Take the time to learn a new craft or skill this December and make unique gifts for your friends and family! This post contains books, tips, and an art-centered activity to get you in the mood for being creative.
We love to sew : gifts: fun stuff for kids to stitch and share: 23 projects by Annabel Wrigley
Shows how to make birthday presents–or anytime presents–for your family and friends, such as a tie for your dad, a scarf for your mom, a pet bed for your puppy, cute bags, ribbons, and even garlands!
Mason jar crafts for kids: more than 25 cool, crafty projects to make for your friends, your family, and yourself! by Linda Z. Braden
Accompanied by photo tutorials and helpful step-by-step instructions, these projects are kid-friendly and offer a variety of options for both beginning and more advanced DIY fans. Be inspired and discover the endless possibilities with the world’s most famous jar!
Make it, gift it: handmade gifts for every occasion by Mari Bolte
Step-by-step instructions, tips, and full-color photographs will help teens and tweens create personalized presents.
Loom magic! : 25 awesome, never-before-seen designs for an amazing rainbow of projects by John McCann & Becky Thomas
Includes twenty-five new rubber band loom projects, including bracelets, sports-themed charms, key rings, pendants, and even a working slingshot to make.
Disney ideas book by Elizabeth Dowsett
Let your imagination run wild with Disney arts and crafts, party games, puzzles, and papercraft. With magical projects for every level of ability and clear, step-by-step, illustrated instructions, you will never be bored again! Build Cinderella’s castle, take off with Buzz Lightyear’s wings, dress up in Moana’s flower crown, play Snow White bowling, race Lightning McQueen on your racetrack, and much, much more.
STEAM lab for kids: 52 creative hands-on projects using science, technology, engineering, art, and math by Liz Lee Heinecke
The creative projects in STEAM Lab for Kids are designed to demonstrate that there’s math and science to be found in great art! From rubber bands to edible stained glass, young engineers and artists alike will find inspiration in these 52 art-forward labs.
Learn to craft and create using papier mache– a fun, easy, and hands-on hobby that both kids and adults will love. After introducing readers to the materials and techniques needed, Hand presents projects, ranging from a planter made from recycled bottles and jars to ornaments and bracelets. Readers are encouraged to use their imaginations, and the step-by-step instructions are easy for beginners to follow!
Cardboard box engineering: cool, inventive projects for tinkerers, makers & future scientists by Jonathan Adolph
Working with simple household tools, kids can follow the step-by-step photographic instructions to exercise their design smarts, expand their 3-D thinking, and learn the basics of physics and engineering with activities that have real-life applications.
The Usborne complete book of art ideas by Fiona Watt
It contains all the techniques and projects–more than one hundred–from the Art Ideas series and includes information on brushes, paper, media, wax resist, punched holes, and paper sculpture.
101 Great Gifts Kids Can Make by Stephanie R. Mueller and Ann E. Wheeler
Projects for children ages 3 to 8 to make with a little help. Includes greeting cards, gifts, and gift wrap.
Way to crochet! : 20 cool, easy projects for kids of all ages by Sherri Haab and Michelle Haab
Introduces the equipment needed and stitches used for crochet and presents patterns and ideas for crocheting objects such as best-friend bracelets, belts, headbands, and pillows.
The organic artist for kids: a DIY guide to making your own eco-friendly art supplies from nature by Nick Neddo
Immersed in the natural world, Wild Art Workshop for Kids inspires creativity by connecting kids and adults to their wilderness roots. In addition to offering a wide variety of fun, collaborative projects using nature as a source of art supplies and inspiration, this book also introduces the concepts of awareness and perception fundamental to the creative process. Children will be encouraged to learn new skills, build resilience, and be resourceful as part of an urgent struggle to prevent and undo Nature Deficit Disorder. Rooted in experimentation and an understanding that fun is fundamental to learning, kids will refine their drawing skills, as well as increase their appreciation for the visual arts and the natural landscape. Just some of the projects and skills covered: Making paper and wild inks, Painting with mud, Crafting your own paintbrushes, and Making simple stencils and rubbings. Wild Art Workshop for Kids encourages you to return to the days when art was made with all-natural materials like charcoal and birch bark.
Stitch camp: 18 crafty projects for kids & tweens – learn six all-time favorite skills: sew, knit, crochet, felt, embroider and weave by Nicole Blum & Catherine Newman
In today’s thriving maker culture, kids are hungry for hands-on guidance in creating stylish wearables and practical objects or hacking and customizing existing ones. Authors Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman get them started with complete instructions for mastering six favorite fiber crafts. Step-by-step photos teach kids ages 9-14 the basics of how to sew, knit, crochet, felt, embroider, and weave, plus how to do three projects for each craft. From woven patches and a knitted backpack to embroidered merit badges and crocheted bracelets, the fresh, kid-approved projects encourage creative variations and build confidence and valuable life skills.
Lazy Crafternoon by Stella Fields
Spend a lazy afternoon with your friends. From pretty school supplies to colorful tech accessories to perfect party decor, Lazy Crafternoon guides tween crafters through simple steps to create unique projects.
No-sew pouches, tote bags, and other on-the-go projects by Samantha Chagollan
Construct a carrier for your makeup or jewelry. Organize your cords and chargers with a new pouch. Get your z’s with a DIY sleep mask. Whether traveling a short distance or preparing for a long trip, create all the right accessories for a life on the go.
Textile art skills lab by Sarah Hodgson
This colorful book inspires children to unleash their creativity as they learn how to use various tools, media, and processes to create original works using a variety of textiles and fibers. Skill-building projects support readers as they make their fabric works of art.
3D paper crafts for kids: 26 creative projects to make from A by Helen Drew
Experience the joy and the endless benefits of hands-on crafting with kids! With this interactive project book, you can help young children learn and practice the alphabet while having fun making cute paper crafts! Kids will have fun making these giraffes, owls, queens, flowers, apples, zebras, elephants, and so much more!
No-sew headbands, belts, and other accessories by Carly J. Bacon
Are you getting tired of wearing the same old accessories over and over again? Try making new headbands, scarves, or jewelry with just a few pieces of fabric or by refreshing some stuff you already have. Each activity in this book provides easy step-by-step instructions to make accessories without picking up a needle and thread.
Lucky Bamboo book of crafts by Jennifer DeCristoforo
Over 100 projects & ideas celebrating Chinese culture.
DIY Tips and Tricks
