| What theme you want for your kid's birthday can | | | | be done by tying or with a staple. If you want to |
| be determined by the time of the year. For | | | | use the tie method, invest in some round paper |
| example, if it is near to Christmas, some of the | | | | hole protectors, the kind that is used for |
| party crafts can be related to Christmas. | | | | ring-bound notebook binders. |
| However the important thing to stress will be the | | | | Noodle Necklaces. You can find all kinds of |
| emphasis is on the kid's birthday and not be | | | | different shapes of macaroni noodles to use to |
| 'overshadowed' by that festive season. Here are | | | | make into a necklace. These can be strung |
| some unique craft ideas and activities for your | | | | together on an elastic string and hung around |
| child's party that you might want to check out. | | | | each kid's neck. |
| Coloring, Painting and Drawing. These craft ideas | | | | Homemade Journal or Diary. Each child will be |
| are a big hit both with kids and host. For the host, | | | | given an ordinary notebook and encourage to do |
| either you prepare black and white pictures for | | | | their own decorations. They can draw on the |
| the kids to color or let them have free | | | | cover or decorate them with paraphernalia like |
| expression by encouraging them to draw pictures | | | | beads, sequins, glitter glue, fake gems or other |
| of their family, their pet and friends. They can | | | | objects. Tell them that they can take their journal |
| then color or paint them. | | | | home and use it as a diary to express their own |
| Paper Mache. This art form is very easy to do | | | | thoughts, tell stories or to record their daily lives. |
| and requires paper (newsprint is ideal), adhesive, | | | | Foam Magnets. These are easy to make. This |
| paint brush, plastic table covering and paint. It is | | | | project involves making different shapes out of |
| best to prepare everything before starting. Firstly, | | | | foam with cookie cutters. Then a magnet is |
| tear the newspaper into strips along the grain. | | | | attached to the back. |
| You can make your own adhesive or buy | | | | Make and decorate cookies. Ask the child to help |
| commercial ones. When you have decided which | | | | with the preparation of the cookies. However, if |
| glue to use, the next thing to do is to decide | | | | you want to eliminate the possibility of messing up |
| what to make. To start is it advisable to use | | | | the place, then prepare the dough first and give |
| something to mould on. Examples of moulds you | | | | each child a piece of dough for their own creation. |
| could use are balloons, bowls and plates. Balloons | | | | Give them a cookie cutter and encourage them |
| are cheap and indispensable. No release agent is | | | | to cut out their favorite shape of cookie. After |
| needed. The balloon will tear itself away from | | | | the cookie is done, the kids can decorate them. |
| your dried paper mache easily when burst. You | | | | Some decorating candy favorites are smarties, |
| will need to apply a release agent to bowls and | | | | cinnamon bits and other colorful confetti bits. You |
| plates before using to prevent the paper mache | | | | can also let them top off the cookie with a white |
| from sticking to them. Release agents used must | | | | or colored frosting. |
| be applied very thinly. | | | | Framed picture. Either ask each child to bring a |
| Examples of release agent you can use are | | | | copy of their own favorite picture or have an |
| vaseline, cooking oil, washing up liquid and cling film | | | | instant snapshot taken. Then ask them to make |
| (this will not leave any residue but will give a | | | | frames for these pictures using a variety of |
| slightly wrinkled texture on the mache). Paste the | | | | materials such as paper, cardboard or Popsicle |
| strips of paper both sides with a paintbrush. When | | | | sticks. Then add non-toxic paint, confetti bits, |
| it is completely dry, you can gradually build up as | | | | buttons, beads, sequins, fake gems and glitter, |
| many layers as you require until you have the | | | | according to their fancy. |
| required thickness.Then paint with two coats of | | | | There are endless types of crafts you can do at |
| emulsion paint to seal it and kill the newsprint. | | | | a child's birthday party. There are many craft |
| Favourite items made from paper mache are | | | | books and magazines on this subject. You may |
| birds, animals and fishes. | | | | even want to sit in on a classroom to observe |
| Paper Birthday Hats. Your party guests can get | | | | how crafts are done. Keep in mind that the |
| together to make their own party hats. This is | | | | simpler the craft is, the better it is, especially for |
| the simplest to do and befits the occasion. All | | | | younger children. You would want to involve all of |
| each child needs to do is to fold a standard size | | | | them and make them feel they are included in all |
| piece of paper into a cone Then an elastic string | | | | the activities. |
| can be attached to each side of the hat. This can | | | | |