Posts

Making Dream Catchers

Image
Never having had ever made a dream catcher before, this craft was a skill unknown to us. We wanted to make a dream catcher from a kit as we needed to know how to make it with instructions there in front of us. Dreamcatcher Kits are available in two colours, one to make a pink dream catcher and one to make a brown dream catcher. It is one of those things that having made one for the first time, the second time of making it is much, much easier! We came across a couple of small difficulties, however, through trial and error, we resolved these which gave a great sense of satisfaction. The kits come with a metal hoop and leather thonging to create the base that the feathers hang from. We worked it out that the best way to stop the thonging unwinding was to use a paper clip to hold it firm whilst the remaining thread is wrapped round the hoop. We also discovered that the stitches need to be a tight as possible in order to create the tension required without the stitches looping.
Post a Comment
Read more

Making Quiet Critters

Image
Today we have been making critters out of craft pom poms. Have you heard about pom pom critters? So useful if you need to keep children quiet, for whatever the reason. We used glitter pom poms as they look like they have spiky hair all over them, due to their metallic strands. We think they look rather cool! Homemade Quiet Critters Pom pom critters can be used by teachers, in the classroom, or at home to help with behaviour management. They are named 'Quiet Critters' in this instance. For a teaching method of keeping the children quiet and on task, this can work really well. The idea being that all the creatures live in a soundproof container as they don't like to hear a lot of noise. If a child is quiet, they get the chance to look after a critter. If the child, then gets too noisy, the critter will dislike this and need to be moved to a quieter place. Critters do not need feet as the pom poms will stand alone without toppling over. However, if you prefer a cr
Post a Comment
Read more

A Handmade Mother's Day Gift For Children To Make

Image
With Mother's Day not too far away, we realise that many people will be thinking ahead as to what children can give to Mum for Mother's Day this year. We think that handmade gifts are so much more meaningful than an off the shelf purchase, so what better than for children to make something to give. Today we have been making bracelets for Mum using beads which are suitable for any age of child to use, even preschoolers. To personalise the bracelets we used children's alphabet letter beads . We have both smaller letter beads and larger ones for the little children to use. We sell the beads by the letter so that the choice of letter is guaranteed. Also in mixed letter packs . For an individual child, a mixed pack would be fine, but for groups who would require several of the same letter (in this case letters M U and M) the additional packs of single letters are advisable so as not to be disappointed that there are not enough of the letters you need. Bracelets made for
1 comment
Read more

Beginning Crochet With Children

Image
The very first step in leaning how to crochet is to make a chain of stitches. Although crochet seems easy once learnt, it is surprising how difficult the physical action of making the very first stitches can be having never done it before. So, to practice chain stitch and do more and more chain stitch until it comes naturally, is a good thing that children can do to help themselves to progress further. Children and beginners will find it difficult to follow a pattern or even do a row of single crochet without the ability to hold the yarn at the right tension for it to slide easily through the stitches. The action of the wrist of the hand that holds the hook when making stitches is also something to be acquired. Chain and more chain is the way to go! Here is how to do a slip knot and chain stitch But what can you do with all the lengths of chain once they have been made? Well, simply making them might be enough to satisfy some children. Others might want to see a purpose, not just
Post a Comment
Read more

Homemade Flags for Sandcastles

Image
Have you ever thought to make your own sandcastle flags? They are usually just a round thin wooden stick with a rectangle or triangle of paper attached to the top. Building sandcastles is a typical childhood summertime activity and flags are often a last minute thought, even when just arriving at the beach. When the sun goes in behind a cloud, (well in a British summer, that happens), what better thing for young children to do than build a sandcastle.  Did you make sandcastles as a child? British Beach in Summer And, isn't waiting for a summer holiday is a difficult thing for children to do!  Here we are preparing with a physical activity where their thoughts are, and can still be, focused on what they want to think about - their summer holiday or trip to the beach. When children use their hands doing a craft activity, it keeps them busy, making it easier to control any excitement and keeps them calmer too. Flags can be made as simple or elaborate as you like -  use
Post a Comment
Read more

Starting Sewing with Children

Image
We created a sewing starter set for children to learn to sew. The intention with this traditional set is that they learn to sew at their own pace, in the way the suits them best. There is no right way or wrong way with this set, in fact every child would be sure to create something different based on where ever their interests lie. We have included a mix of sewing supplies enabling children to be creative and produce something unique to themselves. If this sounds a little daunting, you might be wondering where you would begin. In order to give your child a starting point and gain confidence in actually achieving something initially, we have included a precut felt fish as a first project to help with this. The fabrics are a mix of textures, including a piece of fun fur -who could not resist touching that! Felt has the advantage of not fraying at the edges - fraying fabric is something that children will find difficult to deal with when they first start sewing. Felt can be
Post a Comment
Read more

Nature Inspired Jewellery Making Craft for Children

Image
Although this blog post may seem very much like a children's craft tutorial on how to make a bracelet, the purpose behind it is for children to so see that nature can be used creatively as inspiration for their jewellery making and arts and crafts generally. Autumn Leaves for Inspiration Here we made a bracelet that children can make themselves using the same pack of beads as previously used to make the blackberry inspired bracelets here. This time we chose brightly coloured beads which were the same colours as the autumn leaves. We threaded them to make a stretchy bracelet in this manner. DIY bracelet for children to make When learning to create, skills are needed which can be built upon, little by little, in the future. So here is the craft tutorial too! To make this style bracelet you will need a good length of round elastic (approx 1 meter) For children to make a bracelet like this, the holes in the beads must be large enough for the elastic to fit through
Post a Comment
Read more