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Fun and Simple Bookmark Crafts for Kids

AmyA — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:01:41 +0000

The following post is by contributor Amy Anderson of Let’s Explore.

We are bookworms around here – and proud of it! We tend to have many books in progress, and we never seem to have enough bookmarks. Not to mention all the crafts and recipes the girls like to mark for future projects. I was getting tired of grabbing receipts and junk mail to mark our spots. It was time for bookmark craft camp!

Here are three of our favorite bookmark projects. They are fun and easy to make, and the results are lovely and unique. Bookmarks make great gifts, too! One of our favorite birthday gifts for friends is a carefully chosen book accompanied by a handmade bookmark.

Okay, fellow bookworms, let’s get crafting!

1. Rainbow-Stitched Felt Bookmarks

Photo by Amy Anderson

With a few colors of embroidery floss and a strip of felt, your child can sew a colorful stitched bookmark. We used a simple up-down running stitch to make lines of color across our bookmarks. No need for perfect stitches here – the imperfections just add to the charm!

Photo by Amy Anderson

I was in charge of needle-threading and knotting, but the girls handled all the sewing. By the end of our project, they were hand-stitching with confidence!

My girls were able to complete these bookmarks in less than an hour and were quite proud of their sewing. They are planning to make (many) more, maybe with zigzags or circles next time.

2. Collage Word Bookmarks

Photo by Amy Anderson

I loved making these word collage bookmarks, maybe even more than my kids did! These are quite simple to make – all you need is some colored paper, a stack of magazines or catalogs that are headed for the recycle bin, and a glue stick.

Decide on the words for your bookmark and start cutting out letters. To set your kids up for success, cut out a few letters in advance and pull out a bunch of pages that have interesting lettering. My girls liked doing a bit of letter hunting and cutting, but they also got a little impatient looking for hard-to-find letters.

These will take a trip through the laminating machine to help them last a little longer. (Clear Contact Paper would work, too.) I’m thinking a short quote would look really cool made out of magazine letters – maybe for Mommy craft time?

3. Artwork Bookmarks

Photo by Amy Anderson

Any piece of your child’s artwork can be turned into a bookmark masterpiece. Process-style art – finger painting, bubble-wrap printing, or crayon scribbling – makes especially colorful and striking bookmarks. Here’s one of our favorite art projects, that also happens to make beautiful bookmarks:

Watercolor & Salt Painting

My girls recently collaborated on a watercolor painting. They started with wet paper, then added swirls, puddles, and dots of bright watercolors. When they were finished painting, they sprinkled salt over the entire paper. As the salt dries, it soaks up some of the watercolor, leaving interesting and unique designs. My 9-year-old calls this “a masterpiece in minutes!”

Photo by Amy Anderson

When the painting was dry, we brushed off the salt and cut our painting into bookmarks. We had plenty to keep, and a few to share, too.

I’m happy to say that we now have a stash of bookmarks in the living room, as well as more in our bedrooms. I love sitting down in the evening, opening my book, and seeing one of my girls’ mini masterpieces holding my place.

Happy crafting & reading!

We’re always looking for more family read-alouds to add to our list. What’s on the top of your read-aloud stack right now?

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Fun and Simple Bookmark Crafts for Kids is a post from Simple Kids

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Simple (and Frugal) Fun: Dressing Up a Duct Tape Knight

Kara — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:01:52 +0000

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck.

If you are a regular reader of my other blog, Rockin’ Granola, then you have probably noticed that one of my family’s favorite crafting materials is duct tape. We love creating with this sturdy, sticky, colorful tape. I thought it would be fun to share some of our latest creations with you.

Duct Tape Knight

We were inspired by one of my daughter’s favorite reads, Igraine the Brave and a booklet from CurrClick, The Shield and Buckler booklet. Our own “Igraine” and her little brother, Sir Max the Bold, were in need of some knightly attire.

