Get crafty Fun, creative crafts for children

Doing crafts as a family is a favorite pursuit for many, and this book is a collection of one mother's go-to projects. The 40 activities are divided into basics, seashore-themed, party-related items to make and then play with, and objects to create for celebrations and holidays. Many projects will be familiar, as they've been well-loved since before today's parents were children. Materials and techniques include salt dough, papier-mâché, hand- and footprints, paper plates and toilet paper tubes, vegetable stamps, found objects, such as seashells and stones, and many others. Most of the materials required are household recyclables and basic supplies likely to be on hand, such as paint, brushes, glue, yarn, and pipe cleaners. Some of them require adult help with tools and supervision is encouraged for all. Coghlan also supplies tips for successful crafting with children based on her own experience, maintaining an emphasis on the reasons making things together is important namely, learning problem-solving skills, building confidence, practicing literacy and numeracy, expressing feelings, applying creative thinking, and having fun together.--Heidemann, Anne Copyright 2016 Booklist

Irish craft blogger Coghlan believes that crafts are an excellent way for parents and caregivers to bond with children as well as a means for children to grow creatively. Her first collection includes a variety of simple projects appropriate for preschool and grade school-age children. Many of the designs feature natural or recycled materials such as rocks, twigs, and newspaper, with the focus on decorative objects that encourage creative play. Parents will appreciate that Coghlan gathers familiar children's crafts such as salt dough and pom-pom flowers and presents them alongside those less familiar such as DIY chalk and bubble painting. VERDICT Coghlan's colorful projects will provide hours of innovative entertainment for children and their caregivers. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.