Kids Crafts http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com Inspire their creativity! Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:28:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Crafty Kid Cooking http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/crafty-kid-cooking/2007/09/23/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/crafty-kid-cooking/2007/09/23/#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:28:02 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/crafty-kid-cooking/2007/09/23/

Kids + Cooking = Disaster?  Total Fun?  An experiment in patience?  Who knows?  Probably depends on the kids.  But check out Kids in the Kitchen for some cool recipes, tips on working with your kids in the kitchen, healthy tips, and local events for culinary kids in your neck of the woods.  Because food is art.  Even when you’re 2 years old.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/crafty-kid-cooking/2007/09/23/feed/ BUY THIS BOOK http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/buy-this-book/2007/09/18/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/buy-this-book/2007/09/18/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:53:49 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/buy-this-book/2007/09/18/ It would be difficult to say how many times I’ve run to this book for ideas, inspiration, and projects to pull us out of dark afternoons.  Like all of the best craft books and ideas, the projects are adaptable, with a little imagination, for many age groups.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/buy-this-book/2007/09/18/feed/ BOO! I love Halloween, too… http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boo-i-love-halloween-too/2007/09/12/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boo-i-love-halloween-too/2007/09/12/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:11:49 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boo-i-love-halloween-too/2007/09/12/   I love Halloween and everything about it.  Check out these cute ghost pins, which have nearly endless variations and are great for younger and older kids alike.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boo-i-love-halloween-too/2007/09/12/feed/ All in the family http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/all-in-the-family/2007/09/09/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/all-in-the-family/2007/09/09/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:40:42 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/all-in-the-family/2007/09/09/ Joan Hawley is the Quilting Editor here at CraftGossip.com. But long before I knew her from here, I knew her from her adorable, easy and SEW functional sewing patterns. I took a class from my local quilt shop back in the spring, used my first Lazy Girl Designs pattern, and fell in love. Since that class, I’ve made several of her patterns, including the Runaround Bag, pictured here being modeled by my happy daughter, as well as the Wonder Wallet, seen here:

And I’m posting it here to let you know that this is a PERFECT project for a beginning or experienced sewer, kid or otherwise. The patterns are all short and straightforward and most involve nothing more complex than sewing in a straight line. My daughter is only 3 years old and has already asked, more than once, when she can get her own sewing machine so she can make her own bags herself instead of “borrowing” my machine. Your kids could whip up dozens of Christmas gifts based on the patterns, ALL of which are functional. Even boys and men will appreciate and use the Wonder Wallet, which is full of pockets and can be made in virtually any fabric; women will appreciate the handbags, all of which allow room for individual design and decoration.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/all-in-the-family/2007/09/09/feed/ TGF Differentiation. And fall. http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/tgf-differentiation-and-fall/2007/09/07/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/tgf-differentiation-and-fall/2007/09/07/#comments Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:37:32 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/tgf-differentiation-and-fall/2007/09/07/   Gotta love a craft that differentiates instruction for different age levels AND the level of involvement/messiness the parents can deal with at the time.  Check out the instructions for the Autumn Tree here.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/tgf-differentiation-and-fall/2007/09/07/feed/ Boys will be boys… http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boys-will-be-boys/2007/09/04/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boys-will-be-boys/2007/09/04/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:41:37 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boys-will-be-boys/2007/09/04/ but if they’re going to insist on getting dirty and gross, might as well have a little bit of an education with it. Try a recipe for some homemade slime. I’m not kidding. How bad can it be? Plus, kids with some types of sensory dysfunction might like the sensation of the goo and mess. At the very least, your kids will love you for letting them make a mess without getting into trouble.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/boys-will-be-boys/2007/09/04/feed/ Speaking of Crayons…Crayon Keepers at Etsy http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/speaking-of-crayonscrayon-keepers-at-etsy/2007/09/01/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/speaking-of-crayonscrayon-keepers-at-etsy/2007/09/01/#comments Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:42:51 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/speaking-of-crayonscrayon-keepers-at-etsy/2007/09/01/ The Crayon Keeper from LilBDesigns over at Etsy has to be one of my favorite products over on that site (and that’s saying a lot, since I spend a lot of time over there). It’s the absolute perfect sanity-saver for moms and the perfect creative toy for kids. It will buy you time in the doctor’s office waiting room AND keep your big ole Mom Bag kinda organized - gotta love that. Some kids really like keeping their toys and crayons in order (believe me, those kinds of kids do exist), and this is perfect for doing just that. Her chalk placemats are wonderful, too. I am all for “toys” that don’t require batteries, promote creativity, and aren’t based on some cartoon character, and this fits all of those requirements.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/speaking-of-crayonscrayon-keepers-at-etsy/2007/09/01/feed/ I am a school supply nerd http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/i-am-a-school-supply-nerd/2007/08/28/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/i-am-a-school-supply-nerd/2007/08/28/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:32:06 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/i-am-a-school-supply-nerd/2007/08/28/ We’re getting ready for back to school here, and I have a confession to make: I am a school supply nerd. I am one of those people who loves the smell of new supplies, one of those people who gets dizzy over the sight of unopened packages of paper and new pencils and pristine notebooks. And the absolute best thing of all about the school supplies? The CRAYONS, of course! Who doesn’t remember her very first BIG box of 64s, the ones with the sharpener built in the back? Ah, yes.

And the people at Crayola know about this weakness that strikes many adults, I’m sure. Their website is absolutely overflowing with craft ideas of all types and sizes, using all forms of their supplies. Check it out! And then while the kids are at school…YOU can make something to hang on the fridge yourself.

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/i-am-a-school-supply-nerd/2007/08/28/feed/ Toilet roll bracelets: not just for the bathroom http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/toilet-roll-bracelets-not-just-for-the-bathroom/2007/08/28/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/toilet-roll-bracelets-not-just-for-the-bathroom/2007/08/28/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:24:45 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/toilet-roll-bracelets-not-just-for-the-bathroom/2007/08/28/ For some reason that I’ve yet to comprehend, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls are like gold to my kids.  Maybe they have some special value in the preschool black market system of trade, but they will literally fight one another to lay claim to an empty tube.  So this craft has them in an even bigger froth, since it involves some of their favorite things: empty tubes, glue, scissors, magazines, and potentially even glitter.  And it involves some of my favorites, too: it’s cheap, it uses stuff you’d normally throw in the trash (or at leas the recycle bin),  and when you’re done you’ll have a cool, cute new accessory.  It’s perfect for boys and girls alike, too, since the different theme possibilities are endless.  I love it!

Thanks for the tip, Joan!

Thanks, Joan!

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/toilet-roll-bracelets-not-just-for-the-bathroom/2007/08/28/feed/ Family Fun - it really is fun…for your family http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/family-fun-it-really-is-funfor-your-family/2007/08/25/ http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/family-fun-it-really-is-funfor-your-family/2007/08/25/#comments Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:21:19 +0000 michelle meehan http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/family-fun-it-really-is-funfor-your-family/2007/08/25/ The aptly-named Family Fun Magazine is just that - a little something for everyone in your family.  It’s one of our favorites here, always guaranteed to have something to appeal to all of your senses.  The crafts are varied and simple; the food is delicious; and the parenting tips are much-appreciated common sense.  And did I mention how SIMPLE they make things?  Definitely check out their crafts section and use all of those end-of-summer supplies you’ve been hoarding for the past few months - popsicle sticks, paper plates, paper cups, plastic cutlery.  Nothing goes to waste, and you’ll have fun making the stuff here!

Share This

]]> http://kidscrafts.craftgossip.com/family-fun-it-really-is-funfor-your-family/2007/08/25/feed/