Pac Man is one of the most iconic and recognizable video game characters of all time. And with this idea from Kathlene at The Effortless Chic, you can recreate the look as a Halloween costume! You’ll need a large cardboard box for this – if you don’t have one that’s big enough on hand, try calling around to retail stores looking for one. Chances are you will find a store that is willing to save their empty boxes from receiving stock, and you will be on your way to a super cheap costume! [how to make a Pac Man Halloween costume]

Project estimate:

• Cardboard, on hand
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Duct tape, on hand or $1
• Hot glue, on hand
• Hula hoop or other large circle, on hand or $1 and up

Total: Free and up!

The post Make a Pac Man Halloween Costume appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

As the mother of four boys, I am always on the lookout for ways to encourage them to read. Adding a few extra minutes of reading time at bedtime is a great way to encourage budding readers! One way to make reading time even more fun is to give kids a reading light they can use in their dark bedrooms. Here’s a quick and easy DIY duct tape reading light tutorial to “power” your imagination, inspired by Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot, sponsored by Scholastic.

Supplies Needed:

• A clip on book light, $1
• Coordinating duct tape, $1

Total: $2

I got both the book light and the duct tape at my local dollar store!

Step 1: Cut a piece of duct tape the length of the book light’s neck. Cut or tear the tape in half lengthwise.

Step 2: Wrap duct tape around the book light’s neck.

Step 3: Use the remaining half of the duct tape strip to wrap around the bulb of the book light. Trim tape to fit.

Step 4: Wrap remaining duct tape to fit to bulb.

Quick and easy! A custom book light for your little reader!

My kids are so excited for the newest installment of the Captain Underpants book by Dav Pilkey! Thanks to Scholastic for sponsoring this tutorial.

About Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot

About the Book:

There’s something rotten in the state of Ohio, and it’s smellier than a pile of putrid gym socks! Steer clear–it’s Sir Stinks-A-Lot!

George, Harold, and their doubles, Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold, have a good thing going. Two of them go to school, while the other two hide in the tree house and play video games all day–then they switch! But when their malicious gym teacher, Mr. Meaner, creates a method of mind control that turns their fellow students into attentive, obedient, perfect children, the future of all humanity will be in their hands!

About the Captain Underpants series

Best friends George Beard and Harold Hutchins are the unofficial class clowns of fourth grade. There’s nothing they love more than making comic books about a silly superhero named Captain Underpants. But now they’ve accidentally transformed their mean school principal, Mr. Krupp, into Captain Underpants himself! Join George, Harold, and the Waistband Warrior as they fight for Truth, Justice, and all that is Pre-Shrunk and Cottony – and save the world, too!

Author Dav Pilkey. *Credit: Kai Suzuki 2013*

About the Author

When Dav Pilkey was a kid, he suffered from ADHD, dyslexia, and behavioral problems. Dav was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hall every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books.

In the second grade, Dav Pilkey created a comic book about a superhero named Captain Underpants. His teacher ripped it up and told him he couldn’t spend the rest of his life making silly books.

Fortunately, Dav was not a very good listener.

Dav continues to create books in the Pacific Northwest where he lives with his wife. Visit him online at www.pilkey.com.

LEARN MORE

• Visit Dav Pilkey at www.pilkey.com
• Check out scholastic.com/captainunderpants
• #PilkeyPower

This post was sponsored by Scholastic, and I was compensated and provided a copy of the book. All opinions are mine.

The post Tutorial: Duct Tape Reading Light appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Wreath forms can be expensive, so we like to DIY them when we can.  Are you tired of making round wreaths  Jazz things up with this DIY heart shaped wreath form by Virgina at Fynes Designs!  This method is similar to making a pool noodle wreath, but instead of a noodle it uses pipe insulation from the plumbing section of the hardware or home improvement store.  You should be able to find it for about a dollar!  [how to make a heart shaped wreath form]

Project estimate:

• Wire hanger, on hand
• Pipe insulation, $1
• Duct tape, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make a Heart Shaped Wreath Form appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Who’s the fairest of them all? YOU are, with this pretty Disney Princess duct tape hand mirror! Transform a boring dollar store hand mirror into a magical mirror fit for a princess, with just a few simple supplies and techniques. Come find out how to make it!

