Chore Dice!

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	Paper
	Scissors
	Pen or pencil
	Glue
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. To make each cube, transfer the pattern shown here onto stiff paper or card stock (or you can print a template).

2. Next, write one household chore in each square. For extra fun, you can also label some of the squares "Free" (for a day off), "Choice" (to let players pick their own jobs), or "Trade" (to let the roller swap one task for a job belonging to another family member).

3. Cut out the shape and fold along the dotted lines. Dot the tabs with glue and form the paper into a cube, pressing together the tabs and faces to secure them in place. Let the glue dry. Repeat with more cubes for more tasks, if needed.

4. On your next chore day, take turns tossing the dice until all the jobs have been assigned.

Princess Belle's Crown

On the night the Beast planned to confess his love, Belle descended from the west wing wearing a gorgeous glittery gown. Taken by her beauty, the Beast grew timid, but Belle ushered him into the ballroom where the two swept across the floor arm-in-arm as Mrs. Potts and Chip looked on. Adorned with a delicate paper flower, this golden felt tiara is made to match this destined princess' flowing yellow dress.

You'll need:

* Belle's Crown templates
* Scissors
* Yellow stiff felt
* White glitter felt (the kind that's stiff)
* Hot glue gun
* 7 small, clear acrylic gems
* Paper flower (look for them in the scrapbooking aisle of the craft store) or cloth flower
* Cloth-covered headband

Instructions:

1. Print out the template and cut out the pieces. Use the smaller one as a pattern to cut out a crown shape from the yellow felt and the larger one to cut a crown shape from the white glitter felt.
2. Glue the yellow crown atop the white one, as shown.
3. Glue the acrylic gems to the crown, centering them in the upper points and the lower corners.
4. Now glue the lower edge of the crown to the headband, starting in the center and working your way out to the ends.
5. Finally, glue on the flower, centering it on the face of the crown.

Edible Bracelets

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	O-shaped cereal
	Cereal Straws (tube-shaped snacks from the cereal aisle)
	Red licorice lace

1. Be a trendsetter by threading O-shaped cereal and Cereal Straws onto a length of red licorice lace (we snapped the straws into 1-inch pieces). Then tie the lace around a wrist as a fashionable snack.

Walking-Tall Stilts

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	Hammer
	Nails
	Phillips screwdriver
	Several feet of 3/8-inch cotton rope
	Two large, matching tin cans, opened at one end only. (Coffee cans and 28-ounce fruit cans work well.)
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Lay each can on its side on a hard work surface. Use a hammer to flatten any jagged edges along the inner rim. If you're using coffee cans, replace the plastic covers.

2. On the side of one of the cans, make a mark an inch from either end. Make a similar mark on the opposite side of the can. Do the same with the second can.

3. Use the hammer and the nail to punch holes through the cans where marked. With the screwdriver, widen the holes to about 1/2 inch. Again, use the hammer to tap down sharp edges.

4. Cut two pieces of rope that measure three times the length from your child's knee to the floor. Attach a rope to each can by threading the ends through the holes from the outside. Tie overhand knots in the rope ends. Then, pull the rope taut so the knots rest against the insides of the can.

Tips:
When using her stilts, your child should wear rubber-soled shoes to avoid slipping off. At first, she may need some help from you stepping up onto the tops of the cans and balancing there on the balls of her feet. Once she's comfortable, she can grip the ropes as she would two bucket handles, straighten her legs and start walking.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

What you'll need:

• Pine cone
• Paper plate
• Butter knife
• Smooth peanut butter
• Birdseed
• Ribbon or yarn
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder.
2. Tie the ribbon in a knot around the pine cone near the top (about 3 sections down).
3. Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon.
4. Use the knife to get a large clump of peanut butter on the paper plate.
5. Use the knife to spread peanut butter inside the pine cone and around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the birdseed over the pine cone.
7. Roll the pine cone in the birdseed that is on the plate.
8. Hang the bird feeder on the tree.
9. Enjoy watching the birds eat their treat!

Recipe Dish Towels

"Recipe" dish towel best for ages 6 and up

Ask your kids what food Grammy or Papa makes that they like best and you'll probably get an answer pretty quickly. Ask them how they think it's made, though, and things get a little more interesting: Those magic cooking sprinkles and fairy wings may prove hard to find ...

With your child, pick a favorite dish that a favorite relative makes.

Have your child use the crayons to draw a picture of the food, covering as much of the paper as possible but leaving room for the recipe. Then she can write (or you can write for a younger child) her version of the recipe, including ingredients and directions. You can ask her to sign and date it too. (No corrections from Mom or Dad, please — if she thinks that dumplings are made from cotton balls, go with it.)

Take the paper to a copy shop (call ahead to make sure they do iron-ons) and have an iron-on transfer made at 50 percent of the size (about $10).

If the copy shop has a heat press, you can have them iron on the transfer there (about $18). Or an adult can iron it on at home.

Love Bug Pin

What you'll need:

• Plastic spoon
• Plaster of paris
• Small wiggle eyes
• Paint (assorted colors)
• Pin back
• Clear acrylic spray or glaze
• White craft glue
• Newspaper
  

How to make it:

1. You will need one plastic spoon and pin back per pin.
2. Lay out the plastic spoons on the newspaper.
3. Mix the plaster of paris in a small bowl per instructions on the container. (See image.)
4. Place the plaster into the well of the spoons and level with a butter knife. (See image.) Let them stand for a minute or two, then gently press/place pin back (or magnet) into the plaster. Let dry completely (a minimum of 30 minutes, longer is better). (See image.)
5. Pop plaster out of spoons by pressing the outer edges of the spoon. With butter knife, smooth the edges of the form. Place on to the newspaper.
6. Paint bugs however you like and let dry.
7. Glue wiggle eyes on to your bug, let dry.
8. Spray with acrylic sealer or glaze.
   

Tips:

• Allow smaller children to paint with cotton swabs while older children use paintbrushes.
• Pin to a silk flower to give as a gift.
• Plaster of paris is available at your local craft supply store and makes a LOT of projects!