Chapter 9: Game Time
Treat your family to some fun new boredom-busters. Nothing fancy is required, and you will spend little to no money. In this chapter, you will use what you have on hand and rethink materials from around the house. Enjoy the process of making these games together as you create a fully stocked game closet that is ready to provide entertainment all year round.
Upcycled Apartments
Even superheroes and the littlest of pets deserve a space of their own. Rather than purchase a premade house, let’s transform items from the recycling bin to create a fun and fully furnished living space for your kids’ favorite play figures. Everyone is sure to be entertained both during the design process and in the endless hours of imaginative play with the finished creations.
Let’s Make It
Time: 1⁄2–1 hour
Materials
• Empty tissue box
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
• Balsa wood sheets or carpet samples
• Glue
• Decorative papers, maps, or magazines
• Cardboard (an old cereal box works great)
• Buttons
• A variety of craft materials such as yarn, felt, and fabric scraps
Prepare the Apartment Space
1 Cut the bottom off a tissue box.
2 Carefully remove any plastic in opening of the box. This opening will be the window.
3 Paint the interior of your apartment and allow it to dry completely.
4 Measure the floor space and cut a piece of carpet or thin balsa wood to size.
5 Glue down your flooring.
6 Use your imagination and simple craft materials to decorate your space. Below are a few examples to get you started.
Make a Couch
7 Cover a 31⁄2" x 5" cardboard rectangle with fabric or decorative paper.
8 Look at the rectangle in the landscape position. Cut two 2" vertical slits in both sides of the rectangle that are placed 1⁄2" in and centered on either side.
9 Glue two buttons to the bottom of the couch.
10 Fold the rectangle long side to long side and crease on the fold.
11 Open the rectangle and pop the arms of the couch in the opposite direction.
Make a Coffee Table
12 Cover a 2" x 31⁄2" piece of cardboard with fabric or decorative paper.
13 Fold both of the short ends about 3⁄4" under at a right angle.
Spice Up the Walls and Windows
14 Make frames around tiny pieces of art and maps to adorn the walls. Silhouette charms (Chapter 8) would look great on the walls, too.
15 Glue fabric curtains around the window.
16 Gather up a few play figures or make a few peg pals (see next project) to move into this great new space. Stack a few apartments to create your very own high-rise.
Peg Pals
This project is something the whole family can enjoy and it is sure to create lots of laughter. Craft your own wooden peg family or whip up an entire community—these figures are fun to make and provide countless hours of entertainment later on.
Let’s Make It
Time: 1 hour
Materials
• Wooden people pegs
• Painter’s palette (or wax paper)
• Acrylic paints in an assortment of colors
• Old washcloth or paper towel
• Paintbrushes and cotton swabs
• Markers (fine-tip and wide-tip)
• Glue
• Scissors
• A variety of craft materials such as pipe cleaners, fabric or felt scraps, yarn, craft foam, stickers, and toothpicks
Set Up Your Craft Area
1 Set out a few shapes and sizes of wooden people pegs to choose from while you work.
2 Use a painter’s palette or some wax paper to mix your paints, adding a small amount of any given color at a time. You can blend right on the palette as you go.
3 Keep a cup of water and an old washcloth nearby for cleaning brushes as you work.
4 If you would like these to resemble specific people, gather a few photos for reference while you work.
Paint Your Peg Pals
We like to keep our Peg Pals simple and add all sorts of accessories later, but you can get as detailed as you like.
5 Use a medium- or small-tipped paintbrush to paint “clothes” onto a peg person. You can make separates or one solid-colored article of clothing. Try adding stripes, polka dots, or different designs to each figure.
6 Allow the paint to dry before you handle the peg again.
7 Now paint the hair. You can easily customize the hair color by mixing colors and using different-sized brushes. Try dabbing the paint on with cotton swabs to create curly hair.
