Shortish, quirky crafts for a family evening
January 9, 2025 1:32 PM Subscribe
I have a weekly meal with family and we would like suggestions of crafts to do together after the meal. We really enjoyed making lemon pigs, recommended on a New Year's Eve activities Ask. Looking for similar ideas.
I think the lemon pigs worked well because: they needed a bit of concentration, so weren't a five-minute job, but could be done in under an hour; the results were amusing; there was lots of scope to personalise the pigs; and they were unlike anything we'd done before and didn't need any pre-existing skills. Three of us are adults and two are aged 17 and 20. Two of us are crafters and three are confident drawers, but want something where we start reasonably equal.
Not looking for cookery-related activities, as we will have just finished cooking and eating. At the moment, nothing that involves going outside, as it will be dark. Happy to buy supplies but would prefer repurposing things rather than using craft kits or things like Lego intended for the purpose - more amusing to use household supplies, stationery or natural materials. Nothing involving tools where we won't have enough for everyone to use at the same time (eg sewing machine). Nothing where we would need to spend time on screens to complete the items.
Thanks for any ideas.
I think the lemon pigs worked well because: they needed a bit of concentration, so weren't a five-minute job, but could be done in under an hour; the results were amusing; there was lots of scope to personalise the pigs; and they were unlike anything we'd done before and didn't need any pre-existing skills. Three of us are adults and two are aged 17 and 20. Two of us are crafters and three are confident drawers, but want something where we start reasonably equal.
Not looking for cookery-related activities, as we will have just finished cooking and eating. At the moment, nothing that involves going outside, as it will be dark. Happy to buy supplies but would prefer repurposing things rather than using craft kits or things like Lego intended for the purpose - more amusing to use household supplies, stationery or natural materials. Nothing involving tools where we won't have enough for everyone to use at the same time (eg sewing machine). Nothing where we would need to spend time on screens to complete the items.
Thanks for any ideas.
It's digital, but also physical so perhaps? Turn off the lights and make long exposure photos with little coloured leds or a regular flashlight, or a sparkler or whatever.
posted by Iteki at 1:39 PM on January 9
posted by Iteki at 1:39 PM on January 9
I know you said no cooking-related, but what about decorating sugar cookies? Especially fun if you provide googly eyes or the colors for it. Everyone takes home cookies for a later treat.
posted by hydra77 at 3:25 PM on January 9
posted by hydra77 at 3:25 PM on January 9
Could it be spread out over several days/dinners or do you want it done once?
Using potatoes or another material for print makings? I've always wanted to try this, but never actually have.
painting rocks that you can then hide in the neighborhood? I know this was really popular for a while, but that seems to have died down around my area.
posted by Art_Pot at 3:47 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Using potatoes or another material for print makings? I've always wanted to try this, but never actually have.
painting rocks that you can then hide in the neighborhood? I know this was really popular for a while, but that seems to have died down around my area.
posted by Art_Pot at 3:47 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Decorating eggshells, working up to multi-dip dying that can go over week by week? (Might need more wax styli than you want to have. White crayons?)
Painting rocks that you leave around for other people to find
Trash origami
Amigurumi
posted by clew at 3:49 PM on January 9
Painting rocks that you leave around for other people to find
Trash origami
Amigurumi
posted by clew at 3:49 PM on January 9
anything on paper you could use most of the practices as wrapping paper or make notebook covers etc
Pamphlet binding
posted by clew at 3:51 PM on January 9
Pamphlet binding
posted by clew at 3:51 PM on January 9
Piñatas are super fun to make but would be a multi-day project.
Unit/modular origami.
posted by doift at 3:52 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Unit/modular origami.
posted by doift at 3:52 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Jute Coasters. You can make it easier by cutting out circles of felt or cork and gluing the jute cord to the circle with tacky glue. Adding colorful threads gives you plenty of chance to customize. And when you’re done, you all have your own unique coasters for tomorrow night’s dinner.
posted by chrisulonic at 4:53 PM on January 9
posted by chrisulonic at 4:53 PM on January 9
Making paste paper (ie making decorated paper) to use for wrapping or, as clew suggested above, as covers for a subsequent pamphlet-binding activity.
posted by janell at 6:58 PM on January 9
posted by janell at 6:58 PM on January 9
Decorative knots from paracord, maybe.
Or you could buy a little bit of wool and make drop spindles from CDs and pencils and learn to spin yarn. It would help if -someone- gets a head start on the spinning part.
posted by janell at 7:00 PM on January 9
Or you could buy a little bit of wool and make drop spindles from CDs and pencils and learn to spin yarn. It would help if -someone- gets a head start on the spinning part.
posted by janell at 7:00 PM on January 9
Little polymer clay sculptures/animals/creatures?
Collaborate on a booknook -- people could make different parts?
Make your own cards to send to friends and family
I hand-sewed some fleece dog toys with little pockets for treats, which wouldn't require a sewing machine but some knowledge of basic stitches.
There are several books on cardboard projects for kids which might serve as inspiration -- unfortunately I never dug into them so don't have specific recs.
posted by sincerely yours at 7:10 PM on January 9
Collaborate on a booknook -- people could make different parts?
Make your own cards to send to friends and family
I hand-sewed some fleece dog toys with little pockets for treats, which wouldn't require a sewing machine but some knowledge of basic stitches.
There are several books on cardboard projects for kids which might serve as inspiration -- unfortunately I never dug into them so don't have specific recs.
posted by sincerely yours at 7:10 PM on January 9
I like making these shrimp from drinking straws. I find the cheapest straws possible work best, like from a dollar store. I don't bother to stuff them, but i do add sticky gem dots for eyes.
posted by obol at 3:36 AM on January 10 [1 favorite]
posted by obol at 3:36 AM on January 10 [1 favorite]
We used to do Extreme Craft Nights using things like broken glass and it was so fun. Mosaics are straightforward and easy and if you don't have any fragments saved, you can start by smashing plates and cups - yay! In paper bags using hammers! Outside in the dark cold! Wear gloves and goggles! Get your aggressions out! I've done mosaics on all kinds of things including thrift store furniture but using terracotta plant saucers or planters is probably the easiest for a one night project. Home Depot used to sell a product that was tile adhesive and grout in one; it was great and so simple. We also used to make tea light / candle lanterns out of old mason jars and wire. Just bend the wire around the mason jar to make a hanger, string pretty beads on the hanger, voila. Useful.
Tissue paper flowers are fun and colorful, you just need sheets of tissue paper and pipe cleaners. I'm sure there are tons of tutorials out there. Nature collages with clear packing tape are good with smaller kids and might be great with adults too. This sounds like so much fun, it makes me want a craft night!
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:00 PM on January 10
Tissue paper flowers are fun and colorful, you just need sheets of tissue paper and pipe cleaners. I'm sure there are tons of tutorials out there. Nature collages with clear packing tape are good with smaller kids and might be great with adults too. This sounds like so much fun, it makes me want a craft night!
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:00 PM on January 10
Business card origami- collect business cards that folks don't use anymore and go nuts.
posted by momochan at 3:48 PM on January 10
posted by momochan at 3:48 PM on January 10
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https://post.bark.co/products/how-to-make-a-t-shirt-dog-toy/
https://www.instructables.com/Easy-Upcycled-Tshirt-to-Dog-Toy/
https://www.sewhistorically.com/5-different-diy-no-sew-t-shirt-dog-toys/
posted by wenestvedt at 1:35 PM on January 9 [2 favorites]