Crafts for Boys

Quick picks

So, the anticipation is over and the summer holidays are finally here! (well they are in France at least ;o)) Whilst it would be lovely to think that the next 8/6 weeks will be a heady mix of wall to wall sunshine and carefree children brimming over with ideas to fill their precious free time; we all know that it's more likely to chuck it down with rain and the kids will be bored witless by tuesday....

so to help stave off some of the holiday blues here are my top three picks of places to get ideas / things to do.

1. Book - Usbourne '50 things' series, and particularly '50 science things to make and do'.

by Kate Knighton and Georgina Andrews

Tom LOVES his copy - it covers all sorts of topics and explains the science behind the activity.  Nothing is expensive or complicated, the instructions are easy to follow, and the sprial bound book is practical and has so far survived various spillages! Just hours of fun for boys (and girls) who like messy science :o)  

 

2. Web  www.activityvillage.co.uk

 

I LOVE this site. It was set up in 2000 by Uk based  Lindsay Small and has just oodles and oodles of great free stuff to keep kids of all ages busy - loads of printables, and craft ideas, and recipes, and games, and jokes, and puzzles, on just about every subject under the sun. So there really is something for everyone, and plenty of boy stuff too :o)

 

3. Blog Slightly cheating, but obviously there's our blog too :o) reread some of the posts and think laterally you might just find the inspiration you and your kids are looking for.  And if that's not enough, here's a quick bonus project to get you started.  

Tom's stilts:   Materials - Two large metal cans (I used dried baby milk tins) ;

acrylic paint; thick cord; duct tape; short lengths of plastic tubing; suitable drill and bit

 

• Carefully drill two holes in both tins - directly opposite each other.  The hole should be big enough to fit the plastic tube snugly.  (It will work without the tubing, but the tin is likely to cut through the cord )

• Decorate the tins as you choose - I used acrylic paints, which so far are standing up to being bashed around! (although on closer examination is starting to chip a bit) But you could use adhesive paper or metal paints. 

• Insert the tubing, then thread the cord through knotting tightly UNDERNEATH the tins.  I also stuck the knot to the underside of the tin with some duct tape.

• To make them easier to use, I fashioned a couple of handles out of duct tape, but this isn't vital.

• Have fun - but please don't sue me if your child breaks their ankle!!!   

 

Don't forget to keep looking over the hols, as we're all going to be travelling around, there won't be any formal posts, but we'll be keeping you up to date with our travels.  And make sure you pay attention, there'll be a test at the start of the new term ;o)

Happy Holidays xx

 

 

No more teacher's dirty looks

posted by Cara

Yesterday was our last day of school (ACK!!)  The kids worked hard over the last weeks to make them a nice thank you gift.  They painted 20x20cm canvases a bright happy colour and then chose another fun, coordinating colour for buttons. Then, a short sentiment ('bonheur') in their own hand writing, a bit of strong glue and we have some happy teachers.  They all told the children that they loved their gifts.

Mille Sabords!

Don't worry, it's only mildly offensive! It's one of Captain Haddock's many insults and it translates as a thousand portholes; but I think in English he says blistering barnacles...

Having seen the film for Philippe's birthday, Tom is now hooked on Tintin and we're steadily working our way through the original books (in their original french...) Consequently when it came to chosing a theme for this year's party, it was our favourite Belgian reporter and his eccentric circle of friends who topped the poll. (Star Wars has already been chosen for next year!)

Tom drew a great picture of Professeur Tournesol (Prof Calculus) which we used for the inivitation and I decided to organise a treasure hunt (which thanks to the weather was in our garage) with each clue featuring one of the main characters.  Thanks to www.tintinmilou.free.fr for some great colouring sheets :o)  (Milou is Snowy)  

 As a craft activity we decorated treasure chests so they had somewhere to stash their bounty.

 

We decorated the table with gold plates and serviettes and I think the cake speaks for itself :o) (Fait maison, bien sûr!)

