How to make a Felt Dart Board and Velcro Darts
Our twist on the traditional dart game makes this game inexpensive, easy to make, fun to play and much less dangerous than metal darts. The game consists of a 9 x 10 ½ inch felt dart board and a couple of 3 inch Velcro darts. The Velcro dart is less expensive to make than the little balls covered with lots of Velcro because this dart uses only a little square of Velcro. The child receiving your Operation Christmas Child shoe box will enjoy playing this game alone or with his/her friends.Supplies: large plastic bag; label with title of game - example, Dart Game or Stick-it
For dart: self-adhesive Velcro, 2 different colors of pipe cleaners, thin straws (works better than fat straws), white glue, scissors, tiny hole punch, wire cutter
For dart board: felt on bolt or pre-cut to 9x12 inches, glue or sewing machine, yarn, dowel or plastic straw, scissors, cardboard or tag board, permanent marker pen
Where to find: Party supply store, dollar stores, fabric and craft stores, discount stores
The dart:
1) Cut a ¾ -1 inch square of Velcro (comes in strips and pre-cut squares.
2) Punch 2 little holes in the fuzzy piece of the Velcro using a tiny hole-punch or knife or sharp punch
3) Allow enough space between the holes so the pipe cleaner doesn’t tear out when pulled (about ¼ of an inch between holes)
4) Cut a 12 inch pipe cleaner in half to make two 6 inch pieces – most pipe cleaners come in 12 inch stripes
5) Fold a 6 inch pipe cleaner in half and insert the 2 ends into the 2 holes of the smooth (sticky) side of the fuzzy Velcro square. Hold the folded end of pipe cleaner in place and twist the free ends a few times to secure
6) Place the sticky side of hooked Velcro square on to the sticky side of fuzzy Velcro square
7) Squirt a little white glue into one end of the 3 inch piece of the straw
8) Slid the glue-filled end of straw over the two ends of the pipe cleaner
9) Stand dart with Velcro piece down and allow the glue to dry
The dart board:
1) Cut a piece of felt fabric 9x12 inch or buy a pre-cut 9x12 inch felt rectangle
2) Lay the felt rectangle with the 9 inch wide on top and the 12 inch down lengthwise
3) From the top fold down 1 ½ inches
4) Glue or sew a seam through the fold to create a tube
5) Insert a wooden dowel and tie a piece of yarn at each end
6) Or, instead of using a wooden dowel, thread a piece of yarn (about 20 inches) through a plastic straw and insert the straw through the tube; tie the ends of the yarn together to hang the dart board
7) With card board or tag board make a pattern of 3 consecutively smaller circles;
8) Start with the largest circle pattern first and draw a line on the felt with a permanent marker outlining the pattern
9) Next place the middle circle on the felt and draw a line outlining the middle pattern
10) Finally, place the smallest pattern on the felt and draw a line outlining the smallest pattern
The game:
1) Make a label for your game - "Dart Game", "Stick-it!"
2) Place in plastic bag: dart board, 2 different colored darts, and your label
How to make a Fun Jump Rope
Jump ropes may be universal but this jump rope is not only colorful but cheap and easy to make. The girl that finds this colorful jump rope in her Operation Christmas Child shoe box will have hours of fun jumping with ribbons of color flowing from her hands.Supplies: Rope (cotton, nylon, or poly nylon), roll of 4 inch veterinary cohesive flexible bandage, ribbon (ribbon scraps, Lion Brand Yarn Incredible ribbon yarn in variegated colors), rubber band, optional: plastic bag. Think color when choosing your supplies. Both the rope from the dollar store and the veterinary bandages come in bright colors.
Where to find: Craft and fabric stores, dollar stores, discount stores, animal supply stores
Hint: dollar stores have 50 ft. lengths of rope in many colors for $1; may find Lion Brand Yarn Incredible ribbon yarn at dollar stores for $1
To make:
1) Cut rope into 7-8 foot lengths
2) Hint: if purchases a 50 ft. rope, cut into 7 foot lengths
3) For jump rope handles, cut 2-3 inches of the 4 inch roll of veterinary stretch bandage
4) Lay one end of rope on the 4 inch piece of bandage
5) Optional: cut 12 inch pieces of ribbon, fold 2-3 ribbons in half, lay the folded end of the ribbon about 2 inches from the end of the rope
6) Wrap the bandage around the rope (and folded end of the ribbon strips) once
7) Then with one hand stretch the bandage while continuing to roll the rope with the other hand until the bandage is used up
8) Repeat steps 3-7 for other end of the rope
9) Fold jump rope with handles and secure with rubber band; may place in plastic bag
How to make inexpensive and festive Maracas
Colorful maracas are not only fun to play with but they encourage music, movement and song. The child that receives your Operation Christmas Child shoebox will sing and play and dance to his/her own “joyful noise.”
