Letter: Kids Summer Crafts

Saucy Monster

Hi Cathie,

o.k. so I’m coming to The Source when it comes to crafting. John is doing a summer “camp” at BounceU for 3-12 year olds boy and girls and they are going to do a 45 minute craft each day. Needless to say I pulled all the idea I could out of your recent book and we are going to use some of them but I was hoping you could give me a couple ideas that would interest boys as well as girls. Boys aren’t usually very craft orientated (no offense Steve) and we need to do it on the cheap, so anything you can come up with I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for your help.

Melanie

Hi Melanie,

I have a great new project - they are kind of like Japanese characters meets cousin it. I am calling them mini monsters. Boys and girls really love this project. They also double as banks, secret spots etc. - because you can lift the hair out and place coins (etc) into the bottle.

Plus if you have any "eyelash" yarn it is great way to use it up. I really love the glow in the dark Mod Podge and kids really love it!

They are made with a plastic salad dressing bottle or a Gatorade style bottle.

Here are the instructions:

1 plastic bottle (large opening at the top)
1 yard cheese cloth (Jo-Ann Fabrics)
Mod Podge - Glow in the dark (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore)
Crazy yarn
Googley eyes
Craft glue
Foam paint brush

1. Clean the bottle and peal the label off as best you can.
(you could spray paint them black if you want to)

2. Unfold the cheese cloth and begin attaching it to the bottle with the Mod Podge. Wrap like a mummy and keep adding the Mod Podge. Use your fingers to press down. Set aside to dry.

3. Make the hair by wrapping crazy yarn around a 10" piece of cardboard (or you could use a yellow note pad) until you have a full amount if hair. Cut a small piece of yarn and place it towards the top, bring it through all the loops and tie a secure knot. At the other end, use scissors to cut the hair loose.

4. Glue googley eyes to the front.

5. Add the hair by placing the knot side into the opening on the bottle. You might need to trim the hair of your monster.

For more kids ideas visit:
http://www.cathieandsteve.com/projectskids.html

Here is a link to the kids crafts on my blog: http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/search/label/make%20it%3A%20kids%20crafts

(not all the things are for kids) Scroll to the bottom for the chip can rocket ship, coffee filter flowers are always popular with kids.

Crafty kisses,

Cathie

Milk Mummy
another variation using milk cartons