Tag Archives: kids crafts

Jun15

Our Imaginations! Camp for Kids: Fence Weaving

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Our Imaginations! Camp for Kids: Fence Weaving

The craft Fence Weaving was adapted from the project “From the Yard/Fence Weaving” found in All-Around-the-House Art and Craft Book by Patricia Z. Wirtenberg and published by Houghton Mifflin Company in1968.

Materials:

One fence preferably a chain link fence

Ribbon, yarn, pipe cleaners, tassels, string, rope, feathers, strips of fabric or paper, and anything else that easily woven through or tied on a chain link fence

Pompoms, beads, tiny shells, paper dessert cups, and anything else  glued to ribbon, yarn, strips of fabric or paper, etc. and attached to the links in the fence. Bits of drawings or photographs can also be used.

Scissors

Glue

1)      Weave, loop or tie materials such as pipe cleaners, ribbon, yarn, rope, strips of fabric or paper and string diagonally, vertically or horizontally through the links in the fence.

2)      Weave or loop or tie the ends of fabric, ribbon or paper through the links in the fence and secured with glue. The more you material you use, the more festive the fence looks.

3)      Glue artificial flowers, beads, tiny shells, and similar items to ribbon, strips of fabric or paper, etc. Weave the ends through the links in the fence.

4)      Make a garland of paper or similar material and attach the ends to the fence. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a red, white and blue garland!

5)      Cut paper letters and/or numbers and glue to a long strip of paper or ribbon and attach to the links in the fence at each end. Anything goes! The signs can say “Happy Summer!”  “Enjoy Summer Camp!” “Hooray for Summer!”

6)      Another idea: decorate the fence according to themes: nature; summer/seashells; art; Disney; cars/trains/airplanes; sports, etc.

Fence Weaving Nature Theme

Fence Weaving Nature Theme

Fence Weaving

Fence Weaving

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Feb24

Kid’s Crafts: St. Patrick’s Day Banner

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Kid’s Crafts: St. Patrick’s Day Banner

KID’S CRAFTS: ST. PATRICK’S DAY

March 17th is the feast day of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. No one knows exactly when St. Patrick was born although historians believe that he was born in Britain. We do know that his real name was Succat and when he was sixteen years old, Irish pirates attacked his family’s estate and kidnapped Patrick,. The pirates forced him to live as a herdsman in somewhere in Ireland. During this time, he became a devout Christian and began to see visions. After six years of enslavement, his visions told him to escape.

He returned to his family but later, fled for the northern coast of Gaul where he became a priest. His course of study lasted 15 years and when it ended, he returned to Ireland, and eventually became Bishop of Ireland.

Symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day include the leprechaun and the shamrock.  Leprechauns are a race of elves who gave their gold to anyone who could catch them. The shamrock became the national symbol of Ireland because St. Patrick used its three leaves to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. This was St. Patrick’s way of incorporating Irish customs and beliefs into his teachings of Christianity.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY BANNER PROJECT0001

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY RAINBOW

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: one hour

MATERIALS:

Kelly Green craft foam sheet

Purple craft foam sheet

Dark Green craft foam sheet

Orange craft foam sheet

White craft foam sheet

Blue craft foam sheet

Red craft foam sheet

Dowel rod 20”

Yellow craft foam sheet

String – double the length of the dowel rod

Using templates or stencils (or enlarge the patterns provided below ) trace and cut two clouds out of the white craft foam sheet.  Place one cloud slightly lower than the other and so that they partly overlap each other. Glue. Trace and cut 3 small, 2 medium, and 2 large shamrocks out of the dark green craft foam sheet. Trace and cut 3 small, 2 medium, and 2 large shamrocks out of the Kelly Green craft foam sheet.

Arrange the large shamrocks in a random pattern on the bottom part of the banner and glue. Place one small Kelly Green shamrock and one small dark green shamrock aside. Arrange the rest of the shamrocks so that they  overlap the dark green shamrocks, etc., and glue the pieces. Glue the two shamrocks that you laid aside so that they appear to tumble from the clouds. Avoid centering them on the design because the design will look more interesting if the shamrocks are scattered to the left and right of the design.

Cut three strips 8” x 1 1/2” out of the white craft foam sheet. Glue the ends of each strip so that they form a loop. When the loops are dry, glue the loops to the back of the banner. Insert the dowel rod through these loops and hang your banner for St. Patrick’s Day.

Erin go bragh! (Ireland forever!)

VARIATION: The rainbow in the design reaches for a pot of gold. Where does your rainbow go and how far? Try making your own banner design using four-leaf clovers.

