha Stewart).
Takeaway container hat

Who would've thought something so stunning could come from last night's takeaway? This cute pillbox hat with paper flowers will sure to impress even the fussiest of stylistas. Click here for the full instructions.
Recycled block boats

Once the kids have moved on from their wooden blocks, recycle them to make further toys - the school holidays are a perfect time to give them such a project! Round up old blocks and other waterproof household items such as onion bags, sink plugs and canvas or an overnight mail envelope for the sail to make your yacht, dingy or speedboat. Click here for the full how-to.
Tin robots

Straight from the soup can these clever robots look great on display. With the help of mum or dad (or a grandparent/carer) take the lids off and run electricial tape around the rim to prevent any sharp edges. Decorate with any oddbods you can find in the house or garage - bolts, brackets, hinges, keys, wing nuts, switches, bottle caps, washers, knobs - and use a hot glue gun to attach and voila! Via Family Fun.
Cereal box fire station

There's no need to pay in the hundreds for a fire station/hospital play set - you can make this one cheaply from recycled cereal boxes and paint. Add as much or little detail you like, if you decide to go all out: you'll need four cereal boxes, a smaller tea box, straws, bottle caps, egg cartons and paint - find all the details here.
Next Up: DIY your life: 17 brilliant recycling ideas that you can really use
What’s even greener than recycling? Reusing!