Kids Create: Art and Craft Experiences for Kids

Contents

Kids Create!

Danger Zones

Keys to Confidence

Projects

Paper and Paste

Send a Letter

Quill Pen Illustration of a brush.

Envelopes are Easy Illustration of 2 brushes.

Pop-up Card Illustration of 2 brushes.

Bind a Book Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Jigsaw Puzzle Illustration of 2 brushes.

Doorknob Hangers Illustration of a brush.

Homemade Paper Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Periscope Illustration of 3 brushes

Zany Balloon People Illustration of 2 brushes.

Big Mouth Puppets Illustration of 2 brushes.

Me Puppet Illustration of 2 brushes.

Silhouettes Illustration of 3 brushes

Photo Statues Illustration of 3 brushes

Cut-Paper Art

Cut-Paper Mosaics Illustration of a brush.

Weave a Picture Illustration of a brush.

Olympic Games

Gold Medals Illustration of a brush.

Paper Torches Illustration of 2 brushes.

Pioneer Log Cabin Illustration of 2 brushes.

Native American Houses

Wigwams Illustration of a brush.

Tepees Illustration of a brush.

Covered Wagon Illustration of 3 brushes

Winter Count Illustration of a brush.

Rolled Paper Beads Illustration of 2 brushes.

Silver & Turquoise Bracelets Illustration of a brush.

Clay and Dough

Clay Projects

Perfect Pinch Pots Illustration of a brush.

Simple Slab Dish Illustration of a brush.

Super Slab Dish Illustration of 2 brushes.

Coiled Pottery Illustration of 2 brushes.

Clay Fossils Illustration of a brush.

Flower Pockets Illustration of 2 brushes.

Gingerbread Spoon Rest Illustration of a brush.

Clay Pretties

Hair Barrettes Illustration of a brush.

Beads Illustration of a brush.

Clay Buttons Illustration of 2 brushes.

Homemade Clays

Sawdust Clay

Bread Clay

Salt Dough

Salt Dough 1

Salt Dough 2

Salt Dough 3

Salt Dough 4

Salt Dough 5

Nutshell Ornaments Illustration of 2 brushes.

Arts & Letters

Clay Tablets Illustration of a brush.

Alphabet Letters Illustration of 2 brushes.

Inedible Edibles Illustration of 2 brushes.

Cactus Garden Illustration of 2 brushes.

Mischief Mouse Illustration of 2 brushes.

Jar Toppers Illustration of 2 brushes.

Print Making

Finger Prints

Finger Painting Illustration of a brush.

Thummies Illustration of a brush.

Food Printing Illustration of a brush.

Sponge Art

Sponge Printing Illustration of a brush.

Apple Tree Print Illustration of a brush.

Art Impressions

Sandpaper Prints Illustration of 2 brushes.

Block Prints Illustration of 2 brushes.

Teddy Bear Prints Illustration of 3 brushes

Relief Prints Illustration of 2 brushes.

Simple Silkscreen Illustration of 3 brushes

Fun Stamps

Rubber Sole Stamps Illustration of 3 brushes

Carved Rubber Stamps Illustration of 2 brushes.

Sculpture

Plaster projects

Poured Plaster

Wall Plaques Illustration of a brush.

Relief Sculpture Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Molding With Plaster Illustration of a brush.

Paper Mâché

Planet Earth Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Papier-Mâché Dinosaurs Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Dinosaur Egg Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Dinosaur Bone Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Stuffed Paper Sculpture Illustration of 2 brushes.

Crushed Foil Sculpture Illustration of 2 brushes.

Wire Sculpture Illustration of 3 brushes

Toothpick Sculpture Illustration of 2 brushes.

Soft Sculpture Illustration of 3 brushes

Seasonal Projects

Spring is Here

Wind Sock Illustration of 2 brushes.

Robin's Nest With Eggs Illustration of a brush.

Spring Pets

Baby Chick Illustration of a brush.

Spring Bunnies Illustration of 2 brushes.

Eggshell Art

Eggshell Mosaic Illustration of a brush.

Glossy Eggs Illustration of a brush.

Papier-Mâché Easter Eggs Illustration of clock. Illustration of a brush.

Pinwheel Illustration of 2 brushes.

Spring Lily Illustration of 3 brushes

Bird in a Cage Illustration of 2 brushes.

Crayon Craft

Crayon Cookies Illustration of a brush.

Crayon Scratchboard Illustration of a brush.

Popcorn Apple Blossoms Illustration of a brush.

Paper Plate Butterfly Puppet Illustration of a brush.

Drying & Preserving Spring Flowers Illustration of a brush.

