Everyone knows that the packaging can be more entertaining than what’s inside of it (at least for babies), but I’d say the same is true when it comes to Halloween costumes. Cardboard boxes are sturdy and ripe for creating amazing creations. Here are some of my favorites, some that I’ve made and others that I’ve admired!
I crafted an eco-costume story for Kiwi magazine a few years ago, and this robot (above) was one of them! What you can’t see in this pic is that there are tiny lights around the face opening on the helmet!
This retro TV costumes from Oh Happy Day makes me oh so happy! It’s a total throwback to being a child of the 80s!
I love this costume by my friend Jodi Levine for Parents magazine! Big sis can pull around little sis in the wagon of this cute circus train.
The pool noodle straw makes this juice box cardboard box costume by Mer Mag totally perfect!
Skyscraper Halloween costume? And charming as a storybook to boot! Love this idea from The House that Lars Built.
Here are two two more of the box costumes I made for Kiwi. How cute is that little Amelia Earhart in her plane and fire breathing dragon?!?
Last year my son insisted on a transforming Optimus Prime. I begged him to let me just make the robot, but nope. Not good enough. So here is a video of the final costume!
October 6, 2016
Back to School, Everyday Crafts, STEM, Upcycled
Last week I visited with Shelley Goldberg at NY1 to talk about fun crafts that also have an educational spin to them. If you asked me, all of my projects have a STEAM element to them…kids are building, making decisions, learning about structure, form, and balance. But here are a few that worked well for this short segment.
Among others, I showed two of the DIY Erector Sets from my newest book, Project Kid: Crafts that Go! They are all made with just two materials…
1. Cardboard and duct tape
2. Straws and pipe cleaners
3. Air-dry clay and toothpicks.
The power of crafting does beyond fun…it’s good for the brain cells!
When Halloween rolls around, I feel like a pumpkin hoarder. I gawk at pumpkins from taxi cab windows, I marvel at the ones with no blemishes, and I can’t help talking to the mini ones in a baby voice. Weird, I know, but it stems from my years as a stylist, when the Great Pumpkin Hunt for the most photogenic pumpkin is on!
I’m always attracted to these little dudes because, obv, they are so cute, and you can just pop a few in your purse and whip up a craft later.
When my new, awesomely creative assistant Clare (you’ll be hearing from her on the blog soon enough!) came up with Tic-Tac-Toe pumpkin idea, I knew I wanted to make it happen. So I grabbed 9 jack-be-littles, painted X’s and O’s on the top with acrylic paint, and made a board on the floor with painter’s tape! Or you can throw down some sticks in your backyard and play in the grass—a great game for a fall festival party or backyard Halloween fete.
Here’s a snappy little video I made with the help of my son, Oliver. Enjoy!
All of the DIY possibilities on Halloween can be a little intimidating, right? If you want to add a homemade touch to your child’s candy collecting experience, but don’t have time to craft the costume from head to toe, consider making one of these super-easy Halloween trick-or-treat bags!
1. (Above) Use tape on a simple canvas tote to create a pumpkin, skeleton, or bat. From Parents.com.
2. I love this easy printable iron-on design from Julep! You can get simple canvas totes and iron-on printable paper from Amazon.
3. How adorable is this furry monster bag from Making the World Cuter? And better yet, it’s no sew.
4. Add a handle to this batty bag and it’s the perfect accent to a witch or vampire costume!
5. I love how simple these cute little googly eye bags from About a Mom are! Hot glue big ones to a canvas tote and voila! Insta-cuteness.
Pumpkin decorating very often involves sharp objects, precision, and muscle. If you have little people who are eager to help, those designs are pretty much off limits for anyone under the age of 12.
Here are three, no-carve pumpkin ideas I created for Parents magazine this year that only involve paint, pom-poms, and glue! I guarantee the first-aid kit will not be needed this year! Click over to Parents.com for the simple instructions…and for tons of other amazing Halloween fun!
(Photo by Dane Tashima on Parents.com)
