Arts and Crafts for Kids - How to Make a Glasses Case or Purse

By Lyn Bell

Whether you are a camp director, teacher, or parent looking for new arts and crafts for kids, try this idea – it’s sure to be a hit. The glasses case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse. The crafting idea can be used in a group situation or for individual children.

To make the glasses case, you will need some simple materials such as a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn and a hole punch. In place of needles you could use a bobby pin (hair clip or grip) especially for younger children it is certainly a safe alternative.

Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) by 15 cm (6 inches). With the hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle. Be sure to leave one short side un-punched. Make the holes 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) apart and allow at least 1 cm (1/4 inch) between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself.

The young crafters can then cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If the craft is being done for a special event, choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For example for a cowboy theme, you could find boots, cowboy hats, and stars that fit in well. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially for older kids.

The kids will then need to thread the plastic needle or bobby pin with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. If the kids are using a bobby pin, loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.

To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. They can even give the glasses case as a gift to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Or they can sell the finished cases at the school fair to make some money for more craft supplies.

Arts and crafts for kids teach the children new fun skills and helps develop imagination or even the budding entrepreneur.

Lyn Bell has been in the finance industry for more than 30 years and is a Certified Financial Planner. Arts and crafts is one of her hobbies which she enjoys sharing with others. For other fun arts and crafts for kids ideas visit http://artsandcraftsforkids.weebly.com/ or http://craftideasforkids.weebly.com/