bookhoucraftprojects

Project #61 Puppet Theater

Puppet Theater by Kayanna Nelson aka June craft

This is the perfect project for erasing summer afternoon boredom or for a rainy day. You probably have everything you need laying around the house already, it's quick and super simple. There's also tons of room for creativity and is great for kids of all ages. My daughter loves to put on little shows and this is the perfect thing to let her imagination run wild! 

 

{illustrations by Kayanna Nelson, not to be used for commercial purposes}

What you'll need:
*Download the Stage and puppets templates here and  here and print them out.
*An empty box approximately the size of the stage template. We used this empty cracker box but a cereal box or other similar size would work just as well.
*Scissors
*Glue
*Xacto Knife (adult use only)
*Coloring supplies
*Small dowels (bamboo skewers, popsicle sticks or even twigs from the yard would also work well!)

Step one:
Have your child decorate the stage and puppets! Use crayons, markers, stamps, paint or glitter. You don't have to use the provided puppets either. Use the size as a template and have your child come up with their own characters or creatures.
Step Two:
Cut out the puppets on the dotted lines and gather your sticks and glue.
Step Three:
Put some glue around all the edges of one side of a puppet.
Step Four:
Put a little glue on the stick and place in the middle of the paper you just glued. Take the other side of that puppet and place it over the top of the side you glued and the stick. You want to create a "sandwich". Press down and let dry.

 

Step Five:
Repeat with all your remaining puppets.
Step Six:
If your box has top flaps cut them off with scissors so that the top is completely open.
Step Seven:
Put some glue on the front of your box and glue the stage template to the front. Use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles and trim the paper if it's a little large like we did.
Step Eight:
This step is for adults only!! Using the Xacto knife cut through the template and the box along the dotted line to create an opening that becomes your stage. You're all done!

 

If you have older kids with longer attention spans have them color the inside of the box creating stage scenery. Or, you could glue some pretty decorative paper, or pictures from a magazine to the inside to make a scene. My five year old was too anxious to play with her theater to do this extra step but she did declare this to be an "excellent activity"!

You could also cut a small hole is the lower back of the stage and set a flashlight in the hole to create theater lighting. Set up a camera to record your show. Set it to music, or act out their favorite stories. Have fun with it!

..June craft..
..June craft blog..

Project #60 Rainy Day Newspaper Play

Rainy Day Newspaper Play by Kristen Sutcliffe from New House Project

This is more of a rainy day activity than a craft project, but your children will have fun helping you cut out shapes, and they will certainly be delighted to play with the final product.

What You'll Need:

*Old newspapers
*Scissors and/or exacto knife
*Small paddling pool if you have one

Step One:
Place an old newspaper on a cutting mat and use an exacto knife to cut out shapes.  I decided to cut out lots of leaf shapes because playing in leaves is so much fun.  I left the newspaper folded so that I could cut out many leaves at once.
Step Two:
I also cut out some spirals because I thought they would add texture and be interesting to play with.  Cut out several of those at once too.
Step Three:
Any remaining newspaper can be cut or torn into strips.  Have your kids help you cut out shapes or just tear the newspaper if they are not ready for scissors yet.
Step Four:
Toss all of the cuttings and pieces into a small paddling pool.  If you don't have one you can create a newspaper play area with pillows and cushions.
Step Five:
Play time!  Your kids will have fun playing in the newspaper.  They might make a mess, but the clean up is quick and easy.  I will keep the cuttings and reuse them a few times and then recycle them.  

..New House Project..

Project #59 Handkerchief Mother’s Day Card

Handkerchief Mother’s Day Card by Khali from Little. Lovely.

I know I’m not the only Mummy who loves handmade cards from her children. They’re so sweet that it seems a shame to tuck them away in a drawer for safe keeping. A handkerchief card is the perfect way for your children to create something special that can be used all year round.

You’ll need:
*Handkerchief
*Lined paper
*Fabric paint
*Stencils

Step one:
Place the lined paper underneath your handkerchief, making sure the lines are visible through the fabric. You’ll use this as a guide to keep your message straight.
Step two:
Take a stencil containing the alphabet and spell out your message using fabric paint. (Note: Fabric paints with a fine tip are great for little hands. Be sure to wait for each letter to dry before commencing the next to avoid smudging.)
Step three:
Once your message is written, use stencils to create pictures on the handkerchief.
Step four:
Write your name at the base of the handkerchief for a personal touch.

..Little. Lovely...