Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

 

Play dough mats are a great way to work with kids on their motor skills, shape recognition, alphabet and number skills. It is also a fun activity for kids to play with on rainy days when they can’t go outside and play.

There are 2 templates provided; one is blank, and the other is Spring/Easter themed. The blank template you can use to create your own play dough mat with alphabet letters, shapes, lines, and doodles. The Spring/Easter template is ready to print and use.

Using page protectors is an inexpensive way to keep the play dough from sticking to the cardstock template. You can use lamination film, but the page protectors work just as well and then the cards can be stored in a 3 ring binder when not in use.

Downloads:

• Spring play dough mat Template
• Play dough mat Template

Play dough Recipe:

• 1 ½ – 2 Cups Flour
• 1 ½ Cup Water
• 2 TBSP Oil
• 2 TBSP Alum
• ½ cup Salt
• Food Coloring

Mix water, food coloring, salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil on high until the salt crystals have dissolved. Put flour in a bowl and add oil, Alum, and any scent (optional). Once the liquid has dissolved, pour it over the flour and mix completely. Start out with less flour, and if it’s sticky add a little bit more. Store in a closed, tight container. Will stay good for several months. If it gets dry, add a little water to it.

All of the art supplies for this project can be found at CreateForLess.com.

By General Crafts Contributor Mina, from the blog Mina’s Journal.

When the Grandson stays, I get up early to get some work done because he likes to use my computer. One morning he was very excited to see I was working on dinosaurs. I told him I would be finished soon and then he could hop on the machine. I went to make a cup of tea and I could hear him saying ‘that should be green, that should be yellow, etc. When I came back he had colored them! Said Grandson is 4 years old. Some of them turned out pretty cute, so we decided to share them.

Dino Clipart

The Dino Pack has a clipart page to use for your projects. Scrapbooking layouts with a Baby or Child theme. Glue them on card for gift tags for Baby Showers or Gifts.

Dino Coloring Page

There is a coloring page so you can color them yourself or for the kids to color and add your own patterns to. Try adding glitter or rhinestones.

Dino Posters

Dino Posters for the wall or nursery. The smaller images can be used for card making projects.

Download Dino Pack Ebook

Get out the paints, pens, glue and scissors and have fun with the Dino Pack Ebook.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

With Easter right around the corner, the Bunny Book would make a great gift idea. Add some crayons and wrap in cute cellophane for an inexpensive party favor or for classroom parties. Young children learning to write, love to make little books and practice writing on any piece of paper that they find. I created this project with young learners in mind, but it also can be adapted for adults too!

This bunny book is a simple project that can be made as a group project or with light supervision. You can create different variations by changing the colors of the cover, or adding different types of paper for the pages, or adding embellishments to the cover.

Materials Needed:

• Bunny Book Template (included)
• Cardstock
• Writing Paper
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Stapler

Optional:

• Scrapbooking Scraps
• Colored Paper
• Squiggly Eyes

 Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the Bunny Book Template.

2. Fold 1 piece of 8.5 x11″ cardstock in half (width).

3. Unfold cardstock with the fold vertical.

4. Glue the bunny cut out flap onto the top, right side of the cardstock. You will want to adjust the bunny cut out so that the head is sticking up above the closed book (see above picture).

5. Fold a 2nd piece of cardstock in half and glue it on top of the previous piece covering the bunny cut out flap. This will provide a sturdy cover for the book.

6. Fold in half 3-5 sheets of writing paper. You can use lined or unlined.

7. Place the writing paper fold on top of the fold of the bunny book cover.

8. Staple the bunny pages and cover along the fold.

9. The book is finished, and now can be embellished.

All of the materials used for this activity can be found at CreateForLess.com.

By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the Blog Geek with Glasses.

The mornings are crazy, everyone rushing around to get ready for the day.  These bracelets can help the kids remember things without mom nagging. A simple reminder on their wrist will help them bring the stinky bag of gym clothes home or return the library books before they are overdue.  The  new season brings new sports, it might be hard for the kids to remember when practice is. Also, a way to help with a change in schedule, like “Don’t ride the bus” because mom is picking the kids up after school.

Supplies:

• Letter Beads
• Beads
• Stretchy Bead String

Tools:

• Scissors

 

To start this project, pick the message the bracelet will have. Choose the letter beads and decorator beads. Next measure around the wrist of the child with the stretchy string, do not stretch it while measuring. Cut the piece just a little longer than needed. String the beads on making sure there is enough decorator beads to go all the way around the child’s wrist. I finish by tying the 2 ends together with a square knot, right over left, left over right. The first part of the knot – right over left – is where I pull the string just enough to stretch it a little. When done the bracelet should have to stretch a little to get over the child’s hand then be snug at the wrist. Trim the excess string off.

