Category Archives: Kid Crafts

Parrot Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

A perfect playmate for any “little pirate”, this colorful parrot is sure to stimulate the imagination! Made from clay, your child’s new feathered friend will bring a ton of fun along with it.

 

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Blue, Red, White, Yellow
  • Black chenille stems, two 12” lengths

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

3″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

parrot

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For parrot, roll large Red oval (body) and two large Red balls (wings). Form one end of body into tail. Shape other end of body to create head. Shape and press wings on sides of body.

3. For feathers, roll Yellow and Blue logs and press on wings. See photo. Slide toothpick downward along wing to create feather details.

4. Roll two White ovals (eyes) and press on sides of head. Roll two tiny Black balls (pupils) and press on eyes. Roll two tiny Black logs (beak) and press on front of head.

5. For legs, measure and cut two 6” lengths of black chenille stem; fold in half and twist together to create 3” legs. Cut small 3” black chenille stem lengths; twist around legs, forming claws. Insert chenille stem ends into bottom of body.

6. Position parrot on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Giraffe Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Creative play and working with their hands is a great way for children to develop and “stretch” their imagination. Always a favorite attraction at the zoo, just think of the fun your child will have “on a safari” after creating this adorable giraffe.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Brown, Green, Tan, White

Tools

  • Old or promo credit card (for cutter)
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick

Directions

Size

5” tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Giraffe

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For giraffe, roll large Tan oval (body), small Tan oval (head), and five Tan logs (neck and legs). Press head on neck, neck on body, and legs on body. Use photo as guide. Smooth clay. Roll four small Black balls (hooves); press onto bottom of legs.

3. For base, roll flat Green square. Press giraffe on square.

4. For spots, roll small irregular-shaped Brown balls; flatten and press onto giraffe.

5. For mane, roll Brown log; press along neck and part of head. See photo.

6. For ears, roll one small Brown oval. Cut in half widthwise; press to top of head on each side of mane.

7. For eyes, roll two tiny White balls and two tiny Black balls. Press Black balls on White balls; press eyes on head. For eyelids, roll one small Tan oval; flatten. Cut in half lengthwise; press over top of eyes.

8. Use toothpick to make holes in front side of head for nostrils.

9. Position giraffe on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Lion Clay Zoo Friend

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Roarrrr in the new year with fun activities for the kids. Your kids can create this lovable lion from clay in no time at all, but will have hours of fun playing with it. Watch for more clay zoo friend creations in your upcoming Crafts ‘n things Craft-of-the-Day projects.

Materials

  • Polyform Sculpey Bake Shop Oven-Bake Clay: Black, Orange, White, Yellow

Tools

  • Parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Oven thermometer
  • Oven

Basic Supplies

toothpick, paintbrush with rounded end

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Note

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

Lion

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. For lion, roll large Yellow ball (head), two small Yellow balls (ears), four Yellow logs (legs), five small Yellow teardrops (paws and mouth), and skinny Yellow rope (tail). Press legs together as shown in photo, rounding at top to create body. Press tail to back of body. Press head on body and ears on head. Press one teardrop to head for mouth. For paws, press one teardrop to each leg. Indent ears and mouth using rounded end of paintbrush.

3. Roll large Orange ball (mane) and wrap around head. Smooth edges. Roll one small Orange teardrop (bangs); flatten and press to top of mane. Use toothpick to add details to mane and bangs. Roll small Orange ball; press to end of tail.

4. For muzzle, roll two small White balls; press together, then press to head above mouth. For nose, roll small Black ball; slightly flatten. Press nose on muzzle. Use toothpick to add eye, muzzle, and paw details.

5. Position lion on parchment-lined baking sheet. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to bake in oven. Let cool completely.

for Polyform Products (www.sculpey.com)

Girlfriend Charm Bracelet

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Give a girlfriend a fun, fashionable gift that also celebrates your friendship. Charm bracelets are easy to make and popular for women of all ages to wear.

Materials

  • Silver charm bracelet, 7″ long
  • Silver/pink/green girlfriend-themed charms, nine
  • Glass beads, size E, 20 each: pink, green
  • Silver jump rings, 8mm, 29

Tools

  • Chain-nose pliers or jump ring opener 

Directions

STEP 1

Attach each charm to a jump ring. Attach jump rings evenly-spaced to bracelet links.

STEP 2

String two pink beads onto jump ring; repeat nine times.

STEP 3

Attach one beaded jump ring to second bracelet link, then connect beaded jump ring to link on right side of each charm.

STEP 4

String two green beads onto jump ring; repeat nine times. Attach beaded jump ring to link on left side of each charm.

by Katie Hacker

Party Hats

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Add some pizzazz to your New Year’s festivities by donning these easy-to-make party hats. Perfect for any party, these hats will add energy and fun to your kids’ New Year’s celebration.

