Have you got some grumpy kids today? A lull in the summer getting them bored? Looking to jazz up a camping trip…Here is how to turn that frown upside down. Candy!
This is a true tale of 2 girls and a mom on a camping trip……. the kids were all “mom…what is taking so long…I thought you said we were going to the beach…..” whine, whine, etc, etc.
Daddy had to stay home and work so it was just me and my girls, and lets face it they are not very helpful. So after-breakfast clean up was taking a bit of time.
So when I said, “Who wants to help me with a blog post?” They immediately perked up! They knew there was a bag of candy bags from the bulk store that they were not allowed to touch.
All the treats for this project have holes in the middle so there is no need for mom to poke it with a sewing needle.
Here is what you need:
- treats with a hole in the middle
- cotton string or something to put the treats on (plastic lace was easiest)
- scissors
Shopping for Treats
The first step, is to hit the bulk store and purchase any cookies, candies or cereal or candy that has a hole in it. I’ve got 2 kids so I bought 5 or 6 of each item-assuming that they will eat or break a few in the jewelry making process. I had lots of little baggies with just a few items in each.
I picked all of these tidbits from our local Bulk Barn. Licorice, cookies, pretzels, sour keys, sour cream hoops, life savers, etc.
Choosing a String
Next you will need something to string your candy beads onto. You can use yarn or fine elastic or string or thread or plastic lace. We found that the easiest for the kids is the plastic lace. This is a rigid plastic that is often woven into bracelets. I picked up a variety of colours in a package from the craft section of the dollar store.
I like the idea of the cotton used in preparing turkey dinners, because you know it is intended for food handling. These will be your in the kids mouth after all. But it is a bit more frustrating for the kids to use. It unravels a bit so you need to twist it with your fingers or trim the ends a few times.
Now measure the length of string you’ll need. Make it long enough so your child can just pull it over their head when they want it off. If on second thought, you don’t want them to have access to quite so much candy-make it into a bracelet instead.
A Word Of Caution
This craft is meant for older kids rather than young toddlers. Please watch your child for choking and strangulation hazards. Be safe and have fun!
I didn’t think of this, the girls came up with the idea to tie the first candy as an anchor so the treats would not just fall off the other end as they string more treats on.
While you have them settled into this project its a fine time to give them a little speech about how thoroughly they should brush their teeth later. Or how you would like to increase their household chores…Groan….
Why not? It’s not like they are going to storm off….they have a candy craft in their hands…they have to listen!
Keep on stringing on the treats and when you are happy with it, tie a knot. Now try on your delicious necklace or bracelet.
That is enough candy to last a week long camping trip. Do not eat all of it at once or your belly will hurt!
Now they are happy campers!
Besides camping trips, this is a great idea for a kids party, before a road trip or to pull out on movie night!
Have a great summer and get out camping!