THANKFUL: Make and Takes for Kids Review
It had been awhile since I had sat down to craft an artsy project with our preschool daughter. So when Marie LeBaron’s new book – Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year – showed up at my door…well, I was antsy to pick out an activity and dig in!
I’ve always admired Marie’s down-to-earth crafting style on her blog, make and takes. Once a kindergarten teacher, Marie has an approach that is simple and straight-forward. Be sure to check out her site for crafty inspiration for both adults and kids. You’ll be amazed by the wealth of creativity.
And her book? That’s pretty amazing, too.
I like how it’s arranged by the calendar. Each month features four or five fun activities, both craft and food related, in sync with the seasons and holidays. And Marie’s knack for teaching kids really shines through, with learning objectives briefly outlined for each project that point out skills to be learned.
Make and Takes for Kids is filled with colorful photos of each project, along with easy step by step instructions. The crafts require little preparation and only a few supplies, providing the perfect set-up for bonding with your kids through creativity.
So, would you like to see what Tessa and I made from Marie’s book?!
Looking at our collection of dried leaves from our latest fall nature walk, we chose to make the “Thankful Crunchy Leaves Plaque”, a project listed under the month of November.
It didn’t cost us a dime, as we already had a piece of wood from tearing down our fence in the yard last month. So all we needed was a little craft glue and some paint, which we found in our storage room shelved with a small arsenal of different colored paints and glazes. I also wanted to go one step further than the book and found a salvaged silky fall ribbon to hang the plaque. We were all set to craft!
Tessa painted the wood and I drilled holes to thread the hanging ribbon through. Then we crunched up our leaves and glued them on, talking about each letter as we went. It turned out to be a fun fall craft that now hangs in our dining room, a playful handmade reminder for daily gratitude. If you would like instructions for this project, see Marie’s guest post on Skip To My Lou.
Disclosure: Thanks to Wiley and their creativity inspiring blog Wiley Craft, for providing me with a copy of Make and Takes for Kids. All text and opinions are my own, yessirree!
Looks like an adorable book!!
Lots of great ideas, I’d love to win!
What a great combination of seasonal fun crafts/cooking and educational together time!
I just pinned the idea and would love a copy of the book.
This looks like a fantastic book! My kids would love it, and probably my Girl Scout troop as well!
i am part of a weekly mentoring group where we do art projects with a group of kids for an hour – this book would be perfect for ideas :)
Would love to try :P
I would love to win this book!!
Cute book! I would love to win it!! It would definitely make my day!
I would LOVE to win this book. I have a grandma camp each summer with my grandkids called Camp Honey and I am always looking for fun things to do and new ideas! Thanks for the chance!
I go each week to help in my daughters class at school. This book would come in more than handy!!
Very cute idea; love doing crafts with my kids.
Just shared the link on FB!!
I have 4 young children and they all enjoy “projects” on a daily basis – just gets tricky when they all need to be doing their “projects” at the same time!! This looks like an awesome book!! I’m a fan of both yours and make & takes on FB!
As an Artsy parent, I love all of these creative craft projects! You’re thankful sign is beautiful. :)
Would love this book!
would love to see more ideas. these are super cute.
I have been looking at this book to buy it! I’ve heard many great things about it!!!
This book sounds wonderful!
Crafting is such a wonderful “time in” with my son (now 3). Making the time is well worth it :)