Materials

  • Recycled clear plastic tub (Designer used sherbet container.)
  • Paper plate, 9”
  • Print paper: purple or green
  • Cardstock or construction paper: yellow, pink, orange, lime green, lavender
  • White chenille stems, eight, 6” lengths
  • Hot pink feather boa
  • Ribbon, 20” lengths: lime green, orange, yellow, pink, purple, fuchsia, bright pink
  • Pom-poms, four each: hot pink, lime green
  • Glitter: pink or blue
  • White cording, four 30” lengths

Tools

  • Number stamps
  • Black inkpad
  • Decorative-edge scissors
  • Hole punch
  • API Crafter’s Pick The Ultimate! Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, sponge scrap

Directions

STEP 1

Use hole punch to punch holes on either side of tub edge. Insert cord lengths through holes; knot ends around top edge.

STEP 2

For hat brim, cut center from paper plate. Position plate over top of tub; adhere edges.

STEP 3

Cut 2-1/2”-wide print strips from paper and adhere around hat.

STEP 4

Use black inkpad and number stamp to stamp “2013” on cardstock. Use decorative-edge scissors to cut out numbers, forming squares. Use sponge scrap to apply glue on edges of squares. While still wet, sprinkle with glitter.

STEP 5

Bend ends of four chenille stems into coils. Adhere pom-poms on ends of coils. Adhere number squares on ends of other four chenille stems. Adhere chenille stems on front of hat.

STEP 6

Adhere boa around hat. Tie ribbon bow; glue on front of hat.

STEP 7

Measure and cut 20” ribbon lengths. Bundle lengths in center; tie knot. Adhere ribbon bundle on front of hat.

by Mary Ayres

Happy New Year T-Shirt

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, kids will enjoy making this fun and festive t-shirt to welcome the new year in style!

Materials

  • White t-shirt
  • Felt, light blue or light pink
  • Yellow rickrack
  • Clear star rhinestone
  • Orange pom-pom

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Baby Blue, Ocean Blue, Wild Orchid, Pumpkin, Bright Green, Baby Pink, Royal Fuchsia, Yellow Light
  • Foam stamps: assorted, alphabet
  • API Crafter’s Pick The Ultimate! Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrush, sponge scrap, newspaper (to cover work surface), cardboard scrap

Directions

STEP 1

For hat shape, cut 7”-tall triangle from felt. Adhere hat onto center of shirt.

STEP 2

Insert cardboard scrap between shirt layers. Use alphabet stamps and paint colors of choice to stamp “HAPPY NEW YEAR” on shirt.

STEP 3

Use assorted stamps and paint colors of choice to stamp shirt as desired.

STEP 4

Measure and cut yellow rickrack to cover bottom of hat. Adhere rickrack on hat. Adhere orange pom-pom on top of hat. Adhere rhinestone on center of hat. Let dry.

STEP 5

Let shirt set for 72 hours before washing.

by Mary Ayres

Festive Holiday Frame

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Capture your Christmas memories with a photo of your family on Christmas day and display in this Festive Holiday Frame. 

 Materials

  • Cardstock or construction paper: red, white
  • Cardboard or chipboard, 8-1/2” square, 3”x8-1/2” strip
  • Christmas day family photo

Tools

  • Craft glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler

Directions

Size

8-1/2″ square

Frame

1. Measure and cut 8-1/2” white paper square. Cut out 3” square in center of frame (for photo opening).

2. Print and cut out patterns.

3. Measure and cut four 2-1/4” red paper squares. Fold squares diagonally in half. Cut star design from squares, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up design and adhere on corners of white square, leaving 1/4” border on edges.

4. Measure and cut four 2”x3-1/4” red paper rectangles. Adhere rectangles between corner square designs.

5. Measure and cut 3”x9” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four large heart shapes from folded strip, placing line on fold, and cutting on dashed lines. Open up designs and adhere on centers of red paper rectangles. See photo.

6. Measure and cut 2-1/2”x7” red paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four medium heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere medium heart shapes on center of white heart shapes. See photo

7. Measure and cut 2”x4” white paper strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise. Cut four small heart shapes from folded strip, following directions above. Adhere small heart shapes on center of medium heart shapes. See photo.

8. Tape photo inside opening on back of white paper square. Adhere white paper square to 8½” cardboard square.

9. To make easel for frame, cut 3”x8-1/2” cardboard strip. Bend strip 2” from end. Adhere 2” end, aligning top edges, to center back of frame.

Tip

Be sure to date your frame. Continue this as a Christmas tradition each year as you’ll love these precious mementos in year to come.

by Mary Ayres

Polar Bear Snowflake Ornament

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Kids love Christmas but awaiting Santa’s arrival can be really difficult. Make the final hours until Santa arrives go by quickly with this fun family activity.

Materials

  • Polymer clay: white, black, assorted colors
  • Paper clip

Tools

  • Pink powdered blush
  • Toothpick
  • Clay-dedicated rolling pin or acrylic brayer
  • Craft knife
  • Oven and parchment-lined baking sheet

Basic Supplies

scissors, black marker, ruler, cotton swab

Directions

Size

4″ tall

Ornament

Adults, help kids when baking clay in oven.

