Tutorial - How to Make a Piranha Softie

A simple piranha softie kids can make

Tutorial at Coloured Buttons Blog

"Some weeks ago Spotlight asked me to create a simple piranha softie kids can sew for Aaron Blabey’s book Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas. I loved the personality of the piranha and designed a simple softie of his character. This softie really is easy to sew…it’s made from only two pieces of felt…and it makes a great activity for mums to sew with or for their kids".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Music Shaker

Pom-poms and paint add color for fun

Tutorial at Soldaeira Blog

"Music is a great way to learn and have fun. Trying new sounds or repeating rhythms are activities that  stimulate cognitive development. And so does handcrafting! This project joins both ends, it's the children that build their own instrument. Ready? Let's do it! First, put some tape on the stick to separate the colors of the paint. I used three different colors and let it dry".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Watermelon Softie

You'll be surprised at how easy it really is to sew

Tutorial at Coloured Buttons Blog

"This watermelon softie has just been published in the new summer edition of Casa Creativa and Sew A Softie day seemed the perfect opportunity for me to post it here also. It’s not quite as easy as my little felt zenkis like Millie but it’s still a very simple and straightforward softie to sew and really fun to make by yourself or with your kids…although I’m not sure if my little kitty’s terribly impressed".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Sew a Mini Monster

Tutorial includes photos and downloadable PDF

Tutorial at Easy Sewing for Beginners Blog

"I have a love of all things monsters. Mainly cute squishy ones. I have a great collection of monster stuff over on my Monster Inspiration Pinterest board (there’s over 1200 pins on it now ). This led me to develop a monster softie pattern. May I introduce the Mini Monster Mate! He’s super simple to sew, which makes it great for beginning sewers".... Read more

Tutorial - Make a Travel Chalk Board Roll

Fun activity for children during long car rides

Tutorial at Wesens-Art Blog

"Traveling can be very boring for kids / toddlers. Whether in a plane, car, train or hotel - this travel chalkboard can be used everywhere! It is easy to make one, and most of the things I've used I had at home".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Soft Stuffed Fabric Ball

Use up colorful scraps in this fun project

Tutorial at Nina Makes Blog
 

"These Stuffed Fabric Balls are an excellent scrap busting project!  Not only can you use the littlest pieces of scrap fabric you can stuff them with scraps too.  And also a great little gift to sew for boys or girls and I think a baby would love one too!  You could even add a few folded pieces of ribbon as in my Baby Taggie Blanket/Comforter Tutorial for that texture little ones love exploring"....Read More

Tutorial - How to Make a Toy Softie

Simple, flexible, and full of creative possibility

Tutorial at Coloured Buttons Blog

"Initially, Sew-a-Softie day posed a design problem for me: how to design a softie that was really really simple-to-make but was flexible and full of creative possibilities. I came up with my Zenkidus. A Zenkidu is a softie that involves only two pieces of felt and some stuffing. They can be any shape but my first Zenki was square, and the tutorial I am giving here is based on a square Zenki because it’s an easy shape for first-time sewers to sew. And of course, every Zenki is an individual and must have a name. The little sweetie below, and the star of this tutorial, is Millie".... Read more

Tutorial - Make an Ocean Sensory Bin for Child Play

Toy develops imagination and supports creativity

Tutorial at Frogs and Fairies Blog

"In these hot summer days, playing in or around water is more than just fun, plus you can have your little piece of the seaside right in your home, garden or balcony!  All you need to make a fun ocean sensory bin adventure, is a large PVC container and a few accessories like stones/rocks, plants, sea shells, plastic animal toys, Legos, pearls or whatever you have on hand that’s appropriate to use in this case and would be fun to include in the game".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Marble Maze

Enjoy designing and playing with a DIY maze

Tutorial at Frogs and Fairies Blog

"Do you or your kids love to play with marbles? Or maybe solving mysterious mazes? What’s even more fun is a maze made especially for marbles! I should probably warn you, building a maze like this might captivate even adults and before you know it, you could all end up playing with it".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Sponge Water Bombs

Reusable and leave your yard clean from broken balloon bits

Tutorial at Live Randomly Simple Blog

"One thing I love about summer is all of the fun you can have outside. There are so many more kids activities during the summer and this is one of our favorites! We love a good water balloon fight, but with these water sponge bombs you don’t have to be constantly filling up balloons and picking up tiny pieces all through your yard. As an added bonus, these sponge bombs are so easy to make! We picked up a package of sponges, a mop refill and some handi wipes reusable cloths and some zip ties".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Crochet a Toy Chicken

Crochet a toy for your kids (or yourself!)

