Crafts and Links for Kids

Earth Suncatcher This needs to be done a day ahead to begin. Take margarine tub lids, the small ones, and pour clear elmers glue into the lid and lay a piece of string in the glue.  After the glue is totally dry (don't pour it too thick) peel it out of the lid.  Then the children can  use markers to color land and seas onto the glue.  When the marker is dry then you can hang it in the window.  It is a beautiful suncatcher.

Let me add to this...another variation that I tried(with the Earth Catcher above), is to let the kiddies add colorful pony beads, or small beads, and small clippings of yarn or ribbon to the glue before it dries.When it's dry, and you hang it in the sun....it makes a really colorful display!
Thanks Shelle!
 
Marble Painting Earths Have circles cut out of blue construction paper to fit just inside of  a pie pan. Have the children put a marble into some blue paint and into some  green paint. Use a spoon to take it out.Move the pie pan back and forth and create "an earth".Then talk about what the green stands for and what the blue stands for. Show them a globe first and talk about all the different names  for the earth.-ie. world, globe, earth, etc.
 
Trash Collage Use throw away paper, labels, scraps cut from junk mail, everything you can find that is typically thrown away - to make a collage.
Flying Saucers
Need: 2 paper plates, paper bowl, glue, markers or crayons
Tape two paper plates together to create a curved top and bottom. Glue a paper bowl to the center top to make a cabin for the "crew". Let dry. Use markers or crayons to draw insignias, windows, doors , aliens in the windows amd doors, etc. Designate a landing pad, then toss flying saucers throught the air. See whose lands the closest to the landing pad.

http://www.sciplus.com/
Very unique and unusual things for teachers, kids, and those who are particularly interested in science, experiments and unusual things!
(good prices too)
Thanks Michelle!

How much time do you have to do the crafts?  My ds is in first grade.   Something he really likes to do is create monsters and such by recycling.  A  fun thing that we have done every year as a craft is making our own masks.   We use funfoam or paper plates(depends on my budget:o)  and I pull out my  scrap box and they make moster masks.  I hole punch and add yarn  to tie in  the back and they run around being monsters(my other two are 3 and almost2  btw:o).
    My MIL has a sign that my hd made in 1st grade (it says Merry Christmas,  but it doesn't have too:o)  he took a piece of cardboard (a back of a cereal  box would be great:o)  that the teacher had cutout and wrote all the outlines  on with marker.  Then he put glue on the black lines and glued on black beans  (she has dyed them all, or maybie spray painted them?) Then he put glue in  the spaces between the black beans and put red and green beans down, i think  he did every other letter red, etc.  Anyway, it was cute.  my mil sprayed it  with a finish and still brings it out every year:o)  You could do Happy
Halloween, Trick-or-treat, or a picture of a pumpkin. You could use beans,
glitter, beads, noodle, rice, etc.
    Collect paper grocery bags, stuff one with newspaper, gather it together  at the top, and secure it by wrapping masking tape around it (the stem:O).   Give them some orange and black paint and let them design their own pumpkins!
Use paper lunch bags for a smakker version.
Make a colorful bottle.  Fill a soda or water bottle up 3/4 of the way  full with light corn syrup, add black and orange sequince.  Then fill the  bottle the rest of the way up with water. Put the lid on and shake it up..at  first it is really cloudy, but it clears up and stays clear in a few seconds. The sequince floats all around, it's cute.
    Make spiders.  Take a large black pom-pom, glue two wiggley eyes to it.  cut 4 = lengths from a pipecleaner and glue those to the pom-pom as legs.
    Make a frame from popcicle sticks.  Glue 4 together to make a square.   let them decorate them, we painted them black and glued on candycorns. Then I  took a orange paint pen and wrote " Happy Halloween 1998"  (I didn't let them  glue candy to the top stick, we did this last year)  Glue a piece of
cardboard to the back, leaving the top side unglued.  Glue a magnet (really  cheap when bought in a roll and you cut your own pieces:o) to the back of the  cardboard.  (I also glued down a piece of plastic over the hole..before I put  the back on.  you know all those old photo albums we shouldn't use  anymore...those plastic sheets are perfect for this!:o)  I also sprayed mine  with a finish:o)
    Let them take their shoes off.  Trace their bare feet onto a piece of  funfoam (or construction paper:o).  Cut it out.  Glue black circles on for  eyes (the toes go at the bottom:o) and you have a foot ghost.
    Make snacks a craft!  Use marshmellows, pretzel sticks, raisons, whatever  to make monsters and cratures.  Then take a group picture of them all hoding  up theit creation, and let them eat!
    Give them a pice of heavy paper..cardboard, construction paper, etc.  Let
THEM write "Happy Halloween" or "Trick OR Treat" etc.  Them have them follow  their lines with glue and glue on glitter, beads, beans, etc.  Then help them  cut around it, about 1 inch from the letters.
Thanks Teri!

 http://girlscouts.miningco.com/ Focus on Girl Scouting
Thanks to Kateri!

Incredible Edible Crafts - Kids Arts and Crafts
 http://www.thepartyworks.com/ediblecrafts.htm
Thanks Rebecca!

Coffee Mug Candles
Materials:
wax
wick
aluminum wick holder
coffee mug
pencil
white crayon
Steps:
        1.. Insert wick end into square aluminum wick holder. Tie length of wick to a pencil. Place wick holder inside coffee mug and suspend wick string by placing the pencil across the rim of the mug.
2.. Pour melted wax into the mug and allow to harden and cool.
3.. Grate white crayon into a bowl. Mix a spoonful of melted candle wax in the bowl of crayon shavings and stir until the mixture looks "frothy." Finish the candle by spooning the "froth" on top of the hardened candle wax in the mug.
Thanks Connie!

