Looking for kids’ craft ideas? The God Is Fighting For You Stamp Set by Maymay Made It is perfect for kids’ crafts because of its diversity. And for my Design Team Project today, I’m sharing a few ideas that are easy for you to organize ahead of time and easy for kids to do on the spot!
Watch the video tutorial here:
Before you stamp, consider how you and/or the kids will be coloring in the images, or else there will be a big smear-y mess. The ink and the coloring method MUST match. If you plan to use alcohol markers, stamp the images with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (or other water-based dye ink).
If you plan to use watercolors or water-based markers, MAKE SURE to use an archival, permanent stamping ink. For this project, I used archival ink to stamp, and I colored in the kids with a water brush and basic Distress Ink (smooshed on wax paper). This would be easy for kids to do because there is no spill, and messy hands clean up easily with baby wipes.
Use a stamping platform to stamp several images of each of the kids from the God Is Fighting For You Stamp Set. I used 100 lb Alabaster cardstock by Brutus Monroe because of its smooth texture and sturdy weight. Also stamp several sentiments to use for “tent” cards to sit on kids’ tables or for “scenery cards”.
If it fits your theme, stamp several shields and swords, too (one for each stamped kid, plus a few extra). I like how the God Is Fighting For You Stamp Set includes a few words that actually fit inside the shield. Lots of choices!
Then, fussy-cut out all the images you stamped. This will take some time, so make sure to plan ahead. It is best to come into your craft time with the images already cut out. It is NOT recommended to have young CHILDREN cut out these intricate images with scissors as part of the craft time. In fact, although it is not necessary, you may want to consider using a machine like the Brother Scan n’ Cut if you are planning for very large groups, as this stamp set does not have a coordinating die.
Also, consider using a patterned paper collection to bring out more of your theme. Look for a patterned paper collection that has a variety of images in a variety of sizes, like the 12×12 Animal Safari Collection Kit by Echo Park. This collection includes a full-sized sticker sheet, several cut-apart pages, and lots of patterned paper images that can be fussy-cut out. I used one cut apart and one HALF of a piece of patterned paper, and I had MORE than enough to work with for several projects.
Once the kids color in the images (encouraged to look like themselves), the fun really begins!
Craft #1: Name Tags – Use Removable Glue Dots to adhere a kid and an animal to a self-adhesive name tag. Or, make your own name tags from white cardstock. You can use your own adhesive-backing sheets, run the name tags through a sticker maker, or even use clear plastic name tag sleeves. HINT: if you do this craft on day one, you also have a way to take attendance the rest of the week (whoever doesn’t take their name tag is absent).
Craft #2: Table Tags – Use the “tent cards” with the sentiment stamps on each table where kids sit to craft. Kids have an inspiration to look at as they sit in their groups, and they can always find their table! Make the table tags look a little different for each group, and even include kids’ names inside the table tag. Adhere a few animals as decorations, as well.
Craft #3: Puppet Show – Use wooden craft sticks or craft dowels to make little stick puppets with the cut-out kids. Simply use one of the Removable Glue Dots. You can also create little animal puppets the same way with a few cut-out animals from the patterned paper pack.
Create a “stage area” and “backdrop” using patterned paper. I used a cut-apart for the “stage” by jamming my scissors in the center and then fussy-cutting around the middle outline. Then, I used a few glue Removable Glue Dots around the top and sides, placed some skinny wooden dowels on the sticky dots, and I had an instant “stage”!
To make the stage stand up, you can use empty medicine bottles weighted down with marbles or craft stones (I used a few hot glue sticks). For even more fun, you can decorate the medicine bottles to look like trees or other scenery. Then, rest the dowels of the “stage” inside the weighted medicine bottles.
Create a backdrop with a piece of patterned paper. The 12×12 Animal Safari Collection Kit by Echo Park has a few pieces that are PERFECT for a backdrop. Adhere to a foam board or poster board to place at the back of the “stage area”. Or, just use a few glue dots to adhere the scenery sheet to a tent-fold piece of 100 lb Alabaster cardstock, and it will stand up on its own.
Make “scenery cards” the same way you made “table cards”. These can be made with cut-aparts, sentiment stamps from the stamp set, more animals, more stationary scenery…whatever fits your theme. As the puppet show continues, you can “change the scenery” by turning the cards around or completely changing them out.
The puppet show can be an effective craft that builds up throughout the week and then each group of kids can share on the last day. Imagine each group of kids sharing their experiences and testimonies puppet-show style!
This stamp set and this patterned paper pack coordinates PERFECTLY with so many Vacation Bible School and summer camp themes! PLUS, if you use a removable or repositionable adhesive, you can re-use items left behind when the week is over.
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