Everyday Craft Ideas

Crayon Crazy
Talie is on a mission to find "whole" crayons, particularly purple and pink ones. While she rakes through the crayon box, I pull out all the little leftover stubs of red and orange and the naked browns and yellows that we seem to collect in the same way that clothes driers gather lone socks. Once I gather a sizeable pile, I tell this girls it's time for a new crayon project: making hot swirl rocks. Read more.

Magazine Magic
"I'm bored," my daughter, Grace, says. She's sitting in my office while I rush to meet a work deadline. She's 6 and very good at her job -- which at the moment seems to be that of pooh-poohing every suggestion I come up with for entertaining herself for the next half hour. I'm on a roll and really don't want to go downstairs so I look around for distractions in my office. Stacks of old magazines and office supplies don't hold much hope but then I spot a piece of poster board and it all comes together. Read more.

Bedtime Bracelets
Bath taken? PJs on? Teeth brushed? Check, check, and check. All three girls are ready for a chapter or two before bed, but for once, I'm itching to change things up. So instead of cracking Danny, the Champion of the World, I open our jewelry-making bin and we sprawl fireside on the living room floor to make bracelets. Read more.

Dinnertime Grace
It's dinnertime and I'm gearing up to make lasagna while my 6-year-old, Grace, sits at the kitchen table pondering a discarded paper towel roll. Surrounded by a posse of Barbies, stacks of coloring books, and a LeapPad, she chooses to play with something fished from the recycling bin. Go figure. Read more.