Down in the Desert-Kids Sand Art Terrarium with Glow Creatures

This post brought to you by ACTIVA Products.  Love Sand Art?  You’ll love ACTIVA–makers of radiant colored sand and air dry clays!Tucson hot air balloon in desert via Candie CooperWould you like to riiiide in mah beautifulll baloooon?!

Sorry.

Guys, it’s winter here.  These posts could get cheesier and cheesier as the snow and cold drag on.  I took a photo of the snowy backyard yesterday for my friend that’s in Florida.  When I looked at it, I literally had to check to see if I accidentally hit the black and white filter.  THAT is how gray it was.

Speaking of backyards, let’s rewind to two weeks ago when I was in sunny Tucson for the gem show.  Calgon, take me away.  Look at all this sunny desert!?  Those snowbirds are livin’ right!  One day on our way to work, we saw a hot air balloon pretty low to the ground.  Sure enough, it landed in the road because there wasn’t enough wind.  Seven people piled out of that thing!  It was beautiful in that brown desert.  HUGE!
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures7When I came home, I was ready to bring a touch of desert home and make a fun kids project.  Plus, it never hurts to bring some color inside during winter!
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures21This faux terrarium goes together in a snap!  The best part is you can’t kill the plants or the pets!  I’m all for low maintenance these days…
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures20Materials List:

ACTIVA colorful sand in desired colors (1 lb bags).  I love that this product is made in America by the way!

-Fish bowl or jar

-Glow creatures

-Plastic Succulents

-Large flatback gems

-Rocks or twigs

*You can find the glow creatures and faux succulents at the Dollar Tree
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures19First, cut a corner from the package and pour in the sand–so fun watching sand drizzle out of a bag.

These are the days of our crafty lives…

You can tap the glass bowl down on the table to gently level out the sand.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures18Repeat adding more layers/colors of sand.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures17Looks like the painted desert right?
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures16Remove the plants from the pots by plucking them out of the foam.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures15Nestle them down in the sand where you like.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures14Add rocks and glow creatures!
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures12And gems!  A little sparkle ain’t ever hurt nobody!
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures13There are lots of craft supplies that would be fun to add to the terrarium.  Little signs, pom poms, glass pebbles….  Look around the house and see what you have.  You could paint the rocks to add even more color.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures10SO fun!  I know this is a kid project, but I had a blast putting it together.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures9ACTIVA Decor Sand comes in a ton of colors too.  You can find it in the floral section of the craft store or online.
ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures5ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures1ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures3ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures6ACTIVA Sand Art Terrarium Kids Craft Idea with glow in the dark creatures7Optionally, you could add a blacklight to make the terrarium glow even more.  Can you tell I’ve really thought about this?

ACTIVA for American made colorful sand.

Until next time!

New Kids Jewelry Craft Videos Available Now!

kids jewelry craft ideaYou guys know I have a passion for teaching children how to make things–jewelry especially because I started making it in sixth grade!  That was practically yesterday (cough-cough, eye roll).

I’m excited to announce one of my new videos with Interweave called Rainy Day Projects:  Bead Crafts with Kids.  These videos take you step by step how to make three projects as well as give you ideas for choosing materials and avoiding craft fails. kids jewelry craft ideaEven though the projects are geared towards kids, I think you might want to make a couple of the projects yourself!  Macrame bracelets with buttons, hammered pendants, and rubber band and bead bracelets.

We all know the pressures that kids are under these days and I always think it’s a good idea to encourage making things with their hands.  Allowing children to be creative, make their own color choices in a positive environment also helps boost their self-esteem.  It’s good for everyone.  I could go on, but I’ll get off my soap box here.kids jewelry craft ideaI hope you’ll check it out at the Interweave Store here.  Thanks in advance 😉