Green Crafts for Children: 35 Step-by-step Projects Using Natural, Recycled, And Found Materials

by Emma Hardy

Kids love to make their own toys and games, gifts and ornaments. It encourages them to give full rein to their creative flair - and if they can use component parts that are adapted or recycled, so much the better for them and the planet! None of the projects in this book use any special materials. Instead, they all rely on ingredients that you are likely to have in the cupboard or items that can be found around the house or garden, or out on walks in the park or at the beach. Recipes for salt dough are included, as well as methods for easy felting, together with step-by-step instructions on what to make, such as pretend sweets, boxes and masks. Old gift wrapping paper, old clothes and odd buttons and beads can all be used in an imaginative way, as can pine cones, tree bark, shells and other fascinating natural bits and bobs. Gifts for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are here, together with games and toys that can be made and then played with again and again. From painted stones and a friendship bracelet to a simple dolls' house and a driftwood boat, children will love the projects in this engaging book. In fact, kids need never be bored again.

Genres: Crafts, Parenting, Nonfiction, Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[زينب · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book some of the projects are amazing and very practical if you have a child will definitely be doing some of them for my son.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this to be not as green as I was hoping. I guess it was more about using craft materials that were made green instead of just being green by reusing existing materials. It was okay and cute, but not totally what I was looking for. (Yes, I have an agenda. I'm looking for ideas to post on my blog, www.Recycledtoys.blogspot.com.)

[Aliasknitter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful book (nice photography, art direction etc), but is a bit too product oriented for my taste. The majority of projects seemed to be aimed mostly at older children (10 and up perhaps?). I would have liked to have seen more activities that stressed a fun messy crafty process for younger kids with more variable outcomes.

[Katey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing really interesting or innovative here. I did a lot of similar crafts when I was in Girl Scouts 20 years ago.

[Heather Pehnec · Rating 4 out of 5]

shoebox dollhouse, stone fairy house, boats, cork animals - cute!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only very slightly green, really... and not many new ideas for me. Lovely pictures though.

[Madelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

great photos/directions. Mostly crafts better for home than library programming.

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid introduction to crafting for children.