When she was younger it seemed easier to get her involved in activity that was, unbeknownst to her, helping to work on the small muscles in her hands that are so important for everything from writing to dressing. But now that she's the ripe old age of 8 (and a half!), she's much to old for things like crafts and activities. Or so she thinks.
So it's up to me to get a little clever in what I suggest and how I present it. These Washi tape-decorated necklaces were just the thing!
She's always loved to play with tape - I think it's a kid-thing. Now that I have a growing collection of Washi tape, she loves to use that. (I intentionally leave out the colors I'm not fond of so I don't freak out when she uses the whole roll for...well, nothing I can distinguish.) For this activity, I brought out the colors I was fond of, my favorites even, the ones I keep accessible on my craft desk.
Supplies:
She's always loved to play with tape - I think it's a kid-thing. Now that I have a growing collection of Washi tape, she loves to use that. (I intentionally leave out the colors I'm not fond of so I don't freak out when she uses the whole roll for...well, nothing I can distinguish.) For this activity, I brought out the colors I was fond of, my favorites even, the ones I keep accessible on my craft desk.
Supplies:
- Washi tape
- Straws
- Scissors
- String (we used braiding cord from CraftProjectIdeas.com)
- Pony beads (optional)
We started out by picking our colors (the gold and turquoise look just marvelous together!) and wrapping the Washi tape onto the straws. This is similar to the old way of making paper beads but way quicker and easier; this technique is fool-proof. The tape doesn't need to be straight, no worries about perfection. Our straws had lines on them, but even that isn't a problem - if the pattern of the straw shows through the tape, just wrap a couple more layers over it until you can't see the pattern anymore.
When we had the tape wrapped onto the straws, then came the best part - cutting the straws. Did I say Kay likes to play with tape? Well, she LOVES to cut straws. They make the most satisfying snap when you snip into them, and if you're lucky they fly to the other side of the room while you're at it!
We ended up with a collection of colorful beads. Kay did the honors of threading them onto the string, interspersing them with white pony beads (also from our friends at CraftProjectIdeas.com). (Fine motor skills and pattern practice!)
The result would make a lovely gift, but Kay kept this one for herself. And--shhh!-- no one has to know you made it out of straws!
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