My family and I are getting ready to go on a dream vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida, to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, and also to have a family vacation. Visiting WDW is a first-time for everyone in my family (the kids have never been to any Disney parks). To celebrate, some of my crafty blogger friends (who are also attending the conference) and I are sharing some Disney-themed craft tutorials with you. For my project, I created this cute and simple duct tape craft, featuring a very pretty printed tape from Duck Brand with Disney Princesses on it!

I recently visited the duct tape aisle at Michaels — big mistake! Or maybe big inspiration – you decide. Check out all the awesome duct tapes I came home with:

I just knew I had to come up with something great to make with the Disney Princesses Duck Tape.  

Disney Princess Duct Tape Hand Mirror Supplies:

• Hand mirror, $1
• Patterned duct tape, $9 (you can get it on Amazon or buy it at Michaels using your coupons!)
• Scissors, on hand
• Ribbon (optional), $1 and up

Total cost: $10 and up (but you will have lots of pretty Princess duct tape left over for other duct tape projects!)

NOTE: You could make this project for $2 if you use dollar store patterned duct tape, or $1 if you use duct tape you already have on hand!

Here’s a quick video showing you the process:  

#Disney princess duct tape hand mirror! #ducttape A video posted by Heather Mann (@dollarcraft) on May 2, 2015 at 9:14pm PDT

Gather your supplies! This project is quick and easy. It will take you about 15 minutes to make.

1. Cover the back of the mirror with overlapping strips of duct tape. Since the Disney Princess Duck Tape is a continuous pattern, you can match up the pattern if you want. Leave about 1″ overlapping duct tape around the sides.

2. Trim the tape around the mirror so the duct tape is an even distance around the outside of the mirror.

3. Cover the front of the mirror handle with duct tape.

4. Cut slits into the duct tape around every curved area (I just cut slits into the whole thing, about 1″ apart from each other).

5. Gently wrap the duct tape tabs you cut around the edges of the mirror, smoothing to eliminate creases, wrinkles, and bubbles.

This is what the back of the mirror looks like — as you can see, I matched up the pattern for most of the mirror.

Next, we are going to make the fringe that goes around the front of the mirror. This is a simple decorative duct tape technique!

1. First, cut a strip of duct tape and fold it lengthwise (long way), leaving about 1/2″ of the sticky part exposed.

2. Cut slits into the duct tape on the folded side. Cut up to the edge of where you folded, but leave the sticky part of the tape intact.

3. Using the sticky part of the fringe, apply the fringe to the edge of the mirror. Because of the fringing technique, these pieces have a bit of give, so they go around the curved mirror pretty easily.

If you don’t have enough fringe, cut another piece and repeat the fringe-making process. You can just overlap a little at the edges of the fringe when you are applying a second piece.

To finish the princessy look of the hand mirror, I added a piece of ribbon (it has Olaf on it – I know he’s not a princess, but he does enjoy warm hugs!). My son gave me this Olaf ribbon for Christmas, so I’m glad I got to use it in a place of honor on a special craft project.

Be sure to watch the short videos I included in this post if you are confused. They will help you figure out this simple and quick duct tape craft!

Maybe I should make a matching dollar store hairbrush featuring the Disney Princesses — what do you think?

Love this Disney Princess duct tape!

Don’t forget to visit my friends who are sharing their own Disney-themed craft tutorials!

8 Disney Craft Tutorials

• Disney Trip Countdown – DIY Washi Tape Chalkboard by Mom Endeavors
• Disney Drawstring Backpack by Pink Cake Plate
• DIY BB-8 Shirt by Desert Chica
• Custom Toy Story Shorts and Shirts by Eclectic Momsense
• Little Mermaid Ears by See Vanessa Craft
• DIY Disney Jewelry with Free Printable by 100 Directions
• Disney Sticker Story Starters by Make and Takes
• DIY Disney Autograph and Activity Book by Clever Pink Pirate
• Disney Bleach Stencil T-Shirt by Teach Mama

Disclosure: Not a paid or sponsored post, by any of the brands mentioned. Affiliate links.

