crafts ideas for kids

Posted by superdewa on 12/14/05 @ 09:46 AM Post subject:

Depending on how many kids there are, you may want to split that group up into at least two, preferably three, smaller groups based on age (5-7, 8-10, and 11-13 would be ideal). 13-year-olds aren't usually going to get excited about the same crafts a 5-year-old will. If you can't split them up, you can maybe at least have two or three crafts available, so they can work on different things.

A few of my favorite sites for fun activities with kids, including crafts:

http://pbskids.org/zoom/ (click on "activities from the show")

http://marthastewart.com/page.jhtml;jsessionid=JXJE55RJEV0F1WCKUUWSJBWYJKSS2JO0?type=learn-cat&id=cat240&rsc=bot
tomnav

http://janbrett.com/ (maybe more geared toward the younger children -- consider doing these along with reading one of her books from the library)

Also, check out the children's section in the library, there are usually a lot of crafts books there.

One really fun book for inexpensive activities to do with kids is Kid's Concoctions. I've found all ages of kids get into these ideas. I wouldn't necessarily call it crafts, because for many of these projects the goal is the experience, not the result.

Mary Anne Kohl's books are also great for children's crafts.

Deirdre

Posted by yardenxanthe on 11/04/05 @ 01:51 PM Post subject:

The cake could be in a pyramid shape and cover it in a layer of frosting and then a layer of sanding sugar tinted yellow (for sand). Or you could make a tall rectangular cake that was shaped & decorated like a sarcophagus (eww, but might be fun anyway).

Just googled it, and here's a pic of a gingerbread pyramid filled with goodies: Click here.

Dover publishes those little tiny books for $1 (some are stickers, some are paperdolls, etc.) and I'm sure you could find some egyptian ones.

Ooh, i just found this: Egyptian Crafts. On this website, they link to this hieroglyphics site and mention that you could sound out kids' names in hieroglyphics and make a sign for their rooms, etc.

Ooh, here are more cool crafts: http://www.boiseartmuseum.org/education/egyptian.htm

Here's a write up on an Egyptian-themed party. Looks like for food, they kind of just went generic middle eastern food: hummus tray, baklava, shish kebabs, etc.

Here's a page on Egyptian games (for kids)

More ideas including have a "dig" at the party, giving each kid a roll of toilet paper to wrap herself up as a mummy.

This website talks about what an actual ancient egyptian party might have been like. The most notable thing I saw was that the guest of honor sits at a chair, but the guests sit on pillows on the floor (that could be fun).

Here are some more ideas.

Um, holy long post, Batman.

Posted by smudgy_cat on 06/23/04 @ 11:36 AM Post subject:

I'm in the process of moving and reorganizng, and I've found lots of things that I set aside for christmas crafts. Here's my list of ideas:

-strawberry jam in mason jars (whole new set bought at goodwill for $3)
-glass ornaments, decorated, somehow (any ideas? I have glass paint and acrylic paints, but I did those styles 2 years ago. I also did the melted snowman, so I can't redo that)
-fancy glass ornaments painted with glass paint for people who appreciate things I make
-4 ornaments that have years on them for the little kids in my life. i might do felt and embroider them. I got the supplies last december, but never got around to it.
-raggedy ann dolls from some yardage from joannes
-cute, 1 yard fabric aprons
-flannel pajama pants for sister or parents (serger is being fixed as I type)
-3 batches of different types of lye based soap. this is my easy version of christmas cookies. i make a bunch of batches in summer and then tie them up in bundles in december. this is my generic gift

I don't really do presents for people. I don't do cards either. I keep meaning to, but I never get around to it. The gift giving in my family has gotten insane, and it no longer held joy for me. It was just a 'give me something off my list, and i'll give you something off your list' event that seemed really emotionless to me. Plus, it pissed me off that my handmade gifts were tossed aside and essentially ignored.

Last year, my bf and I made candy for everyone. The idea was good in theory, but hell in practice. We made brittle, truffles, 2 kinds of bark, and haystacks. It sucked, and I'm never repeating it for such a large gift list.