Here's anorganic jewelry idea - take SMALL rocks - pea gravel works
well, or small pieces of 3/4 rock (your basic driveway gravel).  Clean well  and allow to dry.
Paint with acrylic paint in flat neutral tones tomake 'Rock Stars'.  You can  also add yarn hair (just a few strands).  Allow the girls to then paint as  desired, and you can attach the rock-head to the rock-body with some hot  melt glue, and then hotmelt glue a pin onto the back for clothing.
Hints: Super important to let rocks dry thoroughly first!  Also make sure  that they are room temperature before painting them.  Using flat paint to  paint the first coat will allow for better adhesion of the gloss acrylic  paint as well as the hot melt glue.
Thanks Gigi!

Bobbing Frogs
        Take old corks and color them with green crayons.  Then take a green pipe cleaner and wrap it around the cork, twist it, then bend the long ends into frog shaped legs.  Take your frog in tub, to the lake, or even to the swimming pool.
Fantastic Turtle/Frog/Fish Shakes
You'll need:
a clean, clear plastic bottle with a screw top
blue or green food colouring
water
vegetable oil
white or coloured plastic bottle
aluminum foil
scissors
glue
masking tape.
Fill the clear bottle about three quarters full with water. Add a few drops of food colouring. Now add a small quantity of vegetable oil. From the other bottle, cut out fish,
turtle or frog shapes, making them small enough to fit into the first bottle. Make balls and other shapes with foil.  Put all these shapes in the oil-and-water bottle. Put the
top back on the bottle and secure it with tape and glue to prevent leaks. SHAKE!!
The Frog On the Log
There once was a green little frog, frog, frog
Who played in the wood on a log, log, log.
A screech owl sitting in a tree, tree, tree
Came after the frog with a screech, screech, screech.
When the frog heard the owl in a flash, flash, flash,
He leaped in the pond with a splash, splash, splash.

Sidewalk Chalk
This chalk is for drawing on sidewalks only, not for chalkboards.
You will need:
The shells of 6 eggs
1 tsp very hot water from the tap
1 tsp flour
Wash the eggshells well, so they don't have any egg left in them. Dry them and grind them with a rock on the sidewalk or other concrete surface. Make sure the rock you're
using for grinding is clean so you don't get dirt ground in with the eggshells. Grind the eggshells into a fine powder. You'll need one soupspoonful of this powder to make a stick of chalk.
When you have enough powder to make a stick of chalk, sift or pick out any little bits of eggshell that are still not ground up and throw them away. Scoop the powder into a
cup or paper towel and bring it into the house for the next part.
Stir the flour and hot water together in a small dish to make
paste. Put the soupspoonful of eggshell powder into the paste and mix well. It may help to mash it with the back of the spoon. Add a few drops of food coloring if you want colored chalk.
Shape this mixture into a chalk stick. Then roll it up in a strip of paper towel and set aside to dry. (Drying takes about three days.) Then just peel the paper off one end and
you're ready for some sidewalk art.
For really big sticks of chalk, try making 3 times this recipe, and stuff the mixture into an old toilet paper tube. When it's dry, you can peel away the cardboard as you use it.

Crafts For Tots
PAINTS
8 tbsp. powdered paint
1 tsp. white glue
2 tbsp. liquid starch
3 drops oil of cloves (obtainable from any drug store)

INSTANT PAINTS
RECIPE 1
Mix a few drops of food coloring to a small amount of liquid
starch.
RECIPE 2
Mix egg yolk, dry detergent and food coloring.
May be used on glass, foil or shiny paper.

FINGERPAINTS
RECIPE 1
Mix 1 1/2 cups starch with enough cold water to make a paste.
Slowly add 4 cups of boiling water, stirring constantly.  Cook
until clear, avoiding too hot a fire.  While still warm, stir in
1 1/2 cups soap flakes.  Add 2 tablespoons glycerine.  Add food
coloring to portion which will be used immediately and store the
remainder in the refrigerator in a covered jar.
These paints work best on glazed paper such as shelf paper.
 RECIPE 2
In a double boiler, mix 1 cup cornstarch (or laundry starch)
with enough cold water to form a smooth, thin paste.  Add 1 cup
flaked soap chips and 1/2 cup salt (which acts like
preservative).  Add 1 quart water and cook until thick (increase
amount of water if necessary).  Beat with an egg beater, and
place mixture in empty baby food jars, adding food colouring to
each jar.
One teaspoon glycerine makes mixture more pliable and easier on
the hands.  Vanilla or oil of cloves can be added to mixture to
create a nice smell.
 RECIPE 3 ( no cook)
Mix 6 tablespoons dry laundry starch  with just enough cold
water to make mixture liquid and smooth.  Pour this mixture
slowly into 1 quart boiling water, stirring well until thick.
Add a drop of oil of cloves and mix again.  Divide into portions
(a muffin pan is a good holder) and add food coloring.

SOAP-BUBBLE-BLOWING LIQUID
Mix together gently:
 4 cups water
 12 teaspoons glycerine
8 teaspoons liquid tincture of green soap (available from
drugstore but as a substitute, grate or grind very pure toilet
soap and use 8 teaspoons of the resulting powder)
Let liquid stand for 24 hours before using.

SILLY PUTTY
 2 parts Elmers' Glue-All
1 part liquid starch
Gradually pour starch into glue and mix.  If mixture is sticky,
add more starch.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Note:  This silly putty can be cut with scissors or be pulled or
twisted.

