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KIDS LOVE CRAFTS ! ! !

Why Crafts Are So Important For Kids
By: Val Carder

Kid's Crafts are a terriffic way to keep little minds and fingers busy.

Creativity builds awareness of the world around a kid and it helps to promote self-esteem. Crafts can be very calming for most kids.

Kids Love Crafts and, in a kid's world crafts play a huge part in helping the kid to develop many needed skills. Kids love to explore. Exploring is a way in which they learn as they grow. Exploring through crafts helps kids learn all of the following skills:

• Coordinating Colors
• Hand and eye coordination
• Math, spelling
• Learning how to follow instructions
• Patiencewith others (if the crafts are done in a group with other kids)
• Thinking skills

Kids need to be challenged as they grow. Kids aren't usually intimidated by challenges and that's why it's sometimes better to offer a kid's craft that seems a little beyond your kid's skills. Rather than keeping your kid in the same old crafting routine, at times it's better to challenge their skills by seeing if they can master something for someone slightly older.

Most kid's crafts can be done without to much help from a bigger person. Almost every type of kid's crafts gives a kid the chance to explore and teaches them that following instructions can be very rewarding. Using things around the house or in a craft box to make something creative and new gives a kid the sense of personal accomplishment and pleasure.

There are many toys on the market but none of them can out last the joy that a kid gets from doing crafts. Long after many toys fall apart a kid who has only bits and pieces of craft items will think of a way to make something from them.

Another thing kids really love is getting something in the mail or from the package delivery person. It's like having a birthday or Christmas all over again and again.

There are some excellent Craft of the Month Clubs which don't cost that much. Some of these clubs have kits for teens and adults.
Why not give a kid you know a gift that lasts all year long!

Craft On !!

P.S. Most of the Craft of the Month Clubs also sell a good variety of supplies.

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Art Supplies-------Books and Videos

Adhesives-----------------------Acrylic
Airbrus---------------------------Activity Books
Brush-----------------------------Airbrush
Canvas---------------------------Architecture
Drafting -------------------------Book Binding
Easels & Furnitu---------------Books on Art
Framing -------------------------CD-ROM Books Sets
Graphic Art Supplies---------Clip Art
Office Supplies ---------------Coloring Books
Painting -------------------------Craft & Hobby
Paper & Boards----------------Drawing
Pencils & Pastels --------------Fashion Design
Pens, Markers, Ink -----------Furniture
Photography ------------------Home Decorating
Portfolios -----------------------How-To Series
Printmaking --------------------Instructional Books
Safety & Cleaning ------------Instructional Videos
Sculpting -----------------------Oil Painting
Storage & Transporting-----Pastel
Textiles & Dyes ---------------Sculpture
Tools------------------------------Watercolor

Crafts Kids & Adults Love !

Ordering craft supplies and kits are a cinch at S&S Worldwide.
With S&S Worldwide you'll be sure to find everything you need in one place and save money in the process. If you're all out of ideas for craft projects for a single child or an entire group of children then S&S Worldwide is the answer. S&S has everything you need for the :

• Classroom
• Church or VBS
• Home or Camp
• Anytime
• You'll find Thousands of Affordable Kids Crafts & Craft Kits to choose from.

• Visit Their Discount-Clearance-Specials and Deal Centers for even more savings.

Shop S&S Worldwide for great prices on craft supplies, PE Equipment & more

Kids Crafts Ideas on a Budget

We all love crafts! They are a great way for kids to learn fine motor skills, and express themselves creatively, but being crafty can put a strain on your pocketbook at times. Going to the store to buy supplies for each and every craft project, just isn't practical. Which is why, it's important to learn how to come up with kids craft ideas on a budget. Consider using items and supplies that you already have on hand, for fun and simple impromptu projects.

There are so many items that often get overlooked when it comes to crafting. Think back to your own childhood. The days of toilet paper roll projects and egg cartons, should come rolling back. Remember how fun it was to create something beautiful out of something so plain? Help your kids relieve that same joy and pride with these simple tips and craft projects.