The post Tutorial: Disney Princess Duct Tape Hand Mirror appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Got duct tape? That’s the main ingredient in this adorable rain cloud mobile! So grab a roll, along with some cardboard out of your recycling bin and a Sharpie, and watch Heather’s video to see how to make your own. Not into videos? Keep reading for written instructions!

Project estimate:

• Duct tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Cardboard, on hand
• Marker, on hand
• String, on hand
• Tape, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

Draw a cloud and raindrop shapes on a piece of cardboard.

Flip the cardboard over and cover the back side with duct tape.

Cut out the cloud and raindrop shapes following the lines you drew.

Draw a faces on the could and raindrops .

Connect the pieces by taping them together with string on the back side.

Hang it up and enjoy your handiwork!

The post Tutorial: Duct Tape Rain Cloud Mobile appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

This recycled gift tin is super easy, no fancy gift wrapping skills required.  You can use this idea with many different shapes and sizes of containers, so you can adjust it to fit many different gifts depending on your needs.

Recently our crafty pal Tanner shared his haul of Christmas goodies from Dollar Tree with us – and today he is back with a fun project!  Watch the video below for the how-to, or keep scrolling for written directions!

Project estimate:

• Empty chip canister or other container, on hand or $1 and up
• Duct tape, on hand or $1
• Ribbon, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up!

Be sure to wash your container out before reusing it!  Starting at the top of the container, wrap with strips of holiday duct tape.

Continue working your way down until the entire container is covered.

Fill the tin with a gift – Tanner filled his with some cookies!

Wrap the container from top to bottom with a length of ribbon and tie a bow.  (Tip:  If you have trouble keeping the ribbon in place. add a piece of tape at the bottom of the container!)

The post Tutorial: Recycled Gift Tin appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Project Materials:

• 2 clipboards, $2
• Bulletin board, $1
• 2 wire office supply cups, $2
• Wire sorting tray, $1
• 4 zip ties, $1 for a package
• 2 baskets, $2
• Metal adhesive hooks, $2
• Scotch Chalkboard Tape, $6
• Scotch Dry Erase Tape, $6
• Scotch® Duct Tape in Dottie, $3.50
• Scissors
• Drill

Total Cost: $26.50

Note: I got all the surfaces at the dollar store, but the Scotch Chalkboard Tape, Scotch Dry Erase Tape, and the Scotch® Duct Tape can be purchased online or at other retailers.

With Scotch Chalkboard Tape and Dry Erase Tape, you can create a chalkboard or dry erase surface on anything flat and smooth. I added the tape to clipboards to make a stylish and functional kitchen chalkboard and white board. I also added Chalkboard tape to the plastic baskets to make easy labels.

Part 1: Make Clipboard Chalkboard and Dry Erase Boards

1. Cut five strips of Scotch Chalkboard Tape the height of the clipboard, from the clip to the bottom of the board.

2. Lay Scotch Chalkboard Tape strips on board one by one, slightly overlapping the edges of tape as you go.

3. Cut small pieces of Scotch® Duct Tape to lay next to the clip on the clipboard. For my wire clip-style clipboard, I lifted the clip and laid a piece of tape (cut in half lengthwise) under where the clip would go.

4. Lay pieces of Scotch® Duct Tape along the edges of the clipboard, and fold over the back of the clipboard to create a finished edge.

5. For corners, cut a notch out of the corner as shown, to make it super simple and clean to fold the corners over.

Repeat process for Scotch Dry Erase Tape clipboard.

Next, add the supply cup to the board, to provide a convenient place to keep writing utensils.

1. Drill two holes through the clipboard on the lower edge to create a place to thread zip ties through.

Note: Be sure to follow proper safety procedures when using a drill. Also, if you are afraid of using a drill, don’t be – it’s almost as easy as using a stapler!

2. If your zip tie is wider than the cup’s mesh like mine, you might need to also poke matching holes through the mesh on the cup.

3. Thread a zip tie through the top hole on the back of the clipboard, then through the top hole of the cup, then back into the bottom hole of the cup, and back through the bottom hole on the clipboard. Zip the tie closed.

