The Definitive Ranking Of Your Childhood DIY Projects

Ahh, the simple joys of childhood. It didn't take much to keep us entertained, and we loved every minute of it! How many of these do you recognize, and which would you share with your own kids?

18. Pinecone Bird Feeder

Bradley West (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: wyldwest

Kicking off our list is a classic DIY favorite, the pinecone bird feeder. All you needed to become popular among the feathered community was a pinecone, an oven, birdseed, peanut butter, and string. Almost made you wish you were a bird.

17. Ink Blot Art

Mr. Brian (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: mrbd

Step 1: Paper.

Step 2: Paint.

Step 3: Smoosh.

Step 4: Interpret; show off on the fridge.

16. Papier-mâché

Radarsmum67 (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: radarsmum67

Easy to make, hard to spell, and a staple in every childhood. Papier-mâché taught us patience, creativity, technique, and that newspaper wasn't just for lining the hamster cage.

15. Paper Chains

Justin Snow (CC BY-ND http://2.0) / Via Flickr: justinandelise

Paper chains were the easiest (and coolest) way to spice up an afternoon. Just how long you could make your chain was only limited by your imagination...and how much paper you had to work with.

14. Popsicle Stick Art

Rasmus Lerdorf (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: rlerdorf

The only thing better than the jokes on popsicle sticks was their use as a *legit* construction material. Throw a bit of glue in the mix, and you had the means to create just about anything.

13. Newspaper Hats

Kate Der Haar (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: katerha

Making your first newspaper hat was an unforgettable experience. Suddenly that boring black-and-white paper your parents were always reading was actually USEFUL! Anchors away, captain!

12. Painting Eggs

fotologic (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: fotologic

You didn't need to wait for Easter as an excuse to paint eggs -- it's an art project that's fun year-round! Well, except Halloween. Who paints eggs during Halloween? Farmers?

11. Paper Snowflakes

Suzette (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: suzettesuzette

The only thing prettier than a real snowflake? The symmetrical paper works of art you loved to churn out on a rainy day. No two were ever quite the same.

10. Model Airplanes

Bill Abbott (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: wbaiv

There's nothing quite like unboxing a plastic model airplane. All those little pieces to cut, sand, paint, and glue -- it was the ultimate challenge as a kid. And no matter how hard you tried, it never quite turned out like the picture on the box.

9. Pasta Art

Michael Homan (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: mhoman

Whoever that "Jim" person was, five bucks says this masterpiece was indistinguishable from the real thing.

8. DIRT CUPS!

Via Shutterstock

There was always that one kid who didn't know what dirt cups were, and you had to explain. That poor kid. Dirt cups were one of the only DIY projects you could actually eat, and they made you wonder if real worms were just as delicious.*

*They weren't.

7. Dreamcatchers

Lara (CC BY-ND http://2.0) / Via Flickr: laraschneider

If you were lucky enough to be able to craft one of these beautiful DIY dreamcatchers, you were sure to show it off during show-and-tell as soon as humanly possible.

6. Tie-dye

Pete (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: comedynose

It's pretty easy to impress a child, but man...tie-dye took it to a whole new level. Seeing those clothes all rolled up with rubber bands had you a little confused, but once you saw the final product, it was like seeing a flower blossom. A beautiful, tie-dyed, T-shirt flower -- that you made!

5. Sugar Cube Buildings

Franklin Park Library (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: franklinparklibrary

Construction materials never tasted so sweet.

And walls. And doors. And gates and backyards and fences.

Oh, and rooftops, and pretty much everything you could build with sugar cubes... You just had to watch out for wayward glue!

4. Lanyards

Maegan Tintari (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: lovemaegan

At some point in elementary school, all the kids suddenly knew how to make these knotted little wonders, and they were all instantly addicted. And how could you not be? They were a great way to pass the time in class and on the bus.

3. Friendship Bracelets

Moira Durano-Abesmo (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: moiracrochetsplarn

You knew your friendship was the real deal once you had a bracelet to commemorate it. Nothing could come between you and your besties so long as you had one of these bad boys around your wrist.

2. Cootie Catchers

Kate Ter Haar (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: katerha

Cootie catcher. Chatterbox. Salt cellar. Whirlybird. Fortune teller. No matter what you called these paper wonders growing up, they blew your mind and answered all of life's biggest questions for years.

1. Blanket and Pillow Fort

libby rosof (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: libbyrosof

Yeah, baby! Number one on the list is the impossibly awesome blanket and pillow fort, which knows no age limits. The ultimate escape from parents, homework, or siblings, these cloth caves made you feel untouchable. Nobody could see you, find you, or ruin your cozy vibes. Forts for life.

Looking for more ways to keep your kid occupied? Amazon Original Kids has you covered! With new original series launching this summer, there's lots of entertaining options to inspire your kids to play, create, and learn!

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