Summer Crafts for Kids July 5, 2010

This week we are starting a fun series of things to do with your children during the summer!  We’re going to draw from all types of resources, the internet, old books from our childhood, memories, you name it – we’re excited to share with you what we’ve found!  You may just be joining your children in the fun!

Today we are sharing with you all the things you can do with Pipe Cleaners!

• Pipe Cleaner People – follow the link for detailed instructions on how to make these adorable people.

• Button Flowers

(Resource: Squigly’s Arts and Crafts)

What you need:

	Stiff construction paper
	Scissors
	Pipe cleaners
	Buttons

What you do:

Fun Kid Recipes Part II December 19, 2008

Glorious Goop

1 Cup Cornstarch
Small amount of water

Add water slowly to the cornstarch until the goop drips from the spoon. The mixture will seem hard until you try to pick it up then it slides between your fingers. If it’s too runny, add a little more cornstarch. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. If the white is too boring for you add some food coloring!

Glitter

Mix together 5-6 drops of food coloring and 1/2 c. salt, stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread out on a piece of waxed paper to air-dry. Store in an airtight container.

Sidewalk Chalk

1 Cup Plaster of Paris
½ Cup Water
2-3 Tablespoon Tempera paint

Mix plaster of Paris and tempera paint, then add water and mix well. Pour into molds and let dry for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let air dry for 2-7 days depending on size. You can use paper cups, plastic butter tubs or food or ice cube trays, candy molds, muffin tins, or even toilet paper tubes covered with foil on one end.

Finger Paint

1 Envelope unflavored gelatin
½ Cup Cornstarch
3 Tablespoon Sugar
2 Cup Cold water
Food coloring
Dishwashing liquid
White shelf paper

Soak gelatin in 1/4 c. warm water and set aside. Combine cornstarch and sugar in medium sized pot. Gradually add remaining water and cook slowly over low heat, stirring until well blended. Remove from heat and add gelatin. Divide into containers, adding a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and food coloring to each.

Fun Kid Recipes Part I December 18, 2008

Cinnamon Clay This recipe is great for Christmas ornaments or scented hearts around the home.

1/3 C. White glue
1/3 C. Applesauce
3 T. Cinnamon
1 ¾ C. Flour
¼ C. Water

Mix ingredients together until dough forms a ball. Knead dough for 1-2 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed. Roll dough out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 300° for 10 minutes.

Crazy Putty
 

¾ C. White glue

Add enough liquid starch until a ball of dough is formed, then add food coloring and knead the dough until it’s completely worked in. This putty bounces!

Slime

1 C. Glue
Liquid starch
Food coloring

Add starch to the glue slowly until mixture becomes the right texture, then add food coloring if desired. Slimy!

Thanks Kim, for providing these great ideas!  And there’s more to come…

Puzzle Piece Picture Frame December 12, 2008

Puzzled as to what your kids can make for gifts?  Here’s one where the puzzle is the gift!  Have fun piecing this one together!  lol

Christmas Coupons December 11, 2008

Coupons are a great way to encourage our children that giving is more fun when we give of ourselves instead of buying more things for those we love.  Here are all the directions they’ll need to make them to give as gifts for someone they love.

Miniature Gingerbread House December 10, 2008

This project looks simple and fun.  Who doesn’t enjoy decorating with candy?  Yummy!

For the directions, CLICK HERE!  And enjoy every minute that you have with your children.  These are precious years to direct their hearts to Christ – which will be our focus starting next week – meaningful and creative ways to share the true meaning of Christmas with your children.

Pine Cones That Sparkle December 9, 2008

Here is a craft idea that Tammy Griffith submitted.  She said all the kids in their home group got together to make these and they turned out beautifully!  Thanks, Tammy!

Supplies you will need:
-Pinecone
-Different colors of glitter
-Elmers glue
-Thin paint brush (cheap ones- come in a package-Dollar Store)
-Paper bag

Apply the glue with a paint brush to the pinecone.  Make sure it is coated well, but not too thick.  Then, put different colors of glitter in a paper bag and shake it up.  Put the pine cone in the paper bag and shake it up.  You now have a very pretty pine cone!

Create A Book December 8, 2008

This craft may sound difficult, but it isn’t.  If your child can color -  this gift would be one to cherish for years to come.  You can choose from many different types of books:

Accordion Book

Stick and Elastic Book

Who Am I Book

You can use these ideas to either tell the Christmas story to your children, or you can make a book to give as a gift to grandparents.

Greeting Card Placemats December 5, 2008

Here’s an idea for older children that allows you to recycle all the Christmas cards you receive.  You can keep these year after year as a keepsake of your friends and family or you can give them as gifts.

Paper Box and Gingerbread People Garland December 4, 2008

This Paper Box is a great craft to hold whatever your child makes to give away as a Christmas gift.

Gingerbread Boy and Girl Garland

Here is another fun idea for a family with lots of children.  In no time you can have a garland to represent your entire family, or just for fun.  Let each person decorate a gingerbread boy or girl to represent themselves.  You could even fold this finished garland up and store it in the Paper Box as a double gift or as a family keepsake.