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A backyard
play structure idea from Family Fun magazine
by Cindy
Littlefield
Just like the
traditional Native American tepee that inspired it, this backyard
shelter can be assembled and dismantled in a jiffy. Made with PVC pipe
poles and a canvas tarp, it's weatherproof, fairly inexpensive (we paid
$35 for supplies at our local home center), and provides a fun, shady
play space on a sunny day.
1. Fold the
tarp in half so that it forms a 9- by 6-foot rectangle. Measure in 1
foot along the fold and mark the spot. Then cut a 6-foot length of rope.
Have your child hold one end of the rope at the marked spot while you
tie the opposite end around the colored marker. Step away from your
child until the line is taut and move the rope in an arc, marking a line
on the canvas as you go. Cut the tarp along the line and then cut out a
12- by 6-inch rectangle to the left of the marked spot at the top corner
of the tepee.
Materials
9- by 12-foot
canvas tarp or drop cloth
Measuring
tape
Colored
marker
Scissors
White cotton
rope
Ten
8-foot-long white PVC pipes, 3/4 inch in diameter (you can cut longer
PVC pipes to length with a hacksaw)
2 chopsticks
or similar strips of wood
2. Now you're
ready to assemble the tepee. Loosely tie together three of the PVC pipes
2 feet down from the tops with a piece of rope, then stand them up like
a tripod. Lean the remaining poles against the tripod so that they are
evenly spaced.
3. Drape the
cut canvas around the tepee frame, overlapping the top a bit. Make two
sets of holes through both layers of the overlapped portion and thread
the chopsticks through them to hold the canvas in place.
4. To secure
the lower edge of the canvas to the frame, first snip a small hole about
1 inch in from one of the tarp's bottom corners. Loop a short length of
rope through the hole, as shown, and tie the ends around the base of one
pole (this pole will become part of the doorway).
5. Now gently
stretch the canvas around the PVC frame so that the canvas extends past
the first pole to create a door flap. Snip a small hole near the lower
edge of the canvas where it falls on the remaining poles and tie it in
place using the same method as before.
Growing this
garden couldn't be easier: It never needs watering or weeding, and you
end up with a bumper crop of cool crystals.
WHAT
YOU NEED
Water
Alum (found
in the spice section of supermarkets)
Clear glass
bowl
Clean rocks
and pebbles
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Bring 1/2 cup
of water to a boil. Add 2 ounces of alum, stirring until the alum is
dissolved.
Step
2:
Pour the
solution into a clear glass bowl half filled with assorted clean rocks
and pebbles. Within hours you should be able to see alum crystals
forming as glasslike squares. Within several days you should have a
number of crystals to look at.
Everyone
enjoys a good outdoor summer concert, and it's literally a breeze to
orchestrate one with this homemade wind chime.
WHAT YOU NEED
Brick
2 old dish
towels
Hammer
Wide rubber
band
4 spoons, 1
fork
Spring clamp,
5 inches long
Scrap piece
of wood
Safety
goggles
Drill with
1/8-inch bit for drilling metal
Needle-nose
pliers
Ruler and
scissors
Fishing line
Beads
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Set the brick
on the ground and place a folded dish towel on top of it. Fold the
second towel (or just a piece of the towel, depending on how bulky it
is) and wrap it around the striking end of the hammerhead. Use the
rubber band to secure it. Now flatten the spoons and fork.
Step
2:
Place a piece
of silverware on the covered brick and pound it with the hammer. After a
while, turn over the utensil and pound it from the opposite side.
(Occasionally, as holes wear through the cloth covering the hammer,
you?ll need to unband it, refold the square, and reattach it.)
Step
3:
After all the
pieces have been pounded flat, it?s time to drill holes in the utensil
handles (a parent's job). One at a time, tightly clamp each utensil to
the piece of wood. Wearing safety goggles, drill a hole 1/2 inch down
from the end of the handle.
Step
4:
Use the
pliers to separate the tines of the fork and twist each of them into a
small closed loop at the tip (another job for parents).
