Craft Ideas For Kids - Kids and Pasta

Pasta is not just for tomato sauce. My kids loved pasta for many different art projects. Next time you find a sale on pasta grab several varieties. Here are just a few ideas of what kids can make with pasta.

Photo frames - We use either the bow pasta or the shell pasta. Start with thick cardboard. I tend to use white so that we can add any color we want. Your frame can either be circular or square. Cut out the frame, this is the actual full size you'll want at the end. Then cut out the middle to fit the size of the photo you want to put in there.

Now decide if you want to spray paint the pasta or use food coloring. Gold metallic spray paint looks great. We have also made various colors of pasta and made rainbow frames.

If you want to turn your frame into a magnet, add some magnetic tape to the back.

Necklaces and Bracelets - Penne pasta and macaroni noodles make wonderful necklaces and bracelets. I suggest fishing line. It just doesn't break. As with the frames, you can use multiple colors of pasta by adding food dye or you can spray paint the pasta, allow to dry and then string the pasta onto your fishing line.

Decorative Jars - Save empty jars. Then fill the far with an assortment of shapes and colors of pasta. These jars make pretty decorations for bathrooms, bedrooms or even end tables.

Pipe Cleaner Figurines - Grab a pipe cleaner. Now arrange pasta on the pipe cleaner to create people and animals. Mix and match shapes and sizes and then bend to create almost anything.

Self Portraits - Use spaghetti and linguini. Boil just until soft. Then press the pasta onto construction paper into a self portrait. You can also create landscape scenes using the soft long noodles.

These are just a few ideas of how to use pasta to create great art projects made by kids.

Free Kids Crafts Ideas

Most kids enjoy crafts, but stocking up on craft kits and art materials can be quite costly. But with a bit of imagination you can use things you probably already have at home to create things for your children. Here are three suggestions to inspire you to create your own kids craft ideas.

Make a Robot

Making robots is a craft which will appeal to children of all ages and doesn't have to cost you anything. It will probably require some forward planning as to make the robot you will need to collect toilet rolls, cereal packets, tin foil and any other materials you can possibly think of that would make a good robot.

Creating a robot can be tailored to the ability of the child. For instance, you may need to help a toddler tape toilet rolls to a box to make its body then let them glue on buttons for eyes and the controls. Older children can probably manage with little or no help.

If you have poster paint, get your children to paint their robot creation afterwards. You will probably need to mix a little PVA glue in with the paint to get it to stick properly and avoid flaking.

Create a Story Book or Diary

For this you will need a drawing pad, notebook or you can create your own by stapling or sewing lots of sheets of paper together. Just tailor this kids craft idea to suit whatever materials are available to you.

Once you have the basis of your book, get your child to create a story in it. This can be written, pictures or a combination of the two. Alternatively, they can use the book to document an event (such as their birthday), what they did in the school holidays, or write about their hobbies or their families.

Instead of drawing pictures they could take photos and print them out to stick in the book. For example, if they are writing a book about their family, they could take photos of their parents, siblings or pets. Or if they have made up a story about knights, dragons and castles they could set up the different scenes using Lego and take a photo of each scene.

Obviously, it is not a good idea to let your child use your £400 SLR camera for this. If you trust them, let them use your digital camera. Preferably, let them use their own children's camera or borrow one for the weekend from someone who does have one. The Vtech Kidizoom is best for toddlers and the Lego digital camera is more suitable for older children.

Make Masks

This is a great free kids craft idea, which is only limited by your child's imagination! They can be used for role playing games afterwards. A great material to use for this activity is fun foam if you have it (or you can purchase it from many supermarkets for around £1). But for an entirely free craft project, make the masks from the back of an old cereal box or paper.

Decorate the masks with pens, paints, buttons, feathers or whatever else your children likes. Ideas for themes include superheroes, favourite story book characters or animals.

If your children particularly enjoy art based activities - and you have the storage space - it is a good idea to have a basket or box dedicated to storing old boxes, plastic tubs and odds and ends to allow them to create their own craft projects whenever inspiration strikes.

Super Easy Batman Crafts For Kids

Every decade, Batman comes into the spotlight to wow new scores of children. They wish they could be as heroic and brave as their idol, and want to have things that show their love for the character. If your child likes Batman, there are crafts that you can do with them that they will no doubt love. This way, they can have a fun and creative time while also using their imagination. Not only that, but it gives them something to do that can keep them busy for hours.