Posted by Becky65301 on 05/25/04 @ 04:38 PM Post subject:

I think I am kinda with Smudgy on this one. Although I like the advertising ideas thus far, don't be surprised or put off if you get some more crappy-crafters there.

Some other points- The older crowd might have kids or even grandkids, that your ideas would go over well. Things they hadn't thought of yet. Imagine the delight on some junior-high face, when grandma creates a Starburst purse for a birthday present. That's a cool grandma, and maybe she just needs the idea.

There are also some crafts that cross over. I am thinking for example, they were big last Christmas, those double-layer no-sew fleece blankets, that you fringe and knot? Know what I mean? Shoot, you have a million options with them, depending on why you're making it. Baby-size, afghan-size, lap-size. Kute Kountry print, or Elvis, or solids. Can make the matching pillow. Works for everyone. Yeah yeah quick and easy, and not particularly "artsy", but sometimes you just need a quick gift.

The other thing is, there are some crafts that are on the verge of extinction, that older ladies are a valuable resource. I mean, for a long time, you know knitting was really going out of style, I'm really happy it's making such a revival with the *younger crowd*. I know how to tat. Nobody tats anymore. I think it's cool, just cause nobody does it anymore. It's not particularly useful and it's waaay time-consuming, but one of the reasons I wanted to learn, is because it's becoming a lost art. If you get older ladies with skill like that, you want to grab onto them. They can teach you how to tat, and you can all make record bowls, it's a win-win.

Posted by Katrin on 02/17/05 @ 12:23 AM Post subject: Re: Let's talk about us!

Name: Katrin
Location: Colorado
Age: 39½
Married, no kids
Pets: 3 cats
- Fizzgig, 11, skinny orange & white tabby, love of my life
- Blanche (Bianca), 6, big fat brown/black stripey, purriest cat ever
- Lenore (Lenny), ~1, stripey calico who just keeps growing & growing

I collect:
Stuff that would otherwise get thrown away, most notably work-related packaging materials, which I always intend to use as craft supplies but often just ends up sitting around.

Knitting is currently my favorite craft, but next week I might be back to designing purses. Whatever I'm doing, it's likely to involve recycled or salvaged materials.

I'd like to learn to get my workspace (and the rest of my home) neat and organized.
I love to stretch my imagination by thinking up new variations on craft projects.
I sometimes make comics. I used to draw a web comic strip (written by a friend). I'm currently making slow progress on an autobiographical short story, and have just started writing a fictional story that may be a graphic novel someday.
Lately, I enjoy watching TV shows that feature a lot of interpersonal conflict, because they give me perspective on my own life (knowing it happens everywhere, not just to me).
I still love to do "kids'" crafts like Shrinky Dinks. I recently used Mod Podge for the first time in forever, and the smell took me right back to 1973. I feel sorry for people who never got to do crafts as kids, but sorrier for those who think they had to stop because they grew up.

I always carry a blank book that serves as scrapbook, sketchbook and journal. I keep a glue stick handy to stick things in it. My current one was a gift from my sister, and I'm using it as an ongoing "letter" (with daily observations, craft ideas & instructions) that I'll give back to her when it's full.

I like old houses, used clothing and anything that's vintage or secondhand. I think it comes from being the oldest - I never got hand-me-downs, but instead had to give up my treasured possessions to others. I'm not interested in antique "value" so much as an item's history, respecting our belongings and creations, because they'll outlast us.

I'm just starting to get comfortable with admitting that my favorite kind of music is alt-country.

I'm a Leo, August 15th.
I was born in Illinois, raised in North Dakota, and have lived in Colorado since 1990.

I stay up way too late when I have to work early in the morning. When I get home, I sleep the afternoon away.

I appreciate that this survey asks nothing about our job titles or what we do for money, but rather what inspires us and who we are. I lose track of the distinction too often, and it's good to be reminded.