Tutorial at Akamatra Blog

"In my last post I showed you the Japanese amigurumi doll I made for my god-daughter. Well, she has a little sister and I needed to make her a little something too. So I made her a small chicken for her to play with.  didn't really like the crochet patterns of chicken I found online so I made one for myself. It's very easy and can be used as the basis for many animals. I intend to make many more animals with it so stay tuned".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make an I Spy with My Little Eye Toy

Choose small toys with rounded corners so as not to rip the bag

Tutorial at Sew Simple Blog

"Sew discoverer pillow is fun: you can they whim fill. They are simply brilliant: fit into a purse, helping to bridge waiting times and long car rides, practice hand-eye coordination - and are simply beautiful! Yet this you can simply do it all yourself. Filled with polystyrene they are also lightweight".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Sew a Pretend Tea Bag

Re-purpose vintage embroidered linens if you have them

Tutorial at Anna's Heirloom Boutique Blog

"Rainy weather keeps little ones inside. You need a fun activity that keeps her imaginative wheels turning.  What’s more perfect (and girly) than a pretend tea party? You’ve got the pretend teapot, cups, saucers, and napkins. But what about the pretend tea bags?  Pretend tea bags are super easy to make and they are a great way to use up those fabric scraps leftover from other projects".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Whimsical Tiny House

Can be a child's toy or add an LED light for a night light

Tutorial at XOXO Grandma Blog

"You are in for a treat with this project, because although it took me a while to create, this fairy house now tops my list of favorite creations! So who is ready to have more fun than you can imagine creating this gem using a shrunken sweater, a corn meal container and a few odds and ends from around your house".... Read more

Tutorial - Make a Pom Pom Cat Toy

Make them sturdy and fail-proof for use in any creation

Tutorial at Akamatra Blog

"This is a very basic, very easy tutorial on how to make pom poms with a pom pom maker, but with a little twist! You see I love pom poms and ever since I bought my pom pom makers, making them is the easiest thing ever! Seriously! All my Christmas gift wrapping had a pom pom on it! I love them!  However, they don't always stay in shape! I mean, they have the tendency to fall apart little by little. If you've ever made one you know what I mean. Well, I needed really sturdy pom poms to give to Mini the cat to play, and the last thing I needed is having them fall apart as soon as he puts them in his mouth! That's a NO thank you".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Your Own Momster

Make a one-of-a-kind lovable stuffie

Tutorial at A Crafty Mix Blog

"What could be more fun than making a little Momster that’s totally hug-able, easy to sew with endless possibilities for you to create your own unique lovable version. What you need to make a Momster: 60 x 60 cm medium-weight woven cotton or fleece or any other material that’s soft an cuddly for the body, 30 x 20 cm contrasting material for the arms, Black wool and embroidery needle".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Festive Burlap Crackers

A fun way to present tiny gifts

Tutorial at A Crafty Mix Blog

"Christmas just wouldn’t be the same if there were no crackers. First made around 1840, they’ve become part of our festive celebrations in sunny South Africa. These burlap Christmas crackers are so easy to make and you can put your own special Christmas message and personalized gifts inside".... Read more

Tutorial - Make Kindness Elves and Mailbox

Fun way to teach children about being kind

Tutorial at Plenty of Paprika Blog

"I guess I expected too much from Elf on the Shelf. I think it happens to everyone. I hoped that a fun, creative way of having an elf around would encourage my kids to behave a bit better and would save me some lectures.  Of course that was the easy way out, trusting a doll to take care of my parenting responsibilities.  I was already debating before Thanksgiving  whether we should have our Elf on the Shelf return again this year. It just felt like the return was not worth the time I put in it. But, my youngest son loved the creative and fun idea of having an elf around"..... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Scrappy Stuffed Cat Toy

Gift idea for babies, children, and cat lovers of all ages

Tutorial at Sew Toy Blog

"In the process of creation of every new toy, while I am drawing a draft on a paper, when trying out different face expressions, or while I am combining pieces of fabric and sewing them together, the toy starts to create its own character. I never know what I will end up with at the end. It is like that they have their own life; I just help them to come alive. Does this happen to you too?  This is exactly how I created my new softie friend Bernie the Cat".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Friendly Monster Toy

Simple and fun sewing project suitable for beginning sewers

Tutorial at Sew Toy Blog

"I like little monsters, but not the scary ones, only the kind, friendly ones. Especially I love little baby monsters that are colorful, happy, and a little bit mischievous. I love their big eyes, being aware of every opportunity to play around and a big happy smile showing off their first sharp milky teeth. They are not so different from my own two little monsters when their eyes sparkle full of fun ideas".... Read more