MODELING CLAY
 RECIPE 1
Mix together:
2 1/2 cups flour 1 cup salt
1 cup water  Food coloring, optional
Store in refrigerator.
RECIPE 2
Mix and cook over low heat until mixture thickens:
1 cup salt   1 cup flour
1 cup water   Food coloring, optional
Cool before using
RECIPE 3
Combine over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture becomes
stiff and comes away from sides of pot:
1 cup salt   4 tablespoons oil
2 cups flour   4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 cups water   Food coloring
Store in a closed container or plastic bag.
RECIPE 4
Mix:
1 cup cornstarch   2 cups bicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 cups cold water  Food coloring
Heat over medium fire, stirring  constantly until mixture is
doughlike. Cool, covered with a damp cloth.  Coat finished
products with a shellac to seal and preserve.
RECIPE 5 - VICTORIAN SALT CLAY
(can be used to make beads for necklaces)
Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a pan.  Stirring
constantly, heat over a low flame for about 4 minutes (Do not
boil).  Remove from heat.  Quickly mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2
cup cold water together and add this combination in one go to
heated mixture.  Stir and mix quickly.  If resulting mixture is
not a thick paste, place back on low heat and stir for about a
minute until mixture is doughlike.
Treat like bread dough - knead on flat surface until dough is a
smooth and pliable mass.  Can be stored in plastic or foil and
kept in an airtight container.
Color can be added when dough is being cooked or when being
kneaded, or modelled objects can be painted when dry.
It takes 2 days for a modelled object to dry at room
temperature.  For quicker results, preheat oven to 350 degrees
F, and then turn the oven off.  Place the model in the oven,
preferably on  a wire rack,  and leave inside until the oven has
cooled off.
For a finishing touch, smooth dry models by rubbing gently with
sandpaper or an emery board.
To make beads for a necklace, punch holes with a toothpick while
the clay is still pliable.  You can also string the beads
through a thin wire, letting them dry on the wire itself.
Clay can also be rolled out like cookie dough and cut with a
cookie cutter.

MONSTER MAKE-UP
1 tsp. fuller's earth (available from drugstore)
1 tsp. plain yogurt
1 tsp. water
A few drops of food coloring
Lightly apply to face, avoiding areas around mouth and eyes.
(Use lipstick and/or eyeshadow for these areas).
Make-up will wash off with water.
Thanks to Rachel!

Magic Dip
I saw this on the Aleene's Creative Living Show.  Its a kids version of the
famous Magic Dip.
ENJOY!!!
Medium Bowl
2 Cups Water
2 Tsp. Dish Soap( I'm thinking the clear dish soap would be the best)
Color of Acrylic Paint---Just dump some into the solution. The more you
add the better the color.
Straw
Paper
Paper Towel
Blow bubbles through the straw and keep blowing until the bubbles go above
the bowl.  Take the paper and blot it on top of the bubbles.  Dab off excess
bubbles from paper with a paper towel.  Repeat until you get the desired  look.
TIP-- Have different colors in different bowls and repeat process so your  paper is multicolored.
Thanks to Jennifer!

Kool-Aid Playdough
3 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 kool-aid packages
2 cups boiling water
1. mix dry ingredients together
2. add boiling water.
3. knead on floured board
    Thanks to Jean!

Shrink Art
Cut a piece of heavy plastic (liver or meat lids from the butcher work fine)
 into desired shape. Children draw on plastic with permanent markers. Punch hole in
one end of the shape. Lay plastic on foil-covered cookie sheet and heat in moderate oven
   until it shrinks. Remove from oven and let cool. String with yarn for a necklace!
Baby Oil Drawing
Use any color bond paper, cotton balls/cotton swabs, paintbrush,
 baby oil in small dish, newspaper on table. Dip the cotton ball into baby oil and draw on
 the paper with it. Dip the cotton swab or paintbrush in it and draw some more. After it
 soaks in, have the children lift their pictures up to the light to see their works of art.
Sticker Solution
With this solution, you can turn magazine pictures, wrapping paper
motifs, or comic
cutouts into customized stickers.
     11 teaspoon flavored gelatin
     2 teaspoons boiling water
Place gelatin & boiling water in a small bowl. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Let
mixture cool 1 minute. While the sticker solution is warm, brush a thin coat on the
back of each cut out. Use your finger or a small brush. When dry you can lick them &
stick them on paper or glass just like a real stamp!
Nail Board
Nails
Wood
Hammer
     String or elastic bands
     Age: preschool + (adult supervision)
Parents can hammer nails into a piece of wood in a random design,pattern, rows or
circles. The more nails the more creative the child can be. The child can then take the
elastics and/or string and hook them over the nails to create interesting patterns and designs.
Lady Bug Rock Creatures
Also try making other insects, spiders, and bugs using the same techniques.
What you will need:
Smooth Beetle Bug shaped rocks (we got ours from a landscaping company)
Red Paint Black
Pipe cleaners for antennas (chenielle stems) glue movable eyes (any size you want to use)
           Clear spray paint (if you are going to use them outside)
Directions:
           1. Wash the rocks removing all dirt particles let dry.
2. Paint and let dry.
3. When completely dry spray with a clear spray paint if you are going to use them outside.
4. Glue on antennas and eyes.

Recycled Punch Projects
Buy punchers that can punch out tiny shapes of sweet, ribbon, teddy
bear, heart, car, etc. Do not throw again used magazines or
flyers/phamplets. Recycle them. Keep those colourful ones to punch out
these shapes and paste them on birthday cards/greeting cards or whatever
cards that you are making.
Cut coloured vanguard sheets into big shapes of those punchers for
eg. the shape of a sweet. Using those colourful punched-out tiny sweets,
paste them on the border of this vanguard sheet. You can actually use
this as a reward system for the kid, for eg. for keeping his toys away each
time after playing with them. When the whole border is filled up, paste
the kid's photo in the centre. Trim photo to size if necessary. After
that you can frame it up using a photo frame or just stick this whole picture on the wall.
This craft has 4 advantages: firstly, you can go green by recycling
the used magazines/flyers/phamplets. Secondly, you can use this a a
reward system for the kid. When the whole border is filled up, he can earn a
small reward from you like a small, inexpensive toy or stationery as an
encouragement to him. Thirdly, you get to paste or frame up his
favourite picture. Last but not least, you can decorate your hall walls with this
colourful and unique artwork.