The booklet,which costs $1, taught us how to make duct tape shields using five gallon bucket lids. But, you certainly wouldn’t need the booklet to get started. Basically, you’re covering the bucket lid with duct tape and creating a handle on the back (also from duct tape) for your child to slide their arm into.

We made a shield for each of our older kids. The cost of each shield was just under $3.oo (each lid was 99 cents and the duct tape was approximately $6 – and we’ve got some leftover for future projects).

Duct tape comes in a wide variety of colors, so you can personalize this project for your kids. We chose red and chrome for this project. My oldest daughter embellished her shield with Sharpie markers.

After our success with the shields, we began to experiment and design on our own knight’s gear. Recycling some cardboard to use as a base, my husband Chris made two different styles of knight’s helmets (I’ll share how he made those in a future post) and we’ve refined our shield decorating technique, too.

The possibilities are limitless!

Our Favorite Brand

We have discovered a few things along the way with our duct tape adventures. One of those things we learned is that not all duct tape is created equal and not all brands offer a wide selection of colors and patterns.

Our favorite brand of duct tape to craft with is Duck Brand by Shurtech. We found it at our local hardware store.

What are some of your family’s favorite crafting materials?

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Simple (and Frugal) Fun: Dressing Up a Duct Tape Knight is a post from Simple Kids

No-Sew, No-Knit Homemade Gift Ideas (updated for 2011)

Kara — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:01:06 +0000

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck. It originally appeared in November 2010 and has been updated for 2011.

Last year, I wrote about homemade gift ideas and shared with you what I was working on Christmas 2010. Since I’m a knitter and I dabble at sewing, many of the gifts on that list were related to those skills.

I got a request for ideas that don’t involve knitting or sewing and I thought that would be a helpful idea for a post. So, here you go: a round- up of homemade gifts ideas that don’t involve any sewing or knitting – updated for 2011.

Handmade Gift Ideas: The No-Sew, No-Knit Version

I have been going through my bookmarks, my Pinterest boards, as well as some of my favorites from this year’s Weekend Links posts, and have pulled together a list of no-sew, no-knit gift ideas for kids. (Note: I have not personally tried all of these).

Blocks

This year our family has been doing some woodworking and my oldest two kids are helping their Dad make a set of blocks for our youngest. The blocks we are making are simple rectangles and squares that the kids are measuring and cutting (with help from Mom & Dad). Max and Jillian are sanding the blocks smooth and we will give them a light beeswax polish finish before giving them to Lucy.

2011 notes: these were a big hit and have turned out to be a terrific present idea that we can add to. This year Jillian and her dad have been busy in the woodshop and we’ve got a few more blocks, including some arches and longer pieces, to put in Lucy’s stocking this year.

Tree blocks (blocks with the tree bark intact) are also a favorite of ours and I found a tutorial for making them here at Counting Coconuts.

Other Wooden Gift Ideas:

Homemade Spinny Speller ::: Counting Coconuts
Travel Lap Desk ::: Simple Organic
Painted Peg People ::: Ancient Hearth
Fairy Ribbon Ring ::: Wee Folk Art
DIY Toy Grill ::: Ohdeedoh
A Box ‘o Princesses or Boyville tutorials and downloads ::: Lil Blue Boo
Toadstool Pencils ::: Scissors.Paper.Wok.

No Knit Yarn Doll

Here is a simple yarn doll that you can create without knitting or crocheting - Wee Folk Art has instructions for creating a girl doll and a boy doll.

Dyed Playsilks

Playsilks are one of our favorite things to play with. I shared on Rockin’ Granola the different colors we’ve achieved by dying them with flavored drink mix. The basic instructions I use come from Make Baby Stuff.

There is a very detailed Kool Aid Color Chart from Tried & True that might help you dye your own silks

Use Your Printer

I think these ABC and 123 posters from Sprik Space would be adorable printed and framed as artwork in a child’s room. (And I love her hint that an 11×14 print at Costco is less than three dollars, making this a frugal gift, too!)

