So yesterday I shared my daughter’s experience with the Cra-Z-Loom (like a Rainbow Loom.) But as she was trying to master the Fishtail Bracelet, I realized that it would actually be easier without one. All we needed was something to hold the loops. Many kids use their fingers, but it’s a little tiring as well as leaving you sore! So we came up with the idea of using a plastic fork with the middle tines broken out. Other than that, […]
Cra-Z-Loom Bracelet Maker Loom
If you have children in your house between the ages of 5 and 15, you already know about the bracelet loom phenomenon. It’s the craft using rubber band loops and a plastic loom to create different designs that you can turn in to bracelets (or necklaces, for that matter.) The kind folks at Toys R Us and Cra-Z-Art graciously sent one for my “junior assistants” to try out! Here’s how it’s described on the website: The simple loop, weave and […]
Product Review: Creativity for Kids – Tie Dye Kit
I admit it, I have never, ever tie dyed anything before. It’s always seemed messy and a little daunting to me. My oldest daughter Emma picked up this Tie Dye kit by Creativity for Kids (which is owned by CTD favorite, Faber-Castell) up at the local Target with some of her allowance money. I kind of rolled my eyes when she and my husband brought it home and he disappeared into the other room. Upon closer look, I noticed that […]
Kid’s Craft Idea- Crepe Paper “Painting” Recycle Crafting
This is a craft that I’ve done with the kids, but I’ve also done by myself for fun. It’s also eco-friendly, because you can re-use tissue and crepe paper from parties, presents, and packaging. The idea is to use the wet the tissue paper onto watercolor paper and let it “bleed” to create a picture. Wanna learn how? All you need is: used tissue and crepe paper that is not water-resistant (this is very important) Larger sheet of watercolor paper […]
SEI Color My Own Iron-On Transfers &Tumble Dye
Are you a child of the 80’s? Remember those cool black velvet flocked posters that you could get at the drugstore? They came with a set of crummy markers and you got to color them in yourself? Those were the days. However, you can relive that time with SEI’s Color My Own Fuzzy Iron-On Art transfers. From the SEI website: Our iron-on flock transfers can be applied to any surface that will withstand the heat of an iron, i.e. wood, […]
How-To: Minecraft Images in Perler Beads
I kid about my children being my “junior assistants.” But lately, my 11-year-old son has taken on a crafting identity all his own. I really wanted to share his creations- and process- with you. “D” really enjoys playing a game called MineCraft and has been playing for the last 6 months or so. Minecraft is a game about placing blocks to build anything you can imagine. At night monsters come out, make sure to build a shelter before that happens. Part […]
Kid’s Halloween Craft: Glow in the Dark Trick or Treat Tote
Halloween is just around the corner, and my kids are so excited. As a Mom, though, I’m worried about safety after dark. So my son and I came up with a Halloween Craft- a tote bag that he could make (and meet his specifications of “being cool” ) and I would be happy that it would provide some additional visibility on his route. You’ll need: Natural or white canvas tote Simply Spray Fabric Paint (We used lime green.) Tulip […]
How-To: After School Snack Menu
After school is always a kind of hectic time for my household. The kids burst in, tired from their day and walk home, and the first thing they do is as “what’s for snack??” So I make a quick snack menu to hang so that they know right away and I can cut down on the mayhem! I started out with a slate cheese tray that has rope handles. (I found it in the close-out bin at my craft […]
Kid’s Craft Product Review- Natural Paint by Clementine Art
In a world of allergies and questions about what chemicals REALLY go into art supplies, I was excited to try out Clementine Art products. I saw them on Amazon.com and couldn’t wait to try them out! Here’s how it’s described by the manufacturer: Clementine art introduces a new way of doing art with children. Our inviting, open-ended materials encourage children to create real art. Our fresh and natural art supplies support the healthy development of your child. Clementine is art […]
How-To: Art Bombs {Outdoor Crafting}
Today we have a guest post on the topic of Outdoor Crafting from Nicola Crozier. She is a freelance writer with a particular interest in handmade crafts. {{UPDATE: please make sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post before attempting to do this craft!}} Crafting doesn’t have to be kept indoors you know! This summer, why don’t you make the most of the weather and get outside to start your next craft project? There are multitudes […]
Children’s “Stained Glass” Effect Window Decoration from Baker Ross {UK}
