Monday, March 30, 2015

The Maker Cookbook: Recipes For Children’s and ‘Tween Library Programs


This book is full of crafts projects for kids not old enough to use tools. The first is a pneumatic car, made of a plastic bottle on wheels, and powered by a balloon.  The instructions are simple; tape the balloon to the straw, inflate it, and let the escaping gas drive the car. There’s also a Zen sand garden, made from a box, which could lead to something bigger. You could get a piece of wood the size of a knock hockey table and make it portable. The kids can take turns using it, and make the tools from scrap wood. The drum project is another simple activity using minimal materials. It uses oatmeal cartoons, string, and sticks to make a kiddie size drum corps. The kids can decorate the cartons, and then bang away until it drives you crazy.

Each project is divided like a cookbook recipe. You have the ingredients (materials,) then the “preheat” which is the prep section, and then the “bake” where you actually make the project. The drum project, which you can also do with old tomato and bean cans, is perfect for the rambunctious five year old. Even better than just the drums, let the kids compose a song about their favorite children’s book to the tune of Stars & Stripes.

I remember back in second grade, we made puppets out of socks and cardboard, then turned a shipping box into a stage set and did a puppet show. In an age of common core standards, it’s important for kids to have physical activities. These projects are great for kids, especially when you have a limited budget.

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