Recycle and Re-Use

Teaching your kids about recycling is a really good life lesson, so why not integrate craft time and science by re-using common household items? Paper bags, egg cartons and other goodies get a second life when they are forever treasured in the form of a craft project. Encourage your kids to come up with other household items that can be used for craft projects, you may be surprised at the things that they come up with!

Here are just a few of the materials that you can recycle, discover, or re-use for your own craft projects:
-Egg Cartons
-Grocery Bags (paper or plastic)
-Cardboard inserts from packaging and boxes
-CD's
-Old denim or fabric swatches
-T-shirts that no longer fit
-Used birthday cards or bags
-Wrapping paper
-Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
-Plastic soda bottles
-Cans (use caution with sharp edges)
-Things found in nature: A rock, leaves, sticks, etc.

Gravel Art

Here is a great little project that uses items that you should have lying around! Enjoy!

Materials Needed:
-Large Cardboard Box
-Small pieces of gravel (You will need quite a bit)
-String or Yarn
-Pencil
-Simple Coloring Book or personal drawing
-White glue in squeeze bottle
-Scissors
-Crayons (optional)

Instructions
1. Wash and rinse the gravel in a kitchen strainer. Spread out on towels to dry.
2. On your cardboard, use the pencil to make an outline of a simple drawing.
3. With the glue, trace over the outline.
4. Press string or yard onto the glue lines, cutting where necessary to form corners and angles.
5. Glue gravel onto the picture filling the spaces. You can use all one color, or use different colors for different areas.

6. If you wish to have a background, use crayons to draw and color one in.

Use Your Imagination

Once you get the hang of coming up with kids craft ideas, you will never go back to the store bought kits. There is so much more creativity and freedom that goes along with recycling and re-using common household items.
Sarah Jones loves teaching. When she isn't homeschooling her own children, she is busy sharing her love of education with others. Find a wide assortment of Lesson Plans, crafts for kids, and homeschooling tips at her site, http://www.KnowMore.

Easy Back to School Art and Craft Ideas for Kids

These free art and craft for kids ideas are easy to make and a great way to save money while creating unique school supplies with your kids. Just in time for back to school! If you’re looking for some ideas, read on and I will show you some simple free craft ideas for kids.

They all take 30 minutes or less to complete.

Art and Craft Ideas for Kids

#1 Bulletin Board: Keep things organized with this handy bulletin board. Why spend $40 to buy a pre-made bulletin board when you can easily make one for under $10? You can customize the bulletin board with each kid – pick the favorite colors to decorate the bulletin board. This project should take about 20-30 minutes.
Art and Craft Ideas for Kids

#2 Brown Paper Lunch Bags: Make your kids’ lunch extra special by packing them in customized brown paper lunch bags. Just take a regular bag and decorate it with labels and stickers. Or punch interesting shapes on the bags directly with craft punches. It will definitely give your kids something to smile about. This project will take about 10 minutes.
Art and Craft Ideas for Kids

#3 Customized Notebooks: This Who wouldn’t want a cool notebook to scribble notes on? There are many way to customize a notebook – you can cover it in scrapbook paper, photos, stickers or even fabric. A beautiful notebook will surely inspire your kid to write more often. This project will take about 15-20 minutes.

I hope these free art and craft craft ideas for kids have given you some inspiration on crafting with your school-bound children. For more information on back to school crafts, or other children craft ideas, visit Kid Craft Project at www.kid-craft-project.com

Edda Shea is the author of Kid Craft Project: a website for people who enjoy crafting with their kids. It is an online directory that sources the best ideas for kid craft projects. Edda is a lifelong crafts enthusiast and enjoys everything handmade.
http://www.kid-craft-project.com/

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Winter Craft Ideas for your Children

If it is winter time and your child has been asked to make some winter projects and therefore there are many wonderful possibilities for basic winter art projects and crafts such as cutting out snowflakes or drawing a Santa Claus but in addition there are some other fun things and activities to be done. You can pose the idea of interesting arts and crafts
to your children and you shall really be surprised at the creative ideas of your children.

