Review: Crayola Crafts Series from Lerner

978-1-5415-1098-2

$27.99

978-1-5415-1100-2

$27.99

Explore science, the outdoors, and more with these Crayola crafts! Easy-to-follow instructions and photos guide readers. QR codes for each project link to a digital landing page showing more detailed steps and photos.

I looked at these over Labor Day weekend, when the three oldest had gone off to a friend's house and the younger two were tired of playing with each other. The art projects included mostly require a parent to at least get things started, but they vary in involvement: from simple tracing objects around the house to creating entire costumes, in "Boredom-Busting Crafts". Shane and Grace tried the tracing activity, turning plastic silverware into silly families.

Shane branched out to tracing other shapes, while Grace stuck with drawing.

I think they both turned out pretty well!

A few of the projects required Crayola products, notably Model Magic clay (even more so in the second title). Not too surprising considering the publisher, but something to be aware of. Each project included a QR code to see more steps or ideas, but there was no way given to access those without a cell phone, which was disappointing.

The projects in "Fun Science Crafts" were a little less "doable" from the standpoint of things found around the house. They were more art-about-science than art-teaching-science, as well. I found the first title something parents or teachers might find easily accessible and actually do projects from, the second not so much (unless you had a lot of clay n hand you were dying to use up!)

Other titles in this series that I did not view: 

Crayola Outside Crafts

Crayola Super Easy Crafts

Review: Mini Makers series by Rebecca Felix

9781512426359

9781512426328

This is a series with Medium Guy written all over it! He LOVES tiny things, from bugs to miniature spools of thread, storing them on shelves and in similarly tiny containers all over his room.

The introduction to Mini Decorating invokes elves and pixies, imagining what their tiny houses might look like. I immediately thought of pairing this with a family read-aloud of any of the Littles books by John Peterson (many of which are, annoyingly, out of print). Tiny tool suggestions are also covered at the beginning, as is the need for PATIENCE.

Some teeny crafts go back to the good old days (miniature teapot and cups from acorns), while others (mini lamps that really light up) bring a more modern flair to your fairy's abode. I can see the mini terrariums being a popular library program!

Mini Wearables is just what it says. Ideas range from the clip-on creatures figured on the cover, to painting your own beads, to a paper-folding domino bracelet (remember folding gum wrappers into chains? I never could get the hang of that! I was not one of the cool kids.) Jewelry is featured heavily, but the tiny book keychains are a bit different, and another possible program craft that could appeal to a wider range of patrons.

The crafts are all doable and fairly unique, instructions are clear and appropriately illustrated with photographs. Other titles in the series include Mini Holiday Crafts and Mini Science Fun, both of which we have ordered. A solid addition anywhere you have crafty kids!