Showing posts with label kid friendly craft idea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kid friendly craft idea. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Bring Back Those '80s Retro Ribbon Barrettes!

When I was a girl, I wore my hair long, actually very long. My claim to fame was my hair that reached my waist at one point, and for having a swinging ponytail that swished back and forth as I walked (bounced?) to school. People probably thought I was weird, but what are you going to do? I still am weird! HAHA!
 
Anyway, I wore barrettes in my long hair, and at times I still wish I could wear barrettes because I really like them. Remember barrettes?! The best ones were fashioned with braided ribbons that dangled a bit and had a bead tied at the end. You could go downtown to the craft store (I forget where, I just remember that there was this magical craft store that my mom would take me to sometimes), and we'd get ribbons and make barrettes. 


OOH. The Ultimate Ribbon Barrettes Party Pack, from a lady on Etsy!

All my friends who got Cabbage Patch Dolls for Christmas and tied friendship pins on their sneakers wore ribbon barrettes. We had doll houses (mine was the Smaller Homes and Gardens model, one time I found my pet hamster loose and roaming around in my doll house, what a kick!) and we read Beverly Cleary books. Those were the kinds of barrette-wearing girls that we were.

Glorious ribbon barrettes! The same lady is selling them in a six pack of assorted colors

Anyway, so even though I don't have daughters, I do have a pretty little niece now (Yay!!) which I think is rather neat. She's too young for barrettes now, but just you wait.

So what do you say, let's bring back those ribbon barrettes! You can get some ribbons and Goody barrettes (I know they still have them at the pharmacy or grocer store, don't they? Those barrettes will be on the shelf forever!). Or, you can head on over to Etsy where cool crafters have already made them for you, and have even packaged them up into convenient party packs!

Ribbon barrettes for all seasons and occasions, oh, sweet girlhood bliss.


Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Chinese Takeout Inspires Cute Craft for Kindergarteners to Make and Enjoy

So about a month ago, we were sitting there giggling over our fortunes after just having eaten a meal of Chinese food. Suddenly, I was hit with an idea. We had this can with a lid that I'd been saving in the cabinet. The can previously held coconut macaroons. It was the perfect size and shape for a fun and easy craft project with my little boy.

We turned the can into a "Fortune Picker," in just a few easy and kid-friendly steps.



What You'll Need:

One can with lid – coffee can size is good
2 pieces of construction paper
Safety scissors
Pen or pencil
Colored Markers
Tape or glue
More paper – any kind will work


Step 1. Make the sign. Get a piece of construction paper. On it, have the child write the words "CHOOSE YOUR FORTUNE" or whatever fun, fortune-related phrase you can think of. Let him or her draw a picture or decorate in some other way if they feel inspired.

Step 2. Size your can cover. Get a second sheet of construction paper. Take this one, and hold it up to the can so it wraps around (covering the product label), making sure the paper is lined up straight along the bottom edge of the can.

Step 3. Trace and cut. With a pen or pencil, have your child trace along the line where the paper meets the can. Be sure the line goes all the way around the can.

Step 4. Cover the can. Have your child cut the line that you previously traced. Take the paper that you just trimmed, and wrap around the can so that the entire label is covered. Tape or glue the paper to the can, along the vertical seam.

Step 5. Decorate the Can. Let your child write the same words, CHOOSE YOUR FORTUNE, on the outside of the can using the markers. He or she can pick whatever colors, or add stars, moon, or another fun design idea.

Step 6. Make fortunes. Take the other paper and cut strips from it. As many as you think will fit in the jar. For each strip, think of a fun fortune and write it on the paper. Fold in half and place in the decorated jar. Your fortunes can be funny, silly, inspiring or complementary. They should make the reader feel happy! Moms may want to take over, as this is potentially a lot of writing work for a young child.

Step 7. Have fun with it! When friends come over, ask if they would like to have their fortune told. Take out your Fortune Jar and Sign, and have them close their eyes and pick. They can even help by adding their own fortunes to the jar, and letting you take one!



Skills practiced:

Planning | Eye hand coordination | Handwriting | Fine motor | Cutting and Pasting | Writing | Creative play | Sharing

What's your idea for a great, kid-friendly craft? Leave a comment, get a link. 

xo,
Mom