The main symbol of the batman comics, television series, and movies is the bat symbol. In the stories, the mayor of Gotham City uses a spotlight in the shape of this bat symbol in order to call Batman in for help. You can make a spotlight like this fairly easily. All you need is a flashlight, black construction paper, and some tape. Have your child cut out the pat symbol from the paper and cut it into a circle that can fit the lens of the flashlight. Then tape it to the lens. Now, in the dark, your kids can call Batman, too.

Another fun way to show appreciation for the character of Batman is to act as him yourself. Kids love to imitate their heroes. Batman has a cape, so your kid can help you sew one of these from black fabric. They can then wear this outside or around the home so that they can be more like the character that they so love.

Four Great Cricut Projects That Can Put Money in Your Bank Account

There are several Cricut projects that you can use to make money. Don't believe me? Just take a look around eBay and Etsy, and even local craft fairs in your area, and you will see what I mean. After all, seeing is believing!

Really, you are only limited by your imagination when it comes to money-making projects using die cuts. But to get your creative thinking cap working, here are four ways to put your die cutter machine to good use:

1. Diaper Cakes

If you don't know what a diaper cake is, basically it is a popular baby shower centerpiece or gift, where the diapers are rolled up and secured, then arranged in such a way that they form a tiered cake. They are a very popular gift, but many people simply do not have the crafty skills nor time to create them, so others have made it their "business" creating diaper cakes. One of the most inexpensive ways to embellish the cakes is using Cricut cutouts. It is far cheaper to use die cuts to embellish diaper cakes, than to purchase stuffed animals, rattles, pacifiers, and other goodies that others typically use to decorate their creations.

2. Personalized Kids' Art

Personalized kids' art is a big business for crafters. Whether you use a mat and frame to showcase the die cuts, or decoupage the cutouts to a plaque, this is one of the easiest Cricut projects to not only create, but also to sell. Boost your earnings by making the art functional. For example, turn a personalized plaque into a coat hanger by adding pegs. Easy and fun!

3. Custom Cards and Invitations

If card making is your paper crafting specialty, why not make it your business! Considering how expensive store bought cards are, selling handmade cards can be quite lucrative. You would be surprised at the number of people willing to buy custom handmade invitations, birthday cards, and more.

4. Scrapbook Layouts

Just like custom made cards, there is a strong market for scrapbook page layouts. If scrapbooking is your thing, turn it into a working gig. Using a machine to make die cuts for your layouts will significantly reduce both your expenses and time to produce these layouts, resulting in a better profit margin.

That's just four of the many Cricut projects you can start doing today to earn money. I'm sure you can think of more on your own. Don't be surprised to find that you are soon profiting from your favorite hobby!

Dr Seuss and a World of Crafts

Around the world many children and adults are familiar with the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. In fact, so many people have been influenced by his many children's books that every March his birthday is celebrated across the globe. If you are looking for some creative ways to share your love of Theodore Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) why not try one of these Dr. Seuss crafts inspired by his extensive library of stories?

Most people are aware of the many fantastical creatures that proliferate throughout the Seuss universe. Why not try creating your own version of a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz from Dr. Seuss's ABC with googly eyes, pipe cleaners, bits and pieces of construction paper, and other odds-and-ends that you find lining your crafting box? Nothing you create could possibly be considered inappropriate.

Another Dr. Seuss craft is based on The Shape of Me and Other Stuff. You'll need some construction paper, crayons or markers, and a stapler. Fold 4 - 6 sheets of construction paper and then staple them together to resemble a book. Some ideas to include within your book: outlines of your hand and a child's, you can also draw or stamp a pet's paw or footprint rather easily; illustrate or trace the bottom of different sized cups, forks or spoons; and anything else in your home that you can find in multiple sizes. This is a great lesson in looking at people, animals, and objects for their differences but also their similarities. This is a common theme found throughout Seuss books.

The Cat in the Hat is one of the most popular and familiar of Dr. Seuss books. An excellent craft idea is creating a hat that resembles the one the cat wears and is a whimsical reminder of the unique perspective of these fun and classic stories. Using strips of red and white construction paper, cover a cardboard oatmeal container in a striped design. Next either paint or color a disposable paper plate red or black. Then, cut a criss-cross pattern using a pair of scissors into the center of the paper plate and insert the oatmeal container into the plate forming a brim. Voila, a hat even the cat would be proud to wear!

