Hands On Crafts for Kids

Trace and cut patterns from felt for the character you choose. To make the body cut 1/2" off the end of the tube. Glue shirt, pants, collar, and tie for a boy, or blouse, legs, skirt and collar for a girl. Cut 2 arms from felt. Wrap one sleeve around each arm, overlapping on the underside. Glue one sleeve on each side of the shirt, slanting slightly towards the front. Glue shoes on inside of tube then bend forward.
To make head, turn a 23/4" piece of nylon tube (stocking) wrong side out. Gather one edge and tie tightly with thread. Trim ends. Turn right side out. Pull nylon tightly around foam egg then gather at the pointed end. Tie tightly with thread. Push pins in place for eyes. Dust cheeks with powdered blush.
To make boy's hair wrap yarn 40 times around a 6" piece of cardboard. Remove yarn then tie the strands together in the center. Do not cut loops. Arrange the hair on head with center of strands at the top of the head. Glue in place. To make girl's hair, wrap yarn around 8" cardboard. Remove and tie with yarn in the center. Cut loops. Arrange on top of head. Trim ends evenly then glue in place. Glue a bow on each side of the head or make your own hairstyle. Glue the head to the top of the tube. Glue craft stick at the center of inside back of tube.
Following these basic instructions you can make lots of different characters. Use curly hair instead of yarn, add a beard or mustache or change the color of nylon for different skin tones. You can even make animals! For a simple stage, use a colorful folder and stand it on end.

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