Some fun ideas for winter crafts whereby you can use organized supplies such as:

1. Cotton is very useful in making some great winter art projects and if these cotton balls are a bit colder they can even look like mini snowballs. Your child can also draw wonderful winter scenery and then rip them, fluff them and glue them at the places where snow has to be shown.

2. Winter is always incomplete without marshmallows. Marshmallows is added treats in hot chocolate but can also be used for winter crafts. Your kids can take three big marshmallows and then stack them on top of each other so as to make a mini and tasty snowman. Toothpicks can also be used to hold the marshmallows together and also as the arms. Mini marshmallows can be a great fun when snowballs are attached to winter collages.

3. Plaster of Paris is also used in many great ways and not just for winter crafts and one of such ways is to use it to make "footprints in the snow." For this, you can fill a box lid with negligible item such as Plaster of Paris. When it settles and dries you can make different footprints in the snow or could be used as the side of fist to look like a baby's footprints.

4. Birds that stay in place all through winter needs food and during winter children can make a pine cone bird feeder. So you need to cover a pine cone in peanut butter and dip it in the bird seed and then tie a bit of string to one of these pine cones and hung it up on the tree outside.

5. You can also use glitter to add so that any basic winter art project looks even more fancy and beautiful.

For further details, log on to craft-books.net http://www.craft-books.net/
Olivia Andrews, writer of craft-books.net is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.

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Here's a fun arts and crafts eBook with drawing instructions for children.

Children and adults alike can find hours and hours of enjoyment by drawing. With only a pencil, paper, and this eBook, anyone can learn to draw animals, people, and 3-D objects.

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The Best Craft Ideas For Kids

Craft making is a great way to spend time with your children or the entire family. It is also a great way to develop your kids' creativity and interpersonal skills.

Craft making involves several types of work but is fun and enjoyable. Making crafts involve stylish designs. The ideas on what project to do are just endless, and there are also numerous magazines that can help you choose what you like to make. The craft for kids are simpler and normally consist of basic steps only.

Craft projects allow students to unleash their creativity and create something new. It can develop the interpersonal skills and develop motor skills in a child. It is a very effective way to teach children many things in life and this method is commonly adapted in many schools.

Some of the basic crafting projects that children can do in school are a homework bulletin board, buddy pens, school coin keeper and beady buddies. Other suggestions are backpack tags, wizard book box and CD locker magnets. You can also add the weekly reusable calendar, trading card folder and pencil wands.

Preschool craft ideas for kids are a great way to teach kids to develop their skills, identify objects and also use their creativity. It helps kids to unleash their talent in different fields, like drawing, painting, or sketching. It can also be a great and enjoyable learning experience for them. And best of all, they are having fun.

Crafting projects for kids include worksheets, printable crafts and other educational resources suitable for their age. They are very basic activities that give preschoolers an opportunity to learn how to count, read, and identify the colors of the rainbow.

It is a good way to develop motor skills. They learn muscle control so they could handle pencils and crayons. Their hand strokes improve as their grips become steadier and their hand muscles more relaxed. It develops hand and brain coordination.

One popular and effective crafts for preschoolers are dots to dots. It involves tracing one dot to the other with straight and curved lines. This also teaches kids how to count. They should trace the dots according to number to form the right image in the end.

Other simple craft activities would include coloring pictures, tracing dashed lines to form different shapes, folding papers to make paper boats or airplanes, and making soap bubbles.

A good way to celebrate a kid's birthday is to have a craft session with them. Gather the kids and hand them with a set of materials they would need. Together, they can make birthday paper hats or paper cupcakes. Also, the family of the celebrant may also opt to make birthday invitations instead of buying pre-made invitation cards.

Craft ideas are one of the activities that your kids will enjoy. You should provide the right craft that can caters to your kids' abilities and interests. Making crafts that are complicated, easy or too simple can discourage your kid or they may even find it a bore.

Listed below are several craft ideas you can make with your children:

Leaf Print
The materials you need are several leaves, a piece of paper and crayons, water color or paint. Place a piece of paper flat on top of a table. Put the leaf under the flat paper. Apply some water color or paint on your leaf and print it on the paper. If you are using crayons, shade the print of the leaf on the paper. The result is a stenciled leaf print on the paper.

