Craft Project Ideas Needed!!!

[Marcimama]

Hey there! My dh and I work at a camp for underpriviledged kiddos. I am in desperate need of craft project ideas for a few different groups.
1. 8-12 yo girls
2. 8-12 yo boys
3. 12-14 yo girls

I really hate crafts that are the typical camp crafts: lanyards, leather work, beading, etc...
Please help me find some ideas that are crazy fun and can be accomplished in a hour or so.
Thanks!!!

[CalaRei]

Plaster casting? When I was at camp, we would go out on hikes with tubes of thick paper, slide them into the mud around animal prints, and pour plaster in. You don't even have to do the hike if you don't want... gather up some things with neat textures and try that.

Sand mold candles? Wax candle dipping? It's fun to watch all the layers build up.

There's always tie-dye, but that can be expensive, and I'm not sure what your budget is. Do you have any idea about that?

[rere]

If you look in the kids section of the library you should be able to find a ton of craft books with simple inexpensive projects.

[beanma]

tie-dyeing is always fun.

[Marcimama]

We did tie dyeing last year, it was a blast! Money isn't a huge issue because we only have about 25-30 campers a week. I like the candle idea, perhaps a bit afraid of possible burns, but it sound fun. Keep 'em coming!!! Thanks!

[LaughingHyena]

My usual source for craft ideas is here http://familyfun.go.com/

These tin can lanterns look like fun http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?p...&craftid=10659

I would think children that age would be OK with a glue gun (I have a cool melt one which works well). They are great for sticking twigs/pebbles/pine cones and the like.

Making your own paper is fun too, I'd say each stage could be done in an hour or so but obviously you have to leave it t dry somewhere.


Grass heads, fill the toe of a pair of nylons with a sprinkle of grass seeds and some compost. Tie it off and cut off the remainder of the leg. You can pull out a nose and tie thread round it to shape it and use stickers for other features. Water regularly to grow grassy hair.

sand candles are also fun. Fill a tin can with sand and scoop out a well in the middle, this makes your candle mold. add a wick (the ones which are wax coated and stand up on their own are easiest since you can just stick them into the sand to hold them up. Then fill your mold with melted wax and leave to set.

[CrunchyParent]

Wooly things. I made a video tutorial for making felted soaps. I'll also be adding another video tute to my blog within a week on making felted wool balls. Both crafts are great for that age group too because they promote hygiene and active play

[beansricerevolt]

Homemade Hornet
http://www.superchargedscience.com/buzzer.wmv

Photography?
You could buy disposable cameras and do the 1 hour photo thing. Maybe even scrapbook once the pictures come back. Of course this would have to be done in sessions.

a nature watercolor journal?
they can make their own journal http://www.makingbooks.com/freeprojects.shtml and then use it to journal their experience with watercolors. Its great for hikes.


What about paper airplanes and then watch them fly
http://www.paperairplanes.co.uk/planes.php
There are loads of designs if you google search

paint each others faces with face paint and then have a "show"?

This is a really cool idea and you can call it recycled art
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and...&craftid=11486

DD did this for christmas gifts last year.
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and...&craftid=10003