Alphabet Flashcards ::: Homemade by Jill
Paper dolls (my girls love the Betsy McCall dolls)
Journal Pages from Grace is Overrated ::: I think that a selection of these, printed out and bound together, would make a very nice gift for an older child. Perhaps with a nice set of colored pencils or pens?
Coloring Pages from Your Photos in 3 Easy Steps ::: fototiller blog

When printing, I like to use a heavy weight paper or cardstock. Laminating might be a good idea, too for the flashcards or paper dolls. This is the laminator we have. If you don’t have your own laminator, check your local library. Ours will laminate items for you for a dollar a sheet.

More Ideas

Molded Crayons ::: Homemade by Jill
Cardboard Playhouse ::: Make Baby Stuff
Story Stones ::: Red Bird Crafts and another take on this idea from Beneath the Rowan Tree
DIY Pixie Hollow ::: Filth Wizardry
Repurposed Boxes: Notebook Fun ::: Family Economics

I’m sure this list is only the tip of the iceberg and I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for homemade gifts for kids that don’t require knitting or sewing skills.

Do you have a favorite no-sew, no-knit gift idea for kids? Have you blogged about it? Please, share in the comments.

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No-Sew, No-Knit Homemade Gift Ideas (updated for 2011) is a post from Simple Kids

Thankful Turkey: A Kid’s Thanksgiving Craft

Vanessa — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:01:15 +0000

The following post is by contributor Vanessa Brown of I Never Grew Up.

A few days ago I spoke to over 100 kids about being grateful and it was harder than I thought! Their eyes quickly glazed over or the only thing that could come to their mind to be thankful of were video games and the list of holiday presents they were ready to receive.

So I had them close their eyes and I asked them more specific questions like, “What is your favorite smell out in nature?”

“Do you like a certain type of weather, how does it make you feel inside?”

“What do you like to do with your Mom or Dad that make you feel really special? Aren’t you grateful that they do that with you?”

“Where is your favorite spot in your home, who is grateful for the wonderful home they have?”

Soon the kids started enjoying thinking of things they were grateful for and I realized that they just needed a little help to get the ball rolling. With my girls I have noticed when I do a fun craft, art project or recipe while we are sitting around and working on it they really open up and can understand more fully what being thankful means.

Thankful Turkey

Supplies:

Paper (Brown and also different colors for feathers)

Scissors

Brad

Marker

Instructions:

1. Cut out your “turkey” and feathers.

2. Attach feathers to your turkey with a brad.

3. Write what you are thankful for…like Sparkles or Lipstick or Ducks, which is what my four year old is very thankful for this year.

4. Decorate your house with them!

Another great idea is to make smaller versions of these and use them as name places for Thanksgiving dinner. Then let everyone personalize their turkey with what they are thankful for and they can take it home as a souvenir.

How do you teach your children to be thankful? Do you have any crafts or activities that help teach them this?

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Thankful Turkey: A Kid’s Thanksgiving Craft is a post from Simple Kids

Thanksgiving Cookies: An Edible Craft

Rae Grant — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:01:13 +0000

The following post was written by contributor Rae Grant and originally appeared November 2010.

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, home is a busy place. Thanksgiving Day is always a good time to offer kids a craft focus and it is the perfect opportunity to make new traditions.

Over the years, we have made pinecone turkeys, turkey handprints, wreaths, and nature centerpieces for the children’s table. I’ve found it is always a good idea to have a simple, seasonal craft project in mind when you have a group of kids for a holiday. It brings them together and adds an element of tradition to the festivities. It will also give them things to remember years later.

I recall one Thanksgiving when my brother was dive-bombing his small green plastic toy soldier directly into the mashed potatoes and gravy on his plate. No adults were watching and we kids were highly amused. We should have been crafting!