 

Cloud pattern

Pattern Cloud St. Pat’s Day Banner

Patterns for two shamrocks

Shamrocks Pattern

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Jan12

Kid’s Crafts: St. Valentine’s Day Banner: Quilted Heart

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Kid’s Crafts: St. Valentine’s Day Banner: Quilted Heart

KID’S CRAFTS: ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Lupercalia was a Roman holiday held in honor of Lupercus, the god of the pasture and fertility. The event was held on February 5th in a cave on Palatine Hill in Rome. The priests who were known as the Luperci, conducted the rituals associated with the Lupercalia festival. These rituals included sacrificing animals like goats and dogs; feasting followed. The celebrations continued when the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the sacrificed animals. The priests divided into two groups and ran around the city swatting people with the thongs. The festival participants believed that a blow from one of the thongs encouraged fertility.

The early Christian Church tried to convert unbelievers such as the followers of the Luperci, by combining pagan customs with their own beliefs. The feast day of two Roman martyrs (both named Valentine) had its origins in the Lupercalia festival. The one saint had been a priest and the other had been the Bishop of Terni, and both died in the same day in the third century A. D.

VALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT

QUILTED HEART BANNER PROJECT0002

QUILTED HEART

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Time: one hour

MATERIALS:

Yellow felt square 16” x 14”

Dowel rod 18”

Red, pink, yellow, and white craft foam cut into 2″ x 2″ squares

¼” ribbon in red, yellow, pink and white.

String – double the length of the dowel rod

poster board or single sheet of craft foam of any color

Using a template or a stencil or drawing by hand, trace the heart on to poster board or a single sheet of craft foam of any color and cut. The heart should measure about 13 3/4″ x 10.”

Cut 8 yellow, 11 red, 10 white and 10 pink squares from the craft foam sheets. The squares should measure 2″ x 2.” Divide the heart in half vertically and in half again horizontally. (Refer to the photo of the banner.)

Lay the squares down along the horizontal fold in the following pattern: white, yellow, pink and red. Place the next row of squares below the first row. Stagger the colored squares so that the second row is not directly beneath the first row. Repeat the pattern until the squares cover the heart. Glue. Allow the pieces to dry.

Fill in the odd-shaped areas with the appropriately colored squares and glue. When those pieces are dry, turn the heart around and trim along the outline of the heart. Measure and cut the felt to 16” x 14”. Place it horizontally. Make a loop by measuring and folding a 1” seam. Iron. Measure and fold a second 1” seam. Iron and glue the second fold. You will be inserting the dowel rod through this loop. (The length of the banner will be about 16” x 12.” This does not include the ribbons.)

Measure and cut two 18” lengths of each color of ribbon. Poke a hole every two inches along the bottom of the felt with a sharp tool. Alternate the colors, pull the ribbon through and tie a knot in the back so that the ribbon is held in place. (Small children should let adults do this for them.) Glue the heart on the felt. Cut the dowel rod to 18” and insert through the loop at the top. Cut the string to a length suitable for hanging. Tie the string to each end of the dowel rod.

VARIATION: Use other shapes to decorate your heart banner: circles/dots, flowers, squiggle lines, triangles, etc. Today, Valentine’s Day honors lovers. We celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th by sending gifts like candy and cards.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

COPYRIGHT 2013 Marion Constantinides

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Jan12

Kid’s Crafts: HOLIDAY BANNERS! Introduction

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Kid’s Crafts: HOLIDAY BANNERS! Introduction

HOLIDAY BANNERS! 

INTRODUCTION

The Seasons, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars

In the ancient world, people were fearful and ignorant of the ways of the sun, moon and stars, but they sought to understand nature and its power over their lives. They did not know how to read or write so they drew pictures when they wanted to express their fears, thoughts and feelings.

Ancient people lived and worked in groups or communities and hunted, fished and lived off the land. They planted crops, and at the end of the year, they held a festival to celebrate the results of their hard work. The ancient people called this festival the Harvest.  Festivals became a way for the community to express their appreciation of their heritage, to honor the dead, or to recognize important historical events and their national leaders as well as enjoy the bounty of their hard work. It was a time for the community’s leaders to pass on their wisdom and knowledge to the young. These are some of the reasons why we still hold festivals.

We still celebrate the Harvest every autumn with Oktoberfest celebrations and other similar events. Today, most people know how to read and write, but many continue to express themselves through art like our ancestors who lived long ago. We use art to express our celebration of a special holiday or season. Making banners are one way of doing this. We use them to decorate our homes, businesses and schools. We can make these banners large or small and as colorful as we want to make them. Now you, too, can make these banners, just follow the easy directions provided below. Children and adults can make them together or individually at home, school, place of worship, or community center.

