Crafts For Kids
Firecracker Guy
This funny firecracker makes a festive decoration or party
favor for the 4th of July!
Toilet paper tube
Pieces of newspaper, magazine pages or craft paper
Scraps of black and white paper
1 “pipe cleaner”
Black marker
Colored markers (optional)
Glue stick
White glue
Sharp pencil
Scissors
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Here's How:
2| Trim away the excess paper.
3| Make facial features with black and white paper, adding details with a black marker as needed, and use a glue stick to adhere them to the front of the tube.
4| Use a sharp pencil (a parent’s job) to poke one hole on each side of the tube.
5| Push the pipe cleaner into one hole and out the other side through the other hole, then bend the ends to create arms with little hands.
6| Now, with a pencil, trace the bottom of the tube twice—first onto the back of a piece of black paper, and again on the back of a piece of colored paper. Draw two foot shapes onto the traced circle on the colored paper, then use scissors to cut it out as one piece and to cut out the black circle.
7| Next, with a sharp pencil, poke a hole in the center of the black circle and use white glue to attach it to the top of the tube and to attach the feet to the bottom.
8| While the glue dries, use scissors to cut a couple dozen (or more) very thin strips, about 11” long, from several types of paper.
9| Gather the strips together and carefully push them into the hole on top of the “firecracker”, fan them out a little and then find a good spot to display the fiery little friend!
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More Ideas:
• If using black and white newsprint to cover the tube, color it completely with marker if desired (as shown in the photo).
• Try using the Sunday comics, old sheet music, spare gift-wrap or aluminum foil to cover the tube.
If one is on hand, use a hole-punch instead of a sharp pencil to make the holes in the project.
• To make a Dynamite Gal, add red lips and a skirt fashioned from a silver muffin liner.
• Help pass the wait for fireworks by having each family member make his or her own Dynamite Guy or Gal.
• To make the firecracker have an unlit “fuse,” replace the paper strips with a pipe cleaner.
• Turn the project into a party favor by filling the tube with candy or other small surprises before gluing on the top circle of paper.
• To create place markers for the picnic table, make one guy for each guest. Then, write their names onto small strips of paper and stick them into a hand on each guy.
• Try using “googly eyes” instead of paper ones.
• Ball up a small piece of paper and glue it on for a 3-D nose.
• Have the guy wave a little American flag in one hand.
• Make a whole parade of firecracker guys to march down the center of the party table.
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Pamela Frye Hauer is an artist, author and mother of two busy little boys. Her craft and scrapbooking projects have appeared in numerous books and magazines. Her most recent book is “Memories in Miniature.” Photo by Pamela Frye Hauer.
Dad's Day Tray
Craft this cool organizer for Dad’s desk or dresser with a frozen food tray and a little papier-mâché.
1 clean frozen dinner tray
A sheet or two of gift tissue and/or colored paper
White glue
Water
Small disposable container
Plastic spoon
Scissors (optional)
Newspaper
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Here's How:
Cut or tear a sheet of tissue or paper into small pieces.
Squirt about 4 tablespoons of white glue into the
disposable container; add about 2 tablespoons of water to the glue and mix it well with the spoon.
One at a time, dip the paper into the glue, wipe off excess paste with fingers and smooth onto the food tray.
Continue until the top and sides of the tray are completely covered. Mix more paste if needed.
If desired, cut or tear small shapes from a different color paper and dip and adhere them onto the wet tray to make a pattern or design.
Allow the tray to dry completely, at least 24 hours.
Dad can use your gift as a valet to stylishly store his wallet, watch and phone, or on his desk to organize small office supplies.
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More Ideas:
Use a découpage medium like Mod Podge instead of the glue mixture.
Use printed gift-wrap for an instant design on the tray.
Store-bought “handmade” tissue or paper, with lots of natural fibers in it, works great for this project.
Cover the tray with plain paper, and once dry, use craft paints or stickers to decorate it.
For a different look, cover the tray with torn newspapers or comics instead of colored paper.
Paste a printed word in each section on the tray to designate what item goes where.
After applying the colored paper, add cut out drawings or magazine pictures to decorate the tray.
For kids who can’t stand getting their hands too messy, offer them a paintbrush to apply the paste and paper.
Try this idea to decorate disposable plates and bowls, too.
Papier-mâché a whole desk set for Dad by making an envelope holder and cup for pens, too.
Make a pretty tray or bowl for Mom, and she can use it to organize jewelry.
Tell Dad to keep his organizer near the front door, so he has a safe spot to keep his keys. He’ll never misplace them again!
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Pamela Frye Hauer is an artist, author and mother of two busy little boys. Her craft and scrapbooking projects have appeared in numerous books and magazines. Her most recent book is “Memories in Miniature.” Photo by Pamela Frye Hauer.
King for a Day
Treat Dad like a King this Father’s Day with a clever figurine made from playing cards!
Three playing cards (two Kings and one other)
Two 12” pipe cleaners
Photo of Dad
Two plastic bottle caps
Scrap of corrugated cardboard
Clear tape
Double-sided tape
Ice pick or drill
Scissors
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Here’s How:
2.) Next, cut a 5” piece from the other pipe cleaner and tape it across the back of the card to make arms.
3.) Then, cut four small pieces of corrugated cardboard and use double-sided tape to adhere them to the four corners on the back of the card.
4.) Place double-sided tape on top of each piece of cardboard and adhere a playing card facedown to create the back of the figure.
5.) Use scissors to trim Dad’s face from a photo and to cut a crown from the 2nd King card.
6.) Turn the figure face up and use double sided tape to attach the face and crown to the King card.
7.) To make the feet, poke holes in the centers of both bottle caps with an ice pick or a drill (a parent’s job). Then, push the ends of the pipe cleaner legs into each hole about 2”. Wind the extra pipe cleaner into the bottom of the bottle caps.
8.) Now balance the King on his feet for a fun Father’s Day gift!
More ideas:
• If needed, add some sculpting clay to the inside of the bottle caps to weight the feet and help the figure to stand.
• Glue magnets to the feet and/or hands to craft a King that will stick to a fridge or filing cabinet.
• Cut a crown from a scrap of shiny or glittered paper instead of a playing card.
• Use a permanent marker to write a message to Dad on the front or back of the figure: “You’re the King!” or “You’re a card!”
• Make a Queen card with a photo of Mom, or a figure for each family member.
• Use a Joker instead of a King to make a funny figure.
• Try making card and pipe cleaner animals too.
• Leave the bottle caps and back playing card off of the figure and attach him to the front of a blank greeting card.
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Pamela Frye Hauer is an artist, author and mother of two busy little boys. Her craft and scrapbooking projects have appeared in numerous books and magazines. Her most recent book is “Memories in Miniature.” Photo by Pamela Frye Hauer.
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