Everyday Craft

FUN STUFF TO MAKE FROM EVERYDAY OBJECTS

Jam-packed with creative ideas for the home,Everyday Craft uses household items as thefoundation for fun and achievable kids craft projects.

Dive into these colourful pages and come outthe other side feeling inspired, energised and readyto get creative with your kids.

kids crat weekly PRESENTS

Amber Carvan is a mother of two who lives in Sydney,Australia. She is thefounder and publisher of the hugelypopular craft website Kids Craft Weekly.

ISBN 978-0-9804383-0-7

www.kidscraftweekly.com

Contents.

2. Craft Life

4. Crafting from the Kitchen CupboardFUN WITH FLOUR PANTRY PICTURES RAINBOW RICE AND PASTA

6. Paper Bag Owls

7. Patty Pan Flowers

8. Plastic Bag Bunny

9. Drip-drop Coffee Filter Bags10. Woolly Sheep

11. Spongy Crab

12. Sponge Stamping Set

13. Farm Play Tray

14. Shiny Rocket

15. Wooden Spoon Puppets

16. Junk Mail Jewellery

17. Bendy Robot

18. Cardboard Roll Dolls

19. Match Box Vehicles

20. My Favourite Play Dough

21. Twenty Fun Things to do with Play Dough

22. Homemade Clay

24. Managing all the Masterpieces

This mini-book is for parents, grandparents,childcare workers, teachers and anyone else whowants to explore creativity with the children in theirlives. All of the fabulous projects squeezed into thislittle book are fun and achievable and can be madeusing everyday objects.

Everyday Craft isnt necessarily about crafting everyday. Its about giving our kids access to creativematerials and encouraging them to find inspiration in their day-to-day world.

For me, getting into the habit of crafting with thekids has been amazingly rewarding. Its made meunderstand the value of being in the present and has helped me to notice and appreciate the way that my children express their personalities throughcreativity.

And of course, crafting is just as beneficial for ourkids! As well as being stimulating, crafting encouragesthem to solve problems creatively, developconfidence and to hone their fine motor skills.

For all of us, crafting injects an enormous dose of fun and camaraderie into our everyday lives.

It is my absolute joy to share these ideas with youand your little people I hope that you find yourselfinspired, energised and ready to create.

Happy crafting and Ill see you next time!

Amber Carvan

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WelcometoEverydayCraft!

2Set up a creative spaceIf your living circumstances allow it, considersetting up a permanent crafting area in acentral part of your home even if its justthe corner of a desk. Use this area to storeage-appropriate art supplies such ascardboard and oil pastels for toddlers,watercolour paints and paper forpreschoolers and coloured pencils, markerpens and a sketchbook for older children.

Make a pasting boxPasting is such a great free-form craft.Kids as young as two will love using pasteto stick bits and pieces onto somethingor another. Put together your ownpasting box so that you can get right intoit with only a moments notice. Ourpasting box includes dry pasta, matchsticks, buttons, ribbon, wool, cotton balls,cellophane, aluminium foil, fabric scraps,coloured paper, packing peanuts andvarious other things that I pick up fromthe floor on a daily basis. Make sure yourbox is large enough to accommodate apot of paste for each child and somethingto paste on like paper bags, newspaper orjunk mail.

Prepare a useful boxKeep a cardboard box or plastic crate filledwith crafting supplies so that you can makeanything in this book (and more!) withouthaving to head out for supplies. Some basicsfor your useful box include:

Coloured paperColoured cardboardWhite glueScissorsPaint and brushesPipecleaners

BeadsTissue paperCellophaneSticky tapeStringStickersHole punchDrinking strawsMatch sticksPatty pansCotton wool ballsToilet paper rolls

Match boxesPaper bagsFabric scrapsYarn scrapsFood colouringDish spongesEmpty boxes

and bottlesButtonsRubber bandsSplit pins (brads)Ribbon

Think creativeAnd of course, encouraging creativity is notjust about organising art supplies! Creativitystems from observation, problem-solving,playfulness and a willingness to test newideas. Its about making the commitment tosit down with your preschooler to constructa horse from tape and straws. Its aboutaccepting that mess is a part of the creativeprocess and its about seeing the beauty andpassion in the ubiquitous purple splodge!

