FYI Magazine

Fun Fall Crafts for Kids

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As leaves turn and the fall weather cools, nature becomes a playground for imagination with its deep reds, oranges, yellows. And, of course, many children start planning their costumes early, using every excuse to dress up before Halloween actually rolls around.

With these quick and easy craft projects, the whole family can enjoy celebrating one of the most colorful seasons of the year.

1. Leaf Book Craft: With a few easy-to-find supplies, you and your kids can preserve the riches of cheerful outdoor foliage with this handmade leaf book that can be pulled out again and again over dreary winter days.

What you'll need:

- Bag to collect leaves

- Clear contact paper

- Ruler

- Scissors

- Construction Paper

- Stapler or Hole Punch and Twine

- Glue Stick (optional)

Instructions: Collect colorful leaves in a bag and spread them on a newspaper when you get home. Place your favorite leaves on the contact paper, peeling the back off of one piece of the paper. After you carefully arrange the leaves, peel the back off the second piece of contact paper and carefully lay it on top of the first piece. You may need to use the ruler to push out any air bubbles that come up. Repeat these steps as many times as you like to make multiple pages. Take two pieces of construction paper, placing one on top of the stack of leaf pages and one on the bottom. Staple the sheets together on the left side to make a book or punch two to three holes and tie the pages together with twine for an outdoorsy look. Take any additional craft items such as glitter, markers or crayons and make a colorful design on the front to complete your book.

2. Costume Creations: Halloween is in the air and with it every costume you can imagine. With these paper costume designs based on the characters of the best-selling book The Costume Trunk from Paddywhack Lane, children can play dress-up every day this fall.

What you'll need:

- Cardstock paper

- Scissors

- Markers

- Crayons

- Glue (non-toxic)

- Tape

- Ribbon

- Yarn

- Glitter

- Newspaper

Instructions: Download the various costume designs from www.paddywhacklane.com, including a Princess Crown and Wand, Bumble Bee wings, and a Pirate's Hat. Print out the designs on your cardstock paper. Lay out newspaper on your kitchen or dining room table to help keep messes to a minimum. Using all of your markers, crayons, and glitter, have your child personalize each costume piece. When finished and dry, follow the instructions on each design to create the finished look. Each costume piece is sized to match that of a child ages 3-7.

3. Balloon Ghost: This adorable and easy ghost craft is perfect for Halloween decor in your home.

What you'll need:

- 1 White latex balloon per ghost

- Scissors

- 2 white grocery bags per ghost

- Tape

- Black marker

Instructions: Cut the handles off the white plastic grocery bags. Leaving the seam at the bottom of the bags together, cut the bags into strips. Blow up a white balloon. (For home decorating purposes, you might want to pick up helium balloons at the party store so they fly). Tape the two plastic bags around the end of the balloon, leaving a few inches at the bottom, leaving the tied section of the balloon at the top if you blew it up yourself. (If you purchased helium balloons, keep the tied side down). Using the black marker, draw two eyes and a mouth on the balloon, making any face you wish. If you blew up the balloon yourself, tie a string to the top and hang from the ceiling or mantle. If you used a helium balloon, tie a string to the bottom and let it float through the air.

Fall is a great time to take advantage of so many wonderful natural resources, from overflowing pumpkin patches to bursting apple orchards. A few supplies and a little planning go a long way in keeping kids busy, using their imagination and creativity throughout this delightful season. TF11A411

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