Decorate Candles with Blossoms
Method A: Cut out pretty pictures from seed catalogs and glue onto your candles.
These candles are for decoration only.
Method B: Have mom or dad melt some plain old canning wax in an old clean can in
boiling water. Remove the wax from the heat. With a disposable small paintbrush
glue small blossoms to the candle with a spot of wax. Wild violets and buttercups
work well for this. Cover the blossoms with a light layer of wax. These candles can be burned.

Recycled Can Banks
As a coin/cash bank for a small child, you can take an empty Wet Ones
container (or a similarly shaped container), and cut the hole in the
top bigger, so that a quarter can fit through it.  Sand the plastic to
make sure it is not sharp, and then apply a coat of paint to cover the
writing on the package.  You can then let your child decorate it
themself ( with more paint, stickers, etc.), and even put their name on it to
personalize it.  This can also be done as a present for a child, and
will help them learn to save money (they will want to use the bank because
they helped make it).

Egg Carton Paint Palette
I save the egg cartoons (the foam ones) for my daughters to use when
painting. They can put up to 12 different colors in the bottom, (that
holds the eggs) and if they want to mix some colors to make new colors
they can do that in the top half of the egg cartoon. They can also just
close the top and store the paints in the freezer for next time.

Seed Necklace
Soak a kidney or lima bean in water overnight. Punch a hole in each side
of a small clear plastic container. Thread 2 to 3 feet of yarn through both holes and tie a knot at the top. Slightly moisten a cotton ball;place it in the container with the bean on top. Cap the container. Wear it like a necklace. What helps your seed grow? How quickly do you think this will happen? Keep the cotton moist and your seed necklace warm. How long did it take to germinate? Once your plant sprouts, it will manufacture nourishment in its leaves with light, moisture and air.
But soon minerals from soil will help. Transplant into soil.

www.familyfun.com
Thanks Lisa!

www.makingfriends.com
Thanks Laura!

Ziploc Bag Ice Cream
someone sent this on another list, but I make this at GS camp on the hottest day.
For each child you will need:
1 small ziploc bag
1 large ziploc bag
1/2 cup whole milk
1 TBS sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 cups ice cubes
1/2 cup table salt
1 spoon
In the small bag, combine the milk, sugar and vanilla.  Securely seal the
bag.  In the large bag, combine ice and salt.  Put the small bag inside the
large one seal, and shake until thickened, about 5 minutes or so, eat and enjoy!
Thanks Katy!

 http://www.yahooligans.com/text/Art_Soup/Crafts/Craft sites for kids

Rocket
glue a piece of cardboard over each end of a cardboard paper towel tube.
Cover the tube with construction paper. Glue a thread spool to one end.
For a nose cone, attach a glue-bottle cap to the top. Draw details on
paper, cut them out, and glue in place.
http://search.yahooligans.com/search/ligans?p=rocket+
*****************************
Passenger Jet
Use a cardboard tube for the main body of the jet. Paint it with white
tempera paint and let dry. Make a white paper cone for the nose and glue
it to one end of the tube. (Cone- cut out a circle, make a straight cut
to the center of the circle and glue overlapping pieces)
Cut wings and a tail section from cardboard and paint them. When dry,
glue them in place.Draw windows on the jet with a marker.
http://search.yahooligans.com/search/ligans?p=jets+
*****************************
Hot Air Balloon
Blow up a balloon and tie a knot in the end. Dip pieces of torn paper in
a mixture of half water and half white glue. Cover the balloon with
layers of wet pieces. Let it dry on a piece of foil wrap at room
temperature.
Paint designs on the balloon. Glue pieces of string to the balloon,
letting them hang down.They will be attached to the basket.
To make a basket, cut the bottom off a milk carton. Cover with brown
paper. Draw "mesh" designs on it. Glue the strings to the basket.
Make some ballooning characters from heavy cardboard and place them in
the basket. Hang the balloon by glueing a yarn loop to the top of it.
http://search.yahooligans.com/search/ligans?p=hot+air+balloon
*****************************
Tractor
A pudding box forms the cab, the bottom is the engine part of the
tractor. Cover both with red paper and glue them together.
Cut two large cardboard wheels and glue them in place. Attach a small
cardboard wheel at the front with a bent paperclip. Glue on windows cut
from paper and a small dowel or roll of colored paper for the exhaust
pipe.
 http://www.kidsfarm.com/equipment.htm

Kids love flying kites. This is something that can also be done at a birthday party.
http://www.aloha.net/~bigwind/20kidskites.html 20 Kids * 20 Kites * 20 Minutes
Thanks Marian!