Step
5:
Thread a
7-inch length of fishing line through the hole in each spoon and knot
the line around the handle. Next, thread several beads onto each strand
and knot the line above the beads as well. Leaving 4 inches of line
above the top beads, tie the spoons to the loops in the fork tines.
Finally, attach fishing line to the fork handle and string on a few
beads. Securely tie a loop in the end of the strand and the wind chime
is ready to hang.
Tips:
Although you
can use stainless steel utensils, try to avoid it. Silver-plated ones
make the nicest sound, and you can often find singles at a thrift store.
In either case, choose utensils with thinner handles (about 1/16-inch
thick), as they will be easier to flatten and drill. And use extreme
care when drilling metal. Use a good quality bit, run the drill at its
lowest speed, use a lubricating oil, and do not apply excessive force on
the drill. Be patient.
Count down
the days 'til Christmas with a calendar filled with sweet surprises.
WHAT YOU NEED
Construction
paper
Scissors
25 small
treats
2-inch wide
colored tape
Puff paint
Tape or glue
Rickrack
Pencil
Colored yarn
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
Gather 25
small treats, such as gumball-machine prizes, wrapped candy and
trinkets. Cut a 4 1/2-foot length of 2-inch wide colored tape. Lay the
tape sticky side up and place the treats along the length of it,
approximately 1 inch apart.
Step 2:
Next, tape
together several pieces of construction paper or sections of a paper
grocery bag to create a 6-foot long, 3-inch wide strip. Place it atop
the treat-covered tape and press together the paper and tape around each
treat . Trim off any excess paper.
Step 3:
Write the
numbers 1 through 25 in puff paint on pieces of colored construction
paper and cut them out. For extra fun, shape pieces into green trees,
red Christmas balls and a yellow star. Starting at the bottom, tape or
glue the numbers to the paper strip, one over each treat. Finally, glue
rickrack along the edges of the paper and tape the top of the calendar
to a pencil.
Step
4:
Tie a length
of colored yarn to the ends of the pencil, and the Advent calendar is
ready to hang.
Serve up some
backseat fun on your next road trip -- a tray full of magnetic games and
drawing supplies.
WHAT YOU NEED
Baking sheet
Plain white
Con-Tact paper
Magnetic tape
Dry-erase
markers
Ribbon
Plain paper
Markers
Buttons
Pocket-style
file folder
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
To start,
cover the cooking surface of a baking sheet with plain white Con-Tact
paper to serve as a drawing board.
Step
2:
Affix pieces
of magnetic tape to several dry-erase markers. For an eraser, tightly
tie one end of a piece of ribbon to a small cloth square and the other
end to the hole in the baking sheet handle.
Step
3:
For
additional games, draw a checkerboard, simple crossword puzzles, or
bingo-style scorecards of things to look for (a tractor, a sailboat, or
a horse, for example) on sheets of plain paper. You can even turn
buttons into game pieces by sticking magnetic tape to the backs.
Step
4:
Finally,
create a handy storage place for your games by applying strips of
magnetic tape to the back of a pocket-style file folder and attaching it
to the back of the baking sheet.
This handy
art supplies holder is just the ticket for anyone who loves to doodle.
WHAT YOU NEED
Covered box
(stationery boxes or shoe boxes work well)
Newspaper
Chalkboard
spray paint (available at art supply stores)
Felt
Chalk
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Place the box
on newspaper in a well-ventilated area and spray paint the top following
the directions on the back of the can. Apply two or three light coats,
allowing the paint to dry between coats. Let the box set overnight.
Step
2:
Before using
the box, season its surface by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk (the
common type made from calcium carbonate, not the clay variety used by
artists) across the whole thing. Then, wipe off the chalk with a piece
of felt or a dry sponge.
Tips:
Avoid using
boxes with a glossy surface, since the paint may not stick.
Invite kids
to create plates that are part craft, part instant autobiography with
this mask-making project.
WHAT YOU NEED
Paint
stirrers
Heavy-duty
paper
Dinner plates
Scissors
White glue
Glue sticks
Old magazines
and catalogs
Markers and
crayons
Colored
construction
Paper or card
stock
Yarn and/or
fun fur
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Attach a
wooden paint stirrer as a handle to the bottom of each plate. To help
the handle lie flat over the plate rim, cut a tab in the plate that?s
the same width as the stirrer. Then glue the handle to the tab and the
back of the mask.