8 To add eyes, simply dab the end of the paintbrush without bristles into paint and dot eyes on the face area.
9 Use a fine-tipped marker or small-tipped paintbrush to draw a mouth.
10 Allow to dry.
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TIP Accessorize Your Peg Pals Create a variety of accessories to personalize your figures. Attach them with glue when the paint is dry. • Toothpicks are great for making drumsticks, batons, microphones, knitting needles, and so on. Use scissors to cut them to size. You may also wish to use a nail file to dull the sharp points. • Cut small pieces of felt, craft foam, or stickers to indicate favorite sports and hobbies. • Felt or fabric scraps make fun clothes, too. |
Kaleidoscope
Watch as colors and shapes bounce around in this fun kaleidoscope. It is a great way for kids to discover how images and light can bend using a simple homemade prism.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: Approximately 41⁄2" tall • Time: 1 hour
Materials
• Cardboard toilet paper tubes
• Ruler
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• Granola bar wrapper with shiny silver liner
• Glue
• Clear plastic scraps (check your recycling bin for lids from yogurt cups, salad or takeout containers, etc.)
• Resealable plastic wrap
• Beads in a variety of shapes and colors
• Clear packing tape
• Black (or dark) paper
• Kids’ original art (or decorative paper)
Make the Prism
1 Cut 1⁄2" off the length of a cardboard tube so it measures approximately 4" tall.
2 Cut the tube from end to end and flatten it to create a rectangle.
3 Fold the 4" edge of the cardboard over about 13⁄4" and crease on the fold.
4 Fold the cardboard over 13⁄4" two more times, creasing on the fold each time. When you fold this piece together, it creates a triangular prism shape. (There will be a slight edge that overlaps the first side, which you will use later to glue it together.)
5 Open up the cardboard and glue the granola bar wrapper to it with the shiny silver side facing up. Smooth out any air bubbles with your hands.
6 Allow it to dry completely, then cut off any rough edges.
7 Fold up the cardboard with the shiny silver side on the inside of the prism.
8 Glue the prism together along the overlapping edge. Allow it to dry.
Cut the Plastic
9 Stand up another cardboard tube.
10 Trace a circle onto clear plastic using the open end of the cardboard tube as a guide. You will need two of these circles.
11 Cut out the circles and set them aside.
Assemble the Kaleidoscope
12 Place the prism inside another tube that is taller than the prism, and push it all the way down to the bottom. There should be about a 1⁄2" gap above the prism at the top of the tube.
13 Place a piece of resealable plastic wrap sticky-side down on the top end of the tube.
14 Press down on the plastic wrap inside the tube with your fingers just to the depth of where the prism begins. (This step creates a “cup” inside where the beads will be placed.)
15 Smooth the plastic wrap up over the top outside edge of the cardboard tube and trim off any excess.
16 Take one of the clear plastic circles and place it inside the tube, creating a flat surface at the base of the plastic wrap “cup.”
17 Place beads in different colors and shapes into the “cup” at the top of the tube. Do not pack the beads in too tightly, because they need to move around as you turn the kaleidoscope.
18 Place the second clear plastic circle on the top of the cardboard tube.
19 Secure it with a piece of clear packing tape, smoothing the edges down the sides.
20 Cut a circle out of black or dark paper. Use the opening at the prism end of the tube as a guide.
21 Secure the black circle onto the prism end of the tube with a piece of clear packing tape, smoothing the edges down the sides, just as you did with the top of the tube.
22 Use the point of a scissors to poke a tiny hole in the center of the black circle at the bottom of the kaleidoscope.
23 Press through that hole with a pencil and twist it around just a bit to create a small, round hole for viewing.
24 Measure the height and distance around your kaleidoscope.
25 Cut a piece of your kids’ original art or decorative paper to size and glue it around the entire kaleidoscope.
26 Close or cover one eye as you look through the small hole in the end and turn the kaleidoscope to watch what happens as the beads move and are reflected in the prism.