Binoculars
Materials for this craft are two cardboard spools of empty tissue rolls, a string or yarn, glue and two paper rolls (approximately 4 to 5 inches). First, glue together the two rolls facing each side. Make a hole on each side of the binoculars and then tie the string or yarn through the holes.
For more information on Craft Ideas and Craft ideas for mothers day please visit our website.
http://www.craft-ideas.org
ArticlesBase

Stylish & Eco-friendly, Handmade
Paper Bags- Take your Pick
By: Jeff A Hardy

Going green is not a new buzz. It has been around for quite some time now. Though the green trends haven't really caught up on a mass level there are a few concerned, who have taken an initiative and are optimistic that it will make a change. And amongst these few, fortunately, are some of the leading organizations of the world. Individuals and organizations have been trying to do a little for the ecosystem, in small, but extremely helpful ways, and one of these efforts is, saying NO to plastic bags. Ecologically sensitive entrepreneurs and nature lovers are trying to put handmade paper in the mainstream of lifestyles, presenting a line of paper bags and other paper products which are as attractive as they are utilitarian and eco-friendly.

Tailor made to cater to different carrying needs, Paper Bags have also been instrumental in lending the brands a distinct and positive image of being a socially aware and responsible entity in their local universe, or may be, even beyond. To name a few, Mc Donald's, Woodland, Reebok, Allen Cooper, Nokia, and many more.As a subliminal advertising tool, paper bags carry a twin message across cities, towns and countries-

1. The brand: name & image, and

2. A reminder: To be eco-friendly.Paper bags can be either handmade or machine made. 100% biodegradable, acid free, these bags can carry weight up to 5 kgs, and come in a range of sizes, styles, colors and prints.Though the paper bags offered by stores and retail outlets are plain bags, with company logo or brand name, there is a huge range of rich designs and attractive color schemes, crafted using plant fiber, vegetable fiber, coir, nest remains, etc. Therefore they are not just eco friendly and acid free but also tree-free, at times. These pieces of excellent craftsmanship, are startlingly, fabricated into stylish artistic charmers, out of matters like, banana, coconut fiber, cotton rags, hemp, flax, cereals, agricultural residues, elephant dung, jute, mango, organic waste, seaweed, silk, bird nest remains and much more.

Their chic and distinctive look; soft, pastel shades and crunched up appearance are responsible for theirwide acceptance, preference and appreciation. They can be used as wine bags, gift bags, and as shopping or carry bags. Available in various styles and prints they are making a fashion statement, wherever they go. They can be are printed, stitched, crinkled, corrugated, embossed, embroidered, textured or coired. They are the perfect gift wrap, and add to the delight of receiving and giving a present.

Apart from paper bags, there are other paper products in the market, like marriage cards, greeting cards, photo albums, folders, diaries, paper lampshades, lanterns, wall hangings, flowers, baskets, trays, accessories, paper carriers etc. that are just perfect to make a statement of your own. Distinct and responsibly social.
About the Author:
I am working in crafts industry for about five years now. During this considerably long period, I came across various people interested in crafts either as hobby, business or passion. With the intention of sharing my experience about crafts industry, I have started writing through various media- journals, newspapers, online forums etc.
http://www.craftcentral.com/craft-industry.html

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Kid Approved Meals Will Help You Quickly And Easily Prepare Healthy Meals Your Kids Will Enjoy Eating.

You Need Quick And Easy Meals Your Kids Will Actually Eat!
There are many fun and easy breakfast and lunch recipes for kids.How about Breakfast Pizza or Cheese and Meat Pinwheels to change things up a bit?

It is important for the nutrition of our children to have a balanced assortment of foods in their diet.In addition, their little taste buds need to be exposed to variety to help them learn to appreciate various foods as they grow.

Easy Craft for Kids' Room- A Paint-By-Number Wall Mural
by as@seo-einstein.com

Looking for an easy and fun craft project to do with your kids, something you can do as a weekend project? How about sprucing up the kid's room with an easy wall mural?
A paint-by-number wall mural makes it easy to create the perfect decor for your kid's room. As simple as 1, 2, 3-- just tape, trace, and paint.