This year, I’ve decided to do something a little different to keep the kids busy on Thanksgiving Day. After watching all the lovely changes in the leaves, making hand-cut sugar cookies in the shape of an autumn leaf seems like the perfect ending to a beautiful season.

Get Creative

Like free-form cutting with play dough, kids can cut artistic leaf shapes from sugar cookie dough using a metal or plastic butter knife. They may not look “perfect” like a cookie cutter type, but hey, they are “homemade”. I recommend rolling and baking the cookies the day before so that the craft on Thanksgiving Day is about cookie painting.

We’ll use the cookie and frosting recipe from my book Homemade Fun, but any favorite sugar cookie recipe and butter frosting will work too.

Give Thanks

When the cookies have cooled, have the kids try their hand at painting a Thanksgiving message on the cookie using colored frosting and paintbrushes. Imagine a plate of cookies adorned with simple words like “play, eat, love, hug, tree, sky, wind.”

After dinner, we plan to pass around the cookie plate and ask each person to read or say their word of thanks. This communal act reminds us all of the simple joys we have in our lucky lives. Eating the cookie is the other additional benefit!

Leaves, colors, sunshine, family…. Happy Thanksgiving!

What are some simple words that you and your family might be thankful for this year?

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Thanksgiving Cookies: An Edible Craft is a post from Simple Kids

Learning How to Knit: Resources for Kids and Grown Ups, too

Kara — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:01:43 +0000

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck.

I am a knitter. Give me a set of pointy sticks and some yarn and I’m a pretty happy person. Knitting keeps my hands busy, my mind occupied, and creates useful and lovely things. In fact, knitting is part of how I kept my sanity during the long, hot summer while dealing with pregnancy and the complication of gestational diabetes.

By far, my favorite things to knit are items for my children. There isn’t much that brings me more satisfaction as a crafter than seeing one of my children enjoying or finding comfort in something that I knit for them.

My oldest daughter has learned how to knit, enjoys the hobby, and is learning some valuable character traits like patience and pride in her work from the craft. My son, at age five, is showing some interest in learning how to knit as well and is working on his first finger knitted project. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to share this craft that I love with my kids.

I know this isn’t the type of thing I normally write about here at Simple Kids, but I’ve had a few of you ask recently about learning how to knit and/or how to teach children to knit. I’m still working on catching up on email and comments from my blogging break, but in the meantime I thought I’d answer your questions here on the blog in case anyone else was curious about knitting.

Learning How to Knit

First, I should tell you that I am not a perfect knitter. I’ve been knitting for nearly eight years and I’m continually learning new things about the craft. I rip things out and start over all the time. I make mistakes (that sometimes I fix, and sometimes I let go of and knit onward from).

So, please believe me when I say that you don’t have to be intimidated by the idea of learning how to knit. If I can do it, anyone can.

And, remember, knitting is basically learning how to tie a knot two different ways: with a knit stitch and then with a purl stitch. Once you and your child master those two stitches, the knitting world is your oyster!

Online Resources

The best way to learn how to knit is to have someone there in person to teach you. But, if you don’t have that (and I didn’t) then please don’t let that stop you, or your kids, from learning how.

In this day and age of YouTube and iTunes, a wanna-be knitter can see how to cast on, make a knit stitch, and cast off even if they don’t know any knitters in real life. I like the videos from Knitting Help.com for their simplicity and clear instruction.

As luck would have it, the creative ladies at Wee Folk Art are currently running a series on learning to knit, Newbie Knitting Lessons that looks to be pretty good. Wee Folk Art also has patterns, including this lovely knitted doll pattern that is simple and well photographed: Basic Knit Doll in 6 Sizes.

I also cannot recommend joining the website Ravelry enough. There are knitters of all levels of experience and interests on this site, which is a combination of message boards as well as a yarn and pattern index. If you want to connect with other knitters, this is the spot for you. In addition to making online connections, you can also use Ravelry as a resource for locating a knitting group. My Ravelry username is Rockin’ Granola and I’d be happy to “friend” you over there.

