Archive for the ‘Kid's Crafts’ Category
My grandkids loved this paint spinner!
Recently while standing in the checkout line of a favorite craft store, I happened to be behind a rather elderly couple. Their arms were full of kids’ crafts, and I thought to myself that these folks were more than likely going to be babysitting their grandkids. And they were going to be prepared!
We all know how rambunctuous kids are. Weren’t we the same way as kids? After a short time on one project, it becomes boring, so it’s time to move on to a new one.
When I visit my grandkids I always take some craft supplies along. For awhile at least, it gets them away from the TV, computer, WII, and all the other electronic devices we weren’t privileged to have as kids, and it presents a new challenge and interest to their life. The kids always enjoy crafting!
What is it about monster trucks that kids find so appealing? Well, maybe girls aren’t so impressed with them! And maybe not just boys! In fact, it’s not just the kids who are crazy about them. The big guys are the real fans. And my husband is just as guilty as the rest of the fellows. But that’s beside the point.
If your child is fascinated with monster trucks, painting a miniature one just probably would be a craft that he would enjoy. Then when they have finished painting, and the paint is dry, they have a fun toy to play with.
Who would think that crafting and tea parties go together? They do when you paint your own tiny tea set with acrylic paints. Have you noticed that little girls just love having tea parties? Now they can have a party for their friends, dolls, teddy bears and use their own hand-painted miniature china. Maybe they will even invite mom and dad!
Little tea sets are so cute and delicate. I bought one for myself to paint just because I like tiny things and enjoy painting.
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Painting A Piggy Bank Is A Great Craft For Kids
Here’s a fun way for your kids or grandkids to learn about money and saving while crafting. Give them a ceramic pig to paint using acrylic paints. Urge them to save their allowances in the bank and keep track of the money they’ve saved. Think of how proud they will be to see the bank they’ve painted themselves and watch their excitement as they watch their savings grow.
Not so long ago I gave similar adorable piggy banks to each of my three grandchildren to paint. They had so much fun, didn’t make the mess I anticipated, and were extremely proud of their banks. Even the youngest one did a great job figuring out a design and applying it to the bank.
Do you love the sound of wind chimes? - the tinkling music they make as the breezes blow. Why not let your kids make one? This would be a great kids craft. With your guidance and a few supplies, they will enjoy the time spent with you and appreciate the end result, too. Kids just love to see the result of making something with their own hands. And the cost will be minimal.
The one I have in mind is made of bamboo and comes in a kit. My son and daughter-in-law just recently bought me a very cute bamboo wind chime. When I first saw it, after thinking how cute it was, I thought to myself that it would probably not make a very pleasant sound. How surprised I was when I hung it on my porch and heard the subdued musical notes that came from it.
If your children have taken an interest in arts and crafts, scrapbooking is an enjoyable activity that you can share with them. This is also one of those activities that they can perhaps ask their friends and playmates to participate in. If you plan properly, this could just be a means of keeping them occupied for an extended period of time.
A few suggestions to help you keep down the cost of your supplies are:
* Let them cut out pictures from old magazines.
* Gather up old photos that you no longer want or need and let them scrapbook with them.
* Make photo copies of your pictures for them to scrap.
* Kids always love using stickers. Often these can be bought very inexpensively.
* Check your scrapbooking supplies for leftovers and odds and ends. Kids are good at finding uses for unused pieces you will probably not use.
Christmas is just around the corner, and while it may be a little late to start our Christmas crafts, I just have to share this one with you. Considering that it is a simple project, hopefully you will find the time to fit it into your schedule. It is so much fun. And this might just be a great project for your kids.
I saw this recipe in our local newspaper yesterday. Now it may not be new to you, but it is to me. At least, if I’ve run across it before, I have forgotten it. (Maybe you don’t have that problem.) Anyway, the column was written by Carol Cloud Bailey, known in our paper as “Yard Doc.” The recipe is for dough ornaments which will have your house smelling great for a long time. The ingredients that you will need are:
1 1/2 cups cinnamon
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup white school glue
If you prefer a different aroma, Carol suggests that you add 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. each of ground nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
You also will need the following supplies: a bowl, plastic wrap, a drinking straw, and a cookie sheet.
Use a spatula to mix all the ingredients, adding the cinnamon slowly. The dough should be thick like a stiff cookie dough, but not sticky. Knead the dough slightly until smooth and cover with plastic wrap. Then let it sit for at least an hour. Flatten and roll the dough until about 1/4 inch thick. (Thinner dough tends to crack and curl; thicker dough doesn’t dry well in climates such as ours here in Florida.)
Cut into desired shapes using a template and knife or cookie cutters. Use the drinking straw to punch a hole for the ribbon or yarn to hang it.
The ornaments may be placed on a rack to dry, turning every so often; this will take three to five days, or longer if the air is damp. She prefers to put them on cookie sheets in a warm oven, about 170-200 degrees, for about two hours, flipping them several times. When cool, you may decorate them with beads, ribbons, paint, or glitter. Do not cover the entire surface to allow the fragrance to fill your house.
Carol suggests storing them in sealed containers with silicone packets to absorb moisture.
Preschoolers are full of life and energy. Keeping them busy and entertained often becomes quite a challenge. One solution is to come up with some preschool craft ideas.
Doing arts and crafts is one of the highlights of a preschooler’s day. These various activities allow children to express themselves and during the process they learn many things as they are participating in these projects. They can learn letters of the alphabet and simple words. They can be taught to identify and name animals. Colors and their names become familiar to them. The list goes on and on. The benefits of involving our youngsters in these learning arts and crafts are varied and numerous.
If you have a crafter friend or relative to buy a gift for and just are lost for ideas, check out my holiday gift ideas for crafters of all ages. What crafter does not enjoy receiving a craft items for Christmas or for a birthday?
There are so many holiday gift ideas for crafters that the only problem one may have is which one of the many choices to settle on. In that case, a gift certificate to a craft store is always welcome.
Magic Reindeer Food for Rudolph and Company
It’s a holiday tradition for small children across America to leave out milk and cookies for Santa to enjoy on Christmas Eve night. When you think about it, it’s a small price to pay in exchange for a stocking full of treats and a boxes of presents overflowing beneath the tree. Still, it doesn’t seem quite fair to leave a treat for Santa while neglecting the loyal reindeer that helped him reach his destination in the first place. When my own kids were young, I taught them one of my favorite Christmas crafts: magical reindeer food.
First we would gather up the supplies, which included raw oatmeal, some colored glitter, snack baggies, paper and ribbons. We would combine the oatmeal and glitter inside a baggie and close it, attaching a ribbon to the front of the bag with a message. Then I would have the kids sprinkle the food around the yard in hopes of attracting Rudolph and the rest of his reindeer friends.