Step
2:
Set out
magazines, markers, crayons, and other decorating supplies along with
glue sticks and scissors.
Step
3:
Hand each
child a mask and ask her to pair up with a pal. Have the paired-up kids
sit face-to-face so they can do a portrait of each other using the
supplies set out for hair, eyes, lips, noses, freckles, and other
features. If your crowd isn?t big enough to pair everyone up, let the
kids make self-portraits.
Step
4:
Use sharp
scissors to make eyeholes for those artists desiring real ?vision? in
their portraits.
Erasable
Clipboard Read Comments
that's just
right for a long car ride.
WHAT YOU NEED
Clipboard
Chalkboard
Con-Tact paper
Eraser or
damp paper towel
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Cover a
clipboard with chalkboard Con-Tact paper (sold in most large discount
stores) to create the drawing surface.
Step
2:
Use an eraser
or damp paper towel to clean it.
Celebrate
family pride with a homemade banner that represents your collective
interests.
WHAT YOU NEED
2 yards of
72-inch-wide felt
Assorted 9-
by 12-inch felt rectangles
3 1/2 yards
of decorative cording
Craft glue
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Trim the
large piece of felt into pennants, one for each family member. Make an
extra for the center of the banner and glue on letters (cut from a
contrasting felt square) to spell your family name. You may want to
consider using liquid embroidery paint to inscribe a motto on the flag,
such as United We Stand or Do Your Best.
Step
2:
Individuals
can decorate their own pennants by gluing on a variety of felt shapes. A
dancer, for example, might choose pink ballet slippers. And don't forget
to include a likeness of the family pet.
Step
3:
To assemble
the banner, place the completed pennants on a flat surface, spacing them
about 3 inches apart. Run a bead of glue along the upper edge of each
one. Lay the cording on top of the glue and press down gently to make it
stick.
Step
4:
Once the glue
is thoroughly dry, you're ready to raise the flag.
Leave a
lasting impression on clay and plaster.
WHAT YOU NEED
Natural
objects, such as shells, acorns or pinecones
Modeling clay
Waxed paper
Plaster of
Paris
Container for
mixing
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
For each
"fossilized" item, place a large ball of clay on a piece of
waxed paper and flatten it into a thick circle.
Step
2:
Make an
impression in the clay by gently pressing in the object and then
removing it.
Step
3:
Prepare some
plaster of Paris according to the package directions so that it has a
smooth but thick consistency.
Step
4:
Spoon plaster
into each impression, thoroughly filling it in. Let the plaster dry
completely (about 30 to 60 minutes), then peel away the "clay"
to reveal the fossil.
Sweeten the
prospect of a long car ride with one of these decorative fresheners.
WHAT YOU NEED
Felt scraps
Scissors
Glue
String
Essential oil
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Start by
cutting out felt shapes and gluing them together to create a flower, a
butterfly or any other design they desire.
Step
2:
Make a small
hole near the top and attach a loop of string.
Step
3:
When you're
ready to roll, apply a few drops of lavender, tangerine, cinnamon or
pine essential oil (sold at many natural food stores or large grocery
stores) and hang the freshener in your car.
Give spring's
warm breezes a unique voice with this earthy wind chime.
WHAT YOU NEED
5
1/4-inch-diameter plastic flowerpot saucer
Five 1
1/2-inch-diameter clay pots
Clear acrylic
finish
Pushpin
Acrylic paint
Scissors
String
Hole punch
Soda bottle
Craft knife
Small bells
Buttons
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
Paint the
saucer and pots. When the paint dries, add a coat of clear acrylic
finish. Let it dry.
Step
2:
Using a
pushpin, make a hole in the center of the plastic saucer and at four
equidistant spots around the side of the saucer. Widen the holes with
scissors or a compass point if needed (a parent's job).
Step
3:
Cut five leaf
shapes out of the soda bottle (a parent's job).
Step
4:
Cut four 1
1/2-foot lengths of string.
