Creating Cool Kid Stuff: Clever Playthings to Make for Kids

Now moms and dads can get creative making really cool things for their kids! Creating Cool Kid Stuff offers over twenty toys, games and accessories parents can make to delight children from ages 2 to 10. Kids will love playing make-believe with their own puppet theater and a colorful cast of puppets or putting their artistic side to work on a sturdy PVC art easel with a clear acrylic painting board on one side and a blackboard on the other. In addition, we've brought back a few old favorites and given them a new twist, such as beanbag chairs with storage pockets, a foldaway play tent for outdoor or indoor fun, and cute-as-can-be bath-time animal ponchos. Every project was designed by an experienced parent, therefore ease of construction, cost, durability and storage options were definitely factored in! Some projects are designed to help kids learn, some make their lives a little more comfortable, and others are just plain fun. Similar items can be found in expensive specialty stores or catalogs, but they can be created at home for far less with a personal touch that can't be bought. All projects were kid-tested for "coolness". Directions for every project include step-by-step color photos, complete with any necessary patterns. The projects incorporate easy cutting, painting, and gluing techniques, as well as basic sewing and carpentry skills, so anyone can make these items successfully. Materials are readily available at fabric and craft stores, hardware stores, home centers and convenient web sites; a source list is included for finding specialty materials or products that are new on the market.