Hey crafty friends! Today I’m sharing a segment of Hands On Crafts for Kids- it’s a children’s crafting show I host that airs on PBS. However, if you don’t see it in your area, you can watch full episodes every week on the website CraftsForKids.com. While these crafts are designed for youngsters ages 5-12, many of the ideas or techniques are good for all ages. And if you are looking for homeschool activities, scouting crafts, or even inter-generational projects we’ve […]
New Back-to-School Craft for Kids- Tie-Dye Notebooks!
Here in New York City, my kids JUST went back to school- we are a full three weeks behind some of our friends! But it’s still in that “back to school” zone, right? So I wanted to share this craft and video I designed for my friends at Creativity for Kids on their Just add imagination channel– a “tie-dye” style notebook. Wanna know a secret? This journal is actually for ME. Ever since I was a kid I loved back-to-school. […]
Rocket Ship Gift Bag
Here’s on more segment from Hands On Crafts for Kids– it’s how to make a cute rocket ship gift bag you can make with your kids or FOR your kids! This is a fun craft that uses Contact Paper, oil pastels, glitter glue, markers and a plain gift bag. Instructions: Cut a piece of shelf paper slightly larger than bag. Place over pattern then trace with felt pen. To create stencil, carefully cut out center of each design element leaving […]
Burlap Hedgehog Craft for Kids
I’m back today with another craft that I did for the TV show Hands On Crafts for Kids! You can see the original post on that site, but I thought I’d share it here too. This is a fun Hedgehog craft that you can make with the kiddos using burlap and Styrofoam. I think it’s fun to teach them to build their own shapes. Some links contained in the post are affiliate links. Here’s what you’ll need: MATERIALS LIST: 4” styrofoam […]
Recycled Bottle Rocket Ship
I LOVE it when we can recycle “garbage” into fun crafts for the kids. This is a craft I shared on my PBS show, “Hands on Crafts for Kids” this year. But I wanted to share the segment and instructions with you here, too! Here is the full segment for you to enjoy (I hope) and you can see me crafting right along- so you know it’s DO-able! Here’s that list of materials: Acrylic Paint or markers 12” FloraCraft® Styrofoam™ […]
Marquee Makeup Mirror
Ever want to feel like a star? Channel your inner Diva? With this Marquee Makeup Mirror you can make a fun and functional mirror to decorate a teen’s room or use as a party craft or decoration. I’ve got the full video here for you! Here are the links to some of the products I used- the are affiliate links on Amazon: Marquee Lights– under $7! Styrofoam wreath (flat) Plastic Mirror I hope you enjoyed this craft- I sure did. […]
Chibitronics at CHA 2016!
Sometimes when you are walking around the show floor of the CHA Megashow (this one was held in January of 2016), you find booths that really catch your eye and get you exciting about crafting at a whole ‘nother level. Such was the case at the Chibitronics booth. Their idea is to integrate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) WITH crafting. I love this concept- getting kids experimenting with making creative things AND feeding their brains with science! Take a look […]
Recycle Craft: Cardboard Tube Drums
In my previous career as a Music Therapist, I came up with a number of crafty projects, and making musical instruments was my favorite! We were always working on a super-tight budget, with an eye toward recycling when we could, and making instruments that adults wouldn’t be embarrassed to play. One year, I came up with drums made of tubes and shrink wrap- and today, I’m sharing it with you! This is a great rainy day craft, scout craft, vacation […]
“Stained Glass” Pixel Art using GLITTER GLUE!