 

The goal for these bracelets are to not fall off while playing at recess, if that happens then the remembering part is gone as well as the bracelet.

A great project for the kids to help with over spring break. The end of the year is coming and all thoughts go to summer not schoolwork. An added bonus if you use really colorful beads others might notice the bracelet and ask about it, making it more effective, because the child will explain and remember, score!

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

Spring break is right around the corner. That may leave you scrambling for ideas on how to entertain the kiddos. I am all for simple crafts that use supplies you likely have on hand, and this is how my sons and I created the toilet paper roll Monster. It’s a wonderful way to get your child’s creativity flowing and a great bonding experience for you both as well.

  What you will need:

• Tp roll
• Googley eyes
• Construction paper
• Tape
• Glue
• Scissors

Directions:

Cover the tp roll in construction paper. Use tape to secure it. Glue on the googley eyes. Cut out the mouth and glue it on, be creative! Cut out several 4 inch strips of paper. Using the sharp end of the scissors lightly drag the paper across to curl it (or twist around your finger). Cut out any shapes and designs to make your tp monster scary and unique! Unleash your child’s imagination!

 

By General Crafts Contributor Melissa, from the blog MeloMomma.

My creative ideas are on overload now as we approach spring break. The kid’s are going to need lots of entertainment and if the weather here doesn’t cooperate we will be stuck inside! Therefore, I present to you the Awesome Toilet Paper Roll Car! It’s honestly a hoot to make!

We spend about 30 minutes making this and it kept my 5 and 2 year old entertained for quite some time! Not too shabby for a creation using supplies from the bathroom and cupboard! Enjoy your spring break!

What you will need:

• Toilet paper roll
• Glue
• Tape
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Cardboard (use a cereal box) or chipboard
• Smarties (optional)
• Necco candy (optional)
• Little toy man (optional)
• Diorama trees for scenery (optional)

Directions:

Cover the toilet paper roll with construction paper. Use tape to secure it. Cut out two circles to cover the front and back of the tp roll. I made the back circle a little bigger.

Cut out a rectangle shaped hole in the top. Cut out four round circles for the wheels. It works best to fold the card board in half so the wheels are the same size. Using a glue stick secure the wheels.

Glue on two smarties for the head lights. Glue on a piece of Necco candy for the steering wheel (A cardboard circle would work as well). Decorate it if you wish.

Place a toy guy in and go for a ride.

By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the Blog Geek with Glasses.

Enter an enchanted world with this adorable, durable crown! My daughter, like most children, loves fairy tales.  A lot of fairy tales include a prince and princess, king and queen, or super hero of some kind.  Crowns are a big part of the dress up accessories.  We have made all kinds of crowns such as paper ones that tear and the wearer is heartbroken, then the fix is to tape it or staple it and it’s never quite the same.  Felted crowns are beautiful but as with all things felt – in a house with shorthaired dogs, felt is a magnet.  I have spent many an hour with tweezers trying to pick the fur out of the felt toys.  So, one day I was at the fabric store and they had a large bin of Leather Remnants, a beautiful selection of colors and textures, and I thought this would make an indestructible crown fit for a king, queen, princess – you get the idea.

The benefit of this crown is that it is completely adjustable, it can grow with the child.  This crown will be 19″ in circumference, with the laces pulled tight it fits my 3 year old fine. Loosen up the laces a little and I’m sporting the crown. PLUS – it can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

Supply List:

• Ridged Leather remnant – 19″ x 6″
• Eyelets
• Leather Lace
• Leather Punch
• Crown Patterns
• Pen
• Eyelet Setter

First, print and cut out the Crown Patterns, trace it on the backside of the leather, make sure to mark the eyelet holes.  The patterns provided are set up to trace one side, then flip it on the center edge to make a mirror image to trace the rest of the crown.

I use basic scissors to cut the leather, nothing fancy.

Once the crown is cut out punch the holes for the eyelets.  I have a punch that uses a hammer but there are hand held punches that work like a paper punch.  If you don’t have either of those a nail and hammer will work. 

Push the eyelets through the hole from the front (good side), set the eyelet, by setting the eyelet setter on the back of the eyelet and hammer.  A couple of whacks is all it takes, be careful not to hit it too hard or the face of the eyelet will misshapen.

Next, lace up the eyelets like a shoe using a leather cord and tie a bow.  Place it on your head and take over a kingdom!

We like the simplicity of the leather, but these crowns can be decorated with gem stickers or glitter glue.