Five Safety Tips for Children Learning to Sew

If you enjoy sewing, chances are good that your child has expressed interest in your hobby. The thought of our kids with sharp scissors and needles makes most parents cringe, but we don’t want to discourage their interest in a useful and rewarding pursuit, either.

Sewing is great for building fine motor skills and math skills, and sewing itself is a skill that everyone can use at some point in life.

With proper safety precautions, kids can start learning to sew at a young age. While it doesn’t make much sense to let a three-year old loose with a sewing machine, even young kids can get started with the right tools and close supervision.

Here are five safety tips to remember when dealing with budding tailors and seamstresses:

1. Use age-appropriate supplies.

Sewing scissors are too sharp and too large for young hands, and regular sewing needles present a laundry list of dangers. Let your child work with safety scissors and a plastic needle. If you give him a loosely knit, porous fabric, they will work just fine.

2. Watch your child closely, especially during the first few attempts.

For the youngest children, swallowing small parts such as needles and spools of thread is a concern. And even safety scissors could cut little hands. Until your child gets the hang of things, careful supervision is of the utmost importance.

3. Maintain strict control over the sewing machine.

Children younger than eight years old probably don’t have the motor skills and good judgment to attempt machine sewing. At eight years of age, it’s up to the parent to decide whether the child is ready. If you feel that she is, provide plenty of guidance and stay right with her while she makes those first stitches.

4. Make sure the sewing machine is secured and inoperable when you’re not around.

Put the needle and pressure foot down when done sewing, cover the machine and turn it off. You may even want to unplug it as an added precaution. Kids who are curious about sewing might try to use the machine when you’re not around, and if it’s not properly secured, they could be seriously injured.

5. Keep scissors, needles and pins put up and out of kids’ reach when not in use.

These things create a temptation for young, unsupervised kids as well. It’s also wise to keep a magnetic pin cushion in case of spillage.

Encouraging your child’s interest in sewing may help him develop a lifelong interest in the hobby.

This could serve him well when he’s older. He might decide to sew clothes for his own family, saving lots of money in the process. Or he could be a future fashion designer!

Home Crafts For Kids - Three Home-Made Playdough Recipes

Home Crafts For Kids - Three Home-Made Playdough Recipes

Playdough is a favorite artistic medium of kids everywhere. This is why it makes the ideal example for home crafts for kids.  Parents love it because it encourages creativity and provides a fun, quiet indoor activity. Another reason why it is the ideal example of home crafts for kids. Playdough can be used over and over again if kept in its container, or kids can let their creations dry and keep them.

You can find playdough in almost any store that sells toys. But it’s also very cheap and easy to make. You probably have everything you need to make at least one type of playdough in your kitchen cupboard. Some recipes are even edible. Here are three fun and simple ways to make playdough.

1. Authentic Playdough

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tbsp. powdered alum
• ½ cup salt
• 2 tbsp. vanilla
• Food coloring
  

Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly in saucepan.
2. Add oil and water.
3. Cook at medium heat, stirring constantly. It’s done when it has a consistency similar to that of mashed potatoes.
4. Remove the dough from heat and stir in vanilla and food coloring. Work the color in by kneading the dough.
5. When completely cooled, store in an airtight container. This dough will keep for at least two months.

This home-made playdough has a look and feel very similar to the store-bought kind. It is not intended to be eaten, but is not toxic to humans.

2. Peanut Butter Playdough

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 cups powdered milk
• 3 ½ cups corn syrup
  

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
2. Place the dough onto wax paper and model with it. When the kids are through playing, they can eat it.

Tip: For more edible fun, use sprinkles and candies to decorate creations made with peanut butter playdough.

3. Kool Aid Playdough

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• ½ cup salt
• 2 packages of unsweetened Kool Aid
• 2 cups water
  

Instructions

1. Boil water.
2. While the water is heating, combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Add boiling water and stir.
3. Knead the dough on a floured board. Add small amounts of flour until you reach the desired consistency.
4. When completely cool, store in a tightly covered container.

This playdough will last a few months if stored properly, and it has a wonderful scent.