Cinco de Mayo Projects

Papel Picado Illustration of 2 brushes.

Paper Bag Piñata Illustration of 2 brushes.

Summer Fun

Clip Board Illustration of 2 brushes.

Hawaiian Luau

Hula Skirt Illustration of a brush.

Flower Leis Illustration of 2 brushes.

Paper Pleasers

Ribbon Sticks Illustration of a brush.

Paper Cups Illustration of 2 brushes.

A Day at the Beach

Starfish Illustration of a brush.

Sailboat Illustration of a brush.

Sun Visors Illustration of a brush.

Mini Palm Trees Illustration of 3 brushes

Sand Candles Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Play Skateboard or Scooter Illustration of 3 brushes

Skateboard Ramp Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Balloon Sculptures Illustration of 3 brushes

Mouse

Swan

Apple

Crystal Garden Illustration of a brush.

Walking Snake Illustration of 2 brushes.

Walking Invisible Dog Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Doggie Bank Illustration of 3 brushes

Sparkle Paints Illustration of a brush.

Pretty Bubbles

Bubble Fun Illustration of a brush.

Bubble Art Notepaper Illustration of a brush.

Marbles Paper & Pencils Illustration of 3 brushes

Autumn Arts

Stained Glass Leaf Pictures Illustration of a brush.

Nature Art

Seed Mosaics Illustration of a brush.

Indian Corn Collage Illustration of a brush.

Old-Fashioned Crafts

Apple People Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Corn Husk Dolls Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Braided Rug Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Oat Box Cradle Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Jacob's Ladder Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Scary Ghosts

Bean Ghosts Illustration of a brush.

Tissue Ghosts Illustration of a brush.

Spooky Spiders

Spiders Illustration of a brush.

Spider Webs Illustration of a brush.

Halloween Decorations

Paper Sack Pumpkins Illustration of a brush.

Gauzy Ghosts Illustration of 3 brushes

Witch Puppet Illustration of 2 brushes.

Thanksgiving Crafts

Pilgrim & Native American Village Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Dipped Candles Illustration of clock. Illustration of 3 brushes

Winter Wonders

Snowflakes Illustration of a brush.

Snow Globe Paperweight Illustration of a brush.

Yarn Wreath Illustration of a brush.

Holiday Gifts

Animal Cracker Pins Illustration of a brush.

Potpourri Illustration of a brush.

Reindeer Illustration of 2 brushes.

Hanukkah Menorah Illustration of a brush.

Christmas Tree Trinkets

Paper Christmas Balls Illustration of 3 brushes

Winter Bells Illustration of 2 brushes.

Star of David Picture Frame Illustration of a brush.

Carolers Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Wall Banner Illustration of a brush.

Hansel & Gretel's Candy House Illustration of clock. Illustration of 2 brushes.

Frosting Recipe

Candle Decoration Illustration of 2 brushes.

Punched Tin Illustration of a brush.

Message Spinner Illustration of 2 brushes.

Appendix A

Stages in Children's Art

Appendix B

Working With Groups of Children

Miscellaneous Tips

Kids Create!

Kids Create! is a collection of art and craft projects for children ages 4 through 9 years. The younger children will need quite a bit of guidance in using the materials, but they will benefit from the fun of using different mediums, as well as the practice in refining their motor skills. Children in the midrange may be able to read the instructions themselves and will very likely be able to follow the illustrations. These children, too, will benefit from the help and input of an adult. Older children may well be able to use this book on their own, perhaps asking for some guidance in assembling materials and in using hot glue, craft knives, and paraffin.

Most of the materials are readily available in many homes. Feel free to substitute wherever needed as these items are merely suggestions. As much as possible, I have tried to avoid using materials which are harmful to the environment. No project uses specially purchased Styrofoam items. In some cases, I mention items such as trays used to package meats. Obviously,we need to work toward ridding our environment of these harmful packaging materials, but since they are presently still widely available, rather than throw them away, save them to recycle in various art and craft projects. In fact, it is a good idea to collect these trays as well as egg cartons to give to school craft programs. At the very least, this will keep these items out of our landfills. Plastic wrap has been omitted from every project. There are many suitable substitutes. Art and craft projects should be environmentally friendly; part of the creativity for children should involve finding and using biodegradable materials whose production and disposal are environmentally sound.

WHY KIDS LOVE ARTS & CRAFTS

The joy of creating something is exhilarating. Children, especially, enjoy the creative process, loving every minute of the making. Creative thinking and personal emotion combine into an individual’s artistic expression—a kind of expression where there is no right or wrong.