Today we have a lovely sponsored tutorial from Baker Ross, a UK-based craft supplier. They’ve offered to share this tutorial with the CTD community-I thought it would be a perfect craft for Vacation Bible School enjoy! There’s something about stained glass windows which makes me feel very calm and peaceful. Hopefully, they will inspire the same feelings of serenity in children who make arts and crafts versions of the glorious windows you find in churches, chapels, cathedrals and abbeys! To […]
Kid’s Craft Kit Review: Color-Me Quilt Craft Kit by S&S WorldWide
My daughter has just joined a “Daisy” troop, and I know that crafting will be a big part of the troops’ activities. The challenge is always trying to find something that everyone can do, pretty much independently, but is still open-ended and creative while cohesive to the group as a whole! Pretty tall order, right? Well, this kits fits the bill! In each kit you get: 25 pre-cut, pre-hemmed 8-inch white cotton fabric squares. Each has a pre-cut hole in […]
The Best Bean Bag How-To & Dinosaur Train Fabric
Sometimes the things I do are purely for selfish reasons. You see, I have this nephew, and I love it when he smiles. And right now, Dinosaur Train REALLY makes him smile….. so I accepted some fabric from Quilting Treasures so that I could make him something cool with it… so I could get some free SMILES!!! See how selfish I am? So anyway, I got this lovely fabric from the nice folks at Quilting Treasures. Apparently there’s a new […]
Kids Craft Product Review: Glam Art kits by Dot Art
I have two little girls who love making art projects with their mama. And while I love sharing my stuff with them, sometimes it’s nice to be able to pull out something special just for them. This Glam Art kit from Fubulous Wubulous (part of Dot Art) is just the thing to keep your little artists joyfully occupied for a morning or afternoon of creative fun! Glam Art kits contain “3 art boards to decorate with sparkling sequins and glistening […]
Kids Craft Product Review: Kirigami Flowers by Brainogami
My daughters definitely inherited my love to craft and create; my youngest could go through a full ream of paper in a week if I let her. My oldest wants to do craft reviews when she grows up, which I find absolutely adorable. They’re always asking if they can help me with my reviews (really, it’s a daily question around here), so needless to say they were ecstatic when I told them about Kid’s Crafting week here at Craft Test […]
Kid’s Craft Review: Art Journal Kit by Artterro
Art Journaling is all the rage in the scrapbooking/ crafting community- so it’s no surprise that someone should come up with an art journal geared toward kids! Artterro has done just that- they’ve created a kid-friendly kit that encourages drawing, writing, doodling, and collage. This kit consists of the mat board bound journal, pretty handmade papers, pocket pages and some really fun idea pages. (Note: you supply scissors, drawing/writing materials, glue etc.) Here’s how the Art Journal kit is described […]
Kids Craft Product Review: Do-A-Dot Art Markers from DotArt
My 3 kids love to make art, and between my art supplies and theirs, we have a ton of arts and crafts products in our home. Â Somehow, though, we hadn’t managed to acquire anything similar to today’s product, and I have no idea why…because it’s a win-win for everyone…no mess and tons of fun! Do-A-Dot Art sponge-tip applicator markers are what you would commonly think of as “bingo markers.” Â But they’re not quite the same. Â Let me share them with […]
How-To: Duct Tape Coin Pouch
My kiddos need to take lunch money to school everyday- either for buying hot lunch or for milk money. Since they can’t really be trusted with loose money in their pockets- and they’ve lost every “real” wallet they’ve ever had- I made some duct tape coin pouches. I have some of this cool patterned duct tape on hand, but you can use the plain ol’ silver if that’s what you’ve got. You’ll also need a pair of good non-stick scissors- […]
“100 Days” Craft Idea
So, this is new to me: my kids celebrate the first 100 days of school. (We didn’t do this back in the day.) As a result, my first grader was required to bring in 100 items- anything, really- and display them for the class. The purpose is counting, I suppose. But I saw this as a crafter-tunity to use up some beads AND get my daughter making art! Since I recently thinned out my beading stash (yes, I am a […]
Tween Craft: Personalized Locker Mirrors
Here’s another tutorial I did for CraftsUnleashed- it’s so fun and easy for the kids to do! Would be fun for their rooms, as well. I got the idea for decorating a mirror from this post I wrote about Pattie Wilkinson’s washer necklaces! Remember getting your first locker? How cool it felt- and SO grown-up- to have your own private space. A space not just to keep your books, but a space that became a home-base for the day. A […]
