The springtime is known for its long, rainy days, and on those afternoons when you’re stuck in the house, you’ll likely need an activity to keep the little ones occupied. Here are a few fun and creative craft ideas that offer hours of entertainment for your budding artists.

Tissue Cherry Blossom Tree [marthastewart.com]
Instead of hanging their artwork on the refrigerator, why not create a craft that you can use in your home decor? This chic cherry blossom tree sculpture is perfect for the springtime, and it’s also simple enough that the kids will have a great time piecing it together. Let them gather branches from outside, then get to work gluing pieces of pink tissue paper in the shape of delicate blooms.

Painted Canvas Bags [parenting.com]
If you’re looking for a craft that’s both beautiful and functional, this painted canvas bag is the ideal choice. Simply purchase plain canvas bags from your local craft store, set the kids loose with fabric inks and brushes, then use the completed bags at the grocery store or even for their school books.

Faux Tie Dye Spring Flower Window Display [momto2poshlildivas.com]
Because real tie-dyeing may be a bit to complicated for young children, this unique craft is a great alternative that produces similar results. Once your child is done, you can hang the colorful flower in a window for all to see.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Godo-Godaj

Mills Pond is a tranquil oasis tucked into the middle of Austin’s Lakes at Wells Branch subdivision, and locals say it's a great spot to gather with friends and family. The pond offers a pier for anglers who want to try their hand at catching the local fish, as well as a floating boat dock for use by any non-motorized boats.

Winding trails around the pond's perimeter offer scenic views and the chance to glimpse local ducks, geese, and cranes, as well as the opportunity for a bit of exercise (joggers and bikers are both welcome). Sunny, grassy fields nearby are ideal for spreading out a blanket and sharing a picnic, reading a book, or just enjoying the fresh air.

Whether you decide to enjoy the view from a park bench on the bank, or climb into a canoe to explore the pond itself, you can expect a quiet, peaceful visit to Mills Pond.

Mills Pond
15108 Wells Port Drive
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 251-9814
www.wellsbranchmud.com/parks/mills-pond.html
www.yelp.com/biz/mills-pond-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/tillwe

Shara Funari and Leigh Taylor Wyatt arrived at glass blowing from very different backgrounds. Shara didn't pick up the art until 2004, honing what was then a hobby at a public glass blowing studio in 2004. Leigh relocated to Texas in 2006 specifically to further her glass blowing career and to be closer to family. However, for both women, glass blowing eventually evolved into a passion; this is why they opened East Side Glass Studio in Austin.

At the studio, the public can come in to watch Shara and Leigh blow glass, or they can join in themselves. Intro classes are held a few times over the course of a month, teaching newbies the basics of glass blowing. Visitors can come in for a one-off experience where they learn the bare-bone fundamentals and then create their own glass masterpiece in a single session.

East Side Glass Studio
507 Calles Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 731-1702
www.eastsideglassstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/east-side-glass-studio-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/a5400410