In some ways I feel like my kids' childhoods are literally escaping me. My seven year-old boy has been asking me the most profound questions recently like; “Is there a tube in his nose that connects to his mouth,”- um not sure what possessed him to contemplate that; perhaps he's leaning towards a career as an ear, nose and throat specialist?!
While my 11-year—old is right on the cusp of tweendom, expressing her utter embarrassment at my husband, who decided he needed to change into a pair of shorts when we recently went roller skating. He came out of the bathroom and she said, “Oh daddy you are really embarrassing me, can you please put your jeans back on?” And while I shared a bit of her embarrassment I can still remember when her father and I were propped on pedestals as infallible deities. Unfortunately as she gets older, and wiser, that's no longer the case. Luckily my son has already assured me that nothing I do will ever embarrass him, spoken like a true seven-year-old.
So this weekend while you are fielding pointed questions and doing everything possible not to embarrass your kids check out some craft activities care of AC Moore sure to provide parents with some fun things to do while your HUSBAND is watching the BIG GAME and your kids need ENTERTAINMENT!
Photo courtesy of http://www.
Clay Pot Critters
Supplies:
• 1-1/2″ Terra Cotta Pot, SYRSTD015
• Wiggly Eyes, 10mm, VAL 585
• Glue Dots, GLD 11266
• Neon Chenille Stems, 6mm, CHE 314
• Foam Sheets:
oWhite, 104466101
oBlack, 104466111
• Scrapbook Paper, double-sided preferable
• Markers, Crayons or Acrylic Paint Markers
Instructions:
Kids choose which bug they'd like to do: Butterfly, Bee or Ladybug.
Lady Bug:
1. Color pot red with black spots.
Cut 4″ length of Chenille Stem and fold in half. Create small curl at the end of each stem.
Push in Chenille Stem through hole in top of pot and fold bend end inside of pot. Use glue or glue dot to adhere (can also use Glue Gun, but only with adult working the glue gun!)
Use glue dots to adhere eyes for face.
Cut out Lady Bug Wing shape from template; cut in ½; glue on back of lady bug as shown in diagram.
Bee:
Draw black and yellow stripes on the pot.
Cut 4″ length of Chenille Stem and fold in half. Bend each side of antennae or twirl around a thin dowel (a chopstick also works!).
Push in Chenille Stem through hole in top of pot and fold bend end inside of pot. Use glue or glue dot to adhere (can also use Glue Gun, but only with adult working the glue gun!).
Use glue dots to adhere eyes for face.
Cut out wings from White Foam Sheets using template provided. Fold in half and glue down to back of “bee” with Glue Dots, Foam Glue or Glue Gun.
Butterfly:
Color scribbled stripes onto pot.
Cut 4″ length of Chenille Stem and fold in half. Bend each side of antennae slightly so it arches.
Push in Chenille Stem through hole in top of pot and fold bend end inside of pot. Use glue or glue dot to adhere (can also use Glue Gun, but only with adult working the glue gun!).
Use glue dots to adhere eyes for face.
Trace wing template onto scrapbook paper and cut out. Fold in half. Glue wings to back of Butterfly.
Bumble Bee Wings Template (White Foam)
Lady Bug WingsTemplate (Black Foam)
Butterfly Wings Template (Double-sided scrapbook paper)
Duck Tape ® Book Covers
Supplies:
Duck Tape ® Rolls
o Paint Splatter, 104562018
oPink Zebra, 104564703
oCheckerboard, 104562016
oDragons, 104562022
oSkulls, 104562020
Paper Bag
Craft Knife and Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Scissors (non-stick preferable)
Instructions:
1. For those that have never made a paper bag book cover, ask a parent or grandparent first…they've probably made them-otherwise, here are the directions!
2. Take apart a brown paper grocery bag by cutting down one of the sides of the bag (on the crease is easiest) and cut off the bottom portion of the bag. You'll now have a large sheet of brown paper.
3. Place the book horizontal on your work surface. Center book on paper. Fold up top edge of the paper bag against top of book. Crease and fold down along the top. Repeat process for bottom edge of book as well.
4. Open book and center the book spine on the paper. Trim the ends of the bag so they are about 3-4″ longer than the edge of the book.
5. Fold one of the cut edges of the paper bag over the cover of the book so it fits snugly along the edge. Tuck the front cover into the pocket that you've created. Don't worry about the back pocket yet…we're going to start to Duck Tape (DT)!
6. With the book closed and the page side facing you, cut or rip a length of DT 4″ longer than the height of the book. Place 2/3 of the tape width onto the book, with the remaining 1/3 of the tape width hanging over. Fold it over the book edge. Tuck in corners of tape on top and bottom of book and fold over to inside of the book cover. The tape will create a protective edge and will also tape down the book from coming out of the pocket.
7. Take another length of tape and repeat, overlapping the tape about ¼” on the first strip. When folding over onto the pocket make sure it does not stick onto the book itself. Remove the cover from the book.
8. Continue overlapping lengths of tape, folding over to the inside of the book cover.
9. When you get close to where the back cover book cover pocket would meet with the inside of the book cover, place the book back into the book cover.
10. Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the back pocket.
11. For decorating, have fun! Cut out letters from Duck Tape, create flowers and add contrasting colors of tape. It's your book!
For even more crafts check out http://www.acmoore.com/forum/yaf_forum13_crafting-with-robin–fun-project-ideas.aspx
we will be watching movies and eating yummy snacks and Girl Scout cookies while DH helps a friend move! Oh and maybe some Valentine’s crafts