Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer) [Paperback]

Jennifer Casa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 2011 | Series: Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer (Book 26)

Get creative with kids

Unplugging kids from their MP3 players and game systems for one-on-one family time is a great way to reconnect in today's hectic world. And what better way to spend time together than doing an activity that's not only fun but also promotes creativity and self-expression?

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids is packed with step-by-step instructions for making crafts throughout the year, from outdoor projects to gifts and party favors to holiday decor to projects that promote learning through play.

• 75 fun, simple projects for adults to make with kids
• Concise, two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review
• Detailed color photos demonstrate each step and helpful tips provide additional guidance

Loaded with easy-to-follow instructions and fun, simple projects, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crafting with Kids gives parents, caregivers, and teachers the tools they need to make the most of the time they spend with kids.

Sample Project from the Book: Driveway Doodlers--Make Your Own Chalk

Turn a Driveway or Sidewalk into a Masterpiece

Drawing all over the driveway is great fun for kids of all ages. The next time your supply of chalk is running low, try making your own instead of purchasing yet another bin of the mass-produced stuff. In just a few minutes, you and your kids can mix up a batch in fun shapes and all your favorite colors.

Let's Make It!

Time: 15 minutes plus drying time

Materials
-- Cookie cutters
-- Duct tape
-- Rubber gloves
-- Empty bucket
-- Plaster of Paris

Prepare Your Work Space and Materials
1. Work in a well-ventilated area to protect everyone from plaster and paint dust.

2. The mixture will harden very quickly, so it is best to have all of your materials ready before you begin.

3. Cover one side of each cookie cutter with duct tape. Be sure it is well sealed.

4. Wear rubber gloves when you work.

Create Your Own Chalk

Spoon plaster into mold

5. Combine two parts plaster of Paris and one part water in a bucket. Try 1 cup of plaster to 1⁄2 cup water the first time so you can familiarize yourself with the process.

6. Stir well to mix.

7. Add tempera paint powder to the mixture 1 tablespoon at a time and stir well to combine. Add more paint if needed to achieve your desired color.

8. Pour or spoon the plaster mixture into your cookie cutter molds or ice cube tray.

9. Allow to harden and dry completely. It can take anywhere from 1⁄2 hour to overnight, depending on the size of the chalks you create. The larger the pieces, the longer they will take to harden.

10. Unmold the chalk and enjoy!

See instructions with photos.

Browse a full list of projects from the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Packed with 75 fun, simple projects to make with kids, this visual guide gives you step-by-step instructions for a variety of crafts, from paper and fabric art to traditional craft-stick-and-pipe-cleaner activities—and everything in between. Together, you'll create kid-friendly projects that promote learning through play, celebrate seasons and holidays, add charm and whimsy to indoor and outdoor décor, and so much more. Whether you're looking for a way to beat the rainy-day blues or need some new ideas to get your kids' creative juices flowing, this friendly guide will keep you crafting all year long.

Engaging projects help kids learn a variety of skills and techniques step by step

• Each project is defined and described

• Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo

• Detailed color photos demonstrate each step

• Helpful tips provide additional guidance

• Inspiring projects

• Step-by-step instructions

• Hundreds of color photos

About the Author

Jennifer Casa is a mama + maker + homebody + rocker + dreamer. She designs original sewing, knitting, and craft projects, and her work is featured regularly in print and online publications. Visit JCasahandmade.com for patterns, projects, tutorials, recipes, inspiration and a good dose of the laughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Visual; 1 edition (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470643706
• ISBN-13: 978-0470643709
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #980,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Casa is a mama + maker + homebody + dreamer + life-long crafter. she enjoys the creative process of designing original sewing, knitting and craft projects from her home studio in Ohio. her work is regularly featured in print and online publications, connecting her with fellow mamas + makers across the globe.

visit JCasahandmade.com for more information, as well as plenty of patterns and projects for the whole family.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not great for groups of young kids September 30, 2011

By les

Format:Paperback

This is an alright book but it's definitely not what I was looking for. A lot of the projects in this book require the adult to do most of the work, I was hoping for projects I could have a group of young kids doing while going around and helping them individually. A lot of the projects in this book might be good for middle school age kids but kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade? Not so much. A few of the projects I might use like the vegetable stamps and popsicle stick puzzle, but most are not geared towards young kids unless you want to do most of the work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource! August 18, 2011

By Rachel M.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My kids are ages 3 and 1, and this is going to be an amazing resource for us for years to come. 75 projects, most of which are fun new ideas, and many are some of those classic crafts that I didn't know how to execute well: tie-dye shirts, kaleidoscopes, marbled paper, crafts involving shrink plastic or polymer clay, etc. All projects are accompanied by clear directions and lots of color photos. And most projects are a spring-board for you to take it in your own direction as your creativity, time, or materials allow.

There are a few things I especially like about this book: many ideas are great for gift-giving (or for special crafts at parties), there is a generous use of materials you already have on hand from the recycling bin, and crafts are executed so they will last more than just a day and then become trash. I especially like that last aspect... the finishing or construction techniques of the projects ensure that you're making a craft that will be around for a while and retain its quality.

I'd say most of the projects are for kids a little older than mine are now, and for right now I will be doing most of the work. But that craft time is important, and getting my kids used to using different materials offers them creative freedom. For example, we just made the Story Puzzle Blocks project as a birthday gift for a preschooler. While I did most of the work on those, my 3-year-old enjoyed taking the scraps of pictures from old books we used and gluing together a collage, which she had not really done before. Others have noted on their blogs that older children can do a lot of these projects independently.

Overall, a fantastic book brimming with ideas that will be my go-to for regular craft times and special occasions!

5.0 out of 5 stars very happy with this book November 3, 2011

By sippys&stilettos

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was so excited to order this book! I have been following Jennifer Casa's blog for some time and have always found her ideas to be sweet and cute and perfect to do with kids. I love the pictures and the fact that all the materials are common and easy to find. My kids have loved doing the projects we've tried - and can't wait to try more. As a mother of 4 kids under 7, it's a definite go-to book:)