I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to work with Klutz this year through my writing with Scholastic, and now?
Now I am thrilled, over the moon, totally beside myself now that I get to finally tell you more!
This summer we were super busy with our tabletop surprises, and the kids had an absolute blast with them. But we were also busy jaunting around New York City helping our friends at Klutz host a super-cool blog event where kids and parents could chat and craft it up.
Believe me, friends. I don’t want you to feel bummed that you weren’t there, so I’m doing a little giveaway for you–for those of you who couldn’t be there. For those of you who want a chance at two new, must-have Klutz craft activity sets for kids.
These are activity sets that allow kids to craft and then wear. So little creators feel proud that they have put the time and effort into making something that they can then show off the next day.
Super cool.
Here’s the skinny. . .
Craft and Wear–Two New, Must-Have Craft Kits for Kids:
In the recent months, we have tried a boatload of new and awesome crafts in the Klutz line. Really tons of fun, and as an educator, I love how these activities incorporate reading and making.
And another great thing is that these are unplugged, screen-free activities– because goodness knows screen time is battle that many of us are fighting daily.
The first of our two new, must-have craft kits for kids is the Charm Bracelet Studio.
You know those fancy gold bracelets with disc charms that so many women are wearing now? Well the Charm Bracelet Studio lets you create those types of bangle bracelets.
But these are cooler.
Because kids are personalizing them exactly the way they want.
And making the Charm Bracelets is pretty easy. Here’s how:
- Find designs you like
- Use the cool painting tool to paint on the design
- Add a drop of Finishing Gloss to dried charms
- Let the charms dry
- Add jump clips to the charms and put them on the bracelet
- Wear and go
One thing we’ve learned about the way that the Klutz activity sets go is that you really must read the book before you start the craft.
That may seem obvious to some, but not to my quick-to-move tween who often wants to zip through instructions and get right to the activity.
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The second of our two new, must-have craft kits for kids is the Design and Dye Kit with No-Heat Batik.
Reading and making is a good combination if you ask me. I think that the earlier our kids learn that if they don’t follow directions closely, they may not end up with the craft they intended to create, the better.
And with this set especially, kids need to read closely.
Here’s how you can make Design & Dye with No-Heat Batik:
- Choose a design for your fabric
- Trace design on fabric using the green Doodle Gel and let the design dry completely
- Paint and let the paint dry
- Soak the fabric so that the Doodle Gel removes and then wash fabric in washing machine
- Wear and go!
We learned a little bit about Batik by doing this set. Batik traditionally uses hot wax as the resist, but in our case, we use the Doodle Gel.
Batik is an ancient art that uses bright colors and layers of ink–so like this activity, we’re sure it takes patience!
Maddy worked hard at tracing the designs with the Doodle Gel.
How adorable is this fruit design?
I also did a custom design for Owen all about Poseidon. Right now, my boy is obsessed with Greek Gods, Percy Jackson, and Poseidon.
He’s been doing a lot of Percy Jackson reading, and if you haven’t checked it out, you should. Rick Riordan wrote it, and honestly, it rocks. (The cool thing is that even if you did read it, we’ve got 10 Cool Ways to Read Percy Jackson for you to mix things up a bit!).
So I did a little research, found an image of a trident, and made my own.
Painting wasn’t the hard thing here–it was really very fun to mix colors and water so that colors were bright and vibrant.
However, one thing that was hard for us: waiting.
There’s a lot of dry time involved in this craft. And I’m all about process crafts, believe me.
But this one, even though the results were awesome, required some patience.
You have to allow the Doodle Gel to dry completely + let paint dry completely + let fabric soak in water overnight or up to 24 hours to remove gel + machine wash fabric + hang to dry.
We followed the directions for most of our fabrics, and the results were awesome.
Take a look at Owen’s trident and Cora’s stars:
But bummer. Maddy’s fruit shirt, we rushed, and we didn’t let it dry completely.
We got way too excited. I know that, and she knows it.
We didn’t let the gel dry enough, and we didn’t make sure that the gel connected completely for each design–so the color seeped through some of our lines.
We didn’t let the paint dry 100% before soaking the shirt in water, and then I just threw the shirt in the wash. So not smart.
So the shirt turned out like this. And though we’re bummed, we plan to use the fabric for something else. Just not sure what.
I definitely wanted to share so that you don’t do what we did incorrectly when you create and wear!
Okay–now let’s get to the giveaway!
