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Children love to make things and parents love to show off things their kids made. It’s simple, really. So, to keep the quality time going between parents and thier children or between care-givers and the child, it’s important to find hands-on project that are age appropriate.
Included in this article are two such projects.
The first item we are going to make is a paperweight. Paperweights are useful in offices and on the home desk, which makes them the perfect gift for all parents.
This project is very simple. The only items needed are smooth, river-bed stones about 3-5 inches in length, paint-brushes, and several colors of paint. River stones are usually oval shaped, and make perfect lady bug paperweights. Use black and red paint for lady bugs, or different colors if you decide to create a different type of beetle.
The entire stone should be painted red and left to dry. The head and spots are then painted in black over the existing red. Have the child add his or her initials or full name on the back. (You might need to help on this task.) The lady bugs may remain eye-less, or you can glue movable eyes in place. Whatever floats your boat! Either way, Mom and Dad will cherish this gift for years to come!
Remember, just because we made a bug, doesn’t mean you can’t make a cat, or a rabbit, or an owl. There is no set pattern and all kids are different. If this child had a dog at home and wants to make Sparky...go for it. If the other child wants to create a statue of Fancy the cat, again, I say jump right in and create. Children should always be allowed to add their own artist ideas. After all, you never know who the next great artist will be...do we?
Our second project is a cement stepping stone. Almost everyone has a garden or lawn where a stepping stone could be used, and what parent doesn't want their child's hand print captured for all eternity?
For this project you will need the bottom half of several gallon milk jugs. This is the perfect size for toddlers through kindergarten, but I'd check the size of your child's hand and adjust to a larger container if need be. Cut the top portion of the jugs off, leaving approximately 3 inches at the base in which to pour the cement. Once the cement has been poured, have the child place his or her hand into the cement.
Marbles or one-inch pieces of mosaic tiles can be used to decorate the stepping stone, or the child's name can be written in the cement with the end of a nail just before it dries. The slabs dry within several hours and can be taken home that afternoon!
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