| ISSUE 32 • 3 JUNE 2007 | |
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Editorial We've been enjoying some unseasonably warm weather lately that has seen us out and about in the garden and the bush. I know that many readers in the northern hemisphere are also enjoying spending time outside so I thought it was a good time to focus on some fun outdoor crafts. We've recently moved house and our new backyard doesn't yet have any play gear (like a cubby or swingset) that I would normally rely on to keep the kids busy. This predicament has got me thinking about the type of outdoor activities that me and my siblings used to do when we were little – fun and simple things that didn't require any fancy props. For inspiration I've put together a list of good old-fashioned outdoor diversions for young kids. These activities require minimal props and little preparation and they're great fun. I'm sure you've got your own favourites... please email me with your suggestions and I'll add them to the list. If you have a blog or website, include the URL and I'll add that too! Happy crafting and I'll see you next time!  Amber Carvan editor@kidscraftweekly.com |
This no-glue collage is such a simple craft that even toddlers can get involved. It's also a lovely way to appreciate the seasonal changes in your natural environment. You will need • clear sticky contact • cardboard • a selection of colourful things from outdoors Directions 1. Collect a range of leaves, grasses, flowers/petals and other things that are in your backyard this season.  2. Find a clean flat surface and peel the back off a large piece of sticky contact. You may need to put something on each of the corners to keep them from folding up. Start placing your leaves and other outdoor objects onto the sticky contact.  3. When you've finished, place a piece of card over the top of your collage and fold the contact around the card.  4. And there you have a beautiful seasonal collage.  Ours is more than a week old now, and still looking great! It's proving to be a great way to teach Ella the names of the plants in our garden.
Paper rolling and repetition make this craft enormously appealing to preschoolers. Once the crafting is over they'll enjoy learning a new game and practising their throwing skills. You will need • newspaper • two different colours of sticky tape (we used electrical tape) • a stick Directions 1. Lay out your newspaper on a flat surface. Take the top four sheets and roll them up along the long side of the paper.  2. Wind coloured tape around the roll of paper.  3. Then bring the two ends together to form a circle and join them together with more coloured tape. Pull and squish into shape.  4. Repeat steps one and two until you have six circles – three of each colour.  5. Place a stick or garden stake into some soft earth and take turns to try and throw your quoits onto the stick.  Ella got frustrated with herself at missing, so she moved closer and closer until she was virtually above the stick. Our dog, Pixel, would have preferred to have someone throw his ball!
This is an attractive kite that's quite easy to make and is manageable for kids to fly. Young kids will need adult guidance but older ones will be able to make most of it on their own. You will need • a piece of paper • two drinking straws • sticky tape • crepe paper • string • hole punch • scissors Directions 1. Fold a piece of paper in half and snip off the corners at the unfolded side, as illustrated.  2. Take the top half of the paper and fold it down the side to meet the centre fold.  3. Turn it over and fold the other side in the same way.  4. Unfold your paper and tape two straws onto the outer two folds, taking care to fasten with tape at each end and the centre.  5. Stick a piece of tape on both sides of the wing points. Then punch a hole into each of the wings where you have place the tape. This will stop the paper from tearing once the string is attached.  6. Attach a crepe paper tail to the bottom of the kite using tape.  7. Cut length of string and tie each end to the holes. Then decorate your kite as you wish and then go in search of a gust of wind!  This style of kite is good at catching a breeze. Your little one can even run with it on a still day and it will get some satisfying lift. It's also a great way to tire out a busy child! |
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