Tic-Tac-Toe to Go
This classic pastime is simple enough for young kids to learn, and still fun for all ages. Rather than scribble on paper, create a special tic-tac-toe board to take along wherever you go. It is a wonderful diversion on car rides, in waiting rooms, or at restaurants, as well as a nice thing to bring along for play dates and visits to Grandma’s house.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: 12" x 12" • Time: 1⁄2 hour
Materials
• 1 piece of thick felt measuring 12" x 12"
• 4 strips of felt or ribbon measuring 1⁄2" x 8"
• Ruler
• Craft glue (such as Tacky Glue)
• 10 self-adhesive hook and loop dots
• 10 buttons (five each in two different colors)
• Screw punch or craft knife
• 1 piece of yarn measuring about 24"
Make the Game Board
1 Apply the four 1⁄2" x 8" strips to the thick felt with craft glue. The play area should be centered left to right, 1" down from the top and 3" up from the bottom.
2 Apply 10 scratchy-sided self-adhesive hook and loop dots to the game board at 1" intervals. Placement should be 11⁄2" in from the sides and 1" up from the bottom edge.
3 Stick the soft-sided self-adhesive hook and loop dots to your 10 buttons.
4 Secure the buttons to the game board using the hook and loop dots. This is where the game pieces are stored when not in use.
5 Use a screw punch or craft knife to make a small hole centered on the game board, positioned 1" down from the top.
6 Pull the piece of yarn through the hole. Tie a knot in both ends to prevent fraying.
Let’s Play
• Place the board on a flat surface.
• Remove the colored buttons from the bottom of the game board for use when playing.
• When not in use, place the game pieces back onto the hook and loop dots across the bottom edge. Roll up the board from the bottom, wrap the yarn around, and tie it shut.
Road Trip Seek and Find Game
Being on the go with the kids in tow does not have to be stressful. Take a little time when you are not busy to work together and create a customized travel game to play in the car. Whether you are headed out of town on vacation or just up the street to visit friends, this game will make the ride something you will all look forward to.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: About 9" x 12" • Time: 1 hour
Materials
• Empty cereal box (about 12" tall)
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• A variety of craft materials such as decorative papers, stickers, acrylic paints, and fabric
• Glue
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Plain paper measuring 81⁄2" x 11"
• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
• Ballpoint pen
• Clear packing tape
Decorate the Game Board
1 Take apart the cereal box.
2 Trim off loose or rough edges to create a large flat cardboard rectangle.
3 Turn the cardboard over so you are looking at the plain “inside” of the box.
4 Decorate the cardboard in any way you like, such as painting, collage, or adding decorative papers or stickers.
5 Allow the game board to dry thoroughly.
Prepare the Play Sheets
Do steps 6 and 7 in advance and then make a few photocopies so that you have a supply of them ready for future use. That way you can speed through to the fun part.
6 Use a ruler and pencil to draw a 1" frame around the 81⁄2" x 11" paper, measuring 1" in from all sides.
7 Divide the center space of the paper into eight equal-sized rectangles. (A simple way to do this step is to fold and crease the paper in half vertically and then again horizontally. This step creates four equal-sized spaces, which you can once again divide in half.)
8 Brainstorm a list of things you might see while you are out and about in the car.
9 Draw images of these items in each of the spaces on your play sheet. Color them in and label them, if needed.
10 Once you have a few different play sheets, you may wish to make color copies of each so that the kids can play along together during a ride.
Assemble the Game Board
11 Place the cardboard piece with the decorated side facing up on your work surface.
12 Place a blank play sheet on top of one side of the cardboard.
13 Use a ballpoint pen to press around the lines and create an impression onto the cardboard.
14 Remove the paper and use those impressions as a guide to cut out eight flaps on one side of the cardboard.
15 Fold the cardboard in half with the decorated side facing out.
16 Use clear packing tape or colored duct tape to seal two of the three open sides of the game board.
Let’s Play
• Insert one of the customized play sheets into the game board.
• Lift all the flaps on the game board so that you can see the items the kids are looking for while you play.
