Friday, June 18, 2010

Decorations Ideas For Bikes For Fourth Of July


Your children have likely seen the Christmas parade and commented that they’d like to participate. Maybe you don’t want to have your children riding their bikes for the entire length of a parade in the cold.

Besides that, your children may not really want to be a part of a long, drawn out, cold parade, but still want a chance to show off their bicycles, especially if you nine year old boy has a Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels!

Plan a mini-parade for the neighborhood children and they can use some of these Fourth of July bike decorations ideas to make their bikes stand out.

Perhaps your child already has a bike in one of the patriotic colors – red, white or blue. If that’s the case, they can wrap streamers of the other colors around their bike to make it more patriotic. This can be done whether your child rides a tricycle or a bicycle.

Here’s what they’ll need to decorate their bikes no matter what color it is:

  • Red crepe paper roll
  • White crepe paper roll
  • Blue crepe paper roll
  • Scissors to cut the crepe paper to the right length
  • Tape to adhere it
What to do:
  1. Beginning at the front of your child’s Mongoose Montana Boy's Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels, or the bike your kids has, wrap one color of crepe paper around the frame. Be sure to cover the frame completely and tape it at both ends to secure it to the bike.
  2. Next, take a second color and wrap it around the frame but leave enough space so the first color shows and will allow for a third color.
  3. Then, wrap the third color of crepe paper around the frame so you can see the red, white and blue pattern on the frame.
Another idea, streamers:
  1. You can also take three foot pieces of the different colored crepe paper to make streamers.
  2. Gather one of each color to make a patriotic streamer and adhere it with tape to the handle bars.
  3. You may also want to place one on the back of the seat.
One without streamers:

Maybe your child doesn’t like streamers. If they have a basket on their bike they could place red, white and blue Christmas ribbons on their basket. Christmas ribbons are usually more metallic looking, so they will show off your child’s distinct style.

Hang a small flag on the back of your child’s seat, or criss-cross two flags and secure them across the front of the handle bars. They could also weave red, white and blue streamers through the spokes on their tires.

Your child may have other Fourth of July bike decorations ideas that aren’t listed here. Listen to them and then help them create the decorated bike they’ve been thinking of. Then step out of their way and let them show off their handiwork and their bike.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Easy Crafts For Kids - Creative Paper Mache Projects

Kids love paper mache, but for some reason paper mache is a craft that goes in and out of vogue, despite the fact it is one of the easiest and most versatile crafts. Using paper mache you can make nearly anything. It is really easy to do Easy Kids Crafts, Paper Mache crafts.

Do you need a piñata for a birthday party but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Make one with paper mache.

There is no right or wrong way to do paper mache. One recipe for the glue isn’t any better than the others, so you’ll want to find one you’re comfortable with and stick with it. Here are two of the simpler recipes to try.

No cook glue is simply made with flour and water. The ratio is one part flour to two parts water. If you don’t like the smell, add a drop or two of an essential oil. Adding a tablespoon or two of salt to the mixture will help prevent mold. Unused glue can be covered and placed in the refrigerator for a few days.

Cooked glue is a little harder to make but produces smoother consistency glue. The ratio of flour to water is different: one part flour to five parts water. Mix together on part flour with one part warm water, beating until all the lumps are gone. Then bring four cups of water to boil in a pot.

When the water begins boiling, slowly add the flour and water mixture and mix well. Allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes. This will also keep in the refrigerator for a few days.

To create a paper mache piñata, start with a large balloon. Blow it up the size you want and then tape crumpled paper to the balloon to create the shape you want. Dip strips of newspaper into the glue and squeegee off the excess. Lay the glued strips over the form until it is completely covered.

When the piñata is completely dry, cut a hole large enough to remove the balloon and add candy. You’ll also want to carefully put a hanger of some type on it which will allow it to be hung. Paint the piñata, fill it, and then hang it up. Then watch the kids at the party destroy your hard work.

Knowing how to do paper mache is also good for creating science projects such as a working volcano. Create a form using chicken wire wrapped around a soda bottle which has been placed on a wooden base. Use paper mache to cover the volcano and allow it to dry completely.

Paint it, add rocks or sticks to represent boulders and trees, and then place baking soda into the bottle. Mix red food coloring with vinegar and then when it’s time for the volcano to erupt pour the vinegar into the baking soda.

There’s no end to the things you can create with paper mache. Do you need props for a play? Make them with paper mache. Do you want decorations for your home?

Some of them can be made with paper mache. Look through your public library or on the internet to get more ideas of what is possible with a little paper, flour, water, and paint.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Toddler Craft – How to Make a 4th of July Firework Picture

Kid's Fourth Of July Crafts are always a hit with the little ones. Of course as they get older you may want to move on to something such as Alex Toys Happily Ever Crafter where a kid can do a variety of crafts to decide on a favorite craft.

