It’s not too often that I do a kid craft on the blog. Actually, I don’t think I have ever done one. The reason for that is that I make things to nurture my creativity and beautify my surroundings. Being a maker makes me happy. Plus the kids are usually at school when I feel creative and I can focus on what I am doing without frequent interruption. But that all came to a crashing halt around mid-May when school got out for summer. SUMMER BREAK. It’s a love/hate thing for me. I love hanging out with the girls, taking them to do fun stuff, tennis lessons, swimming, etc. But there are two phrases I have absolutely heard enough of in the past month to last me a lifetime…
“I’m hungry” and “I’m bored.” Seriously kids, I just prepared you a four-course meal, how can you be hungry again?
There’s not much I can do to fix the insatiable belly issue, but I am working on the boredom thing. Of course every parent out there is trying to limit “screen time,” but it is hard to do so without sacrificing sanity. Luckily my girls are makers too and love a good craft project. Plus, they are girls and take after all of their grandmothers and love jewelry. So I came up with this bracelet craft and lucky for me I had all the supplies on hand.
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Supplies:
Kerr Jelly Jar (8 0z) – or you can use any glass that is evenly shaped and is small “wrist size”
The day before you plan on doing this project with the kids, you need to prepare the craft sticks. Start by boiling them for approximately 30 minutes so that the wood gets soft and pliable. Take a stick out of the boiling water, let it cool for a few seconds then carefully bend it into a round bracelet shape while putting it into the glass jar. Do this with the remaining. Sometimes a stick will break. Oh well, it’s just a craft stick. I set them out in the sun to dry. It takes approximately six hours in the 110 degree Arizona sun for the sticks to be completely dry. If you don’t live in the desert, I’d leave them overnight to dry.
Once the bracelet forms are dry the fun part begins. Have the kids cut different shapes out of tissue paper and use the foam brush and decoupage glue to stick them on. The tissue paper makes great effects when layered. Once decorated, trim the edges with a couple of coats of decoupage glue and let dry.
Related: Headed on a road trip? Keep the kids entertained with these printable Road Trip Bingo Cards!
That should give the kids a good hour of entertainment and some fun bracelets to wear as well! Now can I have a glass of wine? Really, no, it’s really only 9:30 am? Really? Damn.
My daughter is going to love this project! I have a feeling we will have lots of cute bracelets around. Pinned!
This is a really neat craft. I love that it’s fairly simple to plan ahead for and involves things you would ordinarily have on hand anyway! My daughter would love to make and decorate her own bracelet. Thanks for sharing with #FamilyJoy Blog Linky Party! 🙂
Love this craft! So glad you were able to get some sanity from the grind of the summer with it! Thank you for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop
What a cute idea…my daughters would both love making these! Thanks so much for sharing your project with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!