Step
5:
To make each
chime, punch a hole in the end of a plastic leaf and tie it onto the end
of the string. Next, slip on the bell, tie a knot about 3/4 inch above
the bell, thread on a button and then a pot (upside down).
Step
6:
Thread the
end of the string out through one of the side holes in the saucer
(thread from the inside and make sure the saucer's upside down). To
fasten in place, run the string up through one hole in a button and then
down through another hole and knot tightly.
It takes
practically nothing to make this family of mischievous sprites.
WHAT YOU NEED
Different-size
plastic milk jugs or juice bottles
Laundry
starch
Aluminum foil
Paper towels
White gauze
or cheesecloth
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Top each jug
or bottle with a ball of crumpled aluminum foil.
Step
2:
Cut white
gauze or cheesecloth into 18-inch squares (one square for each ghost).
Dip the gauze squares into a bowl filled with laundry starch. Pull them
out one at a time and squeeze out the excess moisture. Drape a square
over each bottle.
Step
3:
To shape the
ghosts' shoulders and arms, loosely pile crumpled aluminum foil near the
bottle and drape the gauze over it. Flare out the lower edges of the
gauze and let dry overnight. (To make a dog, simply drape a small square
of gauze over shaped foil.)
Step
4:
Once they've
dried, carefully lift the ghosts from their bottles. They should stand
freely on a flat surface.
Here's a good
example of the whole exceeding the sum of its parts: Add food coloring
to a simple mixture of flour, salt, and water, and you get puffy, glossy
paints that sparkle with salt crystals when dry.
WHAT YOU NEED
½ cup salt
½ cup
all-purpose flour
½ cup water
Food coloring
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Mix together
the salt, flour, and water; the mixture should be about the consistency
of pudding.
Step
2:
Add food
coloring until the desired shade is reached, then use a funnel to
transfer the paint to a squeeze bottle. You can also transfer the paints
to a zip lock bag, then snip off one tiny corner of the bag for a
make-it-yourself applicator.
Tips:
Use on
finger-paint paper or other heavy paper and allow your paintings to
air-dry overnight. Store leftover paints in the refrigerator in airtight
containers for up to three days; stir or shake before using.
These mini
aquariums make great boredom-busters on a day when your kids are waiting
for the sun to come out.
WHAT YOU NEED
Small baby
food jar or jelly jar with a tight-fitting lid
Polymer clay,
such as Fimo
Assortment of
plastic or rubber animals, toys and plants
Glycerin
(sold at most pharmacies)
Glitter (we
recommend Creative Beginnings' Diamond Pastel ultrafine blue, sold at
many craft stores)
Small shells
or aquarium gravel, optional
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
Place the jar
lid wrong side up on a flat working surface. Then use a small lump of
clay to stick the bottom of each plastic item to the inside of the lid.
Step
2:
Fill the jar
almost to the top with water, and stir in a few drops of glycerin and
1/2 teaspoon of glitter. The glycerin will increase the density of the
liquid, so that the glitter will fall more slowly.
Step
3:
Add shells
and a bit of aquarium gravel, if desired.
Step
4:
Finally,
tightly screw the lid onto the jar. Then invert the globe and enjoy the
glittery show.
Inspire
appalling art with this fluorescent on-the-wall Halloween mural.
WHAT YOU NEED
Black lights
or bulbs
White paint
Fluorescent
paints
Paintbrushes
Large piece
of brown paper
Newspaper
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Hang a large
sheet of plain brown paper (or, for an even more dramatic effect,
spray-paint the paper black) and line the floor with newspaper to catch
any drips.
Step
2:
To help
inspire your artists, you may want to begin the mural ahead of time by
outlining a haunted house, pumpkins and other Halloween symbols.
Step
3:
Once the kids
set to work, they will find that the black lights' eerie glow makes
painting a real thrill. The resulting creation, hung next to a black light bulb
in your main party room or on the front porch, adds a fun touch to your
haunted house decor.
Kids can
pledge to lend Mom or Dad a hand around the house with this flowery
card.
WHAT YOU NEED
8 1/2- by
11-inch sheet of heavyweight paper
Construction
paper or card stock
Glue
Con-tact
paper, optional
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
Fold in half
an 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet of heavyweight paper so that the shorter ends
match up.
