My aim is to help keep our elderly and less-abled folk busy and happy! However...many of the crafts and activities will also appeal to all ages and abilities, so do have a browse...Loads of different crafts and quizzes - very easy to find by clicking on category buttons below! Have also introduced some discussion on ACEO Miniature watercolour painting - a new hobby?
Saturday 14 March 2015
Printable Quiz - "Richard and John" Famous men - Fill in the Surnames
An easy quiz, all about Famous Men called Richard or John!
Twenty printable Questions and Answers to ponder over...
A cup of tea and biscuit will always help to make this an enjoyable activity - a quiz that will stimulate the memory and encourage reminiscing, while having fun...
Quiz - Richard and John
If you want more quizzes have a look at my eBook...
41 x10 Easy Printable Quizzes with Answers
Wednesday 4 March 2015
Easter Basket to Make - A4 Printable Template
This Easter Basket is made of thin card and can easily be printed, as the Template is A4 in size. This is how we made it up...
You will need...
A4 Sheet of thin card
Paints or felt tip pens
2 Split Pins
"Nest filling" - we used toy filling, but you can use cotton wool or shredded tissue paper just as well.
Stickers for the handle (or draw your own pictures)
Mini Easter Eggs
Chicks - we bought ours at our local craft shop.
How to Make it...
Print the Easter Basket Template directly onto your thin sheet of card.
Colour-in the Bunny and Easter lettering.
Cut out the basket and round off the corners.
Cut along the four lines as in the picture.
Cut out the handle.
Slip the end of the handle against the inside, so you now have four layers.
Make a small hole through these four layers (we used a large darning needle) and hold them together with a split pin (also called a Brad)
Wednesday 18 February 2015
We Painted "Frozen" Calico Tote Bags!
At Mencap this week we painted on Calico Tote Bags...
The choice of picture was FROZEN characters (of course!)
But you can do any picture you like - endless choice!
So using the print-outs of Princess Anna, Princess Elsa and Olaf (Google search for "Frozen Colouring In" gave us many to chose from) we got started...
You will need...
Calico Tote Bags-we bought ours on eBay
So using the print-outs of Princess Anna, Princess Elsa and Olaf (Google search for "Frozen Colouring In" gave us many to chose from) we got started...
You will need...
Calico Tote Bags-we bought ours on eBay
Fabric Paints
Brushes
A sheet of card slightly smaller than bag size.
Printed picture
We found the easiest way to trace the image onto the bag, was to slip the print of the picture into the bag. It can easily be seen through the calico and so the image is traced onto the bag with a soft pencil - we used a B pencil.
Slip a sheet of card into the bag before you start painting - this will prevent paint seeping through to the back of the bag.
Remove it before the paint dries too much (within half an hour we found) otherwise the card will become stuck to the inside of the bag.
Using Fabric Paints we then painted the pictures as you can see...
Notice Olaf has Red Soles (as seen in those famous Christian Louboutin shoes!!)
Allow 24 hours of drying time and then iron on the wrong side to fix the colours.
Easy to do and great fun...!
Using Fabric Paints we then painted the pictures as you can see...
Notice Olaf has Red Soles (as seen in those famous Christian Louboutin shoes!!)
Allow 24 hours of drying time and then iron on the wrong side to fix the colours.
Easy to do and great fun...!
Monday 29 December 2014
New Year A4 Posters - Printable Colouring In
Ease into 2015 with some A4 Posters
ready for you to print and colour-in
with your family or groups.
2015 Dog2015 Flowers
2015 Crinoline
Thanks to Raising Our Kids for sharing their free pictures, two of which I have used in the posters.
May the New Year bring Peace to our world
- after all, it is the only one we have...
Saturday 25 October 2014
Halloween Paper Plate Pumpkin - Printable Tutorial
Halloween Paper Plate Pumpkin
We made these Halloween decorations at Mencap Braintree - if you want to have a go with your group, they are easy and fun for any age and make a bright display on a grey Autumn day...
You will need
Paper plate - approx 9inch (23cms)
Orange paint
Green paint
Thin black card
Glue stick
Silver metallic pen for drawing eyes etc (optional)
How to make
Print out the templates - Halloween Paper Plate Pumpkin
Cut the paper plate into the pumpkin shape, using the template as a guide
On the back of the plate (so you have a rounded shape)...
