LilSugar

Todd Oldham Walks Us Through His Favorite Pieces in the Kid Made Modern Collection

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:53:21 PDT

Run, don't walk to your nearest Target to pick up Todd Oldham's just-released line of Kid Made Modern DIY art supplies. The collection - which we first told you about back in January - includes 48 affordable kits and pieces (all priced under $20) based on his book of the same name. The multifaceted crayons (one has 64 colors in a single crayon), board book-making kits, and beautiful learn-to-sew kits with Charley Harper images are all designed to bring tots to the table and inspire a love of various forms of arts and crafts. I had the honor of walking through the collection with Oldham himself which was nothing short of impressive. Take a look at some of his favorite products in the line, and hear how the designer believes we can cultivate creativity in our children!

A Matzo House Adds a Fun and Tasty Treat to a Kids' Seder

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:11:45 PDT

Bring out the builder in your tots this Passover! Though the holiday teaches us that the Jews had to flee their homes, this fun (and mostly edible) craft will have your lil ones building a new kind of shelter for the holiday. While looking for some holiday activities for kids, I came across Martha Stewart's directions for a Matzo home and knew it would make for a fun afternoon. Not only can children get involved in building and decorating this dwelling, it makes for a great centerpiece during your Seder (just don't get mad when the kids start eating the decorations while waiting for their meal!). See how to make it when you click through!

Peeps! 10 Fun Ways to Use the Marshmallow Treats!

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 05:41:25 PDT

They're almost too cute to eat! Over the years, Peeps - the marshmallow treats shaped to look like lil chicks - have gained a cultlike following. And while the Easter favorites are fun to eat, they also make great crafting supplies! So gather up the kids and get started on some fun holiday Peeps crafts - just keep an eye on your lil crafters, as we want to be sure they don't eat up all of their supplies!

10 Egg-cellent Easter Egg Craft Ideas

LilSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:13:07 PDT

For Easter eggs that are sure to wow a crowd at your holiday celebration, check out these 10 inventive ideas. Sure, they take a little more effort than your traditional dip and dye, but the results? Egg-straordinary!

St. Patrick's Day Crafts For Kids That Are as Good as (a Pot of) Gold

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:31:04 PDT

With St. Patrick's Day falling on a Saturday this year, it's the perfect time to get crafty with your kids. Whether you're making your own pot of gold, shamrock sippers, or four-leaf clover cards, you're sure to feel the luck of the Irish!

A Playroom Fit For Two Fairy Princesses

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:39:34 PDT

When Maegan, the crafty mom behind Confessions of a Scrapaholic, decided it was time to revamp her little girls' "Pixie Hollow" playroom, she pulled out all the stops. Painter Ann Gates Fiser specializes in wall murals, and in an even more perfect twist of fate, fantasy art and fairies are her genre of choice. See how the artist and the mom transformed an under-the-staircase playroom into a fairy-decorated haven for two lil girls!

A Fun Craft For Kids: Personalized Decoupage

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:16:00 PST

These cold Winter days are perfect for indoor arts and crafts, so try this fun, original decoupage activity with your kids on the next rainy afternoon. Simple and quick, it's an easy way for them to create some new decor while spending some quality time with you.

What you'll need:

Scissors
Decoupage craft glue or diluted white school glue
Paintbrush or foam brush
Used book pages, sheet music, or photos
An item to decoupage (mug, picture frame, furniture, etc.)

What to do:

Encourage your child to pick out their favorite song, book, or photos to use for the project. Cut the book pages, sheet music, or photos into small pieces.
Brush a layer of glue onto whatever item you've chosen to decoupage. Or if it's easier, brush glue onto the back of the cut pieces before placing them on the item. Make sure to brush out or flatten any bubbles beneath each piece so that it lays flat.
Once the item is dry, brush a coat of glue across the entire item to seal in the different pieces. Let that coat dry, then repeat as necessary until you're sure that the pieces are secure.

Get creative with the decoupage add-ons. Consider including magazine pages, pieces of ribbon, candy wrappers, fake flower petals, or anything else your kids might love. We love the idea of a book page collage on a nightstand, or sheet music and pieces of ribbon on a mug. These items would make great personalized presents, too, so consider turning it into a gift for grandparents or a teacher.

Source: Flickr Users Samantha Celera, Jason Hargrove, Michael Janssen, and bptakoma.

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

Creative Craft Idea: Kid's Polaroid Wall

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:52:48 PST

Create a miniphotographer in the family! If you're looking for a fresh arts and crafts idea, encourage your kids to get creative by making their own Polaroid wall. Not only will they get the chance to dabble in photography, but they'll also have a hand in decorating their own bedroom. The project can be as simple or as complicated as they'd like, depending on how many pictures they choose to take. Here are a few tips and suggestions to make sure things go smoothly:

Brainstorm special subjects. If your child isn't sure what to photograph, ask them about their favorite places, people, or objects. You'll gain insight into what they care about and at the end of the project, they'll have a collage of the things that mean most to them.
Organize a game plan to make it easier. To keep things simple, encourage your kids to take pictures of different colors, then help them create a color-coordinated masterpiece. Another idea? Pick a theme, like flowers, and go from there.
Think about display options. The Polaroids don't need to cover an entire wall. Instead, suggest that your kids display the pictures in a unique shape, like a heart or the first letter of their name.
Go the gift route. A personalized photo collage could make a great gift - maybe for grandma or a best friend? - so encourage your child to think outside the box for different possibilities.

Don't own a Polaroid camera? Not a problem. Use any printed photographs for the craft, even those printed at home on special photo paper. For a small, affordable Polaroid option, try the 300 Instant Camera ($90) and 300 Instant Film ($13).

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Get Your Craft On! 5 Valentine's Day Crafts For Tots

Nicole Abbott — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:06:18 PST

Arts and crafts with toddlers can be a bit messy - but lots of fun - and Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to create some heart-shaped projects with your lil one. So break out the construction paper, glitter, paint, and glue and get creative with these five Valentine's Day crafts for tots.