Play Library » Crafting With Kids

5 Fun Family Activities For Winter Break

Linette Gerlach — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:35:53 +0000

Many kids will be out of school for the next couple weeks on their winter break. Some of that time will be filled with holiday celebrations, family and friends. There will also be some free days to fit in a little family fun time if you can take the time off work.

Here are 10 activities you can do with your children during their winter break:

Visit a local light display, many zoos and some parks and landmarks have light displays you can visit this time of year. Kid’s have a blast checking out all the twinkling and blinking lights and scenery.
Get outside and enjoy the season! Yes it’s a little cold outside, but if you wear the proper clothes you can get outside for some winter fun. Go sledding or build a snowman with the kids if you have snow on the ground. Take a winter hike, or play some outdoor games with your kids. The outside air will energize you. Then head in for a cup of hot chocolate, and warming up when you’re done.
Do some holiday baking with the kids, make a gingerbread house, or decorate some Christmas cookies to give to friends and family.
Invite some some friends over to make gift baskets and go caroling while you’re dropping off the baskets to people who are shut-in or less fortunate than you this holiday season. Spread some holiday cheer!
Help the kids make a new handmade ornament for a gift or for the Christmas tree.

Looking for something to do that doesn’t cost any money? Check out this list of Free Fun Winter Activities.

Image sxc.hu

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10 Easy Homemade Kids Halloween Costumes

Linette Gerlach — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:50:42 +0000

If you’ve waited until the last minute to get or make your child’s Halloween costume, don’t panic there’s still time. The selection at your local store, or even online might be getting very picked over. You can still make a really cute Halloween costume from items you might already have on hand in your craft stash. The costume doesn’t have to be complicated to be cute and to be really adorable on your child.

Here are 10 of my favorites:

I love this Beautiful Butterfly Costume
The baby lobster costume is very popular, but you don’t have to buy it, you can make your own baby lobster Halloween costume.
My son wants to make this Ninja Costume
Quick and easy idea for a pirate costume.
I can’t make a list of kid’s homemade Halloween costumes without including the classic witch costume.
Pink Pig easy Halloween costume, wonderful for infants and toddlers, wrap them in a blanket and make pigs in a blanket.
A totally adorable homemade Where The Wild Things Are Max costume, she has instructions on how she made it in the comment section. (This is my favorite on the list)
Thomas and Friends train costumes, perfect for a group of kids, friends or siblings.
With The Frog Prince coming to the big screen soon, I thought I’d include this cute frog costume.
Last on the list I have to include the classic robot costume, all you need is an old cardboard box and some silver paint.

Don’t forget we’re having a Halloween costume photo contest. When you make that really adorable Halloween costume take a picture and stop back to enter it in the contest.

Image: istockphoto.com

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Back To School Giveaway From Elmer’s Glue

Linette Gerlach — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:13:51 +0000

It’s almost time for back to school, and Elmer’s Glue is giving one lucky Play Library Reader some back to school supplies to help promote their Elmer’s Glue Crew recycling program. I talked about their new recycling program here the other day. Now I’m back with a giveaway.

Here’s a list of what’s included in the back to school supply giveaway:

8 oz. Washable School Glue
8 oz. Elmer’s Glue-All®
Washable School Glue Stick
Extra Strength Gel School Glue Jumbo Stick
Washable School Glue Stick
All-Purpose Glue Stick
Washable School Glue
Washable School Glue Gel
3D Jumbo Glitter Paint Pen
No Wrinkle Glue Pen

How can you win one of this sweet back to school giveaway?

Let us know in the comment section if your school has a recycle program, or check out the Elmer’s Glue Crew recycling program and let your school know about it.
Open to US residents only.
The contest will run until midnight EST on August 14th, 2009.

You may earn an additional entry by Twittering about this contest (if you could include @Linetteg in your Twitter it would help me find it), and/or leave a separate comment with your Twitter ID, so I can confirm your Tweet.

You may also blog about this contest for a third possible entry, just leave a link to your blog post in the comment section.

I will pick a winner on August 14th and announce the name here, I will also email the winner. They will have 3 days to get back to me, before another winner is chosen. Good Luck!