• As the kids spy things during the ride, they close the little flaps over those items.
• The first person to spy everything and close the corresponding flaps on the game board wins!
Floor Mat Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a terrific way to keep kids of all ages active, improve balance, and strengthen coordination. In this project, you will make a fun hopscotch mat that will be well-used for indoor play during the off-season.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: 2' x 6' • Time: 2 hours
Materials
• Cotton duck canvas measuring 2' x 6'. (You can have yardage cut at the fabric store, or simply cut a piece to size from a cotton painter’s dropcloth.)
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Duct tape in a complimentary color
• Fabric paint
• Paintbrushes
Make the Hopscotch Mat
1 Use a tape measure and pencil in five horizontal lines at 1' intervals across the width of the canvas. See the illustration in the Appendix.
2 Measure and pencil in a 1' vertical line centered in the top section of the canvas.
3 Pencil in another 1' vertical line in the section that is third down from the top. See the illustration in the Appendix.
4 Cut or tear two 1' lengths of duct tape and apply them to the two vertical lines on the canvas.
5 Apply five 2' lengths of duct tape to the five horizontal lines on the canvas.
6 Use lengths of duct tape to bind the mat by wrapping it over all of the edges.
7 Lightly pencil in numbers 1–8 in the corresponding sections on your mat.
8 Paint in each of the numbers using fabric paint, following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to set the paint.
9 Once the paint is dry and set, it’s time to start playing!
A few crafts in this book would be great for tossing onto the hopscotch mat during play—try using fabric buttons, beanbags, or even a felted wool soap.
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TIP Use a Nonslip Rug Pad on Hard Surfaces Placing a nonslip rug pad underneath your hopscotch mat will prevent it from sliding around on hard surfaces, such as wood or tile floors. Cut the nonslip rug liner to size and position it on the floor underneath the hopscotch mat, or permanently apply it to the hopscotch mat with spray adhesive. |
Digital Scavenger Hunt
Combine modern technology with a traditional scavenger hunt in this fun activity. By using a digital camera, kids can gather items that might otherwise be impossible to access. This is a fun party activity, a clever game for long rides in the car, and a great way to collect memories during a family vacation or special occasion.
Let’s Make It
Materials
• 8 sheets of 81⁄2" x 11" plain paper
• 1 piece of decorative paper or cardstock
• Single-hole punch
• Large tapestry needle (blunt-tip)
• Embroidery floss or yarn
• Pen or permanent marker
• Digital camera(s) (kid-friendly) or disposable camera
• Printer and photo paper (optional)
• Glue
Create the Scavenger Book List
1 Fold each piece of paper and the cardstock in half, short end to short end, creasing on the fold.
2 Slip the folded papers one inside the other to form a 16-page book and then slip the book inside the folded cardstock cover.
3 Make two holes along the spine of the book with a single-hole punch.
4 Use a tapestry needle to sew the book together through the spine with a few stitches of yarn or embroidery floss.
5 Brainstorm with your kids to create a list of items to find on the scavenger hunt.
6 Write one item at the top of each page.
Start the Scavenger Hunt
Kids can work in small groups or alone, depending on the number of kids and cameras you have. Just be sure the batteries for all of the cameras are charged and ready to go.
7 Review proper use of the digital cameras your kids are using.
8 Set parameters for the scavenger hunt as to how much time they have and any limits as to where they are to look.
9 Give each kid (or group) a scavenger list book and a camera, and send them on their way to “collect” each of the items.