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GIVEAWAY: A Klutz prize pack that includes these two books, Charm Bracelet Studio and Design & Dye and two other sets customized for your family.
Do you want to win a Klutz prize pack that includes these two books, Charm Bracelet Studio and Design & Dye and two other sets customized for your family??! Yes, yes you do.
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Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to throw your name in the hat:
This giveaway ends Friday, September 18, 2015 at midnight ET and is open to folks here in the US only. Winner will be chosen by ‘Rafflecopter’ and will be notified on or around 09/18/15. Winner must respond within three (3) days of notification or forfeit the prize, in which case an alternate winner will be selected. All Official Sweepstakes Rules apply.
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Do you want to sneak a peek at our Klutz blogger event this summer? It was so fun, and you’ll I’m sure see some familiar faces! (And you’ll see the Klutz studio in NYC!)
Check it out:
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fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Klutz, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my personal experience as a parent and educator–and, of course, my three little crafty-crafters.
fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.
Tracy C
This would be fun activities to do with my 10 yo daughter and her crafty friends at a sleepover.
Jo-Lynne Shane
I ADORE Klutz crafts. too bad those charm bracelets are sold out! I added it to my wish list so I don’t forget to grab one when they’re back in stock.
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
We love klutz craft kits!!! So fun.
Ashley C
I will give it away to my niece. I think she would enjoy it!
Wehaf
My nieces would love both of these sets, and they would make great projects for us to do together!
Meghan B
I will use the klutz book with my daughter, looks like fun!
Heidi Bee
My kiddos would use this, how fun!!
Kimberly o
I would give this to my stepdaughter. Thank you.
Ashley turicik
I would love to win for my daughter. We love doing crafts together
Maria B
My little girl would go nuts for these crafts. I would give this crafts to her if I won!
Shannon Weel
my son and daughter would love the klutz books! They love doing crafty things and would truly love them.
Nicole Lancaster
I would give the Klutz books to my niece who really loves crafts as a Christmas gift.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley
My nieces will use these!
Summer B.
I would give it to my daughters.
Rachel
i would keep the Design & dye kit for my boys and give the charm bracelet kit to my nieces.
Terra Heck
I’d like these for my youngest step-daughter. She’d have fun crafting with them. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Aaron
I would give this to my nephew and niece.
beth
I will give these to my nieces and we will do them together
Lisa V.
These would be for my beautiful grandbaby.
Erica B.
My cousin would love it!
Abigail
These would be wonderful for my son and daughter!
Melissa E
My 10 yo daughter will love these kits. she’s super crafty!!!
Nancy
If I won, our family would use and enjoy these kits!
JESSICA C
This was a great post. I just love the bracelet and t shirt project. I would keep it to make gifts with my son. I think making gifts mean more. that is way we start thinking about Christmas presents in august, It gives us more time to make for our special family members.
Shaylin
I would give it away to a little girl in my community who may not get much for Christmas this year.
Tim
I would likely give them to my niece or my sister. They’re both crafty.
Debra
My nieces would love these!
Audra
I would use the with my daughter
Maureen
i would gift this to my young daughter who has an upcoming birthday. She is always designing and making crafts, jewelry etc. She would absolutely be thrilled!
Nicole C.
I would give these to my niece as a gift.
Leah Shumack
My daughter would have so much fun with this! It would definitely go to her!
Donna Teller
If I won I would definitely give this to my niece. She would love it.
Kristi C
I would give this to my youngest daughter. She loves crafts of all kinds.
Fiona N
I would love to win and give it to my nieces
Thank You for the chance
janetfaye
My granddaughter would use these.
tree
These would be for my two kids who both love to do arts and crafts! My daughter especially loves to get out the craft kids when she has a friend over. We are big fans of Klutz books and craft kits. Thanks for the chance!
Dawn Monroe
I think my two older granddaughters would have a ball. They enjoy arts and crafts.
Darlene Owen
I would keep this for myself.
Jennifer H.
I would keep it and do the crafts.
lissa crane
I will definitely keep this for myself to do with my four kiddo’s! They love to make and create things, but are at the age where some crafts are too babyish, but I think this will be perfect for all of their ages!
Audra O'Hara
My daughter would enjoy these Klutz books. She really likes to craft (and I do too). We would totally keep them!
Natalie
I would save it and give to my daughters for. Christmas
julie moore
My daughter will definitely be using it. She will love it
Trisha McKee
I would give this to my daughter.
Sue Hull
I’d love to win this for my two nieces who love to do crafts. Thank you for the chance 🙂