Thanks to my expert behind the scenes team for all their help :o)

Tom's Lego Box

posted by Cara

For Tom's birthday I wanted to make him something related to what he's interested in right now.  Basically, that's Tintin and Star Wars Lego.  Since, his party was Tintin themed and Helen had that covered, I went with Lego.  I bought a plain box at the craft store, painted each side a different colour and raided my boys' lego stash to write his name.  It won't hold very many legos, however, so maybe he can keep some other treasures in there.  :)

maxi figures

If there's one toy that ALL the boys I know love, it's LEGO. So when I was looking for an idea to use as the basis for several cards this summer it seemed an obvious choice. However, I'm not one to choose the easy option of making three identical cards, I wanted to personalise them to suit each recipient. Hence I came up with my version of the minifigure, each reflecting the current interest (obsession?!) of 'my' boys. So, first meet Anthony's favourite (ice)hockey star...

Dan's beaver scout....

And last but by no means least, Tom's Tintin and Snowy.

 Apologies to LEGO for borrowing their idea, but the characterization is entirely original and they've made three boys very happy!!

First Communion

(posted by Cara)

In France, making your first communion is a huge deal!  People celebrate with elaborate parties and gifts.  Since we had such a large guest list, 16 adults and 20 children, a restaurant was out of the question and a hall too impersonal.  We had it here and I was in charge of everything.  With a lot of help from my cousin, Mary, and a crafty session (complete with lots of tea) with Helen, everything turned out perfect!

I chose green since it's Anthony's favourite colour and accented it with lots of white (for that communion feel ;) ) and a bit of orange, because well, I love orange.  I also wanted to feel masculine and child like.

The tables were a bit more colourful because finding just the right green was tough.  The place settings were just a simple rolled napkin, with a photo clipped on and they just made the rooms look fun and happy!  

The 'dragées' were in little jars with labels tied on with jute.  

They reminded me of what little boys would use to capture insects and such.  I wasn't far off, as the next day, my boys emptied their jars of the candy and dug out Jacques' chemistry set and had a blast making potions and turning my bathroom red.  I thought someone had had a nosebleed!  Then, yesterday, Helen sent me this:  

So, yeah, the jars were perfect!

I had the flowers done at the florist down the street, but I chose the flowers and I think they turned out perfectly!  

Mary and Helen and I made these pinwheels one morning and they looked great spread around the rooms and they were a big hit with the younger kids.

May 4th - blast off for our third year.

photo from moarpowah.com

Well we couldn't choose any other date to relaunch ourselves and our boys into the blog-osphere, could we?! So hop into your x-wing and join us for a quick reconnaissance mission to find our where we're at nearly twelve months older if not wiser...

Helen and boys

Well Joe is currently eating peas without grace, having been dragged in from making mud pies in the garden, so I guess he's well and truly attained little boy status ;-) his current obsessions are hay balers, puddles and octonauts.

Tom is nearly six and can now ride his bike and tie his shoelaces, although not at the same time! Life revolves around computers, c'est pas sorcier and tintin. But there's still time to make stuff :-)

Cara and boys

Jacques is in his element when he's outside. Just yesterday, I heard him yell 'I love nature' when we were walking in the forest. He loves science, computer games, reading fantasy and sci-fi novels and talking non-stop about any of the above ;)

Anthony is a huge Sidney Crosby fan and is happiest when on the ice (or in front of a computer screen). He has improved his hockey skills so much in the last few months, you'd never know he only started in September.

Philippe, like most younger brothers, loves doing whatever the big boys are doing. If they aren't around, he still has an incredible passion for all things horses and rides every week and loves to do anything artsy.

Hector, our group's littlest boy at almost 2, is our little clown, he loves to make his brothers laugh with such boyish antics as sticking his finger up his nose. Other interests include climbing (the higher the better) and stomping in puddles.

Just a note about our only non-boy... Juliet, has become much more girly this year with all her little friends at school, but that didn't stop her from watching Star Wars 3 times in as many days, completely glued to it! That's my girl :D

Makes for Maman

Posted by Helen and Cara

Sunday was the 'Fête des Mères' here, i.e. French Mother's day (managing to be different to both Canada and the UK) So we thought for a change we'd post some things that our super kids made for us.