 http://skl.com/~guidezon/i_kd_crafts.htm Loads of Crafts for Kids!
 http://skl.com/~guidezon/paper.htm Paper crafts for Kids
http://www.makingfriends.com/ Making Friends: Computer Crafts for Kids - offers free craft ideas, including contests, downloads, age-rated projects and patterns.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1850/ Fun for Kids by Jen - designed for children K-6 and offering links to information, games, interactive sites, and arts and crafts.
http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/American Thanksgiving for Kids and Families - historic look at the holiday; games, songs, arts and crafts ideas, poems; recipes, turkey tips; lesson plans and
ideas for teachers, and more.
http://www.cjsspecialties.com/camden/kidspage.html Kids Page - kid safe links from preschool to high school. Includes games, crafts, educational links, and more.
http://www.inmotion-pcs.com/amass/theboss/artsn.htm Arts N Crafts - lots of craft ideas, most of which can be done by pre-schoolers
http://www.ideacraft.com Creative Crafts For All Seasons - provides ideas for craft projects for preschoolers through adults.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/2161/ Suzieanne - dedicated to family values, crafts and games for pre-schoolers.
   http://www.stvals.org/Preschool/crafts.html St Vals PreSchool - crafts/ - St Valentine PreSchool (Bethel Park,PA) - crafts/ Made By Kid
   http://www.charlenemurphy.com/html/creative.htmCharlene Murphy's Preschool Program
http://www.pbs.org/kids/preschool/arcr.htm PBS Kids! : Preschool : Arts & Crafts
       http://www.momsnetwork.com/suites/playfulkids/ Ginger Bear's Educational Activities, Crafts, Lessons, Songs and Fun for Preschool and
   http://www.members.home.net/crafts4kids/preschool.html Elementary Education Preschooler Crafts - preschooler crafts you can print including animal and holiday craft projects
    http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/ KinderCrafts - Enchanted Learning Software http://www.homeschoolcentral.com/crafts.htm Crafts & Projects - Craft and project resources at Homeschool Central
http://www.childfun.com/crafts/submit.html Craft of the Day | Submit an Idea
http://www.webfoundations.com/JustForKids/index.html Just for kids - Recommended and approved safe webs for children from preschool through grade five.
 http://www.ideacraft.com/ Creative Crafts : A Book For Everyone Who Knows A Kid - Creative
Crafts For All Season
http://kidsdomain.com/craft/_recjarcan.html KD Craft Exchange - Crafts From Recycled Jars and Cans
http://www.parentsplace.com/fun/preschool/indoor/ Fun: Preschool: Indoor

http://db.ok.bc.ca/summer/ Summer Crafts for Kids
Thanks Lynn!

http://www.michaels.com/kids/kcproject.html Projects for Kids
 http://www.michaels.com/kids/projects/kp92193.html Pencil toppers
Thanks Belinda!

 http://www.fibrecraft.com/html/freechenillesnowflake.html Cool Snowflakes for Kids to make
 http://www.fibrecraft.com/html/freesnowman.html Snowman
 http://www.fibrecraft.com/html/freestuff.html Free stuff for kids
Thanks Debi!

 http://www.makingfriends.com/scout_crafts.htm Scout crafts
 http://www.makingfriends.com/kidsgifts.htm Crafts kids can make for other kids
 http://www.azfamily.com/kids/crafts/paperbagpack.html Paper Bag Backpack
 http://www.azfamily.com/kids/crafts/pop_puzzle.html Popsicle Stick Puzzle-cute

 http://www.pack-o-fun.com/projects/index.htm Kid's Crafts
Thanks ?

My daughter brought home a food craft from our Wednesday night Bible Zone last Spring that I just love.  They simply took poster board and cut it into a cross.  Then using different beans, they did mosiacs.
Thanks Belinda!

This 3D photo project at Makingfriends.com is just too cute!
http://www.makingfriends.com/Photo%20Sculptures.htm
Thanks Valerie!

 http://www.netfix.com/poptart/craftres.htmCraft recipes
Thanks Lynne!

http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/ Kid's Crafts

http://members.home.com/68guides/crafts.htm Scouts and Guides
 http://www.geocities.net/Wellesley/8689/index.html Girl Scouting page

 http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/ Kinder Crafts

 http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/gifts/beanieapron.html Beanie Apron for your Beanies!

Here's a recipe for playdough  (There are many):
You'll need a saucepan, heat source and mixing spoon.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
food coloring (or tempera)
Directions:
1.  Mix all dry ingredients in saucepan.
2.  Add oil and liquid slowly, making sure to mix thoroughly.
3.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
4.  Remove from heat when mixture forms ball.
 Cool for 5 minutes or so before handling.
Keep the dough in an airtight container.  It will keep for months, but if
it's used a great deal, you should replace it every 3 weeks or so.
It's something people don't think about, but playdough will pick up many
germs from the many hands that play with it.
Notes:  You can also add scents and glitter for special effects.
For a delightful fragrance, add pumpkin pie or apple pie spices or any
favorite fragrance or essential oils.  (These can also be added during
initial mixing/cooking phase.
Thanks Mavis!

Kid's Crafts
 http://www.looksmart.com/eus1/eus141561/eus141794/eus217716/r?l&izp&
 http://www.auntannie.com/ Aunt Annie's Crafts
Thanks Sandy!

http://www.kidsdomain.com/games/fall.html Kid's Domain Fall Games
http://homepages.uc.edu/~edavis/kids-list/crafts.html Kid Crafts
 http://www.daniellesplace.com/index.html Danielle's Place
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/projects/index.htm Pack-o-Fun Free Projects
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6459/index.html Welcome to Bry-Back Manor
http://www.parentsplace.com/messageboards/view/1,3014,5,00.html Boards:Fun
http://www.holidays.net/ Holidays on the Net - Welcome
http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/color-bible.html Bible-Based Coloring Pages for Kids
http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/ArtsAndCrafts/ColouringPictures/index.html Squigly's Colouring Pictures for Kids
http://www.members.home.net/darrenguenther/holidays.html DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids - Holidays
http://www.makingfriends.com/ Making Friends and Other Crafts for Kids
Thanks Pam!

I just found a new game for those school parties. The high school played it today at the pep assembly.
Get into teams of 5 or more. Place a balloon between each person. They have to stand close together to hold the balloons between them. Can't use their hands! At go the kids have to race to a finish line as a group trying not to lose the balloons.
Thanks Paula!

 http://www.benfranklinstores.com/newpage/kidstuff/oldplaymore/ Site with kid's printable sheets.
Thanks Paula!

 http://www.familyplay.com/activities/lovebooks.html Activities for Children
Thanks Maria!

