Kids are little adventure seekers. They want adventures to have
fun. These adventures can be as simple as playing, running, story
telling, and the like. And, sometimes :-) they want mommy or daddy, or even grandpa, to join in the adventure.
One way to break a dull day with your kids is to join them in
making accessories and toys and later on make an adventure based on the new home made toy. You can
teach them how to make their toys so that they can enhance their
creativity and potential in arts.
You can make simple toys, such as silly hats made from paper bags.
As much as possible make it colourful and interestingly kiddie in
design and shape.
To make a kiddie hat from paper bags, follow these simple steps:
1. Gather the important materials. They include paper bags that
will fit on your kids heads, construction paper, pair of
scissors, a hole punch, ribbons, tape, and other artsy add-ons
like feathers and googly eyes.
2. Call the kids and explain to them the nature of the materials
and the process of making hats.
3. Have them wear the paper bags. If necessary, pinch the brim
and tape the sides to have a snug fit.
4. Lay the paper bags on the table. Let the kids design their own
hats. You can guide them in the process. Googly eyes and feathers
can be attached by using double-sided tape or glue. Flowers,
butterflies, antennae, and bears can also be added to make it the
hats more colourful and lively.
Making silly hats is so easy that you can do it within an hour.
The rest of your time can be spent in playing with your kids to
strengthen your bond.
Another toy that you can make with your kids is the paper bag
puppet. Ask your kids their favourite cartoon character or animal
and help them in their puppets.
To make puppets out of paper bags, you simply follow these
steps:
1. Collect the materials. They include paper bags, printer,
construction paper, crayons, pair of scissors, glue, big wiggly
eyes, and other accessories that will boost their chosen
character.
2. Print out their chosen character. You can have it in black and
white. Paste the designs on the face of the paper bags.
3. Now, it’s time to design the paper bags. Let the kids colour
their characters. Let them explore their creativity by making
them choose the accessories they want for their puppets. Paste
the eyes, lashes, fangs, nose, and other facial features. Let them
colour the space on paper bags.
4. To make their puppets more appealing, they can attach hands,
feet, ears, wings, tails, and capes to the paper bags.
5. To secure a snug fit, tape the bottom of the paper bags to
their wrists.
Now that their kiddie paper bag puppets are made, you can play
with them by making up stories and letting your kids wiggle them
every time their character’s talk. That way, you can broaden
their imagination (see my article on Encouraging Imagination) and creativity.
Aside from kiddie paper bag hats and kiddie paper bag puppets,
there are lots of easy-to-create toys. You just have to know your
child’s favourites and broaden your imagination. From that note,
you can pick up ideas on what to teach them next.
Quality time is necessary to build and nurture your relationship
with your kids. This is the very reason you have to do fun
and exciting things together.
For another possible paper bag toy, see
this article, or here is one for a donkey puppet that includes a template,
click here
(new windows will open).
