5 Spring Crafts and Games
Pretty Puppets
Kids can give each of these fanciful finger puppets a unique set of wings. Trace our butterfly template, below, onto a paper plate or piece of card stock and cut it out. Fold the shape in half, then cut two snips into the fold to form a finger loop. Use tacky glue to attach leaves, petals, twigs, and grass.
Tic-Tac-Toss
Take the game of Xs and Os outside -- and into the air -- with this supersize version.
On a flat surface, adhere strips of duct tape to a shower curtain liner, as shown. Use more tape to make Xs on four flying disks or heavyweight plastic plates. You'll need four more disks or plates for Os.
To play, set up a throw line, then follow the rules of tic-tac-toe. If your disk lands off the board, in an already-claimed square, or centered on a line, throw it again. For a more challenging game (or for a parent who's playing with a kid), nix the second chance for errant tosses. Use rocks to hold down the board on a windy day.
Instructions for making a sweet necklace for celebrating mom.
Mother's Day Twig Necklace
Easy to create but brimming with style, these one-of-a-kind necklaces make a special gift for Mother's Day or teachers. Coat a 3-inch twig with white acrylic paint and let it dry. Cut a length of cotton embroidery floss and knot it onto one end of the twig. Wrap the floss around the twig and knot it once more. Trim away the excess floss. Add more colors, using the same method. To finish the necklace, knot a length of size 5 pearl cotton thread to each end of the twig. Secure each knot with a dab of clear tacky glue applied with a toothpick.
Two-Way Target
Our no-sew felt target offers two ways to play, with a colorful bull's-eye on one side and a baseball pitcher's practice strike zone on the other.
Cool Can Chimes
Here's how to give metal cans a mod (and musical!) makeover. Remove the lid and label from four or five empty cans, then wash and dry them. Choose cans that will nest together as a set, as shown. Use a hammer and nail to poke a hole in the bottom of each. Paint the outsides with white primer and let it dry, then cover with one or two coats of colored acrylic paint. Beginning with the largest, stack the cans. Measure a length of heavyweight string (we used cotton) equal to the height of the cans, plus 3 feet. Knot a wooden ring onto one end of the string. Thread the other end up through the hole in the smallest can. Decide how low you want the can to hang, slide it up the string, tie a big knot, and slide the can down again until it rests on the knot. Add the other cans in the same way, making sure they overlap slightly so they'll chime. From the excess string, form a hanging loop (ours is 10 inches long) above the largest can.