If you already know how to knit and are seeking guidance on specifically teaching children, here is one of my favorite ever posts on kids and knitting from the blog Small Things: Teaching Children How to Knit: Letters to Larkspur (I have to warn you that I can’t read this without getting a lump in my throat)

For many kids, and some adults, learning how to finger knit is the gateway to the world of knitting and fiber. The Learn to Knit Guide has a photo tutorial on finger knitting.

Children’s Knitting Books

When I was first learning, I checked out children’s knitting books from the library. Yes, the books were designed to teach kids how to knit, but I found that was just my speed – slow and steady with simple instructions and beginner’s patterns.

Whether you are checking out books for yourself or for your child to learn with, look for books with detailed photographs or color illustrations that clearly demonstrate the techniques.

Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of all Ages (This is a link to one of the books I learned with. Check your local library.)

Advanced Techniques
For those of you who already know how to knit, have gotten the basics down, and are looking to expand your techniques I love Cat Bordhi’s YouTube videos.

Knitting Podcasts

During the Summer, I discovered a whole slew of knitting and crafting podcasts that I enjoy listening to. Many of these podcasters keep blogs where they have show notes, tutorials, and even patterns available. Not all of these are geared to the new knitter, or specifically toward knitting for or with kids, but I enjoy them and they are a great way to learn more about the craft.

Here are a few of my new favorites:

And here are a few of my long-time knitting podcast favorites:

I believe that you can find all of these on iTunes.

No Pressure – Keep it Fun!

Some of my favorite advice for getting started knitting comes from Kelly Petkin, of Knit Picks, who suggests that for your first project you shouldn’t aim to make anything specific, but should play around with the yarn and the stitches and get comfortable knitting and purling first.

Give yourself permission to make an odd shape of knit and purl rows, letting yourself get the hang of how it feels to create the stitches and work with the yarn and needles.

Once you’ve explored knitting, without any pressure to make a finished object, then you move on to a simple scarf or wash cloth or beginner’s project of your choice.

We’ve had some cooler days this week, after a long Summer. While I will miss the sunny skies, I do look forward “sweater weather” and picking up my knitting needles to create for my family.

Are you a knitter? How did you learn the craft? What resources would you recommend to someone wanting to learn? What are some of your favorite patterns for children’s items? Are you a new knitter? A wanna be? If you’ve got questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them or send you in the right direction. Best wishes!

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Learning How to Knit: Resources for Kids and Grown Ups, too is a post from Simple Kids

Ten Fabulous FREE Fall Printables for Kids

Kara — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:01:33 +0000

The following post is by editor Kara Fleck.

It isn’t officially Autumn yet, but there has definitely been something Fall-like in the air here in Indiana. After months of heat and humidity, the cooler temps and grey-blue September skies are a very welcome change.

This mama’s thoughts are definitely on Autumn as I plan ahead for kid crafts and activities. My printer and my laminator are ready for action and I’ve been bookmarking my favorite fall printables for kids and families.

Here is a round up of Autumn inspired printables, all of them free to print, straight from my Pinterest board.

Ten Fabulous FREE Fall Printables

Fall Bucket List (ideas for kids and parents) ::: At First Blush
Fall Coloring Pages ::: Family Fun
Camping Preschool Pack ::: Homeschool Creations
Halloweenie Dress Up – Boy ::: babalisme
Halloweenie Dress Up – Girl ::: babalisme
How to “Boo” ::: Skip to My Lou
Halloween Fortunes ::: Kind Over Matter
Thanksgiving Fortunes ::: Kind Over Matter
Thanksgiving Preschool Pack ::: 1+1+1=1
Thanksgiving Printables for the Kids Table ::: Be Different, Act Normal

How will you be welcoming the change of the season this week? What is your favorite thing about this time of year? Do you and your kids have anything special planned for this season?

