Thanks to Lynn Jordan (our wonderful craft tester – she tests all of our craft suggestions with kids) for sharing these tips that should help as you plan your crafts rotation for 2010!
Day 1
Branded Magnet
Time: 9-11 minutes
♦ Use aluminum cookie sheets.
♦ Use 3 layers of heavy foil in a frame.
♦ Remind the kids to use large, simple designs for their brands.
♦ Make sure self-adhesive magnetic strip is not placed over any holes.
♦ Canning or juice lids may be used with a hammer and nail.
Kids say: “I liked it a lot”, “Hard, but fun”

Wrangler Door Hanger
Time: 9-12 minutes
♦ You might consider a pre-cut foam or wooden door hanger as an option.  Pictures could be attached to the front with rope glued around to frame.
Kids say:  “Love it”, “Easy”,  “Fun”, “This just wasn’t fun to me” (5th grader)

Leather ID Band – Favorite for Day 1
Time: 12-17 minutes
Kids say:  “Fun” “Too hard” (1st grader), “It was a cool craft.”

Day 2
Bible Saddle Bag
Time:  15-20 minutes
♦ Faux leather appointment book covers or wallpaper samples could be less expensive options.
Kids say:” I’ll put this on my Bible.”

Campfire Memo Pad
Time:  19-22 minutes
♦ Red, orange and yellow tissue paper can be used to make the flame on the fire.  You can cut out multiple shapes at a time or just let kids use a 3- by 3-inch square and shape into a flame before gluing.
♦ We also tried real sticks instead of the paper cut outs. They needed tacky glue. Children can paint over their campfire with the Mod Podge® glue to give it the decoupage look.
Kids say:  “Very easy.” “I liked it a lot.” “Cool.”

Buckaroo Bandanna – Favorite for Day 2
Time:  11-18 minutes
♦ When you glue the bubble wrap around the tube leave a little of the tube at each end to provide handles.
♦ Cut squares from inexpensive cloth.
Kids say:  “I loved it!” “Very, very fun.”

Day 3
Hobby Horse Pencil Topper
Time:  9-11 minutes
♦ Be sure the glue is dry before you put the topper on a pencil.
♦ Remind the kids to hold the end of the twine while they pull the needle through.
♦ Use wooly yarn for younger kids.
Kids say: “I love it!” “My Grandmother is the only one in our family who knows how to knit.”  “Tell the teachers to use soft needles.”

ABC Dangler
Time:  15-20 minutes
♦ Use die-cut circles, adjusting the size if necessary.
♦ Remind kids that the holes are top and bottom, not left and right.
NOTE:  This test identified a problem with our craft instructions (incorrect twine length) that was updated in the curriculum – These comments were made about the craft before the twine length was corrected:
Kids say:  “This was the worst craft in the history of the world!!” “I didn’t like this craft at all.”

Starry Switch Cover – Favorite for Day 3
Time:  13-17 minutes
♦ Colored letters are easier to see to peel them off.
♦ Don’t press letters too firmly.
♦ Black switch plates can be ordered if you want to skip the spray paint step. Local electricians can order them wholesale for about 25 cents each.
Kids say:  “Really fun.” “I enjoyed it a lot.”, “Awesome!” “Very, very, very…fun!”

Day 4
Ranch Hand Reminder – Kid’s favorite for Day 4
Time: 7-10 minutes
♦ It was very difficult for the children to make the coils of wire.
♦ Star-shaped paper clips would be another option.
Kids say:  “Easy.”  “OK.”

Belt Buckle Mouse Pad
Time: 14-23 minutes
♦ Each buckle needs a whole sheet of foam.
♦ Foam markers don’t work on the glittered foam.
♦ Remind the children not to pull the cord too tight.
Kids say:  “I liked this a lot.”

Cowboy Confetti Bible Marker
Time: 7-9 minutes
♦ Use clear packing tape instead of contact plastic.
♦ Let the kids put the confetti on the adhesive, then place the bookmark on top.
♦ Trim edges instead of turning excess to the back.
Kids say:  “Awesome!”

Day 5
Cricket Caller  - Kid’s favorite for Day 5
Time:  6-11 minutes
♦ Wooden beads were pretty irregular, and some skewers are thicker than others.  Some beads wouldn’t fit over the skewer.
♦ Pony beads also worked.
Kids said:  “Very, very easy.” “I liked it.” “Easy and I liked it a lot.”

Saddle Ridge Memory Book
Time:  12-15 minutes
♦ The star-shaped brad didn’t work well.
♦ Bind the memory book using a stick and elastic band.
Kids said: “Not the best, but fun.” “Dumb.” (2nd grade boy) “Easy, but not fun.”

Tin Punch Lanterns
Time:  8-10 minutes
♦ Cut before painting.  The pliers and snips scrape the paint off.
♦ Water bottles were really hard for the children to punch & have a bump in the bottom that won’t allow the tea light to sit flat.
♦ We couldn’t get anyone to confirm if the spray paint was flammable or not.
Kids said:  “I liked it.” “I love it!” “Way too hard.” (1st grader)  “Hard, but fun.”