Making playdough with the kids is a fun rainy day project. It’s a great way to get them involved in cooking, and the finished product can provide hours more of fun. And recipes such as the one for peanut butter playdough serve yet another purpose: they make a delicious snack! So when your child runs out of playdough, don’t run to the store. Just head to the kitchen! so, finally, because it is always available, it is yet another reason why it is the ideal example of home crafts for kids,
 

Homemade Kids Crafts - How to Make Colorful Pasta Jewelry

Homemade Kids Crafts - How to Make Colorful Pasta Jewelry

When it comes to homemade kids crafts using craft supplies from the cupboard, few things are as cheap and versatile as pasta. Kids have probably been making art out of noodles since noodles were invented. One of the most popular uses for them is jewelry making.

The macaroni necklace, as an example of homemade kids crafts, is a perennial favorite of the younger set. It's easy to make and fun to give as a gift for any occasion. Kids can color the noodles with food coloring to make a lovely piece. This makes a great rainy day project or an inexpensive birthday party craft for small children. Here's how to do it.

Supplies

• Macaroni or other stringable pasta
• Rubbing alcohol
• Food coloring
• Small food storage bowls with lids
• Spoon
• Paper towels
• Fishing line or dental floss

Instructions

1. Pour just enough rubbing alcohol into a bowl to cover the amount of pasta you wish to color. Add enough food coloring to create the desired shade and stir.

2. Pour pasta into the alcohol mixture. Cover and let sit for about 15 minutes.

3. Drain alcohol mixture off of pasta. Lay out paper towels in a safe place, and spread pasta out on them to dry. Let sit for a few hours to ensure that the dye does not come off when handled.

4. Cut a piece of fishing line or dental floss long enough to make a necklace that can be put on over the head. String on pasta in alternating colors.

5. Tie ends of string together securely.

Tips

* Use pasta that is as light in color as possible. Pasta with yellow coloring will not turn out exactly the same color as the dye.

* If you prefer not to dye the pasta, use pasta that is already colored.

* Try using different shapes and sizes of pasta for variety.

* Add some Cheerios or other O-shaped foods to your necklace as accents.

* For a more refined look, add some clay or plastic beads.

* For a bracelet or anklet, substitute elastic string for the fishing line or dental floss.

* For darker color, leave the noodles in the coloring solution overnight. Keep in mind, however, that they will take longer to dry.

* Try painting the pasta. Use a thin paintbrush and poster paint to add designs or lettering.

* Make some pasta earrings to go with your necklace, bracelet or anklet. Just poke a small hole at the top of two pieces of pasta, and add an ear wire to each to make a unique pair of dangle earrings.

* Keep in mind that pasta jewelry won't last forever. It will eventually break or start looking shabby. The good news is that it's easy to make more.

Well, enjoy these homemade kids crafts ideas!

Halloween Kids Crafts - How to Make a Halloween Handprint Spider

Halloween is a time of fun costumes, candy and ghost stories. And what would it be without spooky decorations? Scary stuff hanging around the house sets the mood for the holiday much like decorated trees and mistletoe set the mood for Christmas.

Spiders aren't supernatural creatures like ghosts or goblins, but they are pretty scary. Yet they are not too scary for the little ones. Plus, spider crafts provide an opportunity to learn about living things.

Here is a cute and fun spider decoration for preschoolers to make. In fact, it's easy enough for even toddlers to do with a little assistance. It makes a great decoration to put on your front door or window to greet trick or treaters!

What You Need

*Card stock or construction paper (any color but black)
*Black tempera or poster paint
*Paintbrush
*Googly eyes
*Glue

Instructions

1. Using the paintbrush, paint your child's palm and all fingers except the thumb with black paint.

2. Have your child press his or her hand down firmly on the paper.

3. Paint the child's other hand in the same manner.

4. Have your child press that hand down on the paper, overlapping the first handprint and making sure the fingers are across from the ones in the original print. This will form the spider's body.

5. Have your child use the paintbrush or his or her fingers to paint any areas of the spider's body that are not filled in. Let the paint dry.

6. Glue on googly eyes. Let dry.

Tips

Cover the work area with newspapers. This project could get messy!

If you prefer, you could use black construction paper and a different color of paint.

If you want a spider cutout, trace the child's hand (minus the thumb) onto a piece of construction paper. Place the other hand so that it overlaps the first handprint, trace all but the thumb, and cut around the edges. Glue on googly eyes, punch a hole in the top, and hang up with a piece of string.

