More Summer Crafts for the Grands

I have more crafts for the family. As it says on the box, for kids as young as three and as old as 103. So here we go. After this pandemic, I think we're all ready to celebrate the 4th of July in a big way. Involve those kids and grandkids in the home decorating with these crafts.

The first one is just a matter of buying some "Do-A-Dot Art®". Or you can get some finger-paint and some sponges. I think the "Do-A-Dot" markers are much easier. You'll also need a star stencil or pattern and let them paint around it. Very easy for even three-year-olds.

It says right there on the box that 3-year-olds can handle this art. It's also washable.

Apparently it requires opening your mouth as you go around the stencil.

We tied it to make a mobile. We hung it in the entry hall.

It can also be hung in a window.

The next one is for the older kids. It involves hammering nails in wood and stringing embroidery thread so you'll have to be the judge for what your grandchild can do. Our grandson is seven and going on eight, and he was just fine with this craft.

It might be easier to show you the finished product before I go into any kind of explanation, so here is it.

Here's the finished string art craft. Much easier to explain if I start with the end project.

As you can see, this involves a 5 inch by 16 inch piece of lumber, nails, red, white and blue string, and a 4 inch star pattern. Simply trace the star pattern on the board in three places, mark where you want your nails, hammer them in (but not all the way of course), and string the heavy thread. Voila! You've got yourself a pretty decoration for home or patio.

Supplies: heavy embroidery thread, nails, and a 16 inch long board.

Yes, grandson did MOST of the nailing.

Here's the stringer in action.

Finished display. By the way, I did the red star, and my 7-year-old did the white and blue stars. As you can see, I made mistakes--he didn't.

And there you have it--two more crafts you can do with your children or grandchildren. They love it when you make decorations together and love it even more when you use those decorations in your home. They beam with pride. We sent the string art home with our grandson so he could hang it in his house. We also put a sticker on the back telling the day it was made and signed it. If it survives his childhood, he'll have something to hang in his house and tell his kids that he made it when he was a boy.