For the last of the Dr. Seuss crafts, why not try making Oobleck from the story, Bartholamew and the Oobleck? Instead of the usual paper, pen, or paint you'll need to head to the kitchen for a messy but fun experiment. Everyone familiar with the tale will be excited to try making this gooey concoction. You'll need 2.5 cups of cornstarch, 1.5 cups of room temperature water, some green food coloring, and a mixing bowl and spoon to stir the oobleck all together. Add the water to the bowl first and tint it green with the green food color. Next add cornstarch a half cup at a time. Your oobleck can now be stretched, rolled, and squeezed to your heart's content.

I hope these Dr. Seuss crafts help you and your family celebrate the many contributions of Theodore Geisel to children's literature and are just plain fun. Enjoy!

Preschool Crafts - The Mighty Letter "M"

While some preschool instructors prefer to stick to the calendar to structure their curriculums, others use the letters of the alphabet for their lesson plans. Here are some great preschool crafts for learning about the letter "M". These preschool crafts can easily be adapted into units on science, self-exploration (all about me), or winter.

Magic Magnets and a Me Collage

Magnets are a great, fun way to introduce science into the preschool classroom without getting too technical. Here's a fun craft to explore the seemingly magical movement of magnets. To begin the craft, tape a big piece of paper to a table. Make sure the table isn't made of metal or too thick or else the craft won't work.

Give each child a large magnet and a selection of small metal objects such as nuts, bolts or screws. Dip the metal objects into paint and place them on the paper. Now, have the children place the magnets underneath the table and use their magnetic power to move the painted metal objects around the paper to create interesting and fun designs.

Another great topic for exploring the letter "M" is a favorite of many preschoolers- me. To begin the craft, trace an outline of each child on a big piece of white paper. Cut out the outlines and allow children to decorate their outlines to resemble themselves.

Have children look through magazines to find pictures of things they like to use in the decoration process, if desired. Once all the children are finished decorating their collages, post the collages on the wall and try to see if they can guess who is who.

Next, here's a great craft called "Me in a Coat and Mittens" for those cold and windy winter months, or to teach those fortunate enough to be in warm climates about what others go through during the roughest season. To begin this craft, have the children draw their face in the middle of a paper plate.

Next, have children cut a coat from their choice of colored construction paper. The coats can be decorated with buttons, pockets, small pieces of material or fake fur, or anything else that is in the craft supply closet. Once they are finished making and decorating their coats, glue or staple the coat to the paper plate head. Finally, have the children make a pair of mittens from construction paper, and attach the mittens together with a length of yarn before attaching them to the coat.

Mister Moose

Last but not least in these preschool crafts, is a classic preschooler craft where children can make their own moose headband to wear around the classroom or at home. To begin this craft, staple a two-inch thick piece of construction paper that is just long enough to wrap around the child's head. Have the children trace outlines of their hands on another piece of construction paper, and staple or glue your hand in front of the band look like horns. This ability can also be carried out reindeer antlers at Christmas a.

Kentucky Derby Craft Fan For Staying Cool

A Kentucky Derby party is great fun, but I do declare, standing out in the heat of summer to watch those races just gets one all over heated! That's why, you'll absolutely have to get the guests at your Kentucky Derby party to create these fun Wallpaper Fans. A gal has got to stay cool!

Wallpaper Fans

This is a very simple, yet elegant Kentucky Derby craft item that only needs the following; wallpaper scraps, pre-gathered lace trim or ribbon, silk flowers, clothespin, craft glue.

Begin your Kentucky Derby Fan by folding the fan accordion-style with a ½ "" pleat. Measure and mark half inch lines on the back to use a folding guide before you start folding.

Next, pinch the fan together at the bottom edge. Gently open the top of the fan to form a half circle shape. Use the clothes pin to keep the bottom edge pinch together while you work the glue gun.

On the back of your Kentucky Derby fan, carefully place the tip of the craft glue between each fold and apply a small dab of glue to secure in place. Let the glue dry thoroughly.

Once the glue has dried, you should be able to remove the cloths pin to find that the fan stays in place. This is the fun part of the craft project. Your Kentucky Derby guests can use the craft glue to attach a cluster of silk flowers to their fans or a lace embellishment running along the tops or bottom sides. The pinched end of the fan makes a great handle to hold the elaborate fans once the guests have completed them.

These are great craft items for your Kentucky Derby party. Just make sure you have large enough scraps of wallpaper for a decent sized fan, about 10 wide by 20 inches long or so.