Your child might like to use paint in a different color to add a mouth and/or nose.

To really make the spider stand out, let the paint dry completely and embellish with glitter glue or metallic paint. Or you could glue on some pom poms or stick on some stickers.

To add to the educational aspect of this project, find a book or website that has lots of pictures of different kinds of spiders to look at with your child. Then encourage him to make a spider that looks like his favorite one.

Have fun with this, one of the many Halloween Kids Crafts! You can also go and have a look Easy Pumpkin Painting.

Craft Idea for a Group: Make a Mural - Even A Halloween Mural

Make a mural, in any theme you want. For Halloween you can use a Halloween theme as part of your Halloween decorations.

Most craft ideas are geared to individuals, whether kids or adults. Sometimes you'd like to have a craft idea that works for a group of kids working together. Making a mural together is an idea that works for a group. By working together, you are creating something to decorate a shared area.

Individual crafts can be displayed, but one unique item is often more effective than a group of items that are almost identical. In addition, sometimes kids' crafts like it or not, just become clutter when they are taken home, and it isn't long before Mom throws it out. This craft idea of making a group mural can be displayed for several weeks and will not become clutter in anyone's home.

The basic materials for a kids' group mural is freezer paper. Freezer paper is about 18 inches wide, and it is very tough. One side is plastic coated. That is the side that is designed to be placed against the food. You will have better luck drawing on and gluing things onto the other side.

Class or group murals can feature a number of different design elements:

• You can mix up some finger paint and let the children make hand prints (or even foot prints!) on the paper.
• You can let them scour old cast-off magazines and color catalogs for pictures they like and let them cut the pictures out and glue them on.
• They can add scribbles, designs, signatures, slogans, or pictures using markers, crayons, or gel pens.
• They can attach stickers to the mural as well. This craft idea is very flexible!

For making the mural, choose a topic that relates to the group in some way. If the group are girl scouts, for instance, and have been learning to camp, the mural can feature pictures of items related to camping. If you've been learning about dinosaurs, you can use them as a theme.

Here is an idea that is very suitable for a Halloween theme:

If you want a really messy project that makes a cute mural for fall, mix up finger paint in fall colors. The children can each make a tree by first laying their forearm in brown paint. Then they lay their arm on the paper to make the trunk of the tree. They should spread out their fingers so their arm print has five short branches at the top.

To make the leaves, the children make fingerprints all around the top of the tree using paints in other fall colors. If you add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to finger paint when mixing it up, it will be easier to clean off the children's arms. Do make sure they have old clothes or smocks for this craft idea.

Little preschoolers will like making a mural with an animal theme. You should probably find and cut out animal magazine pictures to start with, and then let the children choose the ones they like for gluing down.

Glue sticks are neat to use with small children. They will paste some of the pictures upside down. Expect it and do not scold them. It is the process that is important in this craft idea. The children can also use animal cookie cutters dipped in finger paint to stamp animals on the mural, too. You may need to tape the paper to the table so it doesn't slide around while the children work.

As Halloween Id approaching you can of course use a Halloween theme for these murals.

How to Carve Your First Pumpkin

So you’re ready to carve your first pumpkin? Congratulations in joining the ranks of many who rank pumpkin carving as one of their favorite Halloween activities. To avoid a huge mess you’ll have to clean up later, the first thing you’ll need to do is prepare your workspace.

Choosing Your Pumpkin Carving Space

Select a flat work area. Lay down several layers of newspaper being sure to overlap them.

Gather Your Supplies

• Pumpkin
• Pumpkin Carving Kit or Butcher Knife & Serrated Paring Knife
• Permanent Marker
• Container lined with a garbage bag to deposit your waste
• Lighting Source of Your Choice (Candle, glow sticks, etc.)

Preparing Your Pumpkin for Carving

Turn your pumpkin on its side. Using your permanent marker, draw a large circle on the bottom of the pumpkin. Be sure it’s large enough to fit a large spoon and your hand inside. By cutting out the bottom (instead of the top) you’ll make it easier to place your light source in it. Using your large butcher knife carefully cut out the circle. Make note of the best side for carving your chosen design or face.

Let the Fun Begin

It’s time to clean out your pumpkin. Using your hands, scoop out the seeds and put them in the garbage bag, unless you want to put them in a bowl for later roasting. Using either a wooden spatula or serving spoon, scrape out the meat. Hopefully you have already decided on which side you will be carving the face, as this will need extra removal of the flesh.

