Guest Author - Chris Clark

Who says boys can't be crafty? Studies show that introducing your child to arts and crafts at a young age not only helps them develop their small motor skills, but also expands their creativity and imagination. Unfortunately, crafts are sometimes looked upon as a "girls only" project. Not true! Here are a few simple Fall craft projects you and your son will enjoy! All the items you will need to do these crafts are likely to be found in your home or right outside your front door.

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Needed: Large pine cone, vegetable shortening, bird seed, string

Directions: Tie a few feet of string to top of pine cone. Cover pine cone in vegetable shortening (a butter knife or popsicle stick will work nicely). Roll cone in bird seed. Suspend pine cone from tree branch outside.

Fall Votive

Needed: Empty baby food jar, votive candle, tissue papers (fall colors), glue and paintbrush

Directions: Soak label off of baby food jar and let it dry. Cut or rip off small pieces of tissue paper and glue them onto the outside of the jar with paint brush. The idea is to layer the edges to get a decoupage effect. Once glue dries, place votive inside jar.

Leaf Mobile

Needed: Colorful fabric scraps, heavy paper or cardboard, string

Directions: Glue fabric scraps to both sides of heavy paper (use different colors on each side of paper). Cut out in the shape of a leaf. Punch hole in top and tie a string on each "leaf". Hang leaves from a small branch outside or on a hook inside your home.

Scarecrow

Needed: Old clothes (pants, shirt, hat), one large paper bag, string, old newspapers

Directions: Stuff pants and shirt with old newspapers. Tie ends of sleeves and pant legs off with string. Place stuffed pants where your scarecrow can be seen (a front porch or bench works well) so scarecrow appears to be "sitting". Place stuffed shirt on top of pants. Stuff paper bag with newspapers and tie off bottom. Place paper bag on top of shirt so that the tie on bag does not show. Draw face on bag. Place hat on top of bag.

Pumpkin Bags

Needed: Paper bag, newspapers, crayons, paint or magic markers, string

Directions: Stuff paper bag with newspapers. Twist top and tie with small piece of string. Paint bag orange and draw on face, if desired. Paint top of bag (the stem) green.

Place mats

Needed: 8 ½ x 11 cardboard (or larger), clear contact paper, colorful leaves

Directions: Glue or tape back of leaves onto cardboard. Child may use magic marker to write the names of family members on each piece of cardboard. Cover cardboard with clear contact paper and trim.

Enjoy!



Written by Christine Clark