Supplies: inexpensive colorful fabric, plastic Easter egg that opens into two halves, plastic spoon (disposable party tableware), circular pattern that is 9-10 inches in diameter (dinner plate or paper plate), tying material (either yarn, string, or narrow ribbon), scissors/circular scissors, cellophane tape, hot glue gun with glue sticks, noise-making material (sand, beads, nuts n’ bolts, paper clips, buttons, etc – but please, no food items like rice or beans), plastic bag with twist tie for closure (or sandwich bag)
Where to find: fabric/craft stores, dollar stores, discount stores, yard or garage sales
To make:
1) Open the plastic Easter egg and place your noise-making material in one half of the egg
2) Hint: don’t over fill, little is better, leave plenty of room for the sand or other items to “shake”
3) Close the egg and tape with cellophane tape around the middle of the egg to keep the egg closed
4) Place a strip of hot glue on the inside of the plastic spoon and press the egg into the glue till the glue is cool (will look like an “egg popsicle” when holding the handle of the spoon
5) Place your 9-10 inch pattern or plate on a colorful piece of fabric and cut around with rotary scissor, or with pencil outline pattern and cut with scissor
6) Position the center of the fabric on top of the egg/spoon and gather the fabric around at base of egg
7) With tying material (string, yarn, ribbon) wrap around the gathered fabric a couple of times and tie into a knot
8) For a test run: hold the handle of the spoon and shake your maracas - The child that gets your maracas will have as much fun shaking it too.
9) Place 1-2 maracas in a plastic bag and close with a twist tie or use a sandwich bag
How to make a Princess Crown and Wand
This pretty sparkling crown and wand is for fun imaginary play – pretending to be a princess, ballerina, or fairy. Not only is it pretty but is easy and inexpensive to make. Any little girl would love to find this crown and wand in her Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift.Supplies: colorful wired garland (often used for holiday decorations), wire cutter, ribbon (bright colors), star, heart or snowflake foam stickers, wooden Popsicle stick or small wooden dowel, plastic bag
Hint: Lion Brand Yarn Incredible Ribbon Yarn in variegated colors – roll of variegated ribbon yarn is light-weight, bright colors, and very pretty; often found at dollar stores for $1
Where to find: Party supply stores, dollar stores, fabric and craft stores, watch for holiday clearance sales
Make a crown:
1) Cut 21 inch piece of wired garland with wire cutter
2) Place ends together and twist ends several times
3) Bend “twisted ends” to lay against the garland
4) Cut 3 strips of ribbon about 14 inches long
5) Find center of ribbons and tie (knot) ribbons over the “twisted ends” and garland
6) Result: garland ring forms the crown with 6 ribbons hanging down the back of the crown
7) Place in plastic bag
Make a wand:
1) Place a foam sticker on top of one side of Popsicle stick or dowel
2) Place second foam sticker on the other side of popsicle stick and press together
3) Cut 2 strips of ribbon about 8 inches long
4) Find middle of ribbons and tie ribbons to Popsicle stick just under the foam sticker
5) Place in plastic bag with crown
How to make Paper Airplane Kits
Colorful paper airplanes soaring through the air with laughing voices encouraging them on – remember how much fun you had making and flying paper airplanes! Now share that memory in your Operation Christmas Child shoe box with children who don’t even have paper.Supplies: Computer/copy paper or card stock paper or construction paper (best to have color or pattern on both side of paper), sheets of small stickers, a photo copy of your favorite paper airplane pattern or patterns, 1-2 markers or colored pens or colored pencils, piece of cellophane (if needed for pattern), gallon size plastic bag
To find airplane patterns: books, magazines, paper airplane kit, or “Google” to find a pattern you like; use a simple pattern with little to no words. Avoid military or war-related patterns as many of these children live in war-torn areas.