Step
2:
Cut a
flowerpot shape from colored construction paper or card stock and glue
it to the lower portion of the card face. Attach only the bottom and
side edges and leave the top unglued.
Step
3:
Cut out a
bunch of colored flowers and thick green stems and then glue the stem
tops to the backs of the blossoms.
Step
4:
Once the glue
dries, print a different chore (such as "fold the laundry" or
"walk the dog") on the back of each stem.
Step
5:
Inscribe the
inside of the card with the words "Pick a flower and you will see
the jobs you'll pick this week for me" and sign it. All that's left
to do is to "plant" the flowers in the pot and present the
card.
Tips:
Laminate the
card and flowers with Con-tact paper to make them longer-lasting.
Kids can
never have too many stickers, and here's a fun way to keep your family
well supplied.
WHAT YOU NEED
Old
magazines, comic books or gift wrap
2 tsp.
flavored gelatin
5 tsp.
boiling water
Paintbrush
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Cut a bunch
of pictures from the magazines, comic books or gift wrap.
Step
2:
With a small
paintbrush, coat the backs of the cutouts with a thin layer of gelatin
solution. Let dry, and the stickers are ready to lick and stick.
Recycle an
empty dish-soap bottle into a wet 'n wild water toy.
WHAT YOU NEED
Dish-soap
bottle
Scrap plastic
Waterproof
markers
Scissors
Plastic
detergent jug (28-ounce size)
Plastic belt
Paper
fasteners
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Thoroughly
rinse out dish-soap bottle and plastic detergent jug.
Step
2:
Using a
marker, design interchangeable heads on the scrap plastic and cut out
with scissors. (Pictured here are gaping jaws, with the option of
substituting an elephant or dinosaur face.) Place a face over the
bottle's neck and secure with the screw-on nozzle.
Step
3:
Decorate the
body of the bottle with markers.
Step
4:
To make the
holster, cut the spout off the plastic detergent jug. Add stars cut from
scrap plastic (secured with paper fasteners) and thread the plastic belt
through the handle. Then fill up Squirt with clean water. Ready, set,
aim!
With a little
ingenuity and some Rube Goldberg styling, your children can tape
together a runway that's made for marbles.
WHAT YOU NEED
Paper tubes
Making or
electical tape
Marbles
Scissors
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Help the kids
set up a landing for the start of their run. A stool or the back of a
chair or sofa works well. Then, arrange several stacks of books, cereal
boxes, toys, blocks, wastebaskets and other objects for support, so the
marble run will slope down toward the floor.
Step
2:
Start joining
the tubes into a maze, securing the connections with tape.
Wrapping-paper tubes are the most efficient structures for your marble
runway; paper-towel tubes are good for the shorter runs, and
toilet-paper tubes make great corners for turning.
Tips:
Keep the
following basic guidelines in mind: If you slip one tube inside another,
be sure the larger tube is on the downward side of the run. Make sure
the end of the run is at floor level. Flying marbles can be dangerous. A
combination of closed tunnels and open sections where kids can see the
marbles moving makes everything look a lot more interesting. Larger
marbles tend to roll better than smaller ones (rubber balls will work
well, too).
Make one of
these cardboard towers (just follow the steps below), and your kids will
be set for a rolling good time. The object is to see whose marble rolls
the farthest once it exits the maze.
WHAT YOU NEED
7 long
wrapping paper or mailing tube
2 empty
plastic margarine tubs
Box of
uncooked rice
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Extra-large
rubber bands
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Construct
Tower Posts: Start with the left one. Set a long wrapping paper or
mailing tube on end. Draw a pencil line from top to bottom, then mark
five points along it 2, 8, 10, 19, and 21 inches from the top. With a
craft knife (adults only), cut a hole around each mark that's just big
enough to accommodate the end of another tube. For the right post,
position the holes 4, 6, 13, 15, and 25 inches from the top, then cut
one more hole (where the marble will exit the maze) in the opposite side
of
Step
2:
Anchor the
Posts: Make a base for each post by cutting a hole in the bottom of a
small empty plastic margarine tub. Put the lid on the tub, then set the
tub upside down on the floor and pour uncooked rice into the hole,
filling the tub. Fit the bottom of the post into the hole in the tub.