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Ten Fabulous FREE Fall Printables for Kids is a post from Simple Kids

At the Craft Table with Rae Grant: Forever Blowing Bubbles

Rae Grant — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:01:55 +0000

The following is a post written by author and Crafts Contributor Rae Grant of My Little Hen. This post originally appeared June 2010.

Some people say that kids will only be inventive if they are allowed to experience boredom. Although it was soap maker Andrew Pears who popularized bubble blowing in the late 1800’s, I have no doubt that it was probably a child who came up with the idea of making homemade bubbles one hot summer day in July.

Perfect Boredom Buster

With summer coming as fast as it can, so is the need to have a few activities for your kids to do when they have some down time. Making bubbles is one of the more simple and fanciful ways to spend a warm sunny afternoon. They work well on a grassy lawn, outside on the steps, under the shade of a tree, and even in the kitchen.

When it comes to kids, bubbles have everything going for them; they fascinate, they float, have rainbow colors, and require some skill to blow a good bubble. They can be treated as a scientific experiment or as a past time. Best of all, they are inexpensive to make.

Bubbles are, indeed, the perfect boredom buster for a summer day.

Alone or with a group of friends, they are sure to entertain. Parents, don’t underestimate the power of a little liquid soap to occupy your kids.

Photo by SteveFE

Invite Experimenting

Let the kids experiment. Making and experimenting with the homemade bubble solution is fun for young scientists, but it’s also appealing to the inventors too.

Try collecting an array of bubble blowers made from everyday household items such as a funnel, a straw, or rubber band. Don’t forget to save and reuse bubble wands too.

You can even make bubble art using a paper cone. Add tints of food coloring to the solution and blow the bubbles directly on a sheet of paper onto paper to make bubble art.

Homemade Bubble Solution

It is very simple to make your own bubble solution.

1. Gather small and large plastic or steel funnels, drinking straws, rubber bands ( thick and thin)

2. Mix together in a bowl or metal baking pan:

1 cup warm water

½ cup dishwashing soap

1 teaspoon light corn syrup (optional)

3. Combine ingredients in a bowl, or metal baking pan and stir well.

To begin, dip the open end of the funnel, paper cone, or drinking straw into the soapy solution and blow lightly through the non-soapy end. The corn syrup helps to create a sturdy BIG bubble.

Once the kids have mastered the art of bubble blowing have a contest to see who can make the largest bubble. Serve with a glass of cold homemade lemonade and you’ll have an almost perfect event.

Look for Rae’s new book, Homemade Fun: 101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids to be released June 8, 2010 and come back here tomorrow for a chance to win your very own copy!

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At the Craft Table with Rae Grant: Forever Blowing Bubbles is a post from Simple Kids

Creative Photography with Children – and a Through the Lens ecourse Giveaway, too!

Mariah — Wed, 25 May 2011 04:01:21 +0000

The following post is by contributor Mariah Bruehl of Playful Learning.

With summer quickly approaching it is nice for parents to have a repertoire of engaging activities in the backs of their minds that encourage children to keep reading, writing, and being creative.

This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced soon. Thank you!

Photography offers children a wonderful outlet for expressing themselves and taking in the world around them. Not only does it channel their natural tendency to be attracted to technology in a positive direction, but photography can also inspire writing and other forms of self-expression.

Create a Juggling Photo

One fun and easy activity to start with is an exploration of your child’s favorite things, hobbies, and talents.