BASIC SUPPLIES

Here are some basic supplies that you will need on hand for all the banner designs (some of which are found at home, at the office or school):

Yardstick/ruler

Iron/ironing board

String

Pen or marker

Scissors

Tacky glue

Dowel rods

Popsicle sticks

Pencil/eraser

Paper towels

Felt**

Craft foam sheets**

Poster board

Flexible curve

Templates or stencils

Drawn shapes free-hand or use household products used instead of stencils or templates: round or square plates (large or small), pieces of cardboard and cookie cutters. Use rulers for measuring or use the width of a ruler to draw a wide stripe. The edge of a frame can serve as a triangle. Three hearts whose points meet in the center and stem form a shamrock. Look around you and see the shapes that exist in your home, office or school. Use your imagination.

**Felt squares and craft foam sheets come in various colors and sizes. You can buy them at craft stores as well as online. If you are going to create all the banners in this e-book, see how many foam sheets of each color you will need. For example, if you need a lot of red, it makes sense to buy a large sheet of red instead of one or two small sheets. Do your research first.

 PATTERNS

If you do not want to use the patterns provided at the end of the e-book, feel free to draw freehand or to find objects that you can trace. Clip art, picture encyclopedias, and photographs all give visual information about the objects mentioned in this book. The Internet has websites that offer free clip art, photographs and more. Check the information on the website before using. Use these options or none and instead rely on your imagination to create ideas.

 

STUFF TO KNOW

Feel free to change the measurements. It’s okay to make mistakes. Use your imagination when making those mistakes and include them in the design of the banner. Change colors, combine designs or use your own ideas and you will see that your banner is as beautiful as the original designs in this e-book.

All banners take about one hour to make but that depends on how fast you work. The point is to have fun making them.

COMING SOON: ST. VALENTINE’S DAY CRAFT

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Nov20

How to Make Greek Worry Beads

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How to Make Greek Worry Beads

HOW TO MAKE WORRY BEADS (KOMBOLOI)

Komboloi or worry beads are a string of beads used as a form of stress management similar to squeeze balls (only you can’t squeeze them). The word “Komboloi” comes from the Greek word “kombos” or “knot” and “logio” meaning “collection”. Worry beads are also used to simply idle away the time.

Worry beads are similar to prayer ropes (“komboskini” which uses the Greek word “kombos” for “knot” and “skini” which means “rope”) but have no religious significance. Like prayer ropes, they consist of an odd number of beads because odd numbers can not be evenly divided and are considered good luck.

Although many cultures use worry beads, they have been used in Greece and Cyprus for centuries. In recent years, worry beads made of materials other than the traditional amber or amber resin are popular.

Materials:

 

Odd number of pony beads in different colors (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc. I used 17 and 21)

One bead larger than the other beads preferably in another color or contrasting material;add more pony beads in different sizes

Scissors

Wide-eyed needle (optional)

Cordage such as string or nylon twine or even yarn about 24” with more yardage for adding tassel

Tassel (homemade or store-bought)

Ruler or measuring tape

Instructions:

1.      Cut cordage and string beads through it

2.      Thread both ends of the cordage through the large bead and tie a knot at the end

3.      Attach the tassel by tying extra cordage around it and knotting it. Or attach four smaller pony beads about a    half-inch below the knot.

4.      Tie a knot and trim excess cordage or fray it like a tassel.

5.      Extend four fingers keeping them together and the thumb upright. Twirl worry beads under and over the hand. Or twirl the worry beads over and under the forefinger.

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Nov20

How to Make an Iridescent Angel Ornament for the Holidays

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How to Make an Iridescent Angel Ornament for the Holidays

Iridescent Angel

*MATERIALS:
Wood knob or ball
18” long pink or white ribbon
clay pot
Flesh, brown, black and white paint
2 more colors of choice
1 11/2” brass ring
Moss
1(1/2 oz.) crystal iridescent glitter
2 jars or bowls for water
Brushes
Scissors
White glue
Plastic baggie
2 wood hearts

 

1. Paint the bottom and sides of the clay pot with two coats of white paint. Set aside to dry between the first and second coats.
2. Fill half a small plastic bag with glitter. Paint the two wooden hearts with white acrylic  paint. Place the wooden hearts in the plastic bag, tie it with a twist tie and shake. Be sure that the hearts are totally covered on the one side with the glitter. Remove the hearts and let them dry. These will be the angel’s wings.
3. The wooden knob is head of the angel. Paint it flesh or brown or black. Let it dry.
4. Paint the clay pot with dabs of different colors: pink and silver or any other color combination
5. While it is still wet, place the pot into the baggie filled with glitter. Shake well and cover the entire pot with glitter. Remove and let it dry.
6. Cut the moss. Roll the back of the angel’s head in tacky glue and then roll the head in the moss. This is the hair of the angel. Trim excess “hair” with scissors.
8. Cut a long piece of ribbon and fold it in half. Pull the loop through the clay pot and position it. Tie the ends in a large double knot and pull the ribbon completely through the hole in the clay pot.
9. Glue the brass ring on top of the angel’s head. Glue the head to the pot. Glue the hearts to the back of the pot with the glittery side facing you.
10. Enjoy the iridescent angel for the holidays!