Make Tunnels: Next, transform four more tubes into crossings. Holding
each one horizontally, cut a U-shaped opening in the upper wall at one
end and in the lower wall at the opposite end, as shown. For the towe
Step
3:
Assemble the
Tower: Starting at the top of the tower, fit the tunnel ends into the
post holes, as shown, so that the ends with openings in the upper wall
are raised and the uncut end of the fifth tunnel extends to the exit
hole. Finally, if your tower is a bit wobbly, you can stretch
extra-large rubber bands or loop string around the posts for stability.
Make this fun
craft inspired by the beastly possibilities of an empty milk jug.
WHAT YOU NEED
1 one-gallon
plastic jug and the top of a second, with caps
Craft knife
Scissors
Craft glue
Red, green,
and white acrylic paints
Paintbrushes
Green felt
Hole punch
2 twist ties
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Use the craft
knife to cut off the top of the jug, leaving the handle intact (a
parent's job).
Step 2:
Use scissors
to cut apart the alligator's jaws, snipping down from the top of one
side, around the bottom, and up the other side of the jug .
Step 3:
Snip jagged
teeth along the cut edge .
Step
4:
Glue on
nostrils made from two semicircles of leftover plastic.
Step
5:
Paint the
mask with green acrylic paint.
Step
6:
To make each
eye, cut a hole in green felt large enough for the cap to poke through,
then wrap the felt around the plastic base and glue it down; glue on
both eyes.
Step
7:
Punch a hole
in the inside corner of each jaw and use the ties to join top to bottom.
Kids might
not make headline news with this whimsical hat design, but they'll be
wearing it.
WHAT YOU NEED
Newspaper
Tape
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
To make the
crown, unfold several double sheets of newspaper or cut colored tissue
paper, crepe paper or recycled gift wrap into pieces of comparable size.
Step
2:
Place the
paper on top of your child's head, fanning out the sheets in different
directions. Then, form the crown of the hat, using your hands to gather
the paper; all the way around, at eyebrow level.
Step
3:
For a brow
band, wrap the base of the crown with a long piece of masking tape.
Reinforce with a second layer. For taller styles, such as a stovepipe or
a Stetson, bundle up the paper so that it rises several inches above
your child's forehead before you apply tape.
Step
4:
Remove the
hat from your child's head and use scissors to shape the brim. Round the
edges to make a floppy bonnet, then decorate with a ribbon sash and silk
flowers.
Step
5:
To style a
derby, trim the brim an inch or two from the brow band and adorn with a
feather.
Step
6:
For a
baseball cap, cut the brim flush with the brow band along the sides and
back. Then, round the front brim to create a visor. Another style is a
watch cap: merely roll up the brim all the way to the band.
Put those
litte "nubs" of soap to good use in a colorful and fun way.
WHAT YOU NEED
Microwavable
plate
Soap remnants
in a variety of colors
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Group a small
pile of soap remnants on a microwavable plate.
Step
2:
Microwave on
high for 10 seconds, then test carefully for doneness (a parent's job).
The soap is ready if it's lukewarm and mushy. If it's not, microwave for
another 10 seconds and retest.
Step
3:
Start
crumbling. When all the pieces have been crumbled, gather a small
handful and squeeze them gently into a ball (Ping-Pong size). Repeat for
additional balls.
With posable
bodies and wigged-out hair, these futuristic action figures are a
welcome diversion on a rainy day.
