John Thomas, co-author of The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions (Kid Concoctions Company, 1998), explains how to do three great kids' projects: a walk-of-fame cement stone with kids' hand- and footprints, a "grass-head guy" with real grass for hair and flower-petal clay for making jewelry. Walk-of-Fame Cement Stone Materials:
Quick-drying cement
Water
Measuring cup
Mixing bucket
Mixing spoon
Rectangular corrugated cardboard box cut down to a height of 5"
Small toys, charms, stones, shells and coins
Pencil - Mix 8 cups quick-drying cement and 2 cups water until the mixture is the consistency of oatmeal.
- Pour the cement into a cardboard-box mold (figure A).
- Embed small toys, charms, coins, shells or other items of your choice that have significance to your child (figure B).
- Have the child press his hand and/or foot into the cement. Write your child's name in the cement, or let him or her do it (figure C).
- Let the cement harden.
- Break away the cardboard-carton mold.
Grass-Head Guy Materials:
Knee-high nylon stocking
2 Tbs. grass seed
Empty yogurt container
1 cup potting soil
Water
Measuring cup
Wiggly eyes
Glue
Pompon
Yarn
Acrylic paint or paint pens - Fill the toe of a knee-high nylon stocking with 2 tablespoons grass seed.
- Pour in 1 cup potting soil. Gather the top of the stocking, and hold it with one hand. Press the outside of the stocking down, forcing the potting soil into a ball. Tie the stocking in a knot at the top of the ball. There will be a tail above the knot (figure D).
- Turn the ball upside down, and place it tail first into a yogurt container filled with water. The tail will draw the water up into the soil and water the seed (figure E).
- Glue wiggly eyes, a pompon nose and a yarn mouth onto the nylon-stocking ball. Paint a shirt and tie on the yogurt container with acrylic paint or marking pens (figure F).
- Keep the yogurt container filled with water, and watch the grass grow. When the grass-head guy's hair grows too long, cut it with scissors.
Flower-Petal Clay Materials:
3 cups flower petals
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. salt
3 Tbs. water
Mixing bowl
Toothpicks or skewers
- Mix 3 cups flower petals with 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon salt and 3 tablespoons water. The mixture will have the consistency of cookie dough (figure G).
- Form the dough into round balls for beads. Push a toothpick or skewer through the dough while it's soft to create holes for stringing the beads into a necklace or bracelet.
RESOURCES :
Kids Concoctions
John and Danita Pagel Thomas
Misc. Information: Video tapes, Famous Kid Concoctions 1 and 2 (ASIN: 6304314272 and 6304314310, $19.95 each, plus shipping and handling or $34.95 for both, plus s/h) available.
The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions (Kid Concoctions Company, 1998) by John E. Thomas and Danita Pagel is available.
The Kid Concoctions Company
Strongsville, OH 44136
Phone: 440-899-1377
Fax: 440-238-4453
Email: kidconcoct@aol.com
Website: www.kidconcoctions.com
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