Toddlers love to be a part of everything you do. However, you know that during the Fourth of July, that’s not always a good idea. This is particularly the case when fireworks are being used. Here’s how to make a Fourth of July firework picture your toddler will enjoy instead.

There are a couple of ways to create a picture of Fourth of July fireworks. Your toddler can use paint or glue and glitter. Why not let them try each way and let them decide which they like the most?

  • Your toddler will need the following items for this craft:
  • Construction paper – black or dark blue would be best
  • Water-based paints – use colors which are common for fireworks such as red, white, blue, purple, green, gold, or yellow
  • Straws – one for each color paint
  • Glue – school glue which can be thinned with water if necessary
  • Glitter – silver, gold, red, blue, white, and green are good choices

Begin by placing newspaper on the work station to help contain the mess which will soon ensue. Put a piece of construction paper on the table followed by a drop or two of paint. Put the paint in the area which will be the sky.

Have the child blow through the straw to make a circle with the paint. Before the paint is blown too thin, have them pull the end of the straw through the paint to make the fireworks falling to the ground. It might be a good idea to have pictures of actual fireworks available so your toddler can remember what they look like.

Put another color on the paper and follow the same steps. When they’re happy with the look of their fireworks, let the paint dry thoroughly. Ask them to color the ground or glue some green construction paper on the bottom for grass. They could also add a tree or star stickers to make their picture their own.

To make a fireworks picture with glitter, water down the school glue a little bit so it can be blown similar to the paint. Put some thinned glue on the paper and have your toddler blow the fireworks like they did before. When they’re happy with the way the first one looks, let them choose a color of glitter and sprinkle it on the glue. Shake off the excess and let it dry.

If they want other color fireworks, they can repeat the above process with another color of glitter. Let them overlap their colors and have fun. When the pictures are completely dry, date the picture and write your child’s name on it. Don’t forget to display them in a prominent place in your home.

Once your toddler learns how to make a Fourth of July fireworks picture in either of these ways, they’ll be able to enjoy fireworks at any time of the year. If fireworks safety is important to you, this is one sure-fire way to enjoy them without being worried about your toddler’s safety.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Rainy Day Craft Ideas for Toddlers This Summer

There’s no doubt about it - toddlers can be a bundle of energy. And if you add rain to the mix, they may drive a poor mom, dad or babysitter crazy. Try out some of these fun rainy day craft ideas for toddlers. These crafts may help keep your toddler happy and you sane.

On a more sunny summer's day you can try out a fun Kids Summer Crafts – Caterpillar - Butterfly House that any kid will enjoy.

Of course, it helps if you have a box of craft items you can use with your toddler. Glue, glitter, feathers, construction paper, yarn, pony beads, finger paints, google eyes, pieces of felt, unmatched socks, old magazines and safety scissors are a few of the items you may want to have on hand. If you have things available, a rainy day won’t catch you by surprise.

Start an alphabet collage with your toddler. Go through old magazines and have them cut out letters from the titles of articles. These will generally be much larger and will be easier for your toddler to cut out. Glue the same letter on a sheet of paper, and then go back through the magazine looking for pictures of items starting with that letter. For instance, A – apple, alligator, adding machine, etc. You’ll end up with 26 pages, one for each letter, as well as a front cover and back cover. Your toddler will begin to learn their letters and the sounds the letters make.

Another way to teach them while they have fun is to let them use finger paint. Give them several sheets of paper and finger paint, and let them loose. However, you may want to teach them to “write” their name with finger paint or show them different shapes. Of course, they may have so much fun feeling the squishy paint between their fingers they may not want to stop once the sun comes back out.

Make a sock puppet with a couple of the unmatched socks you have lying around. Your toddler can glue pieces of yarn on top for hair, glue google eyes on if you have them, and cut out shapes for the mouth. Be sure to let the puppet dry completely before your toddler begins playing with it or the pieces may come apart and end up where they don’t belong. You can do a similar craft using paper bags.

It’s quite possible your toddler has started a collection of rocks; many toddlers do. If they have some larger smooth rocks, they could make paperweights out of them. Let them paint and decorate the rock however they’d like. When it’s dry, they can give it as a gift or keep it for themselves.

These are just a few fun rainy day craft ideas for toddlers you may want to try. The internet is also a great resource for more fun ideas you can use on rainy days, as well as your local public library. Your greatest resource, however, is your toddler's own creativity and having someone to share that creativity with.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Beginners Crafts To Boredom-Busting Craft Activities for Your Pre-Schooler

A bored pre-schooler is definitely something we want to prevent! So engage your child and get started on some fun craft projects. A very good option is Mosaic Crafts For Beginners, making use of seeds so it is not too heavy on the pocket!