WHAT YOU NEED
3/4-inch
round wooden beads (with a 5mm center hole)
Smaller
wooden beads
Felt scraps
Pipe cleaners
Embroidery
floss
Markers
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
HARISTYLING:
Cut the embroidery floss into 20 pieces that measure twice the desired
length. Fold a 6-inch pipe cleaner in half over the midpoint of the
collective strands. Feed both ends of the pipe cleaner through the
center of the large bead. Slide the bead up the pipe cleaner until the
fold is hidden in the bead center. Then separate each strand of
embroidery floss to fashion a thick shock of hair. For curls, dampen the
strands with a few drops of water, wind them around a pencil and let
them
Step 2:
BODY
BUILDING: For arms, place a 5-inch length of pipe cleaner crosswise just
below the bead head. Twist each end once around the doll's trunk (the
portion of the first pipe cleaner protruding from the bead). Next, bend
up the trunk about 3/4 inch from the bottom to form a hook. To form
legs, fold a 5-inch pipe cleaner in half and hang it on the hook. Secure
the legs by twisting the 3/4-inch trunk ends around them.
Step
3:
PANTS: Begin
by folding a 6- by 1 1/2-inch piece of felt in half, so that the shorter
edges meet. Starting from the fold, make a 2-inch cut up the middle,
stopping 1 inch from the open end. Make a 1/4-inch waist hole 1/2 inch
from one top edge. For foot openings, make a small slit through the felt
fold at the bottom of each pant leg. Slip both legs through the waist
opening from the front. Then, push the pipe cleaner tips through the
foot openings and match up the short felt edges behind the dol
Step
4:
SKIRT AND
SHIRT: Cut a 4-inch hourglass shape out of felt. Make a waist hole in
the center to slide the doll's feet through. For a shirt, use a 2-inch
felt square. Cut two small armholes 1/2 inch apart and 1/4 inch from the
upper edge. Wrap the shirt around the doll's chest and over the top of
its pants or skirt. Wind a 3-inch pipe cleaner belt around the doll's
waist to secure the clothes. To keep the pants side seams closed, twist
a 2-inch piece of pipe cleaner around each
Step
5:
For hands and
feet, slip a smaller bead onto the end of each limb. Bend the pipe
cleaner tips to keep the beads in place.
Step
6:
Finally, draw
on a face with fine-tipped markers, testing the colors on a spare bead
first.
This popular
recipe produces a soft and cooperative clay that can be used over and
over again and will remain pliant for weeks.
WHAT YOU NEED
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tsp.
vegetable oil
1/2 tsp.
cream of tartar
Food
coloring, optional
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Mix all
ingredients together in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the
mixture holds together (keep mixing or it will stick to the bottom of
the pan).
Step
2:
When the clay
is cool enough to touch, your child can knead it on a floured board.
Tips:
This recipe's
long drying time makes it most satisfying as a play dough (it's easy to
roll into ropes and balls), but sculptures will dry eventually. If
stored in an airtight container, this dough will last, refrigerated or
unrefrigerated, for 2 to 4 weeks.
This gift is super simple
to make if you start with a cube of precut memo sheets. Still, if you
have a paper cutter available, this project is perfect for using up a
stack of old scrap paper.
WHAT YOU NEED
Colored duct
tape
Scissors
Memo cube
pad, memo filler sheets or scrap paper cut into small squares
Ink stamps or
Foamies craft foam, plastic bottle caps and double-sided tape
Ink pad
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
Cut a strip
of duct tape that measures 2 inches longer than the height of the stack
of paper you plan to use (it should be 1 1/2 inches or more). Lay the
tape sticky side up on a table.
Step
2:
Grasp the
stack and tap the sides against a flat surface as you would to
straighten a deck of cards, then hold it on its end and press one edge
down onto the center of the tape. Wrap the tape ends over the top and
bottom of the stack, pressing down firmly to bind the paper. Use more
tape to cover the edge, if needed. Now, lift the top sheet of paper and
cut the tape just above the second sheet so that the binding is flush
with the top of the pad.
Step
3:
If you don't
already have an ink stamp, cut a fun shape from Foamies craft foam and
use double-sided tape to stick it onto a bottle cap. Then use the stamp
and an ink pad to print a design on the three untaped sides of the
block.
This
activity, from the "if you can't beat'em, join'em" department,
makes the most of rainy weather.
WHAT YOU NEED
Paper plate (Chinet
or other uncoated plate)
Food coloring
White crayon
Time needed:
Under 1 Hour
Step
1:
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"Choose
you this day
whom ye will
serve
but for me and
my
house we will
serve the Lord "