Description:
Kids and crafts are a natural match: crafting allows them to indulge in both creativity and controlled messiness, and to achieve almost instant gratification by producing something unique for themselves or to give to a loved one. And, according to Carol Scheffler, their joy increases when grown-ups craft with them. That doesn't mean taking over and doing it for them; it means sitting beside them and making your own project at the same time, helping out when they need it. Scheffler has assembled a lively miscellany of about three dozen projects, many of which would make great gifts and all of which have kid appeal. Youngsters can handle most aspects of construction; adult-only tasks (like hammering, spray painting, or cutting with a blade) are clearly indicated in the excellent step-by-step directions. No age ranges are given, so parents will have to make a judgment call about their own children's skill and patience levels. A few items should be easy enough for even 4- or 5-year-olds (paper-bag ornaments, googly eyed Halloween faces, fruit- and veggie-stamped table linens), and even the littlest ones can help out with many of the individual steps, like stuffing a presewn shape or dabbing on the glue. The general age level seems to be around 7 to 12, and those ages will enjoy things like the sports clock (easily adapted to any hobby), the treasure mirror (a perfect way to utilize all those little plastic trinkets that clutter up shelves and get underfoot), the decoupage frame, and the felt-motif-strewn denim jacket. This colorful guide should get parents and kids alike enthused about crafting together. --Amy Handy
| 
