Monday, December 29, 2008

Crafting With Your Teen

Crafting With Your Teen


Most kids love to do craft. They are happy to make anything from paper plate animals to macaroni necklaces. But once they hit the teen years, many of them thin

k they're too old (or too cool) for crafting.



Crafting with your kids is a great way to bond with them, and this is especially important during the busy teen years. If you can find a craft that your teenager will find both enjoyable and worthwhile, you'll have a much better chance of talking him or her into giving it a try. And by the time it's completed, she'll probably be ready to create something else. Here are some craft ideas that your teen might like to try.


1. Jewelry


Teen girls and boys both like jewelry, and making it by hand can give them unique pieces that will be the envy of their friends. There are all sorts of ways to create jewelry, from simple beading to hemp macramé to wire jewelry making. There's sure to be a project out there that will fit your teen's style.


2. Tie-dying


Tie-dyed t-shirts are a perennial favorite of teenagers. They're very easy to make, requiring only fabric dye, some rubber bands, and a washing machine or l

arge tub. You can also tie-dye other items such as socks and scarves.


3. Decoupage

You can create all sorts of distinctive home décor items by decoupaging. Your teen might like to make decoupaged jewelry boxes, desk accessories, and furniture for their rooms. Such items also make wonderful gifts for him to give to friends and family.


4. Knitting


Once reserved for elderly ladies, knitting has become quite popular among the younger crowd. This is probably due in part to all of the trendy fashions that one can create by knitting. Yarn comes in a variety of colors and textures, and there are plenty of patterns available that appeal to teens.


5. Candles

It's very easy to create layered jar candles. You can melt down remnants of used candles and pour them into jars to create new ones. If your teen wants to create something a bit more complex, there are kits on the market that include everything they need to get started.


6. Clocks

If you have a clock movement, you can create a clock out of almost any hard material. Clay, wood and paper mache are some of the most popular things to make clocks out of. Your teen can even make a hip clock out of an old CD or record.


It's easy for us to think that our teens have out

grown crafting, but it's simply a matter of presenting them with the right thing. There are lots of crafts that you and your teen can participate in together, creating not only a tangible finished product, but also a wonderful memory for both of you.


For More Easy Fun Kids Crafts Ideas Download "Fun Kids Craft"


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Kids Craft Ideas - Crafting With Your Toddler


Kids Craft Ideas - Crafting With Your Toddler


With toddlers in the house you need lots of Kids Craft Ideas. One thing that most toddlers have in common is that they love to make things. Simple projects keep their minds occupied and give them a sense of accomplishment. Crafting can also be extremely helpful in developing hand-eye coordination as well as small motor skills.

Crafting with your toddler is fun and rewarding for both of you. Here are some kids craft ideas that are appropriate for a toddler's skill level and attention span.


1. Paper bag puppets


This craft is fun to make and fun to play with when it's done. Your child can make a simple one that requires no scissors or small parts by drawing a face on the base of the bag with crayons or markers. If you want to go more elaborate, you could help your child add googly eyes and construction paper ears, noses and limbs.


2. Floating sailboats


It's easy to make a sailboat with your toddler. Simply use a ball of Play Doh to stand a drinking straw up on the inside of a margarine tub lid. Cut a right-angled triangle out of construction paper for the sail, decorate it, and punch three holes along the edge. Weave the straw through the holes, and you have a new toy sailboat.


3. Paper plate masks


Making masks out of paper plates is very easy for toddlers with a little adult help. Just cut two eye holes, and punch a hole in each side. Thread some elastic through these holes and tie the ends, and let your child decorate the mask as he chooses.


4. Pipe cleaner figurines


Pipe cleaners are very easy for toddlers to work with. With a little guidance, they can use them to make all sorts of animals, people and things.


5. Coin bank


Every toddler needs a bank to put his money in. He can create his own using an empty oatmeal box or other cylindrical box with a lid. You'll need to cut a slot in the lid, but he can do most of the rest by himself. Just have him decorate a piece of construction paper (that you've cut to the right size) with markers, stickers, and other items, and help him glue it around the box.


6. Painting


Young artists love to paint. It can, however, get messy, so be sure to cover the work area with newspapers and the child's clothing with a smock. Finger painting is one of the most popular art forms among toddlers, but they also love watercolors.


Crafting is a great way for toddlers and their parents to have fun together. It's a great way to fight boredom and teach your child important skills. You can almost certainly find enough materials around the house to help your child create something, so there's no reason that your child can't craft any time he wishes to. Now you can see how easy it is to come up with kids crafts ideas to keep your toddler busy and entertained.


If you are looking for lots of kids craft ideas for your toddler, why not have a look at Little Kids Christmas Crafts or Little Kids Crafts For All Seasons. You will find hours of fun for your toddler in these e-books.


Download Little Kids Christmas Crafts now, Access Is Instant!


Check out Little Kids Crafts For All Seasons, you'll love it!




Get really fun Christmas Crafts Ideas. Subscribe to our Free 5-part e-course with Christmas Crafts Ideas For The Kids. Enter Your e-mail and you will receive it free in your inbox!










:
:



Powered by GetResponse email marketing software



Fun Kids Crafts
101 Kid Summer Activities
Kid's Party Crafts And Games
Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons
Creative Playdough Ideas For Kids

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Crafts & Christmas - Christmas Decorations You Can Make With Your Kids



Crafts & Christmas - Christmas Decorations You Can Make With Your Kids


Crafts & Christmas can make a wonderful combination. The Christmas holidays are a wonderful time of the year, especially since the kids are home from school.Make the most of this time by making memories that will last. Creating Christmas decorations with your kids is a fun time for all.