Sunday School Craft sites
http://www.daniellesplace.com/  **Danielle's place of crafts-nice place!
http://www.whit.com/children/corner/
http://www.eternitynow.org/52FBA/FBA.htm
http://www.emmanuel.kiev.ua/KidsE.html
http://craftsforkids.miningco.com/msubbible.htm?pid=2779&cob=home
**great -visit this one

 http://www.deltacrafts.com/primaryTemplate.asp?ref=5 Projects for Kids
Thanks Michelle!

 http://craftsforkids.miningco.com/library/bltrashtr.htm Trash to Treasures-Kid's Crafts

Kids Can Make Candles
We did this in girl scouts when I was 8 ( I think:o).  The leader melted a bunch of wax into a large pot (using double broiler..AWAYS:o).  She made three pots, one with red, one yellow, one blue wax in it.  Each of us girls
went to the sand box (that she had very lightly dampened with water) and dug a hole.  However we wanted....then once we where done, she came along filling each hole however we asked (ex:  More red!  now blue!, etc LOL) then we added wicks (household twine dipped in wax) that we had tied to the middle of a
stick and placed the stick over the hole we made.  Then we did whatever. After they where dry, we dug our candles up!  My dad still has the one I made. This can also be done in snow, at the beach...At my ds's 5th birthday, we had a party outside at my MIL's.  For the craft (I always try to have crafts for the kids to make and take home:O)we made sand candles (I think thats what they are called:o)  I bought a kit (lack of time:o)  But the kids really loved it (my 18 month old wanted to eat it, but the bigger kids liked it a lot) They are so easy, simply fill a glass votive holder with that "sandy" type wax and stick in a wick!  Heres a tip (next time we do it, I'll use this tip:O)  Use jelly jars..or some type of glass contanner with a LID! Only 1/2 of the candles actually made it home with wax in them! LOL  If you don't want to spend the extra money or whatever, try this.  After the kids make the candles..take 'em away, and melt down some wax.  Lightly (maybie 1/4-1/2" ) cover the tops with the melted wax..this will serve as a "lid" as well Turn on your oven..(a low temp) take a metal pan( muffin tins work well)let the kids put some wax blocks or chips in each tin and add a wick.
Place in oven untill melted...after done, take out let dry, put in the freezer to make 'em pop right out.  You can do this same thing to make pinecone fire starters, by simply adding a pine cone to each muffin "hole".
P.S. while the candles are"making" let the kids make candle holders...out of whatever they want..depending on their age..they can create a mosaic on a glass votive..or simply make one from salt dough (I'm not sure it would be safe to burn a candle in a salt dough holder..but if they make 'em big enough, you could place a glass holder inside) These make great gifts!!
Thanks Teri!

My granddaughter loves to make little decorations for her door and room. Since tape is taboo, she makes things that will hang.  She likes to make little decorations for each season and holiday and hang it from her bedroom door knob.  Sometimes, I design a bigger version and use it on the front door.  It is protected by the glass screen door and looks very nice.
Door Knob Hanger
materials needed:
   brown paper (sack or roll)
   pencil
   glue
   acrylic paints
   paint brushes (those from the $1.00 store work just fine)
   fiberfill (or any light weight filling)
   ribbon
   sewing machine (optional)
Draw your design onto the brown paper.  Remember to draw a front and a back design (these will be glued/sewn together).  (Ideas can come from books, magazines, etc.)  Don't cut the design out yet.  Paint the design as you want.  I.e., a pumpking for halloween could be painted a pretty orange with a
green top stem and dark brown lines going from top to bottom.  Sprinkle some colored glitter on it and let it dry.  (At this point, you can paint over it with polyeurthane or varnish if you want, but it isn't at all necessary.) Now, cut the design out and glue or sew it together, leaving a generous
opening for stuffing.  When the glue is dry, stuff just enough fiberfill or other light weight material into the brown paper design to puff it up and give it some dimension.  Glue or sew the opening shut.  Glue or sew the pretty ribbon onto the design (pumpkin, in my case), and hang it from the door know.  Stand back and enjoy!!  You will get a lot of compliments about what a neat thing you have done!
Thanks Barbara!

this one is great my boys love flubber
http://www.omsi.edu/explore/chemistry/flubber.html
this one is pretty
http://www.teelfamily.com/activities/snow/boraxsnowflake.html
Thanks Ruth!

http://www.makingfriends.com/photos.htm
This is a kids project,  but it might be something you want! This is a great site for kids and kids at heart!! LOL  There is also a couple ideas for CDs.
Thanks Pam!

http://www.planetpals.com/beadies.html
Thanks Touchie!

Craft Sites for Kids
Mom-to-Mom: recipe-of-the-week
Cinnamon Bread Dough Ornaments
Cinnamon And Applesauce Dough Teddy Bear Ornaments
Recipes for playdough, etc
Salt Dough Sensations - The ultimate dough craft resource!
VCE Information Resources Menu
Kinder Planet: Children's arts and crafts activities
Mama's Cookbook
Clay Beads

http://home.att.net/~edwarvel/crafts.html kid's crafts
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/crafts/Easel.shtml  Easy Easel for the kids

