Yep, it's half term next week for my lot. DS should be revising (I need to drag him away from the XBox for that) but the girls will be wanting ideas for things to do to keep them busy. And I'm sure mine aren't the only ones.
Things I have definitely got planned are baking and knitting using the Sirdar Loopa system. There will of course be lots of cutting and gluing and maybe also another garden treasure hunt.
I'll have a wander around the garden and yard and see what needs tidying up and write them on the list, together with other things such as so many different types of leaves, 5 things that are yellow and so on. I print out the list and give them a clipboard, pen and carrier bag and off they go. Of course, ticking everything off the list does win them some type of treasure too.
Given that I have a room full of supplies, crafting often features heavily in boredom busting sessions. Here's some ideas of previous crafting projects we've done together (though I think it's important to let the kids have freedom in their creations so I will tend to be nearby to help but not hovering as I tend to take over and tell them what to do!). Also I will ask if they have any specific colour or pattern in mind and gather a selection of suppllies I don't mind sharing, together with basics such as adhesive, flowers, ribbon, gems, trimmer, scissors and punches. I put a wipe clean pvc tablecloth on to protect the table and they crafter either in the conservatory or kitchen as the floors in those rooms are easier to clean messes up from!
This one is using some cork backed coasters that were on sale for something like 70p for the set of 4. Covered with papers, stickers and diecuts from a Poundland scrapping pack. I used a Cropadile to punch the holes and ribbon to join the coasters together.
Using a selection of fabric die cut using my Big Shot and Sizzix dies and a variety of fabric pens and fabric texture paints. Any plain t-shirt will do and you will need to follow the instructions for setting the pens and paints. A sheet of cardboard inside the t-shirt saves any bleed through to the back and provides a solid base to create on.
Choose a simple image (Chiara googled on the clip art), print out several times (we printed it out twice, once for the body and once for the face and legs). Cut down the templates and decoupage scraps of co-ordinating patterned papers (here we used a freebie paper pad that came with a magazine). It's not necessary to glue within the shape as the edges are trimmed afterwards. Here the face was created with die cut felt flowers and stick on jewels for the eyes, a cut out flower for the nose and a stitched mouth.
It you've got any of the oversized pegs lying around, this is a simple project that is useful as well. The pegs were painted with acrylic paint and allowed to dry before gluing on the paper base then decorating with punched shapes and chipboard letters. A strong magnet was attached to the back of each and they hold the notes from school for each of the girls on the fridge.
This one requires a bit more planning. I created a cube template to fit on a 12x12 sheet (there are plenty of templates available on the web, but I don't have a large format printer and wanted the cube to be as large as was possible from a 12x12 sheet). A heavy weight patterned cardstock is easiest to use as it just needs embellishments adding. Some beads were strung through the top and bottom before gluing shut and a ribbon added to hang it from.
These oversized foam flowers were bought in a multi-pack from Hobbycraft. The girls simply cut pieces of patterned papers and stuck them down and used some die cut and punched butterflies and gems. Again I used my Cropadile and ribbon to create the hanger.
Some simple beaded necklaces are also fun to make, though you will need to have some basic tools and materials (beading wire, crimp beads, pliers, a fastening and selection of beads).
Well, I hope that's given you lots of ideas and I'd love to hear of your favourite crafty boredom busters too.
xxx's
Suzanne
Some great ideas to keep children busy over the holiday.
Posted by: Lynne V | February 18, 2011 at 05:21 PM
I loved seeing all the fun projects you did with your girls. Tts
Posted by: Mandy | February 18, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Wow Suzanne, brilliant ideas for half term, I show my DD this tomorrow - if she's crafting I can craft :D
C
xx
Posted by: claireliz | February 18, 2011 at 08:11 PM
What a lovely mummy, these are the things they will remember. Some super ideas there.
Elx
Posted by: Eleanor | February 18, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Fantastic ideas, shame mine are grown up now.
Love the customised t-shirts. x
Posted by: Debbie Roberts | February 19, 2011 at 09:11 AM
What a host of brilliant ideas (and your girls are as talented as you are - they are amazing projects for kids to have made)
Anyway - forget the kids .... I want to make some of these!
Posted by: Scrapdolly | February 20, 2011 at 10:51 AM
You and your family have been sooo busy. well done in being so creative these are lovely projects and looks like you had fun.... have you got room for one more (me) lol
Posted by: jayne | February 22, 2011 at 08:53 AM
These are really adorable pictures that you shared over here. All kids have to do this type of creative work.
Posted by: slots | June 24, 2011 at 05:23 AM