Share Your Findings
10 When the scavenger hunt is over, go through the photos on the camera and talk about what the kids found.
11 Print your kids’ pictures either on your own printer or at a local drugstore.
12 Glue the photos in the book and encourage your kids to take even more photos to add to the book in the future.
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TIP Go on a Field Trip Customize a scavenger list for your next visit to a museum or the zoo. At the end of the day when you and your kids are back home, choose pictures to print and paste into their book as a special way to remember your adventure. |
Nesting Family
Create a one-of-a-kind set of simple nesting dolls featuring your very own family. Use basic craft materials from around the house to personalize each character and bring your nesting dolls to life. Set them around the table as place cards at a family gathering or enjoy them as a fun element of imaginary play.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: Up to 81⁄2" tall • Time: 1 hour
Materials
• Portraits of family members (make photocopies to preserve the originals)
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• Cardstock (81⁄2" x 11"—you will need one piece per family member)
• Ruler
• Fabric scraps, colored papers, or magazines
• Glue
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Duct tape
• Decorative tape or clear packing tape
Create Your Nesting Family
1 Cut out everyone’s head from the individual family member portrait copies.
2 Determine the order of how the dolls will nest together. You can arrange by age, height, or whatever order you wish.
3 One sheet of 81⁄2" x 11" cardstock will be the first person.
4 Cut 1" off of both the length and width of the next sheet of cardstock for the second person. Cut 2" off of both the length and width of the next sheet of cardstock for the third person. Continue to decrease the size of the cardstock for each consecutive person. (If you have an exceptionally large family, trim the papers at 3⁄4" intervals.)
5 Glue each head centered along the top edge of its corresponding cardstock piece.
6 Cut out “clothes” and “accessories” from fabric, paper scraps, or magazines.
7 Glue the clothes and accessories onto each of the corresponding cards. Allow to dry.
8 Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to personalize each person as you wish. Include hobby items to further illustrate everyone’s individuality.
9 Place the card face down and apply a length of duct tape along where the vertical seam will be when it is assembled.
10 Roll up the card with your person facing out. Overlap the edges by 1⁄4" and secure along the seam using the duct tape that is now on the inside of the tube.
11 Apply a length of decorative tape or clear packing tape to the outside of the cylinder to secure that outside seam.
12 Repeat this process with each of your family members’ dolls.
13 Nest one inside the other and have fun!
A fun way to bring your family’s nesting dolls to life is by taping a wooden craft stick inside each character so they can be used as puppets. Try putting on a show using the tabletop puppet theater.
Fridge Magnet Matchup
Transform the surface of your refrigerator into a game board with this simple and fun magnetic puzzle. Customize this game to feature your kids’ photos, original art, or something as simple as pretty decorative paper.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: 8" x 10" • Time: 15 minutes
Materials
• Photographs, artwork or decorative papers
• Inkjet magnet sheets (81⁄2" x 11")
• Glue
• Ruler
• Pen
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
Choose Your Image
1 If you are using a digital photograph, you can print an 8" x 10" image directly onto the white side of the inkjet magnet sheet using an inkjet printer. Allow the ink to dry completely.
2 If you are using original artwork or decorative papers, glue the paper image to the white side of the magnet sheet. Smooth out any air bubbles with your hands and allow it to dry completely.
Create the Puzzle
3 Use a ruler and pen to mark equal-sized puzzle pieces onto the magnet sheet. Consider the age of your kids when doing this—cut large pieces for little ones and smaller pieces for older kids.
4 Cut out the puzzle pieces and stick them onto your refrigerator in random order so the kids can get started solving their puzzles.
Tabletop Puppet Theater
Kids are so creative, and watching them put on a puppet show is one of the best forms of entertainment around. Encourage their imaginary play by creating this simple tabletop puppet theater using one of the greatest art materials around—a cardboard box. Make it your own and enjoy the show.
Let’s Make It
Time: 1 hour
Materials
• Empty cardboard box (we recycled a flat-rate priority mail box, but a cardboard box of any size will work just fine)
• A variety of craft materials such as decorative papers, stickers, acrylic paints, ribbon, and pompoms
• Glue
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• Felt or fabric (for the curtain)
• Ruler
• Stapler
Create the Puppet Theater
1 Take apart the box.
2 Trim the box to create a flat cardboard rectangle. Cut off a long flap from one side and save it for use later.
3 Turn the cardboard over so you are looking at the plain “inside” of the box.
4 Decorate the cardboard any way you like, such as coloring or painting, collage, or adding decorative papers and stickers.