Make a play dough containerIn a large plastic container store somehandmade play dough (see page 20), plasticcookie cutters, plastic cutlery, match sticks,buttons, bottle tops, patty pans (cupcake cases)and anything else thats fun to use with playdough.We keep our container in an easilyaccessible cupboard in the kitchen so that thekids can do some pretend cooking when Imbusy preparing dinner.

Find a bead boxKids as young as two will enjoy threadinglarge beads onto pipeceaners. Once their finemotor skills improve they will enjoy moreelaborate beading challenges such asthreading a specific pattern of coloured beadsonto fishing line. Small and inexpensivebeading boxes are quite easy to come by andthey are a great idea to keep in your bag andpull out when youre faced with a long waitat the doctors office.

Establish a cutting stationGet into the habit of tearing out pages frommagazines or catalogues and keeping themtogether in a container along with some pairsof child-sized scissors.Whenever the moodstrikes, sit down to a bit of cutting with thelittle one its remarkably therapeutic! Keepyour cut out pictures for use in future craftprojects, perhaps even in your pasting box.

Craft LifeOrganising a craft session with your kids shouldnt have to be a hassle. In fact, integrating craft and creative activities into your everyday life will probably make it a lot easier and much moreenjoyable for you and your kids! Here are a few simple things that you can do around the hometo stimulate and encourage creativity.

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Glue your rainbow rice andpasta onto paper to createcolourful artwork, or store itin a dry place for future use.

Add drops of food colouringand stir.

Divide some rice and/or pastainto small containers.

Dry in the sun.

Dont be tempted to use dangerous chemicals to colour rice or pasta.You can get great results with this safe and simple technique and best ofall, kids can do the colouring themselves!

Make a swirl of glue. Carefully stick some driedlegumes in the glue. Older kidsmay like to repeat a specificpattern younger ones will justenjoy sticking the beansanywhere!

Use the same technique for colouringsalt it holds the colour beautifully!Once its dry you can store it in oldspice shakers and use for sprinklingcolour onto gluey surfaces.

You will need----------------------* Uncooked rice and/or pasta

* Food colouring* Containers* Sticks, for stirring

Pantry pictures

rainbow rice

(and pasta)

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Most kids love to play with flour. This activity is a simple and easy-to-clean-up way for young kids to have a flour-y experience.

Dust with flour. Have fun makingsilhouettes

Or just enjoy being messy!

Arrange objects on abacking tray.

You will need--------------------* A baking tray* Kitchen implements* Sifter* Flour

Fun with flour

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Stuck at home and stuckfor ideas? If you take alook through your pantrywhile wearing your craftyeyes you can come upwith masses of fun thingsto make and do. Here aresome quick ideas to getyou started.

Crafting from theKitchen Cupboard

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You will need--------------------* White glue* Dried beans, corn or lentils

* Paper or cardboard

7You will need----------------------* Cotton wool balls* Patty pans* Pipecleaners* Scissors* Glue* Sticky tape* Polystyrene (or a potato)

Patty Pan Flowers

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For another simple flower craft, scrunchcrepe paper into small balls, dip them inwhite glue and press them onto a stick.Before long your stick will be transformedinto a colourful sprig of spring blossoms!

In Australia, cupcake and muffin cases are known as patty pans.Patty pans are a great everyday craft item as theyre veryversatile and so appealing to young kids.These patty pan flowersare one of the most simple and delightful crafts weve tried.

Stab the pipecleaner stems into a piece ofpolystyrene to make a flower bed. If you donthave any, a potato will work just as effectively!

Tape a pipecleaner to the back.

Using child-friendly scissors, chopinto the edges of the patty pan.

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Glue a cotton ball to the centre.

