party peeks: crafting with kids

Isn’t it fun to act like a kid sometimes? That’s just what we did on Valentine’s Day weekend by having a kid-centric crafting party! Four of our close girlfriends have daughters that are all around 6-7 years so it’s really fun to get all the girls together and make stuff!

I came up with a few projects in advance that all used some common materials and that crafty kids could do on their own or with some light assistance from the adults. One project was paper flowers made out of cupcake and candy wrappers, colored card stock and coffee stirrers. We also made candy holders out of decorated toilet paper rolls that Heidi named “Candy Dudes”. Bowls of candy like M&Ms, conversation hearts, chocolate kisses and jelly beans were brought out to fill the “Dudes” with your own custom mixture.

To make the crafting activities easier, I made a huge table in the middle of the living room out of a hollow core door, wrapped in brown kraft paper. The door was set on top of 2 large plastic storage bins and was the perfect height for all of us (big & little kids) to sit on the floor and work together.

I find it so fascinating to watch how each kid approaches making things. Some of the girls just dove in and started crafting, others wanted more help. Everyone of them ended up modifying the original projects and coming up with their own variations. I love that!

Lunch & sweets were served in the dining room before the crafting started. Heidi made these beautiful (and delicious) raspberry and pear mini pies, as well as red velvet cupcakes. I made big, soft pretzels as my first foray into bread making and I am thrilled to say that they were a success!

All in all it was a super fun afternoon, a perfect way to celebrate friendship (and love) on Valentine’s day weekend!

-Susie