Recycle materials: Cut pieces of paper (for example, leftover tissue, rice or wrapping paper) and glue them to the pot, overlapping the pieces so the different colors and patterns show through the layers
Other ideas: Instead of a clay pot, use a spool of thread once the thread has been used up.
Replace the moss with scraps of yarn or ribbon for the hair
Do you have leftover clay? Roll it into a ball, let it harden and use it for the angel’s head

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Nov20

Kid’s Crafts: Halloween Banner

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Kid’s Crafts: Halloween Banner
Copy this design or create yur own following the tutorial.

Halloween Banner Design Sample

                                                                            HALLOWEEN: A VERY BRIEF HISTORY

            Halloween began as the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts lived in western and central Europe as early as 800 B.C. They followed a religion called Druidism, named after their priests who were known as the Druids. The Druids celebrated Samhain, the festival of the harvest, because it marked the end of one year and the beginning of the next. The Druids also used Samhain to predict the important events of the coming year.

            The Druids believed that the spirits of the dead visited their families before the first day of winter. They taught their followers to light bonfires on sacred hilltops so that these spirits could find their way to their former homes on earth.

            By the end of the first century A.D. the Romans had conquered the lands of the Celts. They mixed the Celts’ traditions and early Christian customs with their own.

            Later on, most of the inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Britain converted to Christianity and no longer celebrated Samhain. These converts used the old rituals and traditions as part of their Christian worship but cleansed them of their pagan meaning.

            However, not everyone changed their religion. During the Middle Ages, pagan priests and their followers turned to the practice of witchcraft. Witches flew to their Sabbaths, or meetings, on broomsticks with their black cats as companions. One of their most important Sabbaths was held on October 31st, which is today’s Halloween.   

            In Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Britain, local inhabitants continued to light bonfires. Pranks and tricks became common. In Ireland, groups of people would go door-to-door demanding food and other gifts in preparation for Halloween. If the visitors were refused a treat, the party-goers would play a trick on the residents of the house.

            Halloween did not become a popular secular holiday in the U. S. until the 1880’s. Black cats, carved pumpkins, witches, candles and masks became popular symbols of the holiday. By then, most Americans considered Halloween a holiday for children.

 

HALLOWEEN BANNER

Ages: 5 – 12 years    Time: ½ hour – one hour

MATERIALS:

Black fun foam                              (2) 10 mm wiggle eyes

White Fun Foam                            excelsior (or moss or raffia)

Yellow Fun Foam                          Dark blue felt 36”x 36”

Green Fun Foam                           (3) ½” green or dark blue pompom

Orange Fun Foam                          Patterns provided below

Measure and trim dark blue felt to 14” x 20”.  Place felt piece vertically. Measure and fold a 1” seam at the top. Iron. Fold a second 1” seam.

Iron and glue the second fold.  (You will be inserting the dowel rod through this.)

As this is drying, trace and cut the patterns provided (enlarge patterns as needed):

Cut the pumpkin out of the orange Fun Foam

Cut the pumpkin stem out of the green Fun Foam

Cut the witch out of the black Fun Foam

Cut the moon out of the white Fun Foam

Cut the scarecrow’s face out of orange Fun Foam

Cut the scarecrow’s jacket and hat out of yellow Fun Foam

Cut the scarecrow’s nose and mouth out of white Fun Foam

Cut the stars out of white Fun Foam

Apply tacky glue to Fun Foam pieces with a Popsicle stick and adhere them to dark blue felt background. Use the photo of the completed banner above as a guide.

Place a small amount of glue around the scarecrow’s neck. Add excelsior. Press and let dry.

Glue wiggle eyes to the scarecrow’s face. Glue pompom to the jacket.

Or using the patterns provided, cut eyes out of Black Fun Foam and buttons out of Green Fun Foam. Glue nose and mouth to scarecrow’s face. Let all the pieces dry.

Glue the pumpkin pieces to the pumpkin’s face. Glue the green stem.

Insert dowel rod through the loop at the top of the dark blue felt background. Measure and cut a piece of string 22” x 36”.  Tie the string to each end of the dowel rod.

Enjoy your Halloween Banner!

VARIATION: The Halloween Banner design was inspired by these traditional symbols.  However, you can substitute your own Frankenstein, Dracula, witch or ghost design.

 

Patterns for Halloween Banner

Patterns for Halloween Banner

Patterns for Halloween Banner

Patterns for Halloween Banner

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