To find materials: craft stores, discount stores
To make:
1) Cut 8 ½ x11 inch sheets of paper in half
2) Select 2-3 half sheets of different colored or patterned sheets of paper
3) Cut up sheet of small stickers
4) Prepare pieces of cellophane tape if need – see hint below
5) Select 1-2 markers, colored pens, or colored pencils
6) In a large gallon size plastic bag place: 2-3 half sheets of paper, a few small stickers, a marker or two, piece of cellophane tape if needed, and 1-2 paper airplane patterns
7) Fold over open end of plastic bag and tape closed
Hint on how to include a piece of cellophane tape (Scotch tape): after removing the stickers from a sheet of stickers, remove the remaining “sticker background” to reveal the shiny side of the paper. Cut this paper up into appropriate pieces. Place your piece or pieces of cellophane tape on the shiny side of the paper. The pieces of tape will come off easily. On the back side of the paper write a note or draw a picture to show that the piece of tape is on the reverse side. The child may not see the tape without your indicating that it is there.
How to make “Tell Me a Story” Puppets
Puppets provide fun imaginary play and with these stick puppets children can make up all kinds of stories. Storytelling encourages creativity and is fun for those who listen. The child who receives your Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift will enjoy telling stories with these puppets.Supplies: Packages of foam stickers – people or characters, animals, trees, flowers, buildings (house, barn, etc), vehicles (car, wagon, plane, etc.), and a variety of items, wooden craft/Popsicle sticks, label, zip lock plastic bag
Or, Sizzix paper cutting machine and various cutting forms (or other paper cutting system), card stock paper, glue stick, wooden craft/popsicle sticks, label, zip lock plastic bag
Where to find: Craft stores, dollar stores, discount stores, holiday clearance sales, school supply stores
To make:
1) Select 5-6 (or more) foam stickers of various kinds – select stickers that can be used to tell a story
2) Peel the paper off the back of the foam sticker
3) Place sticky side of sticker on top of a wooden Popsicle stick
4) Do the same with all the stickers
5) Make label – “Tell Me a Story” Puppets
6) Place in zip lock plastic bag these stick puppets and label
Or,
1) Use Sizzix cutting machine with various cutting forms of people, characters, animals, trees, flowers, buildings, vehicles, and various items
2) Cut 5-6 (or more) shapes and glue each shape on to wooden craft/Popsicle sticks
3) Make label – “Tell Me a Story” Puppets
4) Place in zip lock plastic bag the stick puppets and label
How to make a Ring Toss Game
This simple Ring Toss Game can provide hours of fun and challenge for the child of your Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift – and his/her friends as well. A young adult who received a shoe box gift as a child in an eastern European orphanage said that games help fill the empty hours.Supplies: 3 different colors of rope – thin cotton, nylon cord, poly cord, or clothes line rope, roll of 4 inch veterinary cohesive flexible stretch bandage, jumbo wooden craft stick (commonly known as tongue depressor) or small wooden dowel, label stating Ring Toss Game, plastic bag – sandwich size
Where to find: animal supply stores, dollar stores, craft store, discount stores
Hint: dollar stores have clothes line rope in red, blue, and green – cheapest and best
To make:
1) Cut rope in 12 inch pieces
2) Cut stretch veterinary bandage into a 2 inch strip and about 2-3 inches long (stretched)
3) Slightly overlap the ends of the rope and place on edge of 2 inch piece of bandage
4) Roll rope once around bandage
5) Then stretch the bandage and continue rolling the rope till bandage is used up
6) Do steps 1-5 again and again – till you have 3 different colored rope rings
7) Make a label stating – Fun Ring Toss Game
8) Place in a plastic bag the 3 rings, a jumbo craft stick or small wooden dowel, and label – Fun Ring Toss Game
9) Tie it off or zip lock the bag
How to make a Streamer Ribbon
This is an easy to make and inexpensive form of the ribbon stick that gymnasts use for floor exercise. Children will love running and playing with their own ribbon or flag on a stick – at least my grandchildren do. I am sure the children who receive your Operation Christmas Child shoe box