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Monday, August 9, 2010

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--KIDS STAMPING PARTY

The next time you’re planning a child’s birthday party, think about doing some rubber stamping. This popular craft is a great way to have fun with your child as you prepare for the party and provides great entertainment at the party, too.

Shopping Trip:
Begin by making a trip to the paper goods store. Purchase plain white paper plates, cups, napkins, party hats, goody bags, paper placemats, a paper tablecloth, crepe paper streamers and balloons.

Next, it’s a trip to the crafts store where the birthday child can choose rubber stamps in a party theme. You will also need a selection of stamp pads in various colors (make sure you purchase waterproof, non-toxic ink for decorating the plates and cups; all other ink can be washable but should still be non-toxic), blank note cards with matching envelopes, heavy white paper, fine line markers (again, waterproof and non-toxic for the cups and plates) or colored pencils, and an invitation rubber stamp.

Decide from the various party activities below, and purchase supplies for each.


Invitations:
Using the blank note cards, have your child stamp and decorate the outside of each card and envelope. Use the invitation stamp on the inside of the card. Write in the party information.


Party Prep:
Set aside some time a few days before the party for your child to stamp and color the paper goods. When coloring the napkins, tablecloth, and streamers, make sure the child works lightly to avoid tearing the paper.

Cut heavy white paper to 3” x 4” with pinking shears to make place cards. Fold in half to 1-1/2” x 4”. Stamp and decorate. Write the guest’s name next to the stamped image.

For stamping the balloons you’ll need to use acrylic paint. Make a stamp pad by adding paint evenly to a moistened piece of felt. Blow the balloon up halfway. Hold it steady on a flat surface while your child stamps the image. Continue Blowing the balloon up. Tie with string. Allow the balloon to dry completely. Deflate until party day.


Party Day:
When the guests arrive, have each child stamp and decorate his own party bag, hat, and name tag.

Purchase Fun Buttons or a badge maker for name tags. Let the children stamp and decorate the pre-cut paper circles and add their names before assembling the buttons.

Stickers, bookmarks, and jigsaw puzzles are all great projects to make. You can buy puzzle blanks at your local crafts store. Purchase white stickers in assorted sizes and shapes from an office supply store. Make bookmark blanks by cutting heavy white paper 1-1/2” x 6”. Punch a hole in the top of each. Tie ribbons through the holes after the children have stamped and decorated the bookmarks.

When the party is over, the children will have had an enjoyable time and go home with great party favors.


What types of kids parties have you hosted? Let's hear from you. Post a comment this week to be entered in our Book Club Friday book drawing for a free book from our guest author. -- AP

4 comments:

Kathy said...

Beading parties are also fun. Even the boys like to make necklaces. You can get beads in the shapes of sports balls, skulls and earthtone colors for the boys and glitzy stuff for the girls. Every December I bring in beads for my first grade class to make necklaces for gifts. They usually end up making something for themselves and wearing it to school.

Kttycat said...

That's a pretty neat idea. I like Kathy's idea too!

ANASTASIA POLLACK said...

Great suggestion, Kathy! Thanks for posting it.

Kathye Quick said...

I used to love to stamp. Ran out of time. DId it a lot when my son was pre-teen. He liked the outer space and fantasy stamps.