Paint the pumpkin orange, with a green stem
Cut out the black shapes (owl, ghost etc) from the black card
Stick the silhouette onto the pumpkin
Tuesday 16 September 2014
Printable - Something for the Kids - 4 Activities!
I have put together four activities - Word Search, Colouring-in and the old favourite - "The School Bus"
Although aimed at the youngsters - I think the Mosaic and the Word Search will appeal to all ages...
So click on the link and have a look - print off all or just what you fancy... Enjoy!
Something for the Kids - 4 Activities
Leave me a comment if you need answers!
Sunday 7 September 2014
Printable Mosaics to Paint or Colour-in...!
Mosaics are the most rewarding pictures to paint or colour-in...!
No matter what artistic ability you might or might not have, results from the combining of different colours can be stunning and thus a big boost to your confidence and satisfaction!
So try some yourself, with your children or with your groups - here are two I have designed for you...
2 Mosaic Designs
For more Mosaic Designs and loads of other craft ideas, with printable templates see my NEW eBook
Simple Crafts and Activities
Also includes new quizzes and favourite games for Seniors and all ages...
Tuesday 2 September 2014
My NEW eBook is out - SIMPLE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES...!
- saving you huge amounts of time, when preparing craft, quizzes and games for your groups.
I have complied it with Senior Folk in mind, but a lot of the content is for all ages - for your groups, your family and yourself!
Do have a look - there is a full list of contents for you to browse through.
Loads of printable Templates (no links to go elsewhere - just all there in the eBook which is formatted in a Compressed PDF File - very easy to use)
The instructions are clear and the materials easily obtainable, with cost always in mind.
My email is in the eBook - should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
So have a look - Simple Crafts and Activities and place your order now for an instant download...
Do have a look - there is a full list of contents for you to browse through.
Loads of printable Templates (no links to go elsewhere - just all there in the eBook which is formatted in a Compressed PDF File - very easy to use)
The instructions are clear and the materials easily obtainable, with cost always in mind.
My email is in the eBook - should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
So have a look - Simple Crafts and Activities and place your order now for an instant download...
Tuesday 19 August 2014
Printable Quiz - 12 Books with Numbers!
When researching "Books with Numbers" - my latest Printable Quiz, I was surprised to find so many book titles that do actually contain numbers...
After a good browse, I have chosen twelve for you to put to your group - and to make it a bit more challenging I have then asked for the relevant authors...
Here it is - with Answers!
Printable Quiz - Books with Numbers
If you enjoy doing quizzes with your groups, have a look at my ebook -
41 Easy Quizzes with Answers
Though they are aimed at Seniors, based on the knowledge of their generation, they are actually fun for any age group (unless you are looking for questions on Pop Celebs!)
So have a look - will save you many hours of the preparation involved, in keeping your group entertained!
Saturday 26 July 2014
Stringing Beads - a relaxing afternoon!
A big bowl of beads and charms and thread -
what pleasure there is in stringing beads!
Easy and fun for all ages and abilities -
we are going to try Loom Bands next...!
Wednesday 9 July 2014
Printable Quiz - William and Thomas - What are their Surnames?
Here are twenty for you to work on, with your groups - ten of each name
Quiz - William and Thomas - What are their Surnames?
If you want more of my Quizzes - all Printable with Answers, have a look at my eBook 41 Easy Printable Quizzes with Answers
Nothing better than a good quiz, over a cup of tea, to stimulate and share memories. Enjoy!
Friday 27 June 2014
Make Fun Summer Hats Collage - Tutorial!
Fun Summer Hats Collage! |
This week we decided to celebrate Summer (at last!) by making some Fun Summer Hats Collages.
Easy for any age or ability and some striking results - quite the thing for Ascot we believe!!
What you will need...
A4 sheets white printer paper
What you will need...
A4 sheets white printer paper
Decorative paper / thin card for hat
Embellishments - cutouts of flowers, butterflies, buttons, ribbons, bows - these can also be the kind you stick on gift parcels - glitter and anything else you have on hand...
