Origami is Good for the Soul

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into various objects, is an activity that is guaranteed to provide any family with countless hours of fun. Children are drawn to the brightly colored paper often laden with intricate patterns and designs. It is relaxing, quiet, and ideal for a day whose weather does not necessarily permit outdoor adventure. It’s also an enjoyable way of honing motor skills and concentration as it not only requires the ability to focus, but also the ability to perform a series of steps in order to complete the desired task.

Origami paper is easily acquired at any arts and crafts store and most packs of paper come with ideas and folding instructions and nearly every major bookstore sells the instruction books. Another fun place to find origami supplies would be at your local art museum.

Read about more fun arts and crafts ideas at WomansDay.com.

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Tags: craft for kids, craft ideas, Family Crafts

Vintage Crafts

Tea Time

Just Rosy

Life imitates art, and sweetly so.

Have a Ball

A Sunny Topiary with real daisies brightens a mantel,

or if you use faux flowers it’ll bring cheer all year.

Discover other clever craft ideas.

Tags: fall crafts, Family Crafts

Halloween Crafts and Activities for the Whole Family

• Create this unique Halloween costume in just 1-hour!

• Make the perfect pumpkin with these unique carving ideas.

Tags: Family Crafts, halloween crafts, halloween fun, holiday crafts

Unique Photo Gift Collages

A family photo collage is a family craft which is a constant memory to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow. This gift is a unique piece of artwork that people of all ages can enjoy doing. They serve as great mementos and gifts that attract the eyes of visitors to your home. Surprise your family members with a gift they will cherish forever-give them a photo collage. A personalized gift that can be tailored to any occasion such as wedding, graduation, prom, or birthday party is the best kind to give to a loved one.

Materials Needed:

• Construction Paper or Cardstock,
• Photos,
• Glue Stick or Dry Glue, and
• Scissors

First start by compiling the photos you want to use. Glue them in place on your paper. One good idea is to make copies of the pictures you are going to use so that you can preserve the original photo and the copy will stick better than the picture itself. Next decide the design you want and start planning.

Some good ideas are:

• Your design can be all black and white photos.

Photo Collage

• Baby’s First Birthday Collage

Baby's First Birthday Collage

First Birthday baby collages make great gifts for grandparents, parents, or friends.  For more fun family craft activities, click here….

Tags: Family Crafts

4th July Crafts – Star Wavers for Independence Day

Let your kids exercise their independence by taking on a crafting project of their own. Starry wavers are the perfect easy-to-make kid’s craft for this 4th of July.

What you’ll need:

• Pieces of colorful felt
• Colored ribbons
• 10 to 12-inch wooden sticks or dowels
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Sequins and glitters (optional)

How to make it:

1. Tie ribbons at one end of the stick.
2. Cut a pair of 6-inch wide stars from your felt.
3. Glue the felt stars together with the ribbon-tied tip of the stick/dowel inserted between them. Allow glue to dry.
4. Decorate the felt stars with glitter or sequins.

Congrats! Your Independence Day waver is ready.
Image: orientaltrading.com

Tags: 4th July family craft, craft ideas, Family Crafts, kids crafts

4th July Crafts – Star-Studded Door Hanger for Independence Day

Jazz up your Independence Day celebration with some easy kids’ crafts. Decorative door hangers are a perfectly patriotic way to welcome your guests this 4th of July.

To make the star-studded door-hanger you’ll need:

• Paper plates
• Star-shaped foam sticker (red)
• Tubes of blue and golden glitter glue
• Patriotic star garland/thin blue ribbon
• White yarn
• White craft glue
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Cut five 10 to 12-inch pieces from the garland/ribbon.
2. Cut a 6-inch piece from the white yarn.
3. Glue two paper plates together with both ends of the yarn inserted about 1½ inches deep in between them.
4. At the bottom end of the plate, insert the pieces of garland /ribbon about ½ inch away from one another. Allow the glue to dry.
5. Paste the red star shaped foam sticker on the center of the top plate.
6. Write a welcome message with golden glitter glue right above the red star.
7. Create a border along the rim of the plate using blue glitter glue. Allow glue to dry.
8. For further embellishment, draw a glittering golden border around the star.

Happy Independence Day!

Image: Kaboose

Tags: 4th July family craft, craft ideas, Family Crafts, kids crafts

Flower Craft Ideas – Tissue Paper Flowers for May

Use these beautiful tissue paper flowers to add a touch of color to your house this May. Tissue paper flowers are easy to make, and kids will love trying this decorative craft project on their own.