It is nice to get the juices flowing by starting out with a story. We read the book What I Do Best by Allia Nolan and Miki Sakamoto.
Next, invite your child to think about and choose five items that represent what he does best or his favorite hobbies and pastimes. Spend some time talking about his choices and which items best represent his ideas. Our youngest daughter loves art, so she decided to include colored pens and pencils.
Explain that you are going to create a photo that will look like she is juggling all of her favorite things. It might help to show your child the photo in this post. Spread out a white sheet or light-colored blanket on the floor and arrange the items in an arch. Then have you child lay on her back and put her hands in “juggling” position. It is also fun to incorporate facial expressions, such as looking up. Have an “assistant” (see below for an explanation) take a photo.
After printing out the photos, invite your child to cut himself and the objects out and glue them to a blank piece of paper or in a journal.
Encourage your child to label the items in her collage. If she is not yet writing independently, have her dictate to you while you write her words.
When he is finished with the labels ask if he would like to add more details about any of the items. My oldest daughter decided to write a brief story about her beloved teddy bear, while my youngest daughter wrote short poems about each of the objects she chose. Keep the writing component light and fun.

It is important to remember that there are a lot of different roles that children can play while engaged in creative photography projects. First and foremost, they should be the director of all the photos that they are in. Although they may need an “assistant” to take the actual photo, they can decide on and create the background, props, concepts, costumes, and poses.

Once you and your children get started thinking creatively about photography, the ideas continue to flow. Each member of the family can start his or her own photo journal and add to it throughout the summer and beyond.

You can find more inspirational photos here, here, here and here.

Through the Lens ecourse Giveaway

For more fun photography ideas, be sure to check out Mariah’s new e-course, Through the Lens: Explorations in Photo Journaling. She is offering Simple Kids’ readers the chance to win a spot in the summer session.

To Enter

Simply leave a comment below.

This giveaway will end at Midnight EST Monday, May 30, 2011. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 31. Good Luck! This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced soon. Thank you!

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Creative Photography with Children – and a Through the Lens ecourse Giveaway, too! is a post from Simple Kids

From Whip Up: Action Pack – A Kids Mini-Mag (and a giveaway, too!)

Kara — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:00:27 +0000

Jillian, my nine year old, and I have been having the best time together lately. We’ve been creating origami boats, baking honey and cinnamon cake, drawing bees, and gathering the supplies for future adventures in lip balm and hand lotion making.

(This giveaway is now closed. Winners will be announced in Sunday’s Link Love post.)

Wow! Where is all this creative inspiration coming from, you ask? From the March Action Pack – a new kids mini-magazine from Kathreen Ricketson of the popular blog Whip Up. I jumped at the chance for a review copy of this project because I knew it would be terrific.

Intended for boys and girls ages 7 and up “who want to do stuff” Action Pack is 20 plus pages jam packed with detailed instructions, charming photographs, cute illustrations, and idea after fun idea. The March issue revolves around the themes of paper and beeswax.

From the magazine:

Action Pack is … “Science experiments that you can actually use, easy delicious recipes, simple craft projects that require minimal adult supervision, and outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

Photo by Whip Up
At a mere $5 and ad free (something I certainly appreciate in a publication intended for children) and printable right from your home computer, this mini-mag has been the perfect boredom busting solution for the string of rainy days we’ve been experiencing.

I love that my daughter and I are making future plans together based on projects and recipes from Action Pack but there is also plenty in the magazine that she can do on her own, with limited supervision.

Photo by Whip Up

An Action Pack Giveaway

I have some exciting news: Kathreen is generously giving away a copy of the March 2011 Action Pack to five Simple Kids readers!

To Enter

Simply leave a comment on this post telling us what your family is looking forward to doing and creating together from the Action Pack.

This giveaway will be open for comments until 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, March 5th. This giveaway is now closed. I will announce the winners in my Link Love post on Sunday. Thanks!

Don’t want to wait to grab a copy of Action Pack? You can pick up one at the Whip Up Shop today.

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Sparkle Stories - audio stories for children and families.
E-mealz - mealtime makeover.
Playful Learning - develop your child's sense of joy and wonder.
Organizing Life as Mom - inspiration and planning pages.

From Whip Up: Action Pack – A Kids Mini-Mag (and a giveaway, too!) is a post from Simple Kids