The resurgence of crafts in all its forms is one of the big trends of the day; the internet is awash with websites suggesting patterns, ideas, images and inspiration for a whole new generation of crafters to get busy and make something themselves, whether its toys, clothes, art, games or gifts.
Project Kid: 100 Ingenious Crafts for Family Fun by Amanda Kingloff taps into the burgeoning kids' craft movement, pitched at parents who want to pass on the spark of creativity and give their children a brilliant set of skills and interests. At the root of it all is the idea of teaching children to entertain themselves with whatever comes to hand; a sure fire recipe for a happy childhood and happy household.
Amanda Kingloff's new book will take the nimble fingered and patient on a journey through 100 different projects, ranging from toilet roll trains to robot money boxes. The book assumes you have a handy drawer or cupboard, stuffed full with all the building blocks of a successful craft session (a helpful crib sheet of essential bits and bobs is included), and then sets you off with helpful step-by-step photographs of every stage.
We found it was best to use the book for inspiration, rather than trying to ape the neatly finished examples in the pictures – it only induced frustration when things didn't go exactly to plan. That said, the children loved looking through the book and picking their favourite projects. "I want to make everything," said Pippa (six), keen to reach for the glue and coloured paper there and then.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Workman Publishing, Project Kid