Image courtesy of Elmer’s Glue

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Bendaroo’s “Create Your Dreams Contest”

Linette Gerlach — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:05:27 +0000

Bendaroos is holding a contest for children ages 3 – 12 called “Create Your Dream”. Bendaroos is challenging kids to create their dreams using the flexible Bendaroos to craft 2- or 3-D models of their dreams and aspirations. Whether it’s be a bicycle to become a cyclist or a scuba set to dive under the sea (that’s my son’s).

The contest has three age groups, 3 – 6, 7 – 9, and 10 – 12 year olds. Each of the age categories has a grand prize winner. The three grand prize winners will receive will receive a $500 American Express gift card to help them make their dreams come true. They’ll also have the chance to see their Bendaroos creations featured a national TV advertisement.

Kids can enter their creations between now and September 30th 2009 by having an adult help them upload an image of their model, and check out the official rules at the Bendaroos Fun website.

Sounds like a fun end of the summer project! My son wants to be a deep sea diver, maybe I can get him to craft something for that? We have a few Bendaroos to get him started.

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Let’s Tie Dye!

Linette Gerlach — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:12:05 +0000

I remember tie dyeing when I was a kid, it was so much fun! Now tie dye seems to be coming back in a big way, so I thought it might be a fun activity to do with my son. Since haven’t tie dyed for several years I can only remember parts of how to do it.

I decided I need to find something with step by step instructions to walk me through the process again. I found this handy dandy video that is a great tie dye tutorial.

There are also tie dye kits out there, but I think it would be easier, and cheaper to gather your own tie dye materials.
All you need are some rubber bands or string, a couple large buckets, whatever you want to tie dye, a pair of rubber gloves, and the dye (RIT is my favorite fabric dye for anything).

Image sxc.hu

Follow the instructions on the dye, you may need a couple other things to mix it with depending on the fabric dye you choose.

You’ll also want to have an old sheet, or some plastic to catch any spills. Better yet take your tie dye outside.

I’m going to give it a try with my son in the next couple weeks. I’ll be back to share our results!

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Creative Cardboard Toys

Linette Gerlach — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:59:36 +0000

Our family had a chance to check out Calafant cardboard toys from Creative Toy Shop. We recieved the Dinosaur and the Pirate Fortress.

My son helped me put the dinosaur together, then we colored it with the markers that came in the package with him. I was impressed when the markers work long enough to color the whole thing. Some toys (from other companies) have markers that dry up before you’re done coloring.

I think the dinosaur turned out really cute, he would be a fun activity for a dinosaur birthday party.

Image (c) L Gerlach

My son put together the Pirate Fortress. He had a hard time getting all of the parts attached together at the end. His dad and I both gave it a try, and we finally cheated and used a little tape to hold the towers and sides together.

I think we’re going to paint the fortress. It’s a little big to color with markers. He colored it a little on the other side, then gave up and decided paint will be better. If it turns out I’ll come back and share a picture.

Image (c) L Gerlach

Creative Toy Shop has a whole assortment of cardboard toys, including several castles, cars, and a tree house that looks like it would be fun for a Magic Treehouse Party.

These cardboard toys would make a fun summer activity to entertain the kids.

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Help Your Kids Make A Garden Stone

Linette Gerlach — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:36:09 +0000

Garden mosaics and garden stones make wonderful Mother’s Day gifts for moms and grandmas, and they’ll love that they’re handmade. You can help your children make a keepsake garden mosaic stone, just be prepared to get a little messy!

Image (c) L Gerlach

What you’ll need to make your stone:

concrete mix and water

an old tin pie pan

decorative stones, or small pieces of decorative glass

paint and a paint brush

patience

Mix the concrete according to the package directions, and pour it into the pie pan for a mold. Let the kids insert the stones into the wet concrete mix to make a pattern. If you use decorative glass, make sure there are no sharp edges.

You can also use acrylic paints, or little hands to make prints or patterns in your garden stone instead of pebbles or glass. Let your child print their hand in the wet concrete. Keep a wet rag, or the hose ready to wash off.

