4 Unusual Crafts for Kids

Contributed by Guest Author: Catherine Ross

Here are four unusual crafts for kids that will make adults want to join in too. And they need no rhyme or reason, nor time or season; so just get going when you feel like it. Happy crafting!

1. Perfumed Play Dough

Far less than ordinary store-bought play dough, this homemade recipe smells and looks good enough to eat. Don’t get tempted though!

You will need:

• Powdered drink milk (4 0.13-ounce packets)
• Flour (2 cups)
• Vegetable oil (4 tablespoons)
• Water (2 cups)
• Salt (1 cup)
• Cream of tartar (2 teaspoons)

Instructions:

• Pour all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir well over medium heat.
• Continue until the dough forms into one big ball, then turn the heat off and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• Dust a work surface with flour, place the dough onto it and knead for a while. Add more flour if needed.
• Your homemade play dough is ready for playtime!

Tip – Store it in a plastic container to keep it soft and pliable for months.

2. Ghostly Balloons

Give the right spooky touch to your Halloween decorations with this ghostly craft.

You will need:

• Old newspapers
• Jam jars
• Balloons
• Large felt eyes
• White glue
• Water
• Scissors
• Bowl
• Paintbrush

Instructions:

• Tear the newspaper into long strips.
• Blow up the balloons partially and tie the ends down on the mouths of the jam jars.
• Mix 2 parts craft glue and 1 part water.
• Soak the newspaper strips in the glue-water mixture and place one of these across the balloon.
• Paint the glue-water mixture over the top of this paper strip.
• Repeat the process by placing the other paper strips over the balloon.
• Let the balloon dry completely.
• Pop the balloon and carefully remove it from under the paper strip mold.
• Glue the felt eyes on the mold.
• Your ghostly balloon is ready!

3. Make your own Face Paint

Young children love to splash around with paint. Show them how to make their own and have hours of joy painting their own faces.

You will need:

• Light corn syrup (1 cup)
• Corn starch (3 tablespoons)
• Flour (1 tablespoon)
• Food coloring
• Water (1/4cup)
• Paintbrush
• Containers
• Small bowl

Instructions:

• Mix the flour and corn starch in the bowl.
• Add water and corn syrup and blend into a smooth paste.
• Spoon the paste in equal amounts into containers – use as many containers as colors you would like to make.
• Pour food coloring into each container until you get the desired colors.
• Your face paint is ready for action!

4. Cookie Fossils

Hungry little paleontologists are really gonna love these munchies!

You will need:

• All-purpose flour
• Unsalted butter
• Toasted walnuts (1 cup)
• Confectioners’ sugar
• Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grind walnuts in food processor until you get a fine powder.
• Transfer the walnut powder into a bowl; add the flour and half a teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
• Beat sugar, butter and vanilla extract until it turns into a fluffy mixture.
• Stir this into the walnut mixture and blend. This is your cookie dough.
• Divide dough into 2 inch balls and use your palms to form them into stone shapes.
• Place them into a baking sheet lined with parchment.
• Make insect fossil impressions on them using your fingers or a sharp (food safe) object.
• Freeze the dough until it is firm, then bake it for approximately 30 minutes.
• Let it cool.

Simple but fun, these crafts are sure to be a great hit among the little ones!

About Catherine Ross

Catherine Ross is a full-time stay-at-home-mum who believes learning should be enjoyable for young minds. An erstwhile elementary school teacher, Catherine loves coming up with creative ways through which kids can grasp the seemingly difficult concepts of learning easily. She believes that a ‘fun factor’ can go a long way in enhancing kids’ understanding and blogs at http://kidslearninggames.weebly.com/

Graphic & Font Credits: Amy Claxton & Graphics from the Pond