Quick crafts for kids
My book ^_^
Yey! My book has finally been released. The whole process has taken over a year and, at times, I really didn’t think I would get there! It’s wonderful to finally be able to show you some pictures, and also to feel a bit more relaxed about the whole thing.
The book is called “eco-friendly crafting with kids” and contains 35 step-by-step projects for preschool kids and adults to create together. (Even though the book is aimed at preschoolers the projects would also be suitable for 5, 6 & 7 year olds).
I picked a fairly random set of images to show you…I was finding it hard to choose. The book really does look stunning, largely due to the efforts of photographer Carloyn Barber, stylist Liz Belton and Designer Sonya Nathoo.
The book is split into eight sections; homemade materials, music, nature, recycling bin, paper and card, sewing and threading, science and boredom busters.
I would love for you to buy a copy if you like the look of it *^_^*. You can purchase one at amazon.co.uk, amazon.com, amazon.ca, barnes & noble (and many other places). You can also order it from the book depository (which does free worldwide delivery) and lots of other websites! (btw my Australian pals and I use the book depository to send presents to one another and we’ve always been really happy with the service!)
Images excerpted from “eco-friendly crafting with kids” by Kate Lilley. Photography Copyright © Ryland Peters & Small Ltd. Reprinted with permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
Eye-bombing (the new yarn-bombing)!
I saw this great post at flutterflutter last week which was all about ‘eye-bombing’ and ever since reading it I have had an overwhelming desire to stick googly eyes to absolutely everything. It’s a great activity for the kids too!
Sugar-sprinkle monster. Sadly he is no longer with us.
Sheepish venus fly trap.
Sad string.
Cute cactus
Hungry holepunch
Prudish door handle!
Do join in! It’s lots of fun. If you want more inspiration then there is a whole website dedicated to the art of eye-bombing here! Thanks flutterflutter.
Happy Friday all! x
Teddy bear toast
I‘m always on the lookout for really easy recipes that my sons can make (there’s not always enough time for baking). I saw this super-cute teddy bear toast idea here and had to try.
All you need to make this sweet breakfast is toast, banana, raisins, butter/margarine, cinnamon and sugar*.
Pretty lovely huh!
Check out the full recipe at kidssoup.com. *For the sugar/cinnamon sprinkle we just mixed a teaspoon of caster sugar with a pinch of cinnamon. Yum!
Super quick paper toy {flying fish}
We ♥ flying fish! They take about a minute to make and you can use any old scrap of paper. When you have made one simply throw it in the air and watch it spin as it comes down.
They are ever more fun if you stand on a chair or table before launching them (be careful though!).
How-to
1. Cut a strip of paper. My strip measured about 20cm x 2cm but there is no need for accuracy (hurray!).
2. Cut slits at either end, as shown.
3. Make lots….everyone will want a go!
4. Bend the strip of paper and slot ends together.
5. Throw in the air and watch them spin as they come down (they are impossible to photograph so no photo for this step!).
Kate ^_^
Simple Christmas tree decorations for kids (+ templates)
Phew, I finally got round to making some Christmas decoration templates for kids. (I Don’t know about you but my to-do list is out of hand at the moment!).
My two boys are still a bit young to do the cutting-out so I did it for them. Their job is to go wild with the glue, glitter, silvery markers etc etc!
If you wanna print some out for your little ones to cut-out or decorate then you’ll find templates after the jump.
Quick kids craft: paper butterfly {with template}
My (twin) sister came up with this ‘paper butterfly’ idea and all our kids (as different as they are) love them.
We usually do the cutting-out and then we hand them over to the kids to decorate. Once they have embellished to their hearts content we tape a skewer or straw onto the body of the butterfly then the kids run around giving them a good old flap! Easy!
I usually just cut them out freehand but if you want a template you can download one here!
Hope you have all had a lovely weekend. My little boy still recovering from his tonsillectomy (I guess when the doctors told me it would be a two week recovery peroid they really did mean two weeks). My eldest son also had a great first week at school. He’s been pretty tired though and tried to pull a sicky on day three…didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off!!
Catapult paper airplane
Hello peeps. Check out this catapult paper airplane. It’s a goodie, and a quickie (hurrah!), and kept my very determined son quite busy today! The idea comes from The Usborne Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do which we currently have out from the library.
Simply make a regular paper plane using a smallish piece of paper (10x15cm). Then punch a hole in the bottom and thread through a laggy band.
Next, grab a stick or a pencil to use as a launcher. Hook the elastic band to the top of the stick, pull back the plane and let go!
It’s pretty quick and fires a surprisingly long way so get ready to duck!
I think this is a 3+ activity as it requires a good bit of hand/eye coordination. I just made a regular paper plane for my littlest boy, he was pleased as punch with it and didn’t feel left out so that’s cool.
Apparently they even taste good!
If you want a full ‘how-to’ then let me know and I’ll put one up. I attempted to get an ‘action’ shot today but failed miserably so will try again tomorrow.
Off topic: I joined ohdeedoh’s big blog family today. Sarah Rae Trover wrote a lovely piece so check it out!
Lion ‘color-me-in’
My littlest boy (2¼) has finally stopped eating crayons which means we can be a bit more ‘free and easy’ when it comes to leaving them around the house!! In honour of this momentous occasion I designed him a lion ‘color-me-in’ as he just adores them.
I have included some pdf’s at the bottom of this post if you wanted to print them for your little ones. There is a stripy lion and a ‘naked’ one!
I’m working on a few more which i’ll post up as soon as possible.
Click here to download the lion ‘color-me-in’
Click here to download the stripy lion ‘color-me-in’
Click here to download the crocodile ‘color-me-in’
Balloon bongo, rice shaker & güiro!
We’ve been having a lot of noisy fun with this 3 in 1 homemade instrument. It’s a balloon bongo, rice shaker & güiro all rolled into one and is a doddle to make! It was inspired by this really cool balloon bongo video by Lullatone that I found on flickr.
How to
You will need:
♥ Some empty, clean tin cans
♥ Rice/lentils
♥ Balloons
♥ Elastic bands
♥ Chopsticks/sticks
1. Begin by putting a small handful of rice or lentils into an empty tin can. PLEASE make sure the tin can has smooth edges (you can buy tin openers that open tins without leaving a sharp edge).
2. Cut the end off the balloon and simply stretch over the end of the tin.
3. Secure the balloon with an elastic band and Bob’s your uncle!
I gave my son a couple of chopsticks so he could play the edge of the tincan like a güiro.
Paper toys: Whirlybird
I love simple paper toys. Yes I’m talking about whirly birds – I’m sure you remember them. My son and I have been making them today and we’ve both been pretty entertained.
These neat little gizmo’s are really easy to make and just impossible to photograph! Click on the link below for instructions and a template.
- All I need… (my mum's blog x)
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