Crafty ways to beat boredom
With more than a month left before fall school bells ring, there’s
plenty of time for kids to beat boredom with summer crafts.
With a little adult supervision, even preschoolers can tackle many
of the projects in “I Can Make That!” In her newest work, art
educator Mary Wallace provides simple steps for transforming
household miscellany into toys, games, puppets and nature crafts. In
addition, a whole section is devoted to costumes, for those who want
to get a jump-start on Halloween.
Simple costume ideas also are included in “Crafts From Your
Favorite Nursery Rhymes,” new from Kathy Ross. In the latest addition
to her story-based craft series, the author of 35 books for young
children includes instructions for such whimsical creations as Old
King Cole’s crown, Mistress Mary’s bouquet and a Jack and Jill hat
with moving parts.
Budding artists interested in decorating their rooms will find
ideas for making candleholders, folded stars, festive lanterns and
colorful mobiles in “Paper Creations.” Using nothing more exotic than
gift wrap, glitter, construction paper and buttons, kids can express
themselves and create works of art with help from Joy Williams’ easy
project collection.
For animal lovers as young as age 4, there are inventive ways to
learn about creatures of the wild in “At the Zoo!” In chapters such
as “African Safari,” “Tropical Forest” and “Inside the Aquarium,”
Judy Press brings together fun facts, riddles, games, projects rated
by skill level and story sources for reading about favorite animals.
Creatures of an earlier era are the focus of “Dinomania.” In a
delightful romp through prehistoric times, Mick Manning and Brita
Granstrom provide instructions for imaginative timelines, costumes,
games, art projects and even a dinosaur video.
“Do you bolt at the sight of most craft books?” Renee Schwarz asks
in “Funky Junk.” “Are you nuts about heavy metal? Then this is the
book for you!”
In a riveting read aimed at kids age eight and up, Schwarz reveals
how to use nuts, bolts, washers and other odds and ends to create
funky doodads. Learn how to make a bug bracelet, a lighting bee
switch plate, a heavy metal chess set and an alien key chain in this
new addition to the juvenile collection.
Before summer gives way to the school year, kids can document what
they did on vacation with help from “The Kids’ Guide to Making
Scrapbooks & Photo Albums” by Laura Check. Whether warm days were
taken up with camp, family activities or visits to far flung locales,
there are dozens of ideas for designing covers, papers and page
decorations in this guide for crafters from age 8 to 80.
* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public
Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with
Gina Moffitt. All titles may be reserved from home or office
computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeach library.org.
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