Christmas -- Make a Present!

UndergroundLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:35:00 GMT

What better for a kid than to make a present for a relative or teacher? And what beloved grandparent, aunt, or parent is not thrilled with something made by the hands of their little darling? Kids get a great feeling of satisfaction from having created their own gift. The libraries have lots of books to get you started, and there are possibliities for kids of all ages.

For example, we have a book at Oaklyn in our Christmas section called Christmas Crafts: Things to Make the 24 Days Before Christmas by Carolyn Meyer. It includes directions for bread-dough ornaments, apple-and-clove pomander balls, potato-print wrapping paper, and lots of other things.

The Christmas section is not the only place to find good craft ideas. Try the general children's craft area for other brainstorms. EcoArt!: Earth-Friendly Art & Craft Experiences for 3- to 9-Year-Olds by Laurie Carlson includes bird feeders, potpourri sachets, flower vases made from glass bottles decorated with decoupage or yarn, wreaths of pine cones or seed mosaics or popcorn, and on and on and on.

Older kids will find lots of ideas in Earth-Friendly Crafts for Kids :50 Awesome Things to Make with Recycled Stuff by Heather Smith. School Library Journal suggests it for grades 5 - 9. It's complete with photos of kids that age making simple things like "Super Stylin' Desk Set" on page 50 (made from assorted tin cans, spray paint and yarn) to involved projects like "Wrinkled Wax Batiks" on page 122 (involving boiling water and hot wax - and the directions to get an adult's help! ). On page 89 are diections to turn a pizza box into a "cool vanity case or collector's box." Hmmm, do I still have that pizza box from last night?

Focus on Crafts

mrsweasley@evpl — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:30:00 GMT

I always feel creative in the fall. Maybe it's because I start thinking about holiday gifts, or the cooler weather makes me want to curl up under an afghan I'm knitting. Crafts can be a great break from schoolwork and can help you develop your dexterity, creativity and skills sets. Kinesthetic learners can especially enjoy and benefit from crafting.

McCollough Branch is offering a four-week series of crafts for teen and tweens, grades 3-12. On September 23, we'll be making fancy flip flops. All materials (including flip flops) will be provided, but you may bring a pair of flip flops that fit you if you like. Over the next few weeks we'll be doing origami, making no-sew amigurumi and crafting "Gocks" (Goth sock puppets). Join us at 3:00 pm on Tuesday afternoons through October 14.

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Christmas -- Make a Present!

Focus on Crafts