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Paper BagOwls

Cut into some colourful strips ofpaper to make lovely ruffles.Thenglue them onto your paper bag.

Glue on some patty pans for eyesand draw on pupils and a beak.Then twist the top corners of thebag to give Mr Owl some ears.

This is a simple and fun project suitable for toddlers andpreschoolers. Little ones will whip through it quite quickly so its a good idea to provide supplies for a number of owls.

You will need--------------------* Brown paper bags* Scissors* Patty pans* Markers* Glue* Coloured paper

Paper bags make aninexpensive and novel canvasfor young kids theyre funto draw on, paint on andstick things to. Choose someitems from around the houseand glue or stick them onpaper bags to make somefunny face puppets.

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You will need-----------------------------* A plastic bag with handles* Stuffing (you could use rags, polyester stuffing,cotton balls, shreddedpaper)

* Two rubber bands* A permanent marker and/or dot stickers

* Pipecleaners* Sticky tape

Stuff a plastic bag and tiea knot with the handles.

Put one rubber band over the bag tomake a bunny head and another on thebunnys backside to make a tail.

Draw on some eyes a nose and somewhiskers. If you have some pipecleanershandy you can make them into whiskersand tape them on.

Encourage your little one to give their bunny a name and personality you may besurprised at just how much charisma a plastic bag can have!

Plastic Bag Bunny

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You will need--------------------* Food colouring* Coffee filters* Ribbon* Staples

Carefully drip small drops of foodcolouring onto a coffee filter.You mightwant to lay down a protective sheet onthe table before you start.

Allow the filter to dry, then turn it inside outand staple on some ribbon to make handles.

These colourful little bags areincredibly fun to make. Once theyrefinished, slip some sweets inside andyour little one can give them tospecial friends.

If you don't have any coffee filters use somepaper towel for a drip-drop canvas.

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Drip-dropCoffee FilterBags

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Raid your bathroom cabinet to make this soft and appealing sheep.This is a great project for kidswho like to craft with glue and who dont mind getting a bit sticky be prepared for childrensporting woolly fingertips by the time youve finished!

Woolly Sheep

You will need-----------------------* Toilet paper roll * Cotton wool balls * Cotton buds (Q-tips) * White glue * Tissue paper * Pipecleaner * Sticky tape

Tape cotton buds (q-tips) onto thecardboard roll to make legs.

Pour some white glue into a shallow dish.Then dip the cotton wool balls into theglue and stick them all around thecardboard roll.

Scrunch up some tissue paper and stuff it into one end of the roll tomake a head, then add some eyes made from black dots. Make somehorns by twisting small pieces of pipecleaner around your finger.

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Preschoolers will enjoy putting together this crab,with a little bit of guidance from an adult.Toddlersare likely to watch in awe as it is constructed andthen take great pleasure in pulling it apart!

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You will need---------------------* A dish sponge* Two pegs* Scissors* Hole punch* Pipecleaners* Glue* Permanent marker

Spongy CrabCut a circular shape from a dishsponge. Punch four holes down eachside of the sponge using a holepunch. Keep aside two of thepunched out sponge pieces to usefor eyes.

Thread pipecleaner legs throughthe holes and trim the ends.

Glue on the eyes that you keptaside in step one. If you wish youcan colour in the top of the eyeswith a black marker. Finally, peg onthe pincers.

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Sponge Stamping SetUse these stampers to experiment with shapes, textures andcolours. Dont throw them away when youre finished thesestamping sets easy to resuscitate with a simple splash of water.

1To make a stamp pad, cut an absorbent dish spongeto fit in a shallow dish.Then add a good amount offood colouring.

For your stampers, cut some shapesfrom dish sponge and glue them to thetops of the bottles using strong glue.We have found that smelly,child-unfriendly glues work best!

You will need---------------------* Empty bottles with lids on them

* Strong glue* Dish sponges* Scissors* Food colouring* Shallow dish* Hole punch (optional)

You will need---------------------* A cardboard tray* Acrylic paint* White glue* Small pebbles* Small sticks* Green tissue paper

To create a great spiral stamp, roll up a thindish sponge and fasten with a rubber band.

