Crafts that use a laminator?

February 5, 2014 11:25 AM

I'm looking for ideas for crafts that use a laminator for my 8-year old daughter's birthday party this weekend. Although most of the guests will be girls, we will have two boys, so the activity should be of interest to both sexes. Many thanks for your help!
posted by Dragonness to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

Best answer: Every year for her classroom, my mom has her fourth graders each decorate their own desk nametag. She writes their name very neatly in sharpie on some cardstock, and they color in the rest however they want. The trick is that they have to use crayons and have to use a heavy hand. She runs them through the laminator (which is warm, obviously) and it bleeds the crayon really nicely. It's a good effect (you can sell it to the kids as tie-dye drawing!) and the kids always love it.
posted by phunniemee at 11:28 AM on February 5, 2014

Perhaps making trading cards? There are templates online and you can do it for Superheros, or some other theme. Then, once done, have them laminated and then kids can keep them.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:29 AM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bookmarks!
posted by mattbucher at 11:30 AM on February 5, 2014

Keychains! My younger son is 7 and it is ridiculous how many keychains he and his friends attach to their backpacks. Keychain split rings are really cheap at craft stores and you can just punch holes in the laminated creations.
posted by selfmedicating at 11:36 AM on February 5, 2014

Get lanyards and make VIP birthday party passes? You can put their pictures on there, too.
posted by feistycakes at 11:36 AM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]

Make pretend drivers licenses.
posted by oceanjesse at 11:50 AM on February 5, 2014 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Placemats.
posted by Madamina at 12:25 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: You can shave some crayons between the laminating sheets. Put through laminator. Cut into fun shapes. Instant stained glass bookmark. Bonus points for punching a hole in the top and threading yarn through.

Be careful, you don't need much wax.
posted by kathrynm at 12:56 PM on February 5, 2014

Secret Identity Cards - each child should make an ID for their secret superhero identity.
Transport cards - but not for the real subway/transit system in your area, somewhere imaginary like narnia or Candyland or wherever is of interest to kids these days.
If you have magnet tape or some cheapy magnets (like the local pizza place gives out maybe) make laminated magnets.

Pinterest has some ideas too!
posted by pointystick at 1:34 PM on February 5, 2014

Response by poster: Lots of great ideas, thank you! My daughter loved using crayon shavings plus glitter to decorate images and then laminate and create bookmarks (or placemats), so I guess we have a hybrid of several of your suggestions. I liked all of them but am marking her faves as best answers. :-)
posted by Dragonness at 1:45 PM on February 5, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Get some dried flowers that aren't too thick (inch ish daisies are good). Laminate.. cut close around the petals. Big person to put holes through with a thick pin heated on the hob (hold it on rubber ended pliers or similar so no burns for big person) or pierce holes in the egdes of the flowers. Those pierced through the centres then need an ear stud through for instant (professional looking) retro earrings/gifts for said big people perhaps ;) or for bracelets for kids hope silver jump rings through the side holes.

Hope this makes sense!
posted by tanktop at 7:45 AM on February 6, 2014