Creating with Kids - Projects for Summer Break

I am writing a new blog series with a long list of fun projects to do with kids this summer.  There will be great photos and step by step instructions.  All of these projects will be kid tested and kids approved!

PROJECT 1- Make fairies and elves out of pipe cleaners, beads and faux flowers. - good for kids aged 5+ (Younger children will need adult help with the raw ends of the pipe cleaners, scissors and wire cutters.)

 

Supplies

• faux flowers from the dollar store
• Fine-tip black, red and pink markers
• Round wooden bead for the head (sold at Michaels)
• Pipe cleaners
• Wire cutters and scissors
• Embroidery floss 

1. Separate the flowers from the stem to use for the fairy's skirt.
2. Fold the pipe cleaner into thirds and cut one third off. Set this piece off to the side to use for the arms.
3. Wind the embroidery floss around your hand (or make a larger "loop" for longer hair) 4 or more times.  For shorter hair, wrap around 3 fingers. NOTE: Kid's hands are small so if they wrap around their own hand, their hair will be short.
4. Bend the long piece of the pipe cleaner in half and place the floss in the fold so that half of the embroidery thread "loop" sticks out on each side.
5. Thread both pipe cleaner ends through the top of the wooden bead and pull the ends almost all the way through so that the hair (embroidery thread) is secured on the top of the bead. (see photo above)
6. Snip the loops of thread on both sides of the head so you have hair.
7. Draw a face on the wooden bead.
8. Wrap the short piece of pipe cleaner 2 or 3 times around the waist just below the head to create arms. 
9. Slip the pipe cleaner ends through one or more flowers to create the skirt and twist the legs to keep the skirt in place. If the hole is large, tie a knot with the pipe cleaner legs to secure the flower in place just below the arms.
10. Loop the raw ends of the pipe cleaners to make hands and feet.
11. Embellish with leaves for pants or wings- use small flowers, beads and gems to make accessories.

Fun and Easy craft to do with kids!

There is nothing like a bored child and summer can sometimes bring this about.. All that free time... We have a huge gap to fill when our little ones are not able to play with their friends daily while burning off all that energy at recess. here is a fun idea:

Yesterday we did a fun and simple craft at camp that kept the kids busy and happy for hours. You can do this with just one child but the more kids you get to play, the better.

Restaurant fun:

First we took file folds and cut them in half to make two 5.25 x 8.25" menus. Then each kid named their restaurant and decorated the front of the menu to reflect the name and kinds of food they served . Next they decided on three or more dishes they would serve and listed these inside with pictures and prices.

Once their menus were complete, I put out a ton of misc. craft supplies and all kinds of things from the recycle bin. To do this at home, you can also peek into the garage and cupboards to find random gardening, auto, household bits and office supplies that you don't need or use (i.e. - box a piece of jewelry came in, stray hair rollers, single socks, clothes pins, an old jar of ponds cream that you are never going to use...).

Next I put everything on display for the children to consider, then told them to make their three dishes from the array of random items. This was ahoot to watch. They made pizza from a box, covered it with red fabric from an old T-shirt and topped it with feathers for cheese, bits of foam for mushrooms and small circles of paper for the pepperoni.

Once all the food was made, we set up little tables (you can use real furniture or make your own from boxes, pillows and a tin can with a flower in it.) We printed out order sheets on the computer from here and took turns playing guest and server. It was such a fun time! The kids kept wanting to add items to their menu so they would run over to the supplies and whip up a new entree.

Tag Album Tutorial

I've taught 2 sessions of art at Camp Gan Israel. The bunks were combined this year so the projects had to be suitable for 3rd through 6th graders. Nothing too challenging so that the younger ones don't get frustrated yet, exciting enough to keep the 6th graders engaged.


The first week we did mini albums using a cardboard frame and DCWV pocket full of posies paper. The girls did a wonderful job at following the project and did not hesitate to incorporate their own twist! I love that they are so inhibited! The project instructions are at the bottom of this entry.

The next week we made cards. We did a flapper hat and a cup cake card. They jumped at the chance to do their own thing with each project and many went on to make 2nd and 3rd cards while others were finishing up. They inspire me!

Today I did some crafting with my own kids. It all started when Aidan wanted to outline my feet with one of those magnetic sketch boards. Next thing we knew we were decorating our lunch plates with food. Then I put out paper plates, googly eyes, yard, glue and other goodies and the kids started making faces. I was so impressed that their attention span outlasted my own. Thank goodness got home from work so I can get on to my work. Business has been great which means there is lots to do. I'm so grateful that I get to enjoy my family and my job on my own schedule.

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Tag album instructions

Kit contents:

For the signatures:

1, cardboard cover

8, 9 x 3 ½ inch strips of cardstock

2 pieces of ribbon

For the cover:

1 3 ½ x 3 ½ inch piece of card stock

1 4 x 4 inch piece of card stock

1 ½ in x 3 ½ in strip of card stock

To pick up:

2 strips of ribbon for binding

Stickers and other decorative elements

Instructions:

1. Arrange the 8 pages into 2 stacks of 4. Fold each page in half, edge to edge. Use a scissors to smooth the crease.
2. Create 2 books of 8 pages by stacking the folding 4 sheets on top of one another.
3. Staple the center of both of your books (twice- top and bottom) to hold them together. Set these two books aside.
4. Find the 3 small sheets of paper for the cover and arrange them to your liking. Glue these pieces on your cover with a glue stick. Make sure you glue all of the corners.
5. Punch holes in the center of the tag shape on both sides of your cover –
6. Punch 2 holes in the center spine at the top and bottom.
7. Thread your ribbon through the two outside cover holes and tie into a knot.
8. Find your binding ribbon and twist ends together.
9. Insert ends of both ribbons into one hole of the spine. Smooth the ribbon so there are no twists, and then thread the other two edges through the second hole. Before you pull the ribbon tight, slip one of the signatures under one ribbon and tighten the ribbon around its fold. Tie it tightly. Do the same for the next signature with the other ribbon.
10. Decorate your pages with pockets, tags, photo mats and photos – use stickers, paper and flowers to embellish the white pages.