1. On clean work surface, remove clay from packages. To condition, roll clay separately in hands until soft, bending and rolling until pliable. If clay cracks, keep conditioning.

2. Print and cut out pattern.

3. Roll 2” white clay ball. Flatten ball to 1/4” thickness. Use craft knife to cut snowflake from white clay.

4. For head, roll 1/2” white clay ball. For arms, roll two 1/2” clay balls. Press and shape head and arms on one point of snowflake.

5. For ears, roll two small white clay balls. Press ears on head. For nose, roll tiny black clay ball. Press nose on face. For eyes, roll two tiny black balls. Press eyes above nose.

6. For hat, roll 1/2” ball from colored clay of choice. Form ball into triangle shape. Press hat onto head. Roll skinny log and tiny ball from same-color clay. Press log along bottom edge and ball on top of hat.

7. Use toothpick to add paw lines and muzzle line. Add lines on hat. Use cotton swab to apply pink blush on cheeks.

8. For hanger, use scissors to cut paper clip in half. Insert cut ends into back of hat.

9. Position ornament on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake ornament in oven at 225º F for 25 minutes. Let cool.

10. Use black marker to write name, year, or other message on center of snowflake.

by Lori Allberry

Christmas Friend Coasters

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

These adorable Christmas Friend Coasters are sure to spark some holiday spirit. Or, create them as a great last-minute gift idea.

Materials

  • Round cork coasters, 3-3/4”
  • Craft foam: white, black, red
  • Wooden shapes, assorted sizes: circles, teardrops, hearts, triangles
  • White felt, scraps
  • Ribbon, 6” lengths
  • Wiggle eyes, two

Tools

  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Lamp Black, Snow White, Flesh Tone, Baby Pink, Primary Yellow, Jack-O’-Lantern Orange
  • Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, paintbrushes, black marker, newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

STEP 1

Print and cut out patterns. Cut coaster from craft foam as follows: snowman and polar bear white, Santa red, penguin black.

STEP 2

On covered work surface, paint wooden shapes as follows: polar bear: two circles (ears) white, one circle (muzzle) black, two circles (inner ears) pink; Santa: one circle (face) tan, two teardrops (mustache) white, one circle (nose) pink; penguin: one heart (eyes) white, one triangle (beak) yellow; snowman: teardrop (nose) orange. Let dry.

STEP 3

Adhere cork coaster onto center of craft foam coaster. Using photo as guide, adhere wooden items on coasters.

STEP 4

For Santa, cut beard and freehand cut hair from white felt scrap; adhere onto face. For snowman and Santa, cut mittens from white craft foam. For penguin and polar bear, cut mittens from black craft foam. Adhere mittens on sides of body.

STEP 5

Use black marker to add details and eyes on faces and draw three buttons down center of coasters. Measure and cut 6” ribbon length for each coaster (except Santa). Tie ribbon bow; adhere below head.

Tip

For ease in painting wooden shapes, tape onto newspaper.

by Melony Bradley

 

Vegetable-Stamped Reindeer Towel & Mitts

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Finally, it’s okay to play with your food! You don’t just have to eat your vegetables — use them to stamp cool designs! This set makes the perfect gift for the cook in the family!  

Materials

  • Kitchen towel set: dish towel, oven mitt, pot holder
  • Vegetables, one each: celery stalk; large potato; baby carrots, three
  • DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints: Milk Chocolate, Mistletoe, True Red, Cool White, Lamp Black
  • Red/white checked ribbon, 3⁄4” wide, 13” lengths, three
  • Gold jingle bells, 5⁄8”, three

Tools

  • Sewing needle and white sewing thread
  • Sponge or paintbrush

Basic Supplies

scissors, toothpick, paper towels, knife, paper plate (palette), newspaper (to cover work surface)

Directions

How to Stamp with Vegetables

1. Use knife to cut vegetables as desired. Dab cut ends on paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Use sponge or paintbrush to dab cut vegetable ends with paint.

3. Press painted side of vegetable onto fabric, applying even pressure. Lift vegetable straight up.

4. Reapply paint as needed. Let dry.

Reindeer Design

1. Cut: potato in half (head); celery stalk into 1-1⁄4” and 3” pieces (antlers); one carrot in half widthwise (nose); one carrot in half lengthwise (ears). Adults, help kids when using knife.

2. Stamp head and ears Milk Chocolate.

3. Stamp antlers above head Mistletoe.

4. Stamp nose below head True Red.

5. Use end of uncut carrot to stamp eyes Lamp Black. Let dry.

6. Use toothpick to dot highlights in eyes and nose Cool White; let dry.

7. Tie ribbon length into bow. Use needle and thread to sew jingle bell to center of bow; secure with knot. Sew bow below reindeer; knot thread ends.

Tips

  • Wipe vegetables clean with a paper towel instead of washing with water. The less moisture in the stamp, the easier it is to absorb the paint.
  • Check out a dollar or discount store for inexpensive kitchen towel sets.
  • For younger kids, use heavy-duty tacky or fabric glue instead of needle and thread to secure bell to bow.

by Mary Ayres