Pull out some paper andstamp away.

Wait for the glue to dry, then add your animals and tractors and start playing.

While the paint dries, go on anoutdoor collecting expedition tofind pebbles and twigs to stick onto the tray to make fences, roadsand other boundaries.Add someclumps of grass made fromscrunched up green tissue paper.

Paint the tray to make a farm.We used a green background,then added a blue duck pond andsome brown mud for the pigs.

Farm Play Tray

Create walking paths, animalenclosures and leafy surrounds foryour zoo animals. Paint on a simpletrack and station for a toy train, androads for toy cars. Use paint, bluecellophane and real sand to make abeach in a tray. Add shells, animals,boats and dolls for extra fun!

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If youre having a slow day, why not make a play tray? You can easily spend a whole morningpainting, collecting, planning and gluing and then agood part of the afternoon setting up the animalsand playing with them. Our play tray has provedso popular that, a year later, its still being used!

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Slip the fins in place.

Cut out a trapezoidshape from cardboardto make fins. Use aknife to disect therocket down thecentre.

Wrap the wholething in aluminiumfoil, pushing theexcess foil up theend of the roll.

Make a small conefrom cardboard and stick it ontothe top of thecardboard roll.

Stick strands of curling ribbon on some tapeand tape it on the inside of the roll to makeexhaust flames. Finally, add some windows orstripes in a contrasting colour.

You will need------------------------* Cardboard roll* Aluminium foil* Sticky tape* Cardboard* Red curling ribbon or strips of red paper

* Knife* Scissors

Shiny RocketThese shiny rockets are fast to construct and make a greatdistraction for those difficult afternoons.They also workwell as decorations for space-themed celebrations.

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You will need------------------* Wooden spoons* Marker pens* Curling ribbon* Sticky tape* Fabric scraps* Rubber bands or hair ties

Wooden SpoonPuppetsYou say rainy day I say puppet show! These cute wooden spoonpuppets are perfect for getting the kids in the mood for someserious indoor entertainment.

Draw a face on a wooden spoon.

Tape on some hair made from curling ribbon (or string,or wool).

Wrap some fabric scraps aroundthe handle of the spoon andfasten with a rubber band or hair elastic.

Now, if I were a dish I wouldcertainly be running away withone of these lovely spoons.

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If youre not prepared to sacrifice awooden spoon in the name of kidscraft, have your little one draw a faceon a piece of paper and tape it ontothe wooden spoon instead.You canthen reclaim your spoon in the deadof night, safe from the watchful gazeof your preschooler!

I accept that bendy is probably not a quality that is sought afterin a robot, but I think youll be sold on the idea once youve triedit. Kids aged four and older will be able to have a go at twistingthe pipecleaners into the sponge. Once theyve got the techniquetheyll be able to use it to create all manner of bendy creatures.

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Use junk mail or magazine pages to make these funand colourful paper beads.This is a perfect craft forkids who enjoy careful and deliberate activities or toencourage concentration if things are getting a littleout of hand.

You will need---------------------* A dish sponge* Pipecleaners* Scissors* Split pins (brads)* Permanent marker* Two beads

Junk Mail

Jewellery

Bendy Robot

Heres another robot idea thatssimple enough for the littlies. Cutout some squares and rectanglesfrom felt or cardboard.Then stickthem onto paper and make robots.Use a selection of buttons, beadsand wool scraps for extra effect.

Cut up a dish sponge into shapesfrom which you can make arobot.

Use the same techniqueto join them to the body.

Add some buttons and eyes using split pins (brads).We drew on a mouth with permanent marker andadded some pipecleaner and bead antennae. If youdlike your robot to stand tall, give it some feet.

Cut a pipecleaner into one inchlengths.These pieces ofpipecleaner will connect yourrobots arms, legs and head to itsbody. Carefully twist thepipecleaner pieces half way intothe ends of your sponge pieces.

