Customer Reviews

Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families: 100s of the best award-winning activities, games, and crafts from Donna's Prime Time books and TV show

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is going to be my new "baby shower gift" for all the expectant mothers. Such a FUN, easy book. You don't need to make a million trips to the craft store, as most of the stuff I have around the house. It's broken up into seasons, holidays etc. Such fun creative things to do with the kids! Each activity also focuses on certain "attributes" if you will. Self esteem, working in a group...etc. Love it...did I say I love this book? :)

I like the Donna Erickson show on PBS and many of the crafts that she shows on there. I was hoping this book would be a culmination of many of those crafts. And I was very excited when I read from another reviewer that you don't have to make a bunch of runs to the craft store but have most of the stuff around the house.

Well, when I got the book, I was very disappointed. Most of the crafts either required stuff I didn't have or weren't crafts at all. For example, "Sculpting an Ivy Topiary" requires a potted English ivy plant with several trailing vines or "Bring Home the Beach" requires Plaster of Paris - I don't have those things around the house. And then there is a Neighborhood Party, washing a car (kids get to help with a paint brush to pretend they're painting), melting ice cubes or water balloon volleyball, or going fishing to name a few. I don't need to buy a book for these things.

Overall the book has a few fun and practical craft ideas, but if you are looking for a lot of crafts you can do at home with your kids, this is not your book. Perhaps watch her show on PBS and take notes instead.

According to publisher's notes, there are "100s of the best award-winning activities, games and crafts" in this book. There are just over 100. And not like what I had hoped for. Still good stuff, but just not at the caliber of some of the TV episodes of Donna I had recently seen. That's why I'm only giving it 3 stars -- it did not deliver on the promise.