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Sleepover Party Crafts
By Abigail Beal
Sleepovers are always so much fun because you get to see all of your friends
at once. You get to stay up late and play games. But sometimes sleepover parties
are a time for kids to cause mischief – and they do so because they are simply
given a little too much free time. Here are some fun crafts that are great for
sleepover parties that involve the fun of working as a group, but also creating
something special that you get to take home. The kids will have fun making the
projects but also will have fun knowing they have made a special memento. My
niece has a message & doodle pillowcase that is now five years old that she
absolutely treasures – and she's not a "crafter". You may also spark a bit of
creativity in someone that night by offering a craft project – you never know!
Message & Doodle Pillowcases
You will need:
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Pillowcases – any color
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Permanent markers
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Cardboard
Give each child a pillowcase and a piece of cardboard. On each pillowcase
they will write their name and a special message to that person. This craft
works best if the children begin by writing their own names on their
pillowcases, then you can help keep track of whose pillowcases are whose. Have
the children write their names all in the same place – such as in the right
corner.
Also have some pads of paper handy because some children may want to practice
drawing their message or a special doodle that they like to draw, to be sure
they get it right. It may also be a good idea to purchase several extra
pillowcases in case someone does make a large drawing error, because with
permanent markers there is no way to erase your mistakes.
While drawing their name or a message on the pillowcase, have the child place
the cardboard in the pillowcase to keep the message from coming through on the
other side. You can also use a bunch of sheets of paper; at least five sheets of
paper should work. Have each child work on a flat surface like a table, hardwood
floor or even the seat part of a chair.
Permanent markers now come in a rainbow of colors – no longer are we stuck
with just red, black, blue and green. You can write your message in permanent
marker in pink, orange, purple, silver, gold, light green, lavender, deep purple
– pretty much any color. Be sure to use permanent markers because the design
will remain on the pillowcase through repeated launderings.
Once every child has drawn a message on the pillowcases they are done. The
children can then use the pillowcases at the sleepover party they are attending,
and they can also take them home.
Design & Doodle Nightshirts
This is a great craft to do in the beginning of the sleepover party. Make
sure to do these at least three hours before the children will actually wear
them, so that they have ample time to dry. (Hanging them in a warm and dry room
will speed this process up also).
For this project you will need:
This project the children will have their name in large letters on the front
with a stamped design and then autographs and messages from their friends on the
back. You may also want to put on the top of the back of the shirt the date and
the occasion "Jamie's 10th birthday party July 11th".
Give each child a t-shirt and some permanent markers. Have them write their
name on the front of their shirt – in a special and fancy way. This will also
help to keep track of whose shirt is whose. Then have each child write a message
and a doodle to each other on all of the shirts. Put cardboard between the shirt
so that the message does not seep through.
Once the children have completed the back, it is time to stamp a design on
the front. Put fabric paint out on large paper plates and give each child a
fabric stamp. Designs that circle the name are probably best.
After the shirts are completed, lay them to dry flat or hang them as long as
the fabric paint does not drip.
Sleepovers are always so much fun. These projects may lead you to create
others, or may inspire other projects for your children to enjoy.
Abigail Beal © 2004 Abigail Beal a.k.a. "the Gift-wrap Goddess" teaches gift
wrap in suburban New York. She is the author of 2 ezines: GiftWrapGoddessWraps
and CreativeCraftsTeachers. To subscribe:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativeCraftsTeachers/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GiftWrapGoddessWraps/ contact:
creativecraftsteachers@yahoo.com
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