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You will need------------------------* A colourful catalogue or magazine pages

* Scissors* Paste* Length of elastic or fishing line

Select a strip and put paste on oneside, then roll it up. Repeat until youhave a good collection of paper beads.

Allow the beads to drycompletely, then thread ontofishing line or hat elastic to makea fun necklace or bracelet.

Cut a colourful catalogue into long strips.

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Youll find a whole host of items around the home that you can thread onto a necklace: cotton reels uncooked tubular pasta (such asmacaroni, penne) buttons with good sized holes washers breakfast cereal with holes in the middle chopped up drinking straws clay beads anything you can punch a hole in!With the help of a blunt needle you can also threadpom poms, scrunched up aluminium foil, popcorn,marshmallows, packing peanuts and more.

Pierce a hole on eitherside of the roll andthread through apiecleaner to make

arms.Trim the pipecleaner if necessary and popsome beads on the ends to make hands.

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You will need-----------------------* Cardboard roll* Fabric scraps* Glue* White paper* Marker pens* Yarn* Pipecleaner* Beads* Scissors

Stuff some woolly yarn intothe top of the roll to makehair.Alternatively, createsome bunches or plaits andglue them on to the top ofthe roll.

Glue a strip of fabric on tothe bottom half of the roll.

Cut a circle from a piece ofpaper and draw on a face,then stick the circle to thecardboard roll.

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For the ambulance, cut atiny sliver from the top ofthe match box and stick iton the top to make lights.

To make the car, cut the topof the match box about athird of the way along andglue to the upside down tray.

Scrunch two small balls of aluminium foil to make headlights, andglue them on.Then glue on some button wheels. For a less fragilevehicle, use black dots instead of buttons.

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CardboardRoll DollsWith these simple and sturdy dolls, kids ofall ages can get involved.The young onescan draw a face and glue it on while theolder kids deliberate over fabric swatchesand hair styles.When theyre finishedeveryone will enjoy playing with them!

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Match Box VehiclesYou will need-----------------------* Match boxes* Paint* Glue* Buttons* Aluminium foil* Scissors

Pull the tray from a match boxand paint each of the pieces.

You can make an impressive fleet of vehiclesusing match boxes for a professional finish,paint them with glossy spray paint.

For the truck or utility, cut thetop of the match box about halfway. Cut the remaining half inhalf again.Assemble the utilityas pictured.

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My FavouritePlay Dough

You will need-----------------------* 1 cup of water* 1 tablespoon of

vegetable oil* 1 tablespoon of

cream of tartar* 1/2 cup of salt* Food colouring* 1 cup flour

Ive made plenty of play dough in my time but this recipe is the one that stands out a mile!In fact, I believe that it is pretty much fail-proof.There was that one time that I put in half acup of oil by accident and things were pretty slimy, but that was my fault! If you roughlyfollow the measurements in the recipe it will most likely result in a beautiful smooth doughthat will delight the little ones for many happy hours.

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1. Make a birthday cake use real candles if you have them, otherwise match stickswork well.

2. Use items from around yourhome (eg leaves, sticks, toycars, toy animals, shells) tomake impressions in thedough.

4. Cut out shapes using plastic cookie cutters.

5. Squeeze out some curly dough by using agarlic press use it to make a nest!

6. Roll snakes see how long you can gowithout the dough breaking.

7. Make snails use a real snail shell if youhave any in your garden.

8. Create a snowman.

9. Construct a house using play dough andpop sticks.

11. Make a caterpillar by rolling small balls and joining them together.

12. Use cupcake liners to make pretendmuffins or cupcakes.

13. Make lollies by wrapping small balls ofdough in cellophane.

14. Cook pretend crepes and roll them up.

15. Stick feathers into the dough to make funny birds.

16. Sculpt a play dough self-portrait.

17. Press dry pasta into the dough try to make a dinosaur skeleton!

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3Knead for five minutes or untildough is smooth.

Heat on the stove until warm,then remove from the heat, addflour and stir.