Part 2: Bulletin Board Key Holder

1. Add a stripe of Scotch® Duct Tape to the bulletin board to make it coordinate with the other pieces.

2. Next, drill two holes in either end of the clipboard to attach the office supply organizer tray.

3. Attach tray with zip ties like you did for the office supply cups in the previous project.

4. Add adhesive metal hooks to the front of the tray.

Part 3: Label the Baskets

This part is easy! Just cut Scotch Chalkboard Tape, peel the backing, stick on the surfaces and smooth.

Thanks to Scotch® Duct Tape for sponsoring this project, and for providing this very fun Chalkboard Tape and Dry Erase tape to play with. Scotch® Duct Tape recently launched their Instagram account — Please follow them @ScotchDuctTape on Instagram, Scotch® Duct Tape Pinterest Boards, Scotch® Duct Tape Facebook, and Scotch® Duct Tape (@ScotchDuctTape) on Twitter Tweet your projects to them with the hashtag #ScotchDuctTape!

The post Tutorial: Cute Kitchen Command Station with Scotch® Duct Tapes appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Have you ever made your own ice cream?  It turns out you don’t need a fancy machine to do it – you just need a couple of coffee cans!  Megan at Coffee Cups ans Crayons demonstrates how surprisingly quick, simple, and fun it is to use this method.  She also has a great post about how to make ice cream in a plastic bag!  Who knew there were so many thrifty ways to DIY a frosty summer treat?  [how to make coffee can ice cream]

Project estimate:

• Small coffee can, on hand
• Large coffee can, on hand
• Duct tape, on hand
• Ice, on hand
• Rock salt, on hand or about $5 and up
• Ice cream ingredients (see link above), on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make Coffee Can Ice Cream appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Here at Dollar Store Crafts, we love crafting with Duck Tape®! The only thing better is adding recycled materials to the mix. In today's project, we've done both, and created a Glitter Duck Tape® desk organizer made from recycled paper towel tubes. We're celebrating spring and Earth Month with this blingy project made from recyclables.

For this project, we've used Duck Tape's new Glitter Tape in pink and silver to add some bling, along with their adorable mini Duck Tape Ducklings in silver and black.

Project Materials:

• Recycled paper tubes (paper towel, wrapping paper, etc.), on hand
• Recycled cardboard, on hand
• Glitter Duck Tape®, about $6 a roll
• Ducklings Duck Tape®, about $2 a roll
• Coordinating colored cardstock paper, on hand or $.25 each
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks, on hand
• Scissors
• White glue

Total: $8 and up (or use on-hand Duck Tape to reduce total cost!)

1. Cut a 5 x 5" square piece of recycled cardboard, and cover it with silver glitter Duck Tape.

2. Trim four cardboard tubes to the following sizes:

• 2 inches tall
• 3 inches tall
• 4 inches tall
• 5 inches tall

3. Cover each tube with Glitter Duck Tape®. Add coordinating stripes of Duck Tape® Ducklings Tape in silver and black around the top of each tube.

4. Optional: For each tube, roll up a rectangle of colored cardstock paper and insert it into the inside of the tube. Glue the paper to the inside of each tube.

5. Glue the tubes to the cardboard square base with hot glue.

Like this project? Try our other Duck Tape® crafts!

Want to get your hands on the new Spring Duck Tapes? You can find Duck Tape here.

Connect with Duck Tape®:

• on Pinterest
• on Facebook
• on Twitter

What Easter/Spring craft projects will you be making this year?

The post Tutorial: Make a Glittery Duck Tape Pen Organizer (from Recyclables!) appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

It’s time to get in the mood… for Dollar Store Crafting with Duck Brand® Tape! Lovey dovey, pink puffy hearts and chocolates kind of mood: VALENTINE’S DAY!! We have three clever Valentine’s Day craft ideas for you that use some Duck Brand® Tape Valentine's Day designs.

Our three dollar store Valentine's Day Duck Brand® Tape crafts are:

• 3D Valentine Heart Mobile
• Valentine Heart Candle
• Valentine Heart Placemat

Here are some of your Duck Brand® Tape Valentine's Day tape options:

You don't need much for these crafts – just a few rolls of Duck Brand® Tape and a couple supplies from the dollar store!