Flower Craft Ideas

To make flowers you need:

• Colored tissue papers
• Chenille stems (pipe cleaners)
• Scissors
• A Ruler

How to make it:

1. Cut tissue papers into rectangular pieces of desired size.
2. Stack 5 to 6 tissue paper pieces (these can be the same or different colors).
3. Fold the pieces like an accordion, widthwise.
4. Wind one end of the chenille stem around the mid-point of the pleat.
5. Carefully spread the pleat and separate each layer along the edge by pulling it towards the center.

Your spring paper flower is ready!

Image: bbfi-oceania.org

Tags: Family Crafts, flower craft

Valentine’s Day Craft Idea – Make Your Own Valentine’s Day Card

In these times of economic uncertainty, family crafts are the perfect low-cost activity. The time you spend crafting can bring your family closer together, and can save you loads of money (crafting is way cheaper than a movie).

Make this Valentine’s Day special with an ultra-cute V-day card. This project if perfect for kids 4 years and older (younger children will likely need some help). Here’s what you need:

• 8.5” x 11” construction paper (assorted colors),
• Heart shaped stickers (or you can cut your own hearts out of construction paper),
• Safety scissors,
• Glue stick,
• Glitter (assorted colors), and
• Glitter glue (assorted colors).

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of construction paper into four quarters.
2. Fold each quarter in half to make a small card.
3. Apply your heart-shaped stickers to the front of the card. (If you don’t have stickers, cut small hearts from your construction paper, and apply them with a glue stick.) Experiment making different patterns and collages with your hearts.
4. Use the edge of your glue stick to write short words and phrases on your card. Dust your glue-stick-writing with glitter. Allow glue to dry.
5. Trace the borders of your cut out hearts with glitter glue. Allow glue to dry.
6. Place each card between two sheets of plain paper. Set a book on top of your card while it dries (to prevent bending).

Neatly re-pack any leftover papers, glitter and stickers for future craft projects.
Once your cards have dried, your children can personalize them and hand them out to friends, teachers, and neighbors.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Image courtesy: familyplayandlearn.com

Tags: craft ideas, Family Crafts, Valentine's Day Crafts

Family Crafts Ideas – Build Valentine’s Day Card Box

This Valentine’s Day, create a heart-themed box to store all of your Valentine’s day cards. Your kids will love creating their very own storage system, and you’ll help them develop organizational skills.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Cereal box,
• Construction paper (Red and pink colors are preferable),
• Safety scissors,
• Tape,
• Glittered glue tubes (warm colors like red, purple and pink are preferable),
• White craft glue,
• Heart shaped craft foam (craft foams are available in packets in pre-cut shapes),
• Heart shaped cookie cutter, and
• A pencil.

How to Make:

1. Cut out a rectangle from the side of your cereal box (the hole should be large enough to accept a card).
2. Cover your box in cpnstruction paper, securing it with tape.
3. Cut a total of 6 hearts from your construction paper. You can use cookie cutters to trace perfect heart shapes.
4. Write some short phrases on your hearts with glitter glue. Allow the glue to dry.
5. Glue 3 hearts to each of the box’s larger sides. The hearts should overlap and extend past the edge of the box.
6. Glue your foam hearts to the thin sides of the box, and allow glue to dry.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Image courtesy: crafts.kaboose.com

Tags: Family Crafts, Valentine's Day Crafts

Fun Craft Project For Kids – Make A Snowman Card

Are the kids done with their homework and need something to do? Why not get them started on a fun craft project? It’s a good way to keep them busy and they’ll be proud of their work. Most importantly, crafting teaches children to be both creative and resourceful. Watch their young eyes light up when they realize that they can make lamp shades, calendars, jewelry, paper weights and more, out of household items.

Since it’s cold out, it only seems right to make a winter-themed craft. So how about making a snowman card? Here’s what you need to get started:

Materials for Snowman Card

• Blank card,
• Chart paper,
• Three cotton balls (one large, one medium and one small),
• Blue watercolor paint,
• Orange construction paper,
• Paint brush,
• White glue,
• Sparkle glitter,
• Safety scissors,
• Black marker, and
• Black marble paper

How to Make Your Snowman Card

Before you start, keep the cotton balls under something heavy to flatten them (it will take some time). Alternatively, you can cut circles of white felt.

Cut out a rectangular shaped piece from the chart paper. Paint this piece blue with your watercolor paint. Let it dry. Next, glue the paper to the center of the blank card. Apply a smear of glue to the top of blue paper, and then give it a dusting of sparkle glitter. Allow time for everything to dry.

Glue the three cotton balls to the center of the blue rectangular paper. The large one should be at the bottom, the medium one in the middle, and the small one at the top – you’re making the snowman’s body. Next, cut out a small hat from the black marble paper and glue atop your snowman’s head.

Cut your smowman a nose from the orange construction paper, and apply it with a dab of glue. Finally, draw your snowman a mouth, eyes, and arms with the black marker and you’re done.

Happy Crafting!

Tags: Family Crafts, snowman card