Book Review: Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Fun Projects to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.

 

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subject: Crafts, Crafts for Children

ISBN: 9780307954749 | ISBN-10: 0307954749

publisher: Potter Craft | publication date: 6/18/2013

US Edition | Trade Paperback | 352 pages| |

Synopsis:

"Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids focuses on craft projects that children, aged three to twelve, can make with their parents. These projects are fun, yet serve a practical purpose; children can wear, decorate, and play with what they make. Filled with ideas for a range of ages, skill levels, and interests, this book lets children's creativity run wild, while creating precious memories as parents and kids learn and create as a team.

The book is a collection of charming, beautiful, creative and educational crafts projects that parents and kids will love to create together.

Not only are the projects fun, but they also serve a practical purpose: kids can wear, decorate, and play with what they make. Projects include Pipe Cleaner Pals and Paper Bag Puppets (for animal lovers), Water Fireworks and Solar System Bedroom (for little scientists), Elephant Stilts and Carpet-Tile Hopscotch (for the most energetic kiddos), and Schoolwork Scrapbooks and Cereal Box Organizers (to keep all ducks in a row). The book is full color with detailed, photograph instructions; there is also a photo glossary of items needed for a well-stocked craft shelf and a section on basic craft skills like a simple running stitch and papier mache. "

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My Thoughts:

Either you love Martha Stewart or you don't.  But, you have to give her credit for some of the amazing recipes and crafts that she has come up with.  I can't tell you have many times I have tried some of her recipes I have seen on her television show, or from cookbooks I have of hers, that become instant hits and favorites with my family and friends.  And, now that my daughters are getting older, we get to do fun things together like crafting.  My oldest, Savannah, who will be "3" in July, loves having crafting time with Mommy each day while sister naps.  It is not only relaxing for me, as I have always loved to craft, but it is great to see Savannah coming up with creative ways to use different crafting supplies, or tackle a certain craft project. 

Prior to receiving the new book, Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Fun Projects to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share, Savannah and I would mainly do painting, or pre-made craft kits I would pick up at the local craft store or order online.  But, I have been looking for fun craft books that would not have me running to the craft store for each craft, nor be too difficult to enjoy doing with Savannah.  When I first received my review copy of Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Fun Projects to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share, I couldn't get over all the colorful pictures with easy step by step instructions.  Unlike other craft books I have seen in stores, this is a full color craft book, and each and every craft project has photos to go along with the instructions, which I love.  Other books I have looked at were either black and write with limited photos, or really didn't explain the instructions for each craft project that well. 

After reading this craft book cover to cover last week, while the girls and I were still laid up with the nasty upper respiratory infection we have been fighting for a few weeks, I ended up showing the book to Savannah one afternoon and asked her to help me choose a few craft projects she would like to do.  You should have saw her eyes light up as we flipped through each page of this book, which includes 175 kid-friendly crafts.  At first, she kept telling me "This on, that one, this one..." until I told her we needed to choose her top 5 favorite crafts.  And, then, this past weekend, I took Savannah to the local craft store to pick up supplies we would need for each project.  We had so much fun shopping for craft supplies, and when it finally came time to making each craft, we had a blast!

So far, we have done three out of the five craft projects Savannah chose, with the two remaining ones to be done this weekend.  She ended up giving her Nana and Papa the button picture frame she made and I added a recent photo of the girls to.  And then she started a rock band with Arabella after making the tambourine and banjo projects. :-) This weekend we will be doing the "water fireworks" project, as well as the "cornstarch quicksand" project, with Arabella will also be able to enjoy.

Now that school is letting out for the summer, don't get stuck stressing about what to do with the kids on those dreaded rainy days, or when they are under the weather and need to stay indoors and play.  Pick up a copy of Martha Stewart's Favorite Crafts for Kids: 175 Fun Projects to Create, Build, Design, Explore, and Share, and you will be ready to entertain the kiddos without breaking the bank of craft supplies.  Even if you are not a crafty person, you will enjoy creating these fun arts and crafts projects with your children.  I can't wait to try all 175 with the girls! :-)

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.