Here’s a fun kid’s craft using glitter glue and plastic canvas- perfect making “faux stained glass” sun catchers with ANY theme you can dream up! Superhero, comics/cartoons, sports logos- the sky is the limit! Here’s a supply list for you: plastic canvas plastic page protector painters tape plastic lacing to finish the edges scissors printed images (Hint: you can search for “Pixel art” and you’ll find a bunch of designs. I searched “Pixel art captain america” to find one […]
Nature Journal for Kids (Hands On Crafts)
Hey crafty friends! I was excited to learn that this week the new series of Hands On Crafts has started airing in local PBS markets and also online! Before we hop into the new series, I forgot to share this one from last season- a Nature Journal made from paper bags, air-dry clay, and binder rings. It’s perfect for crafting up little books to gather trinkets and treasures on nature walks. Perfect for Girl/Boys Scouts, too! Here’s the supply list (affiliate […]
Color Powder Hack- Watercolor with Kool-AID
Right now colored powder dyes are all the rage- the sheer number of them I’ve reviewed in the past month is pretty astounding. But what if you don’t have the big bucks for those powdered dyes? If you have a dollar, you can have a full set of ten…. if you use Kool-Aid or other powdered drink mixes. I made you a video, but here’s the skinny: use an UNSWEETENED drink mix- it won’t get sticky. Snip the corner and […]
“Frozen” Inspired Birthday Cake
File this one under “dedicated mommy.” My sister, who is very crafty and talented creatively made a birthday cake for my niece that is inspired by what else? FROZEN. Because four-year-old girls, of course! Disclosure:some of the links below are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission from your purchase. Thank you for supporting CraftTestDummies! My sister gets all the credit- even the photos! She started off by making 2 box cake mixes and dying the batter different […]
Glue Resist Wall Art Featuring Faber-Castel Gel Crayons
Here’s a fun project that you can do with your kids or even for yourself! Make some wall art that speaks to you! You’ll need: canvas paper (it comes in pads and is very economical) or a stretched canvas if you prefer Gesso (read my primer on gesso if you are not sure what that is or why you should use it pencil white glue or gel-style glue. I found that the glitter glue from Elmer’s worked best. (affiliate link) Faber Castell […]
Hands On Crafts For Kids: Dyed T-Shirts (HOC1706 )
Hooray! Another segment for Hands One Crafts for Kids has gone live! In this one, you can see a really creative way to tie-dye t-shirts using common household items to make a pattern! I bet you could come up with some other fun designs, too! I’d love to hear from you!
Does Duck Tape Scents Really Smell?
Earlier last month we got some of the new Duck Tape Scents in here at CTD WHQ. Of course, my kids junior assistants were super-interested in them… so I figured, let’s ask THEM if they smells are good and/or accurate. Take a look at this video we shot: I think it’s worthy of not that my son had that tingling sensation in his nose… and the “phantom smell” lasted for about an hour for him. But there was no real […]
Craft Product Review: LoopDeDoo Bracelet Spinning Loom
Every now and then I’m cruising through a craft store and something will catch my eye. (Or my daughter’s eye.) I’m not sure which one of us saw this product first- me or her- but I knew that we were going to be buying it and bringing it home to try out. The kit we bought was for bracelets, and it included the spinning loom, tray, and thread. Here’s how it’s described on the website: Design your own friendship […]
Jellyfish Wind Sock Tutorial
I shared some BIG NEWS with you all last week, and I teased that I was going to make a Jellyfish for one of my segments. Well, I did. But I decided not to wait to share it with you. You all get first peeks! This is a fun project for a party, kids’ room…heck, I’d love a whole school of them in my studio. For real. Materials List: 5” Styrofoam ball rubber band plastic knife acrylic craft paint/brush (optional) […]
Doctor Who Inspired Galaxy Shoes
My little girl is a full-on Doctor Who super fan. She watches the shows obsessively and had started requesting more clothing and craft projects that center around the Tardis, sonic screwdrivers, weeping angels and daleks! So be prepared, folks- there will be more Doctor Who crafts showing up here soon. 🙂 But back to today’s project. We were attending a Doctor Who live event at our local movie theater and she needed some shoes to accent her Tardis Dress from […]
Book Review: Never Been Stitched by Amanda Carestio
I have been sewing a long, long time. More than half my life. But that doesn’t stop me from keeping my eye out for books for beginning sewers, like this book “Never Been Stitched” by Amanda Carestio, with the contributions of others. I have lots of friends who want advice on learning how to sew. And since I can’t send them to my mom’s house to learn on a hand-crank Singer like I did, I like having some basic books […]
Kid’s Crafts: Play Doh DohVinci by Hasbro
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are already well aware of the legendary modeling clay Play Doh. This year Hasbro took it to the next level by creating a new hand-held extruder for the distinctive-smelling compound- and what you get is DohVinci! I received this comp package from a blogger’s conference I went to…and let me tell you, the minute I unpacked it my 9-year old daughter bugged me incessantly to crack it open. Of course, I had […]
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