Make It is a craft feature in the Washington Post KidsPost that I wrote between 2017 and 2021. I've recently stopped to devote more time to writing my own books, but you can still enjoy making some of these wackadoo ideas below!
Ready for this jelly? Turn a jam jar into a terrarium
Want to add a splash of green inside your home? Give a jelly jar a makeover by transforming it into an open terrarium for small succulent plants. Although a jar of strawberry preserves is used here, most glass jars 16 ounces or larger should work. You’ll soon start eyeing empty containers of salsa, olives and spaghetti sauce quite differently.
Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, June 9, 2020)
Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, June 9, 2020)
Give birds a reason to visit your backyard
One unexpected outcome of the coronavirus pandemic: There’s an opportunity to explore familiar things in new ways.
Things like birdwatching.
Have you found yourself paying more attention to their chirps? Stopping to watch them swoop? Peering from a window while they worm hunt? Books such as “Backyard Birds” by Jonathan Latimer and Karen Stray Nolting provide a helpful start in identifying your newfound feathered friends in a yard or local park.
It’s only natural to want to thank them for the endless entertainment. Here’s how to create a carton bird feeder filled with a chirp-worthy snack. Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, Sept. 9, 2020)
Things like birdwatching.
Have you found yourself paying more attention to their chirps? Stopping to watch them swoop? Peering from a window while they worm hunt? Books such as “Backyard Birds” by Jonathan Latimer and Karen Stray Nolting provide a helpful start in identifying your newfound feathered friends in a yard or local park.
It’s only natural to want to thank them for the endless entertainment. Here’s how to create a carton bird feeder filled with a chirp-worthy snack. Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, Sept. 9, 2020)
Catch some rays by transforming an old CD
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Want to give a window at home some sparkle? Ask Mom or Dad if they have any blank compact discs stashed somewhere. With just a little creative whimsy and effort, an old CD can be transformed into a dazzling suncatcher.
Adult’s help: Some Hands-on time: 1 hour Total time: 1½ days SUPPLIES: blank compact disc, duct tape, glass paint with applicator tool (craft stores, Amazon), black liquid leading (craft stores, Amazon), foot-long string, hot-glue gun with glue stick, scissors, paper plate, damp paper towel Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, March 11, 2020) |
Got Easter eggs? Make this egg-cellent robot
Wondering what to do with all of those Easter eggs once they have been hunted and emptied of their goody greatness? Make an egg robot, of course. This easy-to-build gizmo will stick around longer than the Easter Bunny. Hop to it, inventors.
Hands-on time: 1 hour
Total time: 3½ hours
Adult’s help: No
SUPPLIES: Three plastic Easter eggs, paper plate, 8 ounces of metallic silver chalk paint, sponge paintbrush, 9-inch (or longer) paper straw, ruler, scissors, adhesive tack, clear washable glue, two 7-millimeter wiggle eyes, jewel stickers, permanent black marker
Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, April 16, 2019)
Hands-on time: 1 hour
Total time: 3½ hours
Adult’s help: No
SUPPLIES: Three plastic Easter eggs, paper plate, 8 ounces of metallic silver chalk paint, sponge paintbrush, 9-inch (or longer) paper straw, ruler, scissors, adhesive tack, clear washable glue, two 7-millimeter wiggle eyes, jewel stickers, permanent black marker
Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, April 16, 2019)
This ghostly decoration will come in handy
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With Halloween fast approaching, take some ghoulish delight into your own hands. Seriously, here’s how to create a free-standing ghost from your handprints. This crafty trick is a boo-tiful decorative treat you can proudly display for many Octobers to come.
Adult’s help: Some Hands-on time: 45 minutes Total time: 1½ hours SUPPLIES: One 14-by-22-inch white poster board (bigger is okay), pencil, scissors, 2-ounce bottle neon green acrylic paint, medium sponge paintbrush, three large paper plates, clear washable glue, two 7-millimeter wiggle eyes, black marker STEPS 1. Lay poster widthwise on a table and place your nonwriting hand on one side, leaving at least a half-inch space from your middle finger at the poster’s top edge and another half inch from your pinkie on the poster’s side. Trace your hand with a pencil. Move the hand you’re tracing to another part of the poster and repeat. Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, Oct., 2, 2018) |
With banana pretzel pops, even the stick is a treat
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Beat the summer heat with a chilly treat. These Banana Pretzel Pops can be put together in a few minutes with just a handful of ingredients. The best part? The stick is munch-able, too!
Adult’s help: Little to none Hands-on time: 15 minutes Total time: 4 hours and 15 minutes Makes: 4 pops Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, July 14, 2020) |
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Make a Little Free Library for book club and beyond
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If you love books and building things, we have a perfect summer project for you. Make your own Little Free Library — with a twist. This easy project is designed to hold your summer reading, including KidsPost Summer Book Club selections. Build it, fill it with our recommended reads and share with friends. One tip: As this library is made from cardboard, best to keep it indoors.
Adult’s help: Some Hands-on time: 1½ hours Total time: 2½ days SUPPLIES: Corrugated cardboard box at least 20 inches high, 9 inches wide and 8 inches long, scissors, masking tape, 2 newspaper sheets, 8 ounces turquoise acrylic paint, 2 paper plates, 2 kitchen sponges, clear washable glue, 8 ounces chalkboard paint, 2 ounces red acrylic paint, 2 ounces yellow acrylic paint, medium paintbrush, pipe cleaner Read more (Washington Post KidsPost, June 18, 2019) |
