Dress yourself up dolls!

no litter doll
Originally uploaded by dalbhat.

Prepare:
Old fabric scraps
Beads/Sequins
cardboard
black markers
shiny paper
oil pastels or paints

This is a nice project for an entry way into a school or library (in my case) to let everyone involved greet people who come.

For small classes where you can help all the children handle the materials, use a gigantic sheet of paper and do a body tracing. For larger, unruly groups, even an A4 size of paper that they draw themselves on will work fine (or something bigger that they draw free form).

Each child will draw an outline of themself doing something they like and then clothe and decorate themself with flare!

Little Box Photographer

Little Photographer
Originally uploaded by dalbhat.

This is just one idea for what you can piece together by saving things like small boxes, box tops, strings from packages and loo rolls.

This little toy was one of my child's favorites for quite a while. It seems to mean more if they make it together with a parent. The string made a big difference - great for taking photos outside on walks!

Try making things like little cars, airplanes, computers, and ovens too!

Market place

Food Shop
Originally uploaded by dalbhat.

Kids love playing store. Save lots of old boxes and put little price tags on them for the older kids so that they can actually practice their math skills at the check out counter. You can make a little basket for collecting the items you want to buy in and if you have a toy cash register, this makes a nice combination. I found this plastic display case in the garbage at a shopping mall in Japan and knew it could be used for something fun.

Bird Magnets

bird magnets
Originally uploaded by dalbhat.

Materials:
Cut-out parts from old corrugated cardboard box
Magnet strips or old magnets that can be glued to the back (cut into large squares)
Crazy glue or strong craft glue
Paint and paintbrushes

Children will paint their two pieces in any way they want. Remind them to put in an eye. When the paint has dried, glue the wing onto the body so that it is either flying or sitting.

Let the wing dry on and then glue the magnet on the back. It's ready to take home and show mama!

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This is a nice craft for Spring themes and even very small children can do it and enjoy it.

You can make other simple cut-outs like a flower with a middle or a face.

Crazy quilt

Crazy quilt
Originally uploaded by dalbhat.

Crazy quilts are a nice way to teach little fingers the basics about sewing. You can collect fabric from clothes that have worn out. Start by making a small quilt for a doll bed and work up to something bigger. I hope I can post the crazy quilt I've been working on for my self -- in its finished form -- at some point in the not too distant future...though I have taken major breaks. It contains many of the children's old clothes or fabrics I have known, and grew to love the feel and color of.