*Loads of links to craft projects for kids.http://www.nhptv.org/kn/vs/artlkd2.sht
  *Craft ideas for young children. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8526/p0000004.htm
      *Great science projects for older kids. http://freeweb.pdq.net/headstrong/
   *Creative craft projects kids can do themselves, plus recipes for kid stuff you can make at home. Plenty of ideas to keep your children busy and creative. http://www.makestuff.com/kidstuff.html
*This site is for girls, and offers craft ideas for girls 9-15. http://www.agirlsworld.com/
*Craft ideas for pre-schoolers. http://www.inmotion-pcs.com/amass/theboss/artsn.htm
*Ben & Jerry's Fun Ice Cream Page features on-line fun and craft ideas for
kids. http://euphoria.benjerry.com/fun/index.html
*Big Top has a few craft ideas to try.http://www.bigtop.com/kids/crafts_1110.html
*A site for parents of young children. Provides craft ideas and  some computer fun for your child.http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6459/
*Disney offers craft ideas for all ages.http://family.go.com/Categories/Activities/
*Easy craft ideas.http://tac.shopnetmall.com/www.funroom.com/CraftIndex.html
*A page for kids with printable projects and craft ideas, jokes and games. http://www.lni.net/kidsweb/
*Craft ideas for kids from 4 to 11http://www.michaels.com/kids/kid-main.html
*Craft ideas for young children. http://ucunix.san.uc.edu/%7Eedavis/kids-list/crafts/easy-and-fun.html
*Lots of information on Alaska and wildlife, craft ideas to download, and
many links. http://www.teelfamily.com/education/
*The home of the 5-7 Mail list. Craft, Activity, Program
Ideas and more, 5-7 was put together as an interactive exchange between
beaver leaders, spark leaders, and others involved with the 5-7 age group internationally. All are welcome :)http://www.cybertap.com/sunrise/5-7.htm
Thanks Shawna!

http://members.home.net/sbryant/fiarlink.html#CRAFTS Crafts for kids

http://hukilau.com/kidsrule/dbkids/crafts.shtml
Making friends and other Crafts for kids
http://tac.shopnetmall.com/www.funroom.com/CraftIndex.html
Crafts for kids homepage
http://craftsforkids.miningco.com/mbody.htm
 Art Kids Rule

http://craftpage.webrequests.com/kids.html Kid's Craft Links
http://www.humongous.com/clubhe/color/colorfred.html Color Me
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/storytime/game.htm Play Kino's Storytime Matching Game
Thanks to Dottie!

Links from Pack-o-Fun
1. Lucy The Wonder Dog - Products and services for the health and wellness of your dog.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/dog.htm
2. A2Z News Lists Give You The Scoop on Freebies, Bargains and More - Learn insider info about topics you're interested in like free stuff, free software, discount travel, computer bargains, music, books, videos, business and lots more!
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/atoz.htm
3. Free Stuff For Crafting, Sewing & More - Free stuff for crafting, sewing & more. Offers from national manufacturers, distributors, designers and publishers. Updated monthly. Patterns, samples, books and more.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/free.htm
4. Southwest Inn at Sedona - Combination B & B/Small luxury Hotel. Beautiful southwest architecture and decor - totally non-smoking, AAA Four Diamond rated - see our website for special internet rates and honeymoon/romance packages.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/sedona.htm
5. FREE WordCommand Word of the Day! - Join this FREE Word of the Day
service!  Learn the words you NEED to know to excel in school (SAT/ACT/GRE exams) and throughout life.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/word.htm
6. Young Voices Music for Children - Musical hands-on activities for children that make learning music fun! For parents and educators with children ages 3 to 8.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/sing.htm
7. One Stop Bargain Shop - Help Us Help Jerrys' Kids - Online Shopping. Shop for Jerry's Kids. We donate 5% of sales to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Quality merchandise below wholesale. 100 plus
banner links to great shopping sites. Kids store and lots of free stuff.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/jerry.htm
8. KidsNsites the Virtual Kids Mall on the Web - KidsNsites one of the
stops in the FamilyNsites network of web sites. Source of products, services and fun for kids and family.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/kids.htm
9.  Baby Blanket Giveaway - Enter to win a free personalized baby blanket, embroidered with baby's name and birthdate. This is sure to be a treasured keepsake for both baby and family!
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/blanket.htm
10. Disney Videos - Disney videos from $6.99. Hard to find and classic titles including Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, Pinocchio and more. CA$H for your old Disney videos.
http://www.pack-o-fun.com/disney.htm
http://familyplay.com/advice/douglas/d1207.adv.html Crayola site filled with craft ideas for children
http://crafterscommunity.com/projects/wood/boat.html Paddle boat for the kids
http://www.azfamily.com/kids/crafts/index.html Big list of kids crafts
http://homepages.uc.edu/~edavis/kids-list/crafts.html More kid's crafts
http://www.kidslist.uc.edu/kidslist/wagggs.html#6 Scouts Site WOW!!!
 http://www.theideabox.com/ideas.nsf/craft Kid's Crafts

http://www.mbd2.com/kidsstuff.htm
Here's a website that offers step-by-step directions for making a balloon airplane, cobra, crocodile, dog, and more. There is a game section that you might want to look at.
 http://childparenting.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa060498.htm?terms=lan Summer Crafts for kids
 http://www.connectingstudents.com/themes/ps2.htm Ideas,themes, lessons for preschool-grade 2

http://family.go.com/Features/family_1998_07/famf/famf78beachcrafts/ Beach Crafts

Kid's Recipes

Crayons in a Mold
Every one has heard of melting their broken crayons in cupcake pans.
This is simply an adaption of that idea.
All the neighbor children want to color with the special crayons.
This project is rated AVERAGE to do.  Children must be supervised.
SUPPLIES -Broken crayons Heavy paper cups  Candy molds Microwave oven
PROJECT HOW TO -Remove all paper on the crayons.
Sort according to color.
Melt the crayons in the paper cups in the microwave.
Pour into the molds.
Hint: Hurry them along by putting them into the freezer. You can make
fish, flowers, pumpkins, shells, and rabbits.