5 Allow any paint or glue on the cardboard to dry thoroughly.
6 Cut out a rectangle centered in the cardboard. This will be the stage area.
7 Cut a piece of fabric or felt for the curtain of your theater. It should measure slightly larger than the opening.
8 Place the fabric on the inside of the opening, then use a stapler to secure the curtain to the top edge.
9 Fold the box toward the back about 3" to either side of the opening. This step will allow it to stand up on its own.
10 If necessary, use the long piece of cardboard you cut off the box (in step 2) to create a brace that will help keep the theater in place. (Simply cut two corresponding slits in the bottom sides of the main “theater” and secure them over the long cardboard strip.)
11 Use ribbons, glitter, pompoms, and stickers to decorate the front of the theater in any way you like.
12 For performances, kids can tuck their hands under the curtain or simply drape the curtain over the top of the theater.
13 When not in use, remove the brace and fold the theater for easy storage.
Recycling Bin Band
Music is a universal language that can be appreciated by people young and old. Even the littlest kids respond to tones, pitch, and rhythm. Create a great starter set of band instruments by repurposing items from the recycling bin. They will get plenty of use and entertain the entire family.
Let’s Make It
Time: 1⁄2–1 hour
Materials
• Newspaper
• Fabric or felt scraps
• Rubber bands
• Cardboard tube from a paper towel roll
• Duct tape in a variety of colors
• Empty tissue box
• Toothpicks
• Small plastic comb
• Wax paper
Make a Microphone
1 Use your hands to tightly ball up 1–2 sheets of newspaper to the size of a baseball.
2 Wrap a piece of colorful fabric or felt around the newspaper ball. Gather the fabric tightly around the newspaper ball and secure it at the base with a rubber band.
3 Place the secured end into the empty cardboard tube.
4 Wrap some colored duct tape around the end of the tube to secure the end of the microphone to the handle.
5 Roll up some newspaper and stuff it into the cardboard tube. This step will help to prevent it from being bent or crushed over time.
6 Continue to wrap colored duct tape down the length of the microphone in any pattern you like. Stop before you get to the bottom.
7 Place a small square of duct tape over the open end of the microphone and smooth the edges over the sides.
8 Continue wrapping the length of the microphone until it is done. Rock out!
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TIP Make Egg Shakers Create fun percussion instruments by repurposing plastic Easter eggs. Fill plastic eggs halfway with rice, dried beans, or lentils. Close the eggs tightly and seal around the edges with tape. Different materials will result in different sounds—experiment and have fun.
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Make a Guitar-Drum Combo
9 Remove the plastic liner from around the opening of the tissue box.
10 Cover the box with colored duct tape in any pattern you wish.
11 Wrap 3–4 rubber bands around the box so they extend over the length of the opening. If you use rubber bands of varying widths, the resulting sounds will be different.
12 Place a toothpick or craft stick under the rubber bands close to the edge of the tissue box on either side. This will raise the “strings” ever so slightly and allow sound vibrations to resonate better.
Note: In the interest of safety, use string instead of rubber bands and omit the toothpicks if making this with very small children.
13 Pluck or pick the strings to play.
14 Flip the guitar over to use it as a drum!
Make a Kazoo
15 Cut a square of wax paper that measures the length of your plastic comb.
16 Fold the wax paper square in half and crease on the fold.
17 Slip the comb into the folded wax paper, positioning the teeth of the comb in the crease.
18 Use duct tape to seal only the top edge of the wax paper. The comb should be able to shift from side to side inside the wax paper, and it should not be tight.
19 To play, hold the kazoo by the duct-taped edge and place your fingertips on the ends of the comb. Try to avoid touching the wax paper if you can. Place your lips on the wax paper at the folded edge, take a deep breath and hum. Do not press your lips tightly on the comb; you are trying to create vibrations between the teeth of the comb and the wax paper. It may take a few tries and will be worth a belly laugh when you figure it out.
