Category: Crafts

When I was a kid, I always kept my crayons nice and neat. I kept them in the exact order as they first appeared in the box. I colored at an angle so the point was always nice. Once I got down far enough, it was time to rip some paper, it was time for a new box. As you can tell, I was just a bit picky about my crayons. Our girls are the complete opposite. They take all of the crayons out of the box, strip them down so they are naked and then break them into pieces. I try to make sure it doesn’t drive me too crazy. So in the end, we have a bunch of pieces of crayons and not much to do with them. I picked up a crayon maker at a yard sale last summer and when I went to use it, the mold part was missing. So it was difficult to make crayons with no mold. Last night, my sister suggested I melt them into new crayons using the oven and a muffin tin. What a great idea! I went searching for some more instructions on it and found great information and photos from Crafty Daisies.

Crayon Nibbles

Gather up:

• Crayons ~ You can gather up broken pieces you already have or go purchase boxes and break them up into pieces
• Mini muffin pan (one that you don’t mind getting crayon on)

Directions:

You’ll want to preheat your oven to 265 degrees F. Peel off all the paper from the crayons (for the new ones, I found it much quicker to remove the paper in one smooth motion if I carefully ran the Exacto knife down the center of the paper and peeled the paper back), and break them into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces. Arrange two to three like colors in each slot, then bake for 6-8 minutes (don’t over bake – you want them just melted so you can’t distinguish the crayon shape anymore). Let them congeal a little on the counter, then place them in the freezer until they are firm (approx. 30 minutes). They should then pop right out.

This is great for little hands that aren’t steady enough to hold thin crayons. They can wrap their whole hands around them and go to town without breaking them. They make great back to school and birthday gifts for other little artists in your life. It’s also a handy way to recycle crayons!

Need a cute way to store your Crayons? Try a cookie jar.

Finger painting is lots of fun for kids. They love the ooey-gooey feels as the paint oozes through their fingers. The first two recipes are cooked and need adult help while they are being made. The third recipe is one the children can make all by themselves.

Be sure to have lots of heavy paper on hand for painting. These paint tend to be too wet for newsprint or regular paper. Have fun!

Finger Paint

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch

• 3 Tablespoons Sugar

• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

• 2 Cups Cold Water

• Food Coloring

Directions

In a medium pan, mix all the ingredients together to make the finger paint. Cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes. Keep stirring the finger paint mixture until it is smooth and thick. After the finger paint has thickened take the pan off the stove and let the mixture cool.

After cooling, divide the finger paint into storage containers depending on how many colors you would like. Add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Stir the coloring in to the paint to determine the shade of color. You’re ready to finger paint! Cover tightly when storing.

Cornstarch Finger Paint

Ingredients

• 3 Cups Water
• 1 Cup Cornstarch
• Food Coloring

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Dissolve cornstarch in a separate bowl with water. Remove boiling water from heat and add cornstarch mixture. Return to heat, stirring constantly. Boil until the mixture is clear and thick (about 1 minute). Remove from heat.

As the mixture is cooling, divide into separate bowls and add food coloring. Let the children carefully mix in the coloring.

Easy Finger Paint

Ingredients

• 2 Cups White Flour
• 2 Cups Cold Water
• Food Coloring

Directions

Put water into a large bowl. Slowly add the flour, while the children are stirring. Once it’s all mixed together, divide into smaller bowls and add food coloring.

Father’s Day is this Sunday, so it’s time to get crafty! Here is a card and gift idea.
Take a piece of construction paper or card stock and fold in half to make a card. Pour some finger paint onto a paper plate. Take a paintbrush and cover each child’s palm or with the paint. Have them spread out their fingers and keep their hand still and firm for the best hand print. If you are doing a foot print, then of course, put the paint on the bottom of your child’s foot, not their hand. This print can be placed on the front of the card or on the inside. Just be sure you have enough room to put the following poem inside. You can write the poem on the card, print the poem directly onto the paper, or print the poem on paper and cut it out and glue it on the card.

Be sure to put the year somewhere on the card also so you can remember when you made it.

You could also get a multiple photo frame and put the poem in one area and the painted or inked foot prints the other photo area. This works well if you have more than one child.

Hand Print Poem

Here is my hand print for you to keep,
So that when I grow BIG and TALL,
You’ll always be able to look back and see,
How I once was very small.

Another Hand Print Poem

Here are my hand prints so tiny and small

The ones that clasped your hands Daddy

The ones on the wall.

Press them in your memories Daddy,

Press them in your heart

Never let go of me Daddy,

Never let us part.

Right now they’re good for touching and crawling on the floors

Hold them tightly in your hands Daddy

They fit so perfectly in yours.

Soon I’ll be big like you,

Our hands will be the same

But you will always be my Daddy,

And I will always proudly carry your name.

Foot Print Poem

Walk alongside me, daddy
and hold my little hand.
I have so many things to learn
that I don’t yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe
from dangers every day.
Show me how to do my best
at home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand
to guide them as they grow.
So walk alongside me, daddy -
We have a long way to go.

I used a similar foot print poem last year and took a photo of our girls feet and printed the poem on the photo. I then had it printed and framed.

Foot Print Poem

“Walk a little slower Daddy,” said a child so
small. “I’m following in your footsteps and
I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,
You’re the one I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.”

Okay, so the knead play on words in the title is corny, I know! I just couldn’t help myself. It looks like it will be hot and stormy today. Sounds like a great day to stay in and make some fresh batches of play dough.

The first recipe is the one I usually use. It is quick and easy to make and lasts a long time without drying out. I keep it in Ziploc bags and they keep it fresh. It it gets a bit sticky, just add a bit more flour to the dough.

I’m also adding additional dough recipes so you can experiment with different ones and see what you like the best!

Playdough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth.

Oatmeal Playdough

• 1 Cup flour
• 1 Cup water
• 2 Cups oatmeal

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; mix well and knead until smooth. Store covered in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Playdough

• 2 Cups peanut butter
• 6 Tablespoons honey
• Nonfat dry milk
• Cocoa (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix, adding enough dry milk to reach the consistency of bread dough. Add cocoa, if desired. Shape and eat!

I have several friends who have children that are allergic to peanut butter. That doesn’t mean their kids should miss out on eating playdough! Here’s another edible playdough recipe.

Kool-Aid Playdough

• 1 Cup water
• 2 Tablespoon oil
• 1 Cup flour
• 1/2 Cups sugar
• 1 pkg. Kool-Aid, any flavor

Mix together water and oil. Microwave on HIGH for about 2 minutes. Remove and add flour, sugar and Kool-Aid. Mix together with a spoon. Then play and eat!

My kids are stuck in a breakfast rut. I’m tired of dishing up the same food each morning so I went looking for new twists on breakfast and found the banana dog!

Ingredients

• A waffle or pancake or hot dog bun
• Banana, peeled
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly

Take the waffle, pancake or bun and spread on some peanut butter. Place the banana on the peanut butter and spread jelly on the top. Kids will gobble it up! Experiment with different toppings for more fun.