Combine the water, oil, salt, cream of tartar and foodcolouring in a saucepan. Make the colour nice and bright

as it will fade a little once theflour is added at the end.

TO DO WITH PLAY DOUGH

18. Hide items in the the dough for your little one to find.

20. Bring out the potato masher!

Use buttons, plastic bottle tops, marbles, rubber bands,match sticks etc to make faces, aliens or crazy animals.10.

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3. Put together some lollipops.

Make a sea urchin.

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You will need--------------------------

* 1 cup corn flour or corn starch

* 2 cups bi-carb soda* 1 and 1/4 cups water

Homemade ClayThis homemade bi-carb soda clay has a gorgeously smooth texture and is an absolute delight towork with.This clay will air dry after which it and can be painted with acrylic or watercolourpaint. However, in order to harden properly it cant be too thick so keep this in mind when youremaking things with it.We have successfully used this clay to make small beads, pendants, smallplates, small bowls, snails, cookies (decorated with gravel), letters and numbers.

Combine all ingredients in asaucepan and stir constantly overlow-medium heat until its thickenough to hold the spoon up.

Tip clay onto a piece of bakingpaper and knead until smooth.

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COLOURED CLAYFor extra fun, keep aside a portion of clayand colour it!

Squeeze a small glob of acrylic paint onto someof the clay and put it into a plastic ziplock bag.

Allow it to sit for a while, then tip it outand knead. Dont worry about gettingpaint on your hands somehow thepaint just gets absorbed into the clay!

1. Make two long snakes one in each colour and line them up.2. Roll them into a spiral. 3. Press down hard on a flat surface.4. Then turn it over! If you want you can make a hole in it using askewer so that you can hang it up when its dry.

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Mush it around until the paint iscompletely mixed in with the clay.

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MAKE A SWIRLY MEDALLION

Have fun using contrasting colour in your designs.

If you dont have space in your hometo store large amount of kids art andcraft, capture it on digital camera orscan it to your computer. Display theimages on your screensaver, in adigital photo frame or print out yourfavourites and put them in an album.Another great idea is to make a bookeach year, using www.blurb.com orsomething similar, that features yourfavourite work.

GoDigital.

Blog it.Keep an online record of your childscreative endeavours to share withfriends, family and anyone else who is interested.

Create a

Kids Art Gallery.Establish a dedicated gallery space in your home where kids art isdisplayed and admired. Replace olderworks with newer ones on a regularbasis and use this as an opportunityto sort out which pieces will be keptand which will be culled.

Put Togethera Portfolio.Make and decorate your own portfolio inwhich to keep artwork.Alternatively, storeartwork using plastic sleeves in a ringbinder, paste them into a project book orcreate scrapbook pages.

Re-useand Recycle by Stealth.There comes a point in every craftyobjects lifetime when it simply has togo.When the kids are asleep,dismantle the masterpiece, store anyre-usable parts in your useful box,and hide anything thats left in therecycling or the bin.

Managing all theMasterpieces

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Encouraging creativity is one thing, keepingthe creative output under control is anotherissue altogether! Here are some ideas to helpkeep the volume of art and craft in yourhome at a manageable level.

Sharethe Love.Use large scale works as wrappingpaper for gifts. Smaller pieces can becut up to use in other craftyendeavours. Also, send pictures tofamily and acquaintances or anyoneelse who may still have some spaceleft on their fridge!

Kids Craft Weekly presents: Everyday CraftFun stuff to make from everyday objects

First published in Sydney, AustraliaOctober 2007

ISBN: 978-0-9804383-0-7

2007 2009 Amber Carvan/Kids Craft Weekly

All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system or transmitted in anyform by any means without the priorpermission of the copyright owner.

Written and produced by Amber Carvan(editor@kidscraftweekly.com)

Designed and illustrated by Meiying Saw(www.ragingyoghurt.org)

To check out more fabulous craft ideasvisit www.kidscraftweekly.com. Through the website you can also signup for the free email newsletter andsend in your photos for the Kids CraftWeekly photo gallery.