Paint-by-number wall murals are perfect for even the "artistically challenged". Skip the expensive wallpaper and muralist, and transform your kid's room decor with a full-sized wall mural for much less. One fantastic advantage of these murals is that you can customize it to match your existing decor. No more struggling to find decor that matches the color scheme you currently have.

Plus, paint-by-number murals are available in a large variety of themes- choose from Jungle Animals, Beach Scenes, Cowboys, Dinosaurs, Princesses and Castles, Sports, Woodland Critters, Sports Cars—just about anything you can imagine.

The mural kits come with the full-sized paper pattern, transfer paper,
easy-to-understand directions and a helpful color guide. Paints are not included, but this way you can either use the color suggestions provided or choose your own to make it match perfectly with your current bedding, furniture and room décor.
OTHER MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED:
• 2-ounce bottles of acrylic paints
• A variety of brushes
• Painters tape
• A ball point pen (to trace the pattern)
• A plastic lid (to use as a palette to mix the paints)
• Damp cloth
• Canvas drop cloth or old sheet
TIME NEEDED: Several hours, or make it a weekend project (depending on the size of mural)
PREPARATION:
It's best to start with a clean dry wall. If you're painting over semi-gloss or gloss paint, sand the area lightly where you want to put the mural. Make sure to wipe the area with a damp cloth after sanding.
Lay a canvas drop cloth on the floor and up against the molding below the mural. You could even tape it to the top of the molding to be extra careful.
Let's Get Started!
1. TAPE the transfer paper to the back of the pattern paper at the top only at first. Make sure the carbon side of the transfer paper (the darker side) is facing the wall. Then tape the pattern & transfer paper to the wall at the top only until you've got all the panels lined up. Do the same for the remaining panels if your mural consists of multiple panels. Once all the panels are lined up and level, tape only the top of the mural securely to the wall using painter's tape. You'll see why to tape only the top of the mural in the next step.
2. TRACE the design onto the wall. (Do NOT trace the numbers - they might show through the paint.) Starting with the first panel, check to see if you have missed any of the tracing lines. The best way to do this is to lift the bottom of the mural up and look to see if you missed anything. Then put the panel back down, lift it up again, put it back down again, lift it up, put it back down all while looking at the wall. This flipbook fashion will make it easier to see the areas you might have missed. Once you're sure you've traced the entire design onto the wall, remove the pattern & transfer paper from wall.
3. PAINT the areas on the wall with the corresponding colors from the color guide. Take your time.
Following are some simple and useful painting tips that'll give you the best results.
• Start with largest areas first working from lighter colors to darker colors. This way, if you need to correct a line, it is easier to cover light colors with a darker color.
• Using a smaller brush, paint the outlines of the area first. Do this by getting a decent amount of paint on the brush and place the brush about ¼ of an inch inside the outline. Then as you begin to move your brush, "push" it up to and along the inside of the line allowing the paint to build up slightly at the line. This will allow you to only have to paint the line once. Sometimes you will also end up with excess paint build-up inside the area at the same time, so make sure to smooth or feather that out.
• Transparent paints - Some colors have a tendency to be a bit transparent. SO… you will want to add 2-3 drops of white or cream-colored paint to about a quarter-sized blob of paint. You will want to add just enough to make the paint opaque without actually changing the color very much.
• For best results use two coats of paint. It will cover the wall better and have less of a tendency to leave streaks and transparent areas.
Once you've completed the wall mural, you'll be amazed at how it has transformed your
kid's room. Stand back and look at your masterpiece. You, your family, and your friends will think you've hired a Disney artist.

Pick your favorite theme from these examples of easy paint-by-number wall murals.

About the Author
Southern California artist and creator of Elephants on the Wall, Patti Newton, is more than an entrepreneur. She is the keeper of whimsy and delight for children's wall murals. As a former designer for Walt Disney Imagineering and a past instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., Patti's background combines all of her passions - graphic design, themed environments, lots of color, and love of sharing her talents with others. as@seo-einstein.com http://www.articletrader.com/

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