Project Materials:

• Duck Brand® Tape rolls, about $4.99 each – You need at least 2 colors of tape for these crafts
• Wax paper, $1 or on hand
• A plain white prayer candle, $1
• 3 pony beads, on hand
• String, on hand
• Scissors, on hand
• Hot glue gun and glue, on hand
• Heart templates, download for free here

Total: $11 and up – with lots of Duck Brand® Tape to spare for other Duck Tape crafts!

3D Valentine Heart Mobile Instructions

Make an eye-catching heart mobile with solid-colored tape, or add some extra pizzazz with Duck Brand® Tape in Valentine's Day patterns. Check out our clever technique for creating 3-dimensional hearts from Duck Tape.

Supplies:

• Duck Brand® Tape, 2-4 colors
• Wax paper
• 3 pony beads
• String or yarn
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Heart templates, download for free here

1. Cover a piece of card stock with red Duck Tape, on both sides. Cut out a large heart.

2. Punch a hole in the top of the heart, and add string for hanging. Punch a hole in the bottom of the heart, and on the bottom sides of the heart as well. Put large heart aside.

3. To create the 3D heart strings:

• Cut a small heart out of Duck Tape. Place half of the heart over the edge of wax paper.
• Place a second small Duck Tape heart over the sticky side of the 1st heart.
• Place a third heart over the sticky side of the 2nd heart, then peel the wax paper off.
• Before sticking the last two sticky sides together, put a string through the middle of the 3D heart, as shown. Attach the last sticky sides together.
• Continue making 3D hearts this way, about 1" down the string from each other, until your heart strings are about 18" long.
• Tie a pony bead to the bottom of the strings to weigh them down.

Tie heart strings to the bottom of the large heart.

Valentine Heart Candle Instructions

All you need is an inexpensive glass prayer candle to create this quick and fun Duck Tape valentine candle craft.

Supplies:

• Duck Brand® Tape, 2-4 colors
• A piece of scrap paper
• A glue dot or a dab of hot glue
• Scissors
• Heart templates, download for free here

To Make:

1. Put a red strip of Duck Brand® Tape around the glass candle holder, about 1" from the bottom.
2. Add another red strip of tape around the candle, about 1" from the top.
3. Add a contrasting colored strip of tape between the red tape strips.
4. Cover a piece of card stock with a piece of tape on both sides, then cut out a 2" heart.
5. Attach heart to center tape strip with a glue dot or a dab of hot glue.

Valentine Heart Placemat Instructions

Tweens (or any crafters!) will enjoy making custom placemats for Valentine's Day, or any occasion with a couple rolls of Duck Tape. Bonus: Just wipe up any spills with a damp cloth, and these placemats are ready to use again and again.

Supplies:

• Duck Brand® Tape, 2-3 colors
• Wax paper
• Scissors
• Heart templates, download for free here
• Paper trimmer, optional

To Make:

1. Create a sheet of Duck Tape fabric about 18" wide by 12" tall. Trim edges to square. A paper trimmer might be helpful for that!

–Alternately, you can cover a sheet of paper cut to the size of a placemat with overlapping Duck Tape.–

How to create a Duck Tape sheet:

1. Lay a strip out with sticky side up. Lay another strip over it, sticky side facing sticky side, with long edges overlapping slightly (about 1/2").
2. Continue to lay additional strips until the sheet is the desired size.
3. To create a "good" edge, fold the last piece of tape over the edge.

2. Add a contrasting strip around the outside of the sheet.

3. Overlap white strips of tape onto a piece of wax paper, about 7" square. Cut out the 6.75" heart, using the heart template. (download for free here)

4. Overlap red strips of tape onto a piece of wax paper, about 6" square. Cut out the 5.5" heart, using the heart template. (download for free here)

5. Peel the wax paper from the back of the smaller heart, and place the smaller red heart onto the bigger white heart.

6. Then peel the wax paper from the large heart, and place it on the center of the placemat.

Duck Brand® is on Twitter @TheDuckBrand
Follow @TheDuckBrand for tons of creative inspiration!

The post Tutorial: 3 Duck Tape Valentine Crafts appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.