A New Year means New Beginnings - ‘tis the season to explore new interests and new hobbies. Whether your child wishes to go it alone or whether you choose to get creative as a family, here are our top 10 books to inspire you to get crafty!
1. Draw Paint Print like the Great Artists by Marion Deuchars. Nonfiction. 2014. Explore simple and innovative techniques used by renowned artists. Examples include photomontage in the style of Hannah Höch, “painting with scissors” to emulate Matisse, and using art games to inspire surreal images like Salvador Dali.
2. What Shall We Do Today? 60 Creative Crafting Projects for Kids by Catherine Woram. Nonfiction. 2009. Organized into seasonal themes, this book guides kids through fun and visually appealing crafts. Eggshell planter-heads sporting sprouts for hair, pressed flowers in balsa wood frames, and pumpkin shell bird feeders are among the projects detailed in easy-to-follow picture instructions.
3. Chalk on the Wild Side: More than 25 chalk art projects, recipes, and creative activities for adults and children to explore together by Lorie King Kaehler. Nonfiction. 2016. For those who like to get their hands dirty, create your own chalk with unique recipes. From shell-shaped chalk, sidewalk chalk, and glittery chalk to really unusual inventions like chalk bubbles, ice chalk, and gooey sensory chalk, this book has so many fun ways to make something special.
4. Project Kid: Crafts That Go! 60 Imaginative Projects That Fly, Sail, Race, and Dive by Amanda Kingloff. Nonfiction. 2016. A craft book designed for active children who love things that go: Planes, boats, trains, construction equipment, and bicycles! This book is filled to the brim with transportation-themed crafts using many found objects in and around the home.
5. ScrapKins: Junk Re-Thunk: Amazing Creations You Can Make from Junk! by Brian Yanish. Nonfiction. 2016. A book inspired from materials in the recycling bin, this activity book fosters creativity and encourages eco- friendliness. Raid your ‘junk’ to create a knight’s helmet, puppets, a recycled racer, or a parachute jumper.
6. Go Photo! An Activity Book for Kids by Alice Proujansky. Nonfiction. 2016. Handy tips and a step-by-step guide to inspire young readers who enjoy the magic of photography. The activities in this book are engaging and can be done indoors or outdoors, alone, or with friends.
7. The Unofficial Guide to Crafting the World of Harry Potter: 30 Magical Crafts for Witches and Wizards - from Pencil Wands to House Colors Tie-Dye Shirts by Jamie Harrington. Nonfiction. 2016. Detailed photographs and step-by-step directions encourage Hogwarts creativity in young crafters and devoted Harry Potter fans. Projects include a sorcerer’s stone paperweight, dementor soap, and a lumos/nox light switch.
8. Loopy Loom Rubber Band Animals: 25 fun designs for jewelry and accessories by Lucy Hopping. Nonfiction. 2015. Take rainbow looming to the next level by creating a variety of colorful and cute rubber pets and wild animals. The animals can be made for cool charms to hang off of a backpack or made into earrings.
9. Crochet for Kids: Basic Techniques & Great Projects that Kids Can Make Themselves by Franziska Heidenreich. Nonfiction. 2014. More than just scarves and hats, learn how to make bracelets, leg warmers, hacky-sacks, pirate moustaches, and a very cute cat. Step-by-step illustrations show basic to more advanced stitches and techniques.
10. Fingerprint Princesses and Fairies and 100 Other Magical Creatures by Ilona Molnar. Nonfiction. 2016.
It’s time to use your fingerprints to create intriguing fairies, centaurs, and storybook characters. Once your fingerprint is dry, use colored markers to add defining features like eyes, hair, and smiles. This book is perfect for any age. Also, make sure to check out its companion book, Fingerprint Monsters and Dragons and 100 other Adventurous Creatures.
With these books, you can nurture your child’s or your family’s creative spirit and develop new hobbies. Craft on!
For more information about the Calgary Public Library, call 403-260-2600 or visit their website, calgarylibrary.ca. Feeling Social? Visit them on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest, too.
Calgary’s Child Magazine © 2024 Calgary’s Child