TP Tube 10-Pin
Most kids jump at the chance to roll a ball and knock things down, so why not create your own bowling set using items from around the house? In very little time you can make a classic game that will entertain kids of all ages.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: Pins measure about 41⁄2" tall • Time: 1–2 hours (including drying time)
Materials
• 10 cardboard toilet paper tubes
• Duct tape (in any color you like)
• Sandwich wrap (such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or wax paper)
• Rice (dried beans or lentils also work well)
• Newspaper
• Clear packing tape
• Mod Podge
• Fabric or tissue paper in a variety of colors
Make the Pins
1 Rip a piece of duct tape that is slightly larger than the end of a cardboard tube.
2 Place the tape over the end of the tube and smooth it onto the sides of the tube.
3 Bundle 1⁄2" cup of rice in a piece of sandwich wrap. Seal it so the rice does not leak out.
4 Place the bundle into the cardboard tube and push it down to the end with the duct tape. This step creates the weighted base of the pin.
5 Fill the remaining space on top of the rice bundle in the tube with crumpled newspaper.
6 Place a piece of clear packing tape or colored duct tape over the top of the tube and smooth the edges.
7 Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the cardboard tubes.
8 Decorate the tubes in a variety of colors by layering scraps of tissue paper. Create any design you like—you can also cut pieces of fabric to size and glue them around each of the tubes.
9 Apply a top coat of Mod Podge to the pins and allow them to dry completely.
10 Set up the pins with the weighted sides down—we used brightly colored duct tape to indicate the bottoms of the pins.
11 Find a soft ball in the toy bin and start playing!
Story Puzzle Blocks
Kids of all ages enjoy playing with wooden blocks. And more than likely, you have some lying around the house. In this project, you’ll update a few simple blocks by using them to create a special six-sided puzzle that will challenge everyone’s thinking skills to put together colorful scenes from your kids’ favorite stories.
Let’s Make It
Measurement: 3" x 3" x 1" • Time: 1 hour (plus drying time)
Materials
• Storybooks
• Clear quilter’s ruler (optional)
• Craft knife and self-healing mat, or scissors
• 9 wooden blocks (measuring 1" each)
• Mod Podge
• Foam applicator
• Sandpaper (fine grit)
Select Your Artwork
1 Choose six images from favorite storybooks. It is helpful to use a quilter’s ruler to visualize what will appear on the 3" surface of the puzzle. Consider color and composition when choosing your artwork.
2 You can select images from the same story, or select one each from several different stories. Scan and print (or make color copies) of the pages to be used on the puzzle.
Create the Puzzles
3 Cut a 3" square from one of the images.
4 Cut that 3" square into nine—1" squares.
5 Line up nine blocks to form a 3" square surface.
6 Use a foam applicator to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the top of each block.
7 Place each of the nine—1" square images on the top of a block.
8 Apply a top coat of Mod Podge directly on top of the pictures on each block, being sure to go over the edges of the images.
9 Repeat this process with each of the remaining five images, working one side at a time.
10 By the time you complete five surfaces on the blocks, the first side should be dry enough so that you can turn it onto that side to complete the sixth side of each block. If the surface is slightly tacky, you can place the blocks on a sheet of wax paper as you complete the final side.
11 Allow each block to dry completely.
Finish the Blocks
12 Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand and smooth the edges of each image on the blocks.
13 Apply a final top coat of Mod Podge to each of the blocks and allow to dry.
14 Place the blocks into a bowl for display when not in use.
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TIP Put on Your Thinking Cap Encourage kids to use clues on each of the blocks to determine which sides should be facing in the same order. Once you get the hang of these puzzle blocks, make more complex versions—use more blocks, incorporate text with the images, or try using photographs. A set of puzzle blocks made using photos of grandchildren would be a thoughtful gift for grandparents. |