Glue sticks (any glue really, but the sticks are less messy and dry quickly)
Double sided adhesive pads to attach bows etc
A4 sheet of card to glue the finished hat onto
How to make it...
Print out the Hat Template
Turn your print over and draw the same shape on the other side of your paper.
Easy way to do this is, is to hold it against a window so you can see see through the paper...
Now work on this side (your drawn hat outline)
Cut strips/shapes (whatever you want) of decorative paper/thin card and glue them across the hat shape - overlap each piece and go over the edges of the hat shape line.
When this has dried, turn your paper over and cut out your hat from the shape on the back of your sheet.
Here are some Flower Templates you can use
When you are happy with your hat, stick it onto an A4 sheet of card, at a jaunty angle and stick something in the corner to finish it off!
And here are some of our hats we made at Mencap...
Have fun with your group as we celebrate Summer!
Labels:
A4,
brownies craft,
butterflies,
buttons,
card,
collage,
craft,
elderly craft,
flowers,
hats,
kids,
ribbons,
school craft,
senior activities,
senior craft
Sunday 15 June 2014
Our South African Wall Mural is finished...
The super-imposed flag on the map of SA was created by glueing on small screwed-up pieces of tissue paper and the ocean using flat sheets of tissue.
Our class loved choosing and colouring-in the animals and of course Nelson Mandela had to be included - plus Rugby!
To complete the frame we strung coloured pasta "beads" in loops down the sides and across the bottom edge.
Having just returned from a trip over there, I can say that South Africa is a beautiful, vibrant country with friendly people and so much to see and enjoy...
Thank you South Africa!
Monday 2 June 2014
Felt Owls and Hearts for Fund Raising - Tutorials
As we are always looking at ways to raise funds for Mencap, I have been working on some craft and sewing that we can sell.
If you would like to make some of the same, I have put together a tutorial.
Felt Owl
You will need...
Felt - main colour
If you would like to make some of the same, I have put together a tutorial.
Felt Owl
You will need...
Felt - main colour
(2 pieces) is 14 x 13cms
Felt - Scraps of other colours for wings etc
Googly eyes (or buttons)
Ribbon - 40cms
Glue
Embroidery thread
Batting/Wadding - approx 13 x 12cms
How to make...
Cut out your felt pieces as per the pattern
Felt Owl Pattern
Plus a triangle of felt for the beak (not on the pattern)
Take one of the main pieces and attach the wings,
leaving about 1/2 cm of body showing on the edges as per below.
Use 3 strands of embroidery thread and a simple running stitch
For the patches I used blanket stitch.
Stitch the "feathers" between the wings. (see on final photo)
but about 1cm smaller all round.
Attach the back to the front body using blanket stitch
and at the same time
stitch in the folded piece of ribbon, between the ears.
Glue on the Googly eyes (or buttons) and glue on the felt beak
_______________________________________
Felt Hearts
You will need...
Felt - main colour (2 pieces) is 15 x 15cms
Felt pieces - buttons - bows - embellishments to decorate.
Ribbon - 28cms
Batting / Wadding approx 14 x 14cms
How to make...
Cut out two felt hearts from pattern
Heart Template
Decorate one heart with felt flower, buttons, bows or any other bling.
Cut batting in heart shape, but about 1cm smaller all round and lay on back heart and put front heart on top.
Stitch around edge (I machine stitched, but can be done by hand if preferred) catching a loop of ribbon into centre top.
Trim with pinking shears for a zigzag edge if so desired!
Hope these felt crafts help you make some funds for your group...
Saturday 31 May 2014
Some Easy Card Fridge Magnets
Card Fridge Magnets
The coloured card we shaped into "Labels" and punched a hole centre top.
After decorating with stickers and bling we finished some with a name, initials and a ribbon.
On the other side of the card, we stuck strips of self-adhesive magnetic tape (we got ours from eBay) and they were ready to be popped onto the fridge for everyone to enjoy!
Try making yours!
We are also making a new Wall Mural - this time on the theme - South Africa! Having just been there for a short holiday, visiting family, it seemed a good idea to bring some sunshine back to UK!
So watch this Blog - will be finished in a few weeks time...
Children in South Africa enjoying paddling!
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