The website for Topsham School Devon

Craft ideas

Some fun arty ideas to try at home.

Make your own play dough

Ingredients

1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
half a cup of salt
food colouring (optional)
a grown-up to help you

Method 1 - Saucepan

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan at a low heat. Stir continously until the mixture thickens to a firm dough texture.

Method 2 - Microwave

Place all the ingredients in a plastic container and cook for one and a half minutes in a microwave. Stir the mixture and microwave again for one minute.

Chinese Lantern

What you need:

Paper (2 colours)
Glue or stapler
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

What to do:

Fold a sheet of A4 paper in half lengthwise.

Draw a line about 2cm from the top of the paper at the open side.

Cut a line from the folded end to the line you have drawn every 2cm.

Unfold the paper.

Roll it into a tube and glue or staple in position.

Press down on top.

Roll a tube from a different colour of paper and glue it inside.

Tape a strip of paper on as a handle.

Puppet Theatre

You will need:

shoe box or similar small box,
card, small objects as stage props,
fabric
and a short garden cane.

1. Turn your box on its side. Ask an adult to cut some slots down the sides for the puppets to slide in and out, and a narrow slot at the

back of the top for the back drops to drop in.

2. Paint the inside and outside (or cover it with paper).

3. Cut a piece of fabric that is a little bit bigger than the front of the box. Glue one long edge and wrap this edge round the garden cane so that it sticks out a little each end (an adult may need to cut it to size for you). Glue the other long edge to the top of the box.

4. When the glue is dry you can roll the curtain up and down.

5. Decide what show you will put on. Cut some card to slide down the hole at the back. Paint a scene such as: a wood, a cottage kitchen,

a castle or a jungle on each side. Paint as many scenes as you need for the show.

6. Draw and colour the characters on card, the right size to slide in and out of the sides. Stick onto long strips of card. (enlarge the ones below if you like)

7. Practice the story, moving the scenes and characters at the right times. You may need someone to help. It also helps if someone else reads or tells the story. You could record this onto a tape in

advance and even add sound effects and music. Now you are ready for your performance!

8. Invite an audience. Rollup the curtain and rest it on the top of the box. Slide in the first scene and characters and begin.