Making art fulfills children’s real need for self-expression. They are eager to experience life and to participate actively and imaginatively in it.

Children crave the creative outlet that making things provides. We cheat them if we only offer them a life of television and other passive activities. Children who are deprived of opportunities for self-expression through the arts often seek other emotional and creative outlets. Behavior, dress, and interests reflect this unmet need. Street graffiti, unusual hairstyles, and strong identification with peer groups become the only available forms of self-expression.

The zest for art is easy to recognize in young children. It doesn’t disappear as they get older, as some would have you think. It isn’t a phase that children outgrow. The desire to express oneself is ongoing, still present at all ages. Unfortunately, as we get older, we become more inhibited. We begin to judge our efforts as compared to some idea of perfection that we hold. We forget that we can create just for the fun of it.

Children ages 3 to 9 still feel very free to express themselves artistically. Any form of hesitation or withdrawal usually has more to do with factors other than the task at hand. If we, as adults, continually provide these younger children with opportunities to refine their motor skills, to become familiar with various media, to feel proud of each and every creation, we give our children multiple gifts. They are more likely to approach the preteen and teen years with greater confidence and a valuable awareness that artistic expression is a pleasurable, available, acceptable, creative, and emotional outlet.

As you discover, along with your children, the freedom and adventure that art can provide, leave inhibitions behind and have fun! The value of the activity isn’t measured in the finished product, but rather in the pure enjoyment and learning along the way.

USING THIS BOOK

Some of us adults have allowed our creative impulses to become stifled. We feel we lack the imagination and freedom to lead our children in creating art. For us, I’ve included some structured projects in this book. Use them as a springboard for your own ideas and variations. Use the suggested project design as a starting point, not as a rigid parameter to be strictly copied. When a pattern is shown, it’s to give you a suggested size or shape. If you want to try a project in the book but lack something on the materials list, don’t hesitate to look for something that could be substituted. Except for the clay dough recipes, there really are no absolutes; using different materials can result in a wider variety of experiences.

Use the ideas in this book as a starting point for your own creative expression, as well as the children’s. Experiment, change, and push the limits of each project or media you try. As adults we tend to let our lack of creative confidence limit what we try. Urge yourself to try new materials and different ways of using them. By conveying an attitude of capable confidence toward making art, your children will sense that they, too, are free to explore and create. Refrain from criticizing your own efforts or your child’s. If something turns out differently than you had planned, greet it as a great innovation, not a grave disappointment. Avoid even thinking in terms of failure, or a right or wrong way, or even a better way. Children pick up these unspoken messages, leading them to criticize their work and doubt their ability.

Remember, there are no rights or wrongs (no failures) in crafting. Every time a child tries something, he or she is enlarging a skills repertoire and increasing the scope of creative thinking. For all of us the possibilities are always endless. So, enjoy, encourage, and excite yourself and your child with art. The world gives us all so many restrictions, criticisms, and putdowns. Let creating together be a door you help your child open—a door to personal satisfaction, pride, and enjoyment. Along the way you and your child can enjoy some truly quality time together: exploring ideas, creating from within, laughing together, and patting one another on the back.

Let the joy and excitement of creating something of their own give your children the confidence and courage to hold on to the creative innocence of childhood for a lifetime.

Use the ideas in this book to unlock your own creative processes. As you become more confident about providing creative opportunities for your child, you will be able to adapt and expand these beginnings into a multitude of ideas involving a variety of media.

Now, find those scissors, mix the paint, turn on your imagination, and let’s begin!

Danger Zones

To ensure the safety and well-being of your young artists and artisans, please observe these safety measures.

Paraffin: Wax and paraffin should be melted in a can placed in the top of a double boiler (water in both parts of double boiler). An adult must always do this part of a project. Paraffin is flammable.

Hot glue gun: This is very handy, but must be used by adults only.

Balloons: Balloons may seem innocent and fun, but they can be deadly to toddlers who swallow deflated balloons or balloon pieces. Please use with care around young children.

Craft knives: Adults should use the craft knives and sharp scissors, demonstrating correct methods for safe use and handling.

Ventilation: Proper ventilation is necessary when using rubber cement and many fixatives. Acrylic sprays are extremely flammable as well as toxic. (Hair spray is a good substitute.) Adults should spray fixatives, not children.

Keys to Confidence

Each project is identified as to the approximate degree of difficulty involved in confidently completing it. Look for the paintbrushes to identify the suggested range of ability or dexterity each project might involve.

Illustration of 1 small brush. 1 Brush= Few fine motor skills needed. Adults may need to help very young children by preparing some of the materials ahead of time. These projects should delight