Draw Your Design

After the pumpkin has been cleaned out, it is time to draw the design of your choice. Use a semi-permanent marker or a pencil and draw your design on the pumpkin.

If you don’t have an artistic mind it’s ok. You can use a stencil available on several Internet sites or one that may have come in your tool kit. Take a copy of the design and place it over the pumpkin. Secure this with masking tape. With a needle, push pin or nail, start poking small holes through the paper and into the pumpkin. Make sure you do them close enough as this is the pattern from which you will carve.

It’s Finally Time to Carve

Preparation pays off. Now, let’s get carving this pumpkin. Be particular in your carving as any little slip with the knife is likely to ruin your design and may cause injury. With your paring knife or other preferred choice of carving tool, carve along the pattern lines cutting all the way through the rind. Cut away from yourself and into the pumpkin. After each feature has been cut out slowly push out the cut pieces from inside the pumpkin.

Hint: Keep your blades as sharp as possible to ensure accuracy and ease of carving.

Clean Up

Take your newspaper and fold it over on all sides, keeping your pumpkin “gunk” on the inside. Once folded, throw it in the trash can or garbage bag.

Congratulations! You’ve now carved your first pumpkin. Once you’ve finished and cleaned up the mess, place that baby out on the front porch and add your lighting. Show it off for the entire neighborhood to see. Don’t forget to take a picture too – after all you only have a first carved pumpkin once. Enjoy!

If you feel pumpkin carving is a little dangerous for the kids, why not do pumpkin painting instead? Kids love it and there are now sharp knives around! Easy Pumpkin Painting has all the info, templates and more that you need.

Go And Have A Look At Easy Pumpkin Painting Now!

If you are looking for more Halloween Crafts, you will find some very good ones at Fun Kids Crafts.

Fun Kids Crafts - Colorful Pom-Poms for Your Cheerleader Party

Even though this craft is for a party, there is no reason why you cannot invent a party in order to have the kids make them!

Birthday parties with a cheerleader theme are lots of fun. They encourage the honoree and guests to run, jump and play, creating their own cheers and acrobatics. Cheerleading outfits are not necessary, as any comfortable clothing will do just fine. But there is one thing that every aspiring cheerleader needs: pom-poms.

You can find inexpensive plastic pom-poms at most discount stores. But did you know that you can make them at home for next to nothing? With a few simple supplies, you can quickly whip up enough pom-poms for a cheerleading party. And best of all, you can use any colors you like.

Supplies

* Tissue paper in two or more colors
* Scissors
* Dowels or popsicle sticks
* Vinyl tape


Instructions

1. Place four sheets of tissue paper on top of one another. Fold them in half widthwise.

2. Starting at the open end, cut inch-wide strips through all layers. Stop about an inch from the fold so that the strips stay together at the folded end.

3. Starting at either folded corner, roll the edge of the tissue paper around the end of a dowel or popsicle stick. Roll all the way to the other folded corner. Tape the tissue paper securely to the dowel or popsicle stick with vinyl tape.

4. Place four more sheets of tissue paper on top of one another, and fold in half widthwise.

5. Repeat steps two and three, rolling this tissue paper around the first.

6. Repeat the process to make a nice, fluffy pom-pom.


For best results, alternate two or more colors. You could use the birthday girl's favorite colors, or school colors. You could even use up to eight different colors to make rainbow pom-poms.

If you want fuller pom-poms, just keep adding layers of tissue paper. You can use as many as you like, as long as you can still tape them to the handle.

Miniature pom-poms also make great party favors, and they are very quick and easy to make. Simply arrange pieces of basket stuffing in the desired colors together, and make a handle by tightly wrapping a small amount of vinyl tape around them. Trim the stuffing even with one end of the tape, and trim to about an inch long on the other side. If the handle is too long, trim to the desired length. Attach safety pins to make pom-pom pins, or leave as-is for decorative use. These also make great doll accessories.

These projects make great party favors. They also work well as crafts for party attendees. Provide lots of different colors of tissue paper and/or basket stuffing so that each child can make her own unique set of pom-poms.

Do go and have a look at the Fun Kids Crafts Ebook