Cookie Cutter Crayons
With this project you can make new crayons out of your old ones that
have been just sitting around. Your kids will think of them like new,
and you can also attach them as a little decoration on gift wrap.
But remember: you must have yourself or another adult monitor your
children if they do this because this requires the melting of the
crayons' wax. If crayon is heated to a high temp, it can burst into flame!
This project is rated EASY to do.
SUPPLIES -
several old crayons assorted cookie cutters or candy molds old sauce
pan or tin can for melting crayons aluminum foil
PROJECT HOW TO -
Take off the paper on the crayons and put them in an old saucepan. Or
put the crayons in an empty tin can and place the can in a saucepan filled with water.
Melt the wax by turning the stove on LOW heat.Place the cookie cutters
on a sheet of aluminum foil. Pour the melted wax into assorted cookie
cutters. You may need to hold the cookie cutters down to keep the melted
crayons from running out. Wait for the wax to set, then cool, and pop
your brand new crayons out.
Another idea is to layer different colors in the molds or cookie cutters
and get a multi-colored crayon!!

http://craftsforkids.about.com/library/bltrashtr.htm?pid=2779&cob=home
From Trash to Treasures Craft Ideas - Crafts for Kids
Thanks Sandy!

Magnetic Cupcake Paper Flowers
Supplies needed:
- large wooden popsicle sticks
- cupcake paper liners
- color markers or paint
- green construction paper
- pencil
- scissors
- glue
- Q-Tip
- glitter
- small tin pie plate
- magnetic strip
Have children color the popsicle stick green. Allow it to dry. Help them cut two long leaves out of the green paper. Glue these to the bottom of the stick, one on each side pointing up (like tulip leaves). Next, pour out some glue into the pie plate and let the child dip the Q-Tip into the glue. Dab dots of glue in the center of the cupcake paper while still wet. Sprinkle the centers with glitter and shake off excess glitter onto a newspaper. To save the extra glitter, roll the newspaper into a cone, with an opening in the point. Hold the point over the glitter container, and pour the excess into the container for future use. Next, glue the paper liner to the top of the stick. To complete the project, cut and glue a small strip of magnetic tape onto the back of the stick. When dry, your flowers are ready to stick on a metal surface, such as a refrigerator or file cabinet. You can make more than one for a flower garden effect.
Thanks Joanie!

You can take a piece of material about 8 inches square and make a doll out of  it, too.  The material can be a theme material such as Halloween, Christmas,  etc., or just plain white, or a beautiful striped or flowered.  Anyway, tie a  knot in the top two corners, this makes two hands.  Then, turn that edge down
about an inch and put a cottonball or something soft in the middle of the  underside of the turned down edge and tie a ribbon and thread around the  bottom of the cottonball - this makes a head and neck.  Now, tie a pretty  ribbon around the part under the head for a belt - this divides the doll into  a top and skirt.  Presto!!!  Doll!!  You can now add tiny buttons for eyes,  or paint them on.  By adding a small circle of gold or silver trim to the top  of the head - you make an angel!
Thanks Barbara!

http://craftsforkids.about.com/mbody.htm Crafts For Kids - Home Page
A ton of crafts that even the youngest child can master.
http://www.wcnet.org/~kbrandt/pack344.htm Cub Scout Pack #344, Pemberville, Ohio, USA
Craft ideas from a troop in Ohio
http://www.hamiltonchamber.org/ossahatchee.htm Ossahatchee Indian Festival & Pow WowThis site has great Native American crafts on it.
http://kidscollecting.miningco.com/msub4.htm Collecting Rocks and  Minerals - Kids' Collecting - Net Links Not really a craft site, but kids may enjoy this. My son, who was in scouts
for many many years, still collects rock, gems and minerals.
http://www.interlog.com/~asap/scouts/king/penpals.html Scouting Penpal Page
Thanks Janet!

www.freeworksheets.com Place to get free worksheet for kids.
Thanks Debra!

These are designed to be girl scout/ brownie 'swaps' but the are really cute little crafts that kids can make http://members.xoom.com/Troop74/swaps.html
Thanks Ruth!

Leaf Suncatchers
We shaved some yellow, orange and light green crayons onto 5 x 5 piece of wax  paper.  Placed another piece of wax paper over it and ironed it with the  "crafting" iron, because sure enough that crayon is going to get onto the  iron.
Cut 2 - 5 x 5" pieces of black construction paper .  Taking an xacto knife  cut a simple leaf shape out of the center of the black paper (both pieces at  the same time)  Place the melted crayon wax paper sheet betwee the two black  pieces and glue.  Add a fishing line string loop and hang on one of those  suction cup hooks in a sunny window.  They really look great.
My 4 year old loved this project.    We went exploring for leaves first to  decide on shapes and then colors and it was fun.  We took the leaves and  ironed them between 2 sheets of wax paper to save in her scrap book.
Thanks Jeri!
***
I did something similar with the kids at school. I had them fold a sheet of  construction paper in half, lenghthways. Then using big stenstils to trace  and cut out, through both layers,leaving the seam uncut. We then 'shaved'  crayons, in a pencil sharpener, over a piece of wax paper. Then folded the wax  paper in half. Taking a warm iron (I did this part) and passing it over the  crayon shavings until they just melt and blend together. Then let the kids  open the construction paper, like a card, and fit the wax paper in and then  glue the two sides together. The melted crayons, showing through the cut out stenciled area, hung in a  window looks great..and no two are ever alike.
We changed stencils for each holiday. Did hearts for Valentine's Day, eggs  for Easter, Butterflies in the spring...etc.
Thanks Janet!

Kid's crafts for Winter
http://www.members.home.net/leannee/winter.html

http://www.kidconcoctions.com

Want to join A-Craft-A-Day mailing list?
Send a BLANK message to A-Craft-A-Day-subscribe@egroups.com

Craft Links-Loads of 'em!
These pages will keep you busy for HOURS and HOURS! Get the printer ready!

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