Of course there are many other excellent ideas as well and here are some ideas:

Paper Plate Flowers

Bring some springtime inside with this fun project. This is also a good way to recycle old paper towel or toilet paper tubes.

Materials:
  • A variety of paper plates of any size or color
  • Brown, yellow and green construction paper
  • Glue
  • Cardboard tubes such as paper towel, wrapping paper, or toilet paper. Varying heights make a nice effect.
  • Paints (if using white paper plates)
Directions:

1. Wrap the cardboard tubes in green construction paper. Glue the seam.

2. If you are using white paper plates, paint them in bright colors. Encourage your pre-schooler to paint from the center outward, like petals.

3. Cut circles from the brown and yellow construction paper in various sizes (these will be the flower centers).

4. Glue the circles onto the center of the colored or painted plates.

5. Glue the backs of the plates to the tops of the green cardboard tubes.

6. Cut out and glue green leaves to the flower "stems" if you like.

7. Set the flowers up on a sheet of green construction paper that represents grass, and make a flower field.

With a little modification, you could make a forest of trees using the same technique. Your pre-schooler can use the woods or flower field as a scenic backdrop for imaginative play.

Tissue Box Car

One of the keys to making boredom-busting crafts is to create things your kids can play with after they're made. A tissue box car is not only fun to make, it's fun to play with!

Materials:

Tissue box
One sharp pencil
Two drinking straws
Four plastic tops, such as those from 2-litres, milk jugs, etc.
Paints, construction paper, puffy paint, etc.
Hot glue

Directions:

1. Carefully remove the plastic from the tissue box opening.

2. Using the sharp pencil, the adult can punch four holes in the base of the box. These will be where the wheels go, so try to make the holes evenly spaced.

3. Poke one straw through each pair of holes, pushing it through until it comes out the other sid

Friday, April 30, 2010

Easy Mother’s Day Projects for Toddlers

While a toddler can't make his or her mom breakfast in bed, there are still lots of neat projects you can do with a toddler to show how much you appreciate Mom. Here are some ideas for easy mother's day projects for toddlers.

Mother's Day Crafts - Egg Carton Tulips

Materials:
  • Cardboard egg carton
  • Scissors
  • Paint
  • Green pipe cleaners
Directions:

1. Use scissors to cut the segments out of the egg carton. You should now have separate cup shapes.

2. Cut the edges of the cups into tulip-like shapes.

3. Use scissors or a pencil to punch a hole in the bottom of each cardboard tulip blossom.

4. Poke a pipe cleaner up through the hole and bend it to keep the tulip bloom from slipping off.

5. Paint the tulips in all sorts of bright colors.

Framed Hand Prints

Mothers love their children's hand prints, and anything made from them. Here is an idea for a framed piece of Mother's Day artwork that will make Mom smile.

Materials:
  • Store-bought picture frame, any size - but think big for toddlers to have room to work
  • White art paper or poster board
  • Finger paints
  • Green marker
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
Directions:

1. Cut the white paper to fit inside the frame.

2. Cut out a basic vase or bowl shape from any color construction paper.

3. Glue the vase shape onto the bottom half of the white paper.

4. Let the toddler(s) make hand prints using the finger paint. Try to make sure the hand prints are generally above the vase shape, on the top half of the paper. Use several colors.

5. After the hand prints have dried, use the green marker to draw stems from each hand print to the construction paper vase. Try to make it appear as if the flowers are in the vase.

6. Place the piece into the frame.

Decorative "Stone"

Materials:

  • Modeling clay that will become hard and permanent upon drying, either air-dry or the sort that will dry in a home oven
  • Craft paints or acrylic paints
  • Permanent marker
Directions:

1. Take a large lump of clay and form it into a rough, stone-like shape.

2. Have the toddler press his or her hands into the clay to make two hand prints.

3. Dry the clay.

4. When the clay is hard, let your toddler paint the decorative stone in colors he or she likes.

5. On the bottom of the stone, write the date and the occasion with the permanent marker.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Do I Need Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium?

It is normal for the Beginner to ask the question: " Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium?" Well, acrylic is a well loved medium and if you are a beginner artists or and accomplished artist this book will help you.

Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium does not only give you the basics, it also helps you with new techniques to get do much more from your acrylic paint.

This book will help everyone and is a must have resource in the library of every artist. Even so, even the beginner will find the basics needed to work with acrylics in it.

Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium teaches you how to prepare and paint on virtually any surface. This is where it will even help all beginner artists and beginner crafters.

What is also very helpful in this book is that it has a gallery of finished works by fellow painting revolutionaries that blend various acrylic techniques to create amazing effects. This is where Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium will inspire you and help you to think in new and innovate ways to produce better art.

So, I think if you love to paint with acrylics, having a look at Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium is a very good idea.