There are always so many details that go into planning a child’s birthday party. Of course, you want all of the details and logistics to go according to plan as you create the perfect party environment with a theme-inspired menu, decorations and so on. However, most importantly you want all of the children to have a good time as they share in the fun! A great way to engage party guests is to inspire their creativity with a craft. Since some kids may be more experienced with arts and crafts than others it is a good idea to pick a craft that is simple with fewer steps than a more intricate craft idea. Give these great craft ideas a try!
Paper Bowl Turtle:
Materials needed: Green Construction paper, large paper bowl, poster paint, crayons, string, wiggle eyes or flat beads, paintbrush, white glue, scissors and a pencil.
1. Take a paper bowl and trace the outline of the rim on green construction paper.
2. The Circle with represent the turtle’s body. Next, you’ll need to draw the turtle’s head, a tail, and two pairs of legs.
3. Once you’ve drawn the entire body it is time to cut out the turtle outline.
4. About an inch from the rim of the paper bow create a small hole.
5. With a little paint, the transformation from paper bowl to a turtle’s shell is complete! You can paint the turtle any color you choose.
6. Deocrate your turtle’s shell with any design you’d like using a variety of colors applied by a paintbrush or your fingers. Once you’re finished, you’ll need to let your turtle dry.
7. Your turtle’s eyes can be a pair of wiggle eyes or beads that you glue on. The nose and mouth can be drawn on with markers or crayons.
8. Wrap the head, legs and tail around a marker to curl them slightly.
9. Insert one end of a 2 to 3 feet length of string through the hole on the paper bowl and make a knot.
10. Attach the shell on top of the body by gluing it in place. Note that the string is in front when you are positioning the shell.
11. Once your glue is set and dry you can take your turtle out for a stroll!
Click here for pictures of this step by step process or for other great craft ideas.
Cardboard Tube Octopus:
Materials needed: Kleenex, cardboard tube, paint, paintbrush, scissors (scalloped scissors make it more fun!), construction paper, glue and buttons or wiggly eyes.
1. Form 3 sheets of Kleenex into a ball and then wrap the ball with 1 more Kleenex sheet. Place it at the top of the cardboard tube to create the domed head for the octopus.
2. Pick out your favorite color and paint the whole octopus and then let it dry.
3. Create tentacles with scissors that have decorative blades by cutting eight equal vertical cuts halfway up the tube.
4. Roll each tentacle upwards on a marker or highlighter to curl them slightly.
5. You will then need to paint the underside of each tentacle to match the rest of the body.
6. Use buttons for eyes or you can use a pair of wiggly eyes. Draw on the perfect smile with red marker or crayon.
7. Cut a variety of cardstock circles measuring about 1/4 inch in colors that compliment the color you choose for the body. Scatter the dots all over the octopus’ body and glue them in place. Also, glue a colored band around its head for the perfect finishing touch!
Complete instructions for this craft and other fun craft ideas can be found here.
These crafts would be a perfect fit for a Mr. Turtle birthday party , blue whale birthday party or pink whale birthday party!
There are so many exciting craft ideas out there for a children’s birthday party and we’d love for you to comment and share your favorites!