 

Over to Helen:

Tommy made me a lovely picture which now has pride of place in our bedroom.

 But the gift that really melted that cold icy heart of mine was a little book about 'maman' with his pictures and some sentences that the teacher helped him write.

 

What made me burst with pride was this one " What I love doing with Mummy is... making things" :o) Love you Tom xx

 

 

Cara's turn ;)

Jacques made me this sweet necklace, he picked his favourite beads and placed them in the front.

Anthony's gift was inside this box he decorated, when I put it together there was a poem that he wrote that spells out my name. :D

Philippe's gift wasn't so much of a surprise, he's not very good at keeping secrets!  He says it's only for picnics but I want to put in my new kitchen... if the renos ever end!

I'll throw Juliet's fimo necklace in here, since the boys in her class made them too.  Besides these are good ideas for the end of the year teacher's gifts ;)

There were cards as well, and the littles recited poems, or at least most of them :D  Oh and yes, I did wear both Jacques' and Juliet's necklaces on Sunday ;)

bathroom blues

Thankfully both my boys love bathtime and all the associated toys (no need to mention Tom and all things fishy...) However this (combined with a lazy mummy) results in my bathroom being a complete tip.  When we replaced our windows and put obscured glass in the bathroom, I struck on the idea of re-using the old shower curtain to make two bags to put the bath toys in - out of sight, and out of mind (for me at least.)

Before...

 

I cut the curtain into four pieces and used the two with holes at the top for the bags.  That way hopefully the draw strings won't tear too easily.  I then painted two scenes in shades of blue (to match my tiling in the bathroom) - in theory there's one with with boats etc for the boat toys, and one with marine creatures for the fish, etc, but I'm sure that won't last!

 

I sewed a double seam along one side to make and tube, then using yellow and brown thread, I used the largest zigzag stitch to make the sea bed.  Hopefully this will allow any water inside to drain out.  I finished the bottom edge with pinking shears and found some nylon thread to make the drawstring.  Hopefully tidying the bathroom will now be more fun for the boys and less of a headache for me!   

After...

 

 

... just wanted to sneak in my bathroom scales too which I rejuvenated with an old cork place mat and my trusty acrylic paints.  I love paint :o)

 

Happy First Birthday!

posted by Helen and Cara

Yay, we made it! 75 posts, 6076 page views and 362 comments later and we're still bursting full of ideas to share with you.  Thank you all for looking :o)

So to celebrate in style, here are some Star Wars themed projects (it is May the Fourth, afterall...)  to get the next twelve months off to a flying start...

Helen's X-wing party set:

This was a 30 minute make, (although I did have to wait a little longer for the paint to dry...) and could be easily adapted to include you own (hmm, your kids own ;o)) Star Wars character or vehicle. 

I splatter painted a sheet of A4 card, used half for a birthday card, then one quarter for a place name and two eighths for gift tags (nothing if not thrifty me) I made a template for the fighter then used some recycled card to make the shapes and labels with pen details to finish. (Backdrop provided by Tom who as usual didn't want to miss out on the fun.)

 

  

 

 

... is out of this world

 

 

 Cara's Woolly Wookie:

With Anthony's birthday coming up on Saturday, I wanted to make him a gift. With most of my craft supplies packed away because of our renovations, my choices were limited.  I had an idea for a needle felted Chewbacca and I knew that my wool and needles were in a box that wasn't too hard to get to ;)

 

I made him up in a couple of nights while watching TV after packing and sorting all day, it was quite relaxing ;)  Philippe and Juliet even helped at the end with the face and his bag thingy.  Philippe insisted that I hide it right away even though Anthony is at his grandmother's until Friday ;)  The metal bits are foil leafing and the bag is just a bit of fabric.

 Here is is with the Yoda that Helen made for Jacques last year, just because I thought they looked cute.

MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU !