Sleepover Party Crafts
by Abigail Beal
Sleepovers are always so much fun because you get to see all of
your friends at once. You get to stay up late and play games. But sometimes
sleepover parties are a time for kids to cause mischief - and they do so because
they are simply given a little too much free time. Here are some fun crafts that
are great for sleepover parties that involve the fun of working as a group, but
also creating something special that you get to take home. The kids will have
fun making the projects but also will have fun knowing they have made a special
memento. My niece has a message & doodle pillowcase that is now five years old
that she absolutely treasures - and she's not a "crafter". You may also spark a
bit of creativity in someone that night by offering a craft project- you never
know!
Message & Doodle Pillowcases
You will need:
Pillowcases - any color
Permanent markers
Cardboard
Give each child a pillowcase and a piece of cardboard. On each
pillowcase they will write their name and a special message to that person. This
craft works best if the children begin by writing their own names on their
pillowcases, then you can help keep track of whose pillowcases are whose. Have
the children write their names all in the same place - such as in the right
corner.
Also have some pads of paper handy because some children may
want to practice drawing their message or a special doodle that they like to
draw, to be sure they get it right. It may also be a good idea to purchase
several extra pillowcases in case someone does make a large drawing error,
because with permanent markers there is no way to erase your mistakes.
While drawing their name or a message on the pillowcase, have
the child place the cardboard in the pillowcase to keep the message from coming
through on the other side. You can also use a bunch of sheets of paper; at least
five sheets of paper should work. Have each child work on a flat surface like a
table, hardwood floor or even the seat part of a chair.
Permanent markers now come in a rainbow of colors - no longer
are we stuck with just red, black, blue and green. You can write your message in
permanent marker in pink, orange, purple, silver, gold, light green, lavender,
deep purple - pretty much any color. Be sure to use permanent markers because
the design will remain on the pillowcase through repeated launderings.
Once every child has drawn a message on the pillowcases they are
done. The children can then use the pillowcases at the sleepover party they are
attending, and they can also take them home.
Design & Doodle Nightshirts
This is a great craft to do in the beginning of the sleepover
party. Make sure to do these at least three hours before the children will
actually wear them, so that they have ample time to dry. (Hanging them in a warm
and dry room will speed this process up also).
For this project you will need:
Large white or colored t-shirts
Fabric paint
Fabric stamps
Permanent markers
Cardboard
This project the children will have their name in large
letters on the front with a stamped design and then autographs and messages
from their friends on the back. You may also want to put on the top of the
back of the shirt the date and the occasion "Jamie's 10th birthday party
July 11th".
Give each child a t-shirt and some permanent markers. Have them
write their name on the front of their shirt - in a special and fancy way. This
will also help to keep track of whose shirt is whose. Then have each child write
a message and a doodle to each other on all of the shirts. Put cardboard between
the shirt so that the message does not seep through.
Once the children have completed the back, it is time to stamp a
design on the front. Put fabric paint out on large paper plates and give each
child a fabric stamp. Designs that circle the name are probably best.
After the shirts are completed, lay them to dry flat or hang
them as long as the fabric paint does not drip.
Sleepovers are always so much fun. These projects may lead you
to create others, or may inspire other projects for your children to enjoy.
Abigail Beal © 2004 Abigail Beal a.k.a. "the Gift-wrap
Goddess" teaches gift wrap in suburban New York. She is the author of 2 ezines:
GiftWrapGoddessWraps and CreativeCraftsTeachers. To subscribe:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativeCraftsTeachers/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GiftWrapGoddessWraps/ contact:
creativecraftsteachers@yahoo.com