When the mosaic or stone is almost solid remove it from the pie pan and let it cure the rest of the way. Surprise mom or grandma on Mother’s Day with your handmade gift.

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Earth Day Activities For Kids

Linette Gerlach — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:27:23 +0000

If you’re looking for activities for Earth Day, or Earth Month, Jennifer over at Tree Hugging Family has the scoop on Earth Day activities (and everyday green goodness) for families and kids.

Check some of these out:

Earth Day Recipes and Treats You Can Make With Your Kids~ I love the Earth cookies, I think I might have to make some of those.
Earth Day Green Fun For The Whole Family~ Get outside and plant a tree, or calculate your carbon footprint.
Earth Day Activities for Kids~ Make a hummingbird haven, or a tin can Earth pot.

Get outside and dig in the dirt, plant a tree, make a fun craft, or play a game with your kids and talk to them about their Earth.

Are you planning any special activities with your family, or children for Earth Day?

Image via sxc.hu

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Fun Earth Day Craft Ideas For Kids

Linette Gerlach — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:58:36 +0000

Looking for some fun crafts to do with your kids for Earth day? Here are a few of my favorites.

Get together as a family and make some of these fun creafts to celebrate Earth Day, or Earth Month.

Use recycled crafting materials whenever possible, and recycle your projects once you’re done with them to make a minimum impact.

Stop back and let us know how your Earth Day activities work out.

Image via Kaboose.com

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A Gift You Can Make With Your Children~ Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

Linette Gerlach — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:06:40 +0000

Here’s a cute and simple gift you can make with your children this holiday season. I know this year we plan on making more homemade gifts than usual. With all the turmoil in the economy I’d save the money I have.

Here’s a cute recipe for a Hot Chocolate Mix Jar adapted from Ball’s Fresh Preserving(tm).

Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

What you’ll need:

1 Ball wide mouth quart jar
1 Ball wide mouth lid and band
7" square of blue (or holiday) printed fabric
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 1" wide blue
1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 3/8" wide white
1 Grossgrain ribbon 30" long by 1/8" wide blue
Paper images (from scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, cards , or stickers) If you want to duplicate the look here you’ll need two snowmen, a small mug image, and a shovel.
2 1/8" x 3 1/2" scrapbook paper, for gift card
3 snowflake buttons
Clear 1/4 cup measuring cup
Craft Glue Dots
3-1/4" foam layering circles
Hot chocolate mix
Scissors
Pinking Shears
Paper Punch
Ruler

How To Make It:

Read all the instructions and gather all of the supplies above before you get started.
Assembling the Jar~ Draw a 6" diameter circle on the back of the fabric, and cut out the circle with pinking shears. Fill the jar with the hot chocolate mix. Place the lid on the jar, center the fabric, and twist on the jar band.
Cut a 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" snowman (or chosen) image for the front of the jar, and attach it with the glue dots.
Wrap the wide blue ribbon around the jar and over the lower edge of the snowman image, securing the ends at the back of the jar with glue dots.
Repeat with the white ribbon, centering it over the blue ribbon.
Attach the snowman and shovel images to the front of the jar with glue dots.
Fold the 2 1/8" x /3 1/2" scrapbook paper in half to form a gift card. Center and attach the mug image to the front of the card.
Use the paper punch to punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the gift card.
Wrap the thin blue ribbon around the jar and tie it in a knot.
Thread one end of the ribbon through the holes in the measuring cup, and the gift card. Tie the ribbon into a bow to secure the cup and card.
Use glue dots to glue the snowflake buttons to the top of the jar as a finishing touch.

You don’t have to use blue and snowmen, you can use green, red, silver, or gold fabric with any Christmas image. You can also adapt this for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother Days, a teacher’s gift, or any other occasion you can think of. Just change the ribbon, and the images you use to fit.

It can be a lot of fun to make handmade gifts with your child. Start a new family tradition, and spend some time together crafting gifts for family and friends this holiday season.

Image via Ball(tm)

Technorati Tags: handmade gifts,hot chocolate in a jar,gift jars,homemade christmas gifts,making christmas gifts with your children,crafting with kids,holiday traditions

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