Three Summer Arts & Crafts Projects: Flip-Flop Journal, Marbled Paper & Stained Glass

Three Summer Arts & Crafts Projects: Flip-Flop Journal, Marbled Paper & Stained Glass
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“I’m bored!” must be one of the most dreaded phrases in the English language for parents and teachers. These three summer arts and crafts projects keep kids entertained and can stave off the frustration for the adults in their lives, be that parents, camp counselors, or daycare providers. Each project also makes a memorable souvenir of a great summer.

Shaving Cream Marbled Paper

Materials

  • Shaving cream
  • Stamp pad ink (several coordinating colors)
  • Cardstock
  • Plastic fork
  • Paper towels

This project makes fun, unique paper for writing notes about summer adventures, covering journals or photo albums, or making pinwheels.

Cover the work surface with several layers of paper towels or old bath towels.

Fill a disposable foil broiler pan with shaving cream. Add a few drops of each ink color across the surface of the shaving cream. Use the fork to swirl the ink around the pan.

Carefully place a sheet of cardstock on the surface of the inked shaving cream. Press lightly to be sure that the entire sheet makes contact with the surface.

Slowly peel the paper from the shaving cream and place it on the work surface. Blot the excess shaving cream from the paper with paper towels. Allow the ink to dry thoroughly before using the paper. To make note cards, cut the stock in half; fold each half with the inked side out.

Use the same shaving cream to print more sheets, occasionally swirling the fork through again to redistribute the ink.

“Stained Glass” Summer Symbols

Materials

  • Waxed paper
  • Crayons
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Iron (low heat setting)
  • Black construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Tear a sheet of waxed paper about twice as large as the finished design. Tear another, smaller sheet for the crayon shavings.

Use the pencil sharpener to make shavings from several crayons. Sprinkle the shavings around half of the first waxed sheet; fold the other half over the shavings.

Place a sheet of paper toweling over the waxed paper to protect the iron’s surface; press the paper to melt the crayon shavings and seal the waxed paper.

When the “glass” has cooled, trace summer symbols such as a sun, fish, lighthouse, or flower on the sheet. Cut on the tracing lines.

Use the waxed cutout as a template to trace the design on the black construction paper. Draw a line about 1/2 inch inside the tracing. Cut on both lines to make a frame of the design. (This will be the “leading” on the “stained glass.) Glue the black frame on the waxed paper design, and hang the project in a window.

Flip-flop Journal or Scrapbook

Materials

  • Flip flops
  • Copy paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Ribbon, trim and embellishments

Remove the thong straps from one of the shoes. Cut off the round buttons; glue them back into the holes on the shoe to make a solid sole.

Fold a sheet of copy paper in thirds, fan-style, so that the widest part of the flip-flop touch the folds.

Trace the shoe onto the paper; cut on the traced lines. You should have a series of flip-flop shapes, much like a string of paper dolls. Glue one end to the bottom of the shoe that still has the straps attached; glue the other end of the paper string to the top of the other flip-flop.

Use ribbons, braid, buttons, charms, and other embellishments to decorate the new book. Add text and pictures of your beach vacation for a unique reminder of summer fun!

When the weather is too hot for playing outside, summer arts and crafts give everyone an alternative to video games and television. Keep everyone happy and busy while creating great summer gifts, as well.