Quick Kids' Craftz
Tips for
Springtime Fun
by Colleen Langenfeld
Spring fever got the kids bouncing off the
walls? Give 'em something to do FAST with
these easy crafts designed to keep the hands
busy and the minds engaged!
- Draw colors and patterns on a paper plate.
Attach a straw to the bottom center of plate and
'roll' straw in hands for a crazy kaleidescope.
- Roll a pinecone in peanut butter and birdseed
and hang with a piece of yarn for a bird feeder.
- Fold several layers of 6-8 inches long,
colorful tissue paper accordion style, cut the
ends at an angle or curve, wrap a chenille stem
around the center for a stem, and gently pull the
ends apart for a beautiful flower!
- Get some magnet sheets (from an office store)
for your computer printer and let the kids make
new fridge magnets.
- Decorate some clay pots with acrylic paint
(make sure it's waterproof), then plant some
seeds and give TLC.
- Draw or cut out pictures of butterflies,
ladybugs, etc., color and attach with plasti-tak
or stickers (old address labels work fine) to
sturdy floral wire. (Adult help needed with
floral wire.) Insert into 'pretend' garden
made from decorated shoe box and lined with clay
or playdoh.
- Buy some old hats at your local thrift shop
and embellish with feathers, fabric paint, old
scarves, etc. Great for 'dress-up' and 'performing'!
- Make paper plate flower faces. Cut out most of
center of paper plate; attach flower petals cut
from colorful construction paper. Add a popsicle
stick for a handle and hold over child's face --
add face paint if you like! Invite several friends
and make a garden!
- Use 2-4 inch lengths of tissue paper twisted
and secured around the center with chenille stems
to make colorful and easy bracelets and rings!
- Have each child make a 'party favor' bag for
someone else using only items/food already found
at home. Then host a 'party favor' exchange!
- Get a selection of hobby books from the library
and let everyone choose their 'hobby' for the summer.
- Spread an old plastic shower curtain on the
floor (better yet, outside). Offer piles of uncooked
pasta shapes, glitter, glue and construction paper.
Little ones never tire of this one!
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Colleen Langenfeld delivers deals, tips and
creative resources to working moms who want
the most out of their homes, families and
careers at http://www.paintedgold.com .
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