Here are a few ideas to get you started with your crafts & Christmas fun.


1.Tree Skirt:



Find some felt material and design a tree skirt. Add beads, bows, sparkles and any kind of trim available to make this a one-of-a-kind skirt. Perhaps the kids would like to add pictures of Santa along the rim of the skirt. Another tree skirt idea would be to make a quilted pattern, using different plaids and solid colors. Decorate it with a fancy trim.It could not only be used for the tree, but as the base centerpiece for a vase of poinsettias.


2. Centerpiece:


Another idea is to have your children gather together Christmas balls in various sizes and colors. Find a large clear vase or bowl and arrange them inside. You may want to add some holly as well. This colorful display would make a lovely centerpiece for your table.


3. Christmas Card Holder:


Here is a creative idea for storing your Holiday cards.Start with an empty Kleenex (or tissue) box, and cut out the top rectangular part of it.Wrap it in Christmas paper, and use it as a Christmas card holder.Decorate it with holly and ivy.Then, attach a ribbon to both ends and you have a beautiful homemade Christmas card basket.


4. Paper Chain:


An old standby is to take several different colors of construction paper and cut them in strips.Then attach two ends of the strips together (with a stapler, glue or tape) to form a circle. Continue by looping another cut strip inside that one. When it’s long enough, wrap the chain around your Christmas tree.


5. Candy Chain:


While stringing popcorn or beads around a tree is a tried and true tradition, how about using Lifesavers candy?Your kids can choose the color order or even try to make patterns. Use different color twine or ribbons to give it a Candyland touch.Add candy canes as well.Since both candies come in their own wrapping, just use a needle through the Lifesavers wrapping. After the tree is taken down, they can be fun snacks to eat.


Christmas decorations are a great way of expressing the holiday spirit in your home.


The kids will love creating them, and be proud to have their art displayed. And, instead of looking like a department store, your home will become a reflection of the family that lives in it. This year, let Crafts & Christmas come together for a magical Christmas for the kids.


I have come across an amazing e-book to make things very easy for you during these holidays. The name of the package is Kids Christmas Activities. Do go and have a look at it, you will love it!


Download Kids Christmas Activities Now, Access Is Instant!


Get Kids Christmas Activities, The Fun Starts Now.



Fun Kids Crafts

101 Kid Summer Activities

Kid's Party Crafts And Games

Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons

Creative Playdough Ideas For Kids




















Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Christmas Décor Ideas for Kids to Make

Christmas Décor Ideas for Kids to Make

Before we move on to the décor ideas, we have added a free e-book to our All Our Recipes & More site about how to make a gingerbread house. Do visit the site and download the free e-book!


Kids love making their own Christmas decorations for their home and displaying them proudly.


Use ribbons and bows to decorate lamps, curtains and drapes.Choose different color ribbons and bows according to the colors in your home.For example, if you have white curtains, add red and green bows you can stick onto any surface, and arrange the bows on the white curtains any way you wish.


Kids may want to decorate the drapes using different sized white doilies, and fill the drapes with snowflakes. Attach green or red garland to the bottom of the drapes, and hang small light colored ornaments on the garland.


Kids can also decorate the entertainment center with candles of all colors, little glass bowls of Christmas balls, and Christmas figurines.Whether the entertainment center is wood, white or black, this is a sure way to make the entertainment center a Christmas display.


Have a coffee table?If the coffee table is glass, the kids can decorate the edge of the coffee table with garland and ornaments. Remember to choose a garland that compliments the colors in the room. Tape the garland around the table. Start with taping the garland at one corner of the table and let the garland hang a few inches. Repeat the process: tape and hang, until you have hung the garland completely around the coffee table.Then add favorite ornaments and hang them on the garland. This is a wonderful visual effect that also works on your mantel or a banister or railing, too.


Your children can create Christmas artwork with markers, paints or crayons. If you display it in a nice frame, it will complement your home décor and look like you paid money for it.


And, of course, a favorite Christmas decoration is a gingerbread house. Create a gingerbread house with your children. The gingerbread house will be a perfect display for a countertop or in the middle of your coffee table.


Choosing Christmas décor ideas for kids to make is easy; arranging them to compliment the décor of your home is the challenge.Choose the decorations, and have the kids use their imagination to turn your home into wonderland of color.


Kids Christmas Activities


I came across a really fun e-book today with lots of Kids Christmas Activities. It has lots of ready to print activities and worksheets suitable for your Christmas Themed Activities.


Have a look at what you get with this e-book, no more problems to keep the kids busy with suitable Christmas Activities:


  • Over 75 printable worksheets

  • 11 Printable Christmas Cards

  • 11 Christmas games for the kids

  • Templates for Christmas invitations

  • Templates for Christmas writing

  • 3 Christmas mazes

  • 20 Christmas gift tags

  • Christmas coloring sheets

  • Kids Christmas party ideas


As you can see, with this package you and the kids can really have lots of fun doing these activities. This e-book is very suitable for Homeschoolers and you will have lots of worksheets all worked out for you, all you need to do is print and go!



If you are looking for some more fun and easy kids crafts, do have a look at the e-books below!


Fun Kids Crafts

101 Kid Summer Activities

Kid's Party Crafts And Games

Little Kid Crafts for All Seasons

Creative Playdough Ideas For Kids