Lowe's Build and Grow Projects

Lowe's regularly offers free children's craft projects on Saturday mornings. My children have really enjoyed these. You must sign up beforehand and then show up on time the morning of.

The upcoming projects are a flapping bat and a periscope.
See here for details.

Happy Fall!

Fabric Labels Tutorial

Ever wanted to make your own fabric labels?

I thought this tutorial was really neat. It gives really clear instructions and makes it sound super easy!

Bookmark Contest

Book People is having their yearly bookmark contest for elementary-aged children! Categories: Kinder, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 grades. Winning bookmarks are printed professionally and distributed at BookPeople. Winners also get a $25 gift certificate. Here's how to enter:

Download the entry form here (pdf)

Have your child create a colorful bookmark on the theme: "Reading is . . ."

Turn it in by Saturday March 6 @ BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar

Make your own Advent Calendars

Here are some great free sites to get you started:

- Simple hand-stitched Felt Pockets (hang on a line, or sew onto fabric)

- Machine-sewn Mini-Stockings to (hang on a line, tack, etc.)

- Beautiful Quilt Advent (wall hanging)

- Web page that lists online advent calendars, printables, and do-it yourself sites

- Ideas for child-made advent calendars

Dying Easter Eggs

Hard boil your eggs:
Cover eggs with cold water in a large saucepan. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Remove immediately and run cold water over eggs for about 3 minutes.

Prepare Dye: ( we usually have about 4-6 choices, due to impatient double-dipping most of them end up being mixed by the end!)

- Fill each bowl or cup 1/2 full with boiling water (~ 1 c.)

- add ~ 1 tsp. vinegar

- add 14-20 drops of food coloring (or more to your preference)

- allow to cool slightly

Allow eggs to sit in dye for a few minutes, the longer the more vibrant the color! Have fun!

We like to draw on some of the eggs first with white crayons, before dipping in the color. After your eggs dry, wipe with vegetable oil for a glossy finish. (We usually eat most of ours by this point!)

Magazining

Need a few minutes to yourself this week for wrapping or baking? Here is one project my preschool age kids always love.

I keep a few old magazines on hand for the kids to craft with. We have a swap table at the local library where we sometimes pick up some cool ones like National Geographic, but otherwise we use whatever is on hand. Magazining is good busywork for 2 to 6 year olds. They will occasionally sit at the table for an hour or more cutting pictures. It is good practice for little hands, and it keeps them occupied if you have something you NEED to get done. A little paper and glue for making collages makes it all the more exciting (and buys mom a few extra minutes). Some kids need more direction than others, so you can help your child pick a theme if you like. For example, "Lets make a bouquet. Cut out all the flowers you can find." Or "Lets make some faces. Cut out some eyes, noses, and mouths. Then we will put them together again and make a new face." Older kids like to find the letters from their name or other favorite things.

You may be worried about the clean-up, but don't fret! Kids can clean up their own craft messes. Just as long as you don't give them glitter. Teach your 2-year old to sweep. Get a little whisk broom and dustpan. They LOVE it. Of course they may not get everything, but it is so worth it to let them try. It may take you an extra 2 minutes, but soon they will be doing it entirely on their own!! Well worth your small effort now.

So keep some of those old magazines on hand. If you don't get any magazines, you may be able to get old donated ones from a library location near you.

Do you have any other great ideas for using old magazines? Share them below!

Christmas Craft Site

Family Fun Christmas Crafts - kids make their own ornaments

pictured above : yarn candy cane

Fall Craft - Leaf Rose

Here is a fun fall project to do outside with your kids. Very young children can help by gathering leaves. 5 year olds can make these (mostly) on their own!

1. Fold leaf on one edge


2. Curl all the way around in a circle


3. Add a second leaf, wrapping around the first
4. Continue to add more leaves, staggering the points, and alternating colors when possible
5. Use larger leaves on the outside. When your leaf rose is big enough, twine a twist-tie tightly around the base to hold in place. Then you can stick in a twig for the stem if you wish.
6. Finished Product: A beautiful leaf rose

Sword and Shield

My favorite little boy has tremendous faith in me. He thinks I can make anything. Lately he has asked me to make Batman ears, an Incredibles costume, and a bow and arrow. So far I haven't made any of those. It is hard to live up to such expectations! I am trying to encourage him to think of things he can make for himself (with only a little help).

This is one of my favorite projects he has come up with. One morning we thought it up and he made one for himself and his best friend next door.

All you need is:
- some cardboard (we always have a bunch of cereal boxes in our recycling bin)
- scissors
- tape or a stapler

Cut the size and shape you want your shield. A narrow strip can be affixed as a handle on back.

For the sword, you will probably want to have it at least tri-folded for some durability. Then make a cross-section for the hilt.

Sword fight until they fall apart. Then make new ones next week!

Girls enjoy this one too!

Make your own Train

supplies:

2 or more empty boxes from cereal, crackers, etc.
tape
yarn or string
scissors

Tape tops and bottoms of boxes shut.
Lay flat on the table and cut out a big hole in the top. Any size and shape you want the opening is fine. I usually do a nice big square so there is plenty of access to get toys in and out.

Poke holes in the edges of each box. You may want to reinforce around the hole with tape.

Then use lengths of yarn or string to attach the 'boxcars' of your train. I like to keep the boxes pretty close together and use a longer string with a looped handle or a handle made out of box fragments.

Decorate it with stickers, etc. and give your favorite teddy, books, cars, or shoes a ride!