Creative crafts and activities that don't make a lot of mess.
Driven Conker Mad
Tamsin: I found these ideas for conker and acorn animals in a 1940s 'Helen Haywood Christmas Book for Young People' (see below). They looked so nostalgic and enticing that as I cycled into town this morning I gathered a basket full of conkers. The acorns were another matter - in fact I think they should go on the endangered seeds list. I managed to find a few rather old-looking ones beneath a magnificent oak tree, though its branches seemed to have no plump green acorns at all. I hope you have better luck.
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Snowflake Designs
Edie: We have been playing with coloured paper and scissors to make paper snowflakes. Mum gave me a special book which showed how to make lots of different shaped ones. First you fold your paper into a kite shape, then you trace over the pattern with a pencil. Then you cut it out with small scissors. I enjoyed unfolding them and seeing the shapes come open in front of my eyes.
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Shrinkie Key Rings
As a kid, I used to heat’ n’ shrink crisp packets and make them into badges – Quavers were always the most successful. You can make key rings, badges, jewellery or fridge magnets using a bit of shrink plastic and the same method.
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Funky Bookmarks
You can never have too many bookmarks, and they make the easiest, most personal Christmas gifts. We use thick artist's card to make them look posh but as a young child, Tamsin used to make the Simplest Bookmark Ever from ordinary white envelopes…
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Decorated Wax Candles
These decorated candles are really easy for young children to make and make good Christmas gifts for teachers or relatives.
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Honeycomb Rolled Candles
Easy for even the youngest children to make, yet the results make simple, elegant gifts that any adult would delight in.
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Teasel Hedgehogs
This cute little family of hedgehogs are so simple to make - just mind your fingers on the sharp spikes.
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Shrunken Heads
These spooky shrivelled faces, made from apples, look very sinister dotted around the house at Hallowe’en or even worn like a talisman around the neck when out trick or treating. You can paint them spooky colours too.
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Bubble Gum Competition
A daft way to spend 10 minutes that brings back fond bubble-gum blowing memories for many adults too…
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Joe's Paper Bugs
Joe loves spending hours creating bugs with paper, pencils and sticky tape.
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Giant Bubble Popping Jump
Save any bubble wrap you get: the small stuff is great for popping races such as how many bubbles can you pop in a minute?
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