Gone are the days of creative thinking and imagination. As the shelves of our local toy stores fill with more and more electronic devises like PSP’s, DS Systems, and the Wee, more and more parents are ditching their ancient arts and crafts supplies and investing in a future of artificial intelligence and mental over-stimulation for their little boys and girls. Some are spending money they don’t have and encouraging a life of immediate gratification void of physical interaction, and wondering why their children seem so desensitized by life. But who says children don’t like hand made toys anymore? And what child doesn’t still get filled with pride and joy at the sight of a fantastically cool game, craft or toy they made all by themselves?
It was less than a week ago that my 11 year old son and his friends found themselves home from school due to a passing snow storm that left several inches on our neighborhood lawns. Too cold to go out, and too bored to stay in, my son and his friends created countless mundane ways to compete on their electronic entertainment systems and revisit a continually disappointing cabinet of healthy snacks throughout the morning hours. Bearing witness to this modern atrosity, I gathered up my stash of fabrics, trims, crafts and other tid bit supplies and called the boys to the kitchen table for some good old fashion fun.
Finger puppets would be the project of the afternoon, and with a little felt, fabric glue, plastic eyes, yarn and some great decorating stuff, I set the doubtful yet willing pre-teens off to create uniquely wonderful works of art for at least an hour or two of five finger fun. From a puppet that looks like their favorite entertainer, favorite animal, or that fabulous face in the mirror. And with that, I left three pre-teen children to their own device. The end result….some really cool finger puppets for three gloating boys who haven’t forgotten how to have some good old fashion finance free fun ……without electrical interference.
To create your own felt crafts like the finger puppet project mentioned above, check out the following family friendly websites: www.allfreecrafts.com or www.familyfun.com, and then visit us at https://www.jandofabrics.com/index.htm for our great selection of colorful felt fabric. Available in 72″ widths, our 100% acrylic felt is the perfect material for a plethora of craft ideas.
Check out our selection of fun childrens’ fabric here!
Check out our large selection of great novelty fabric here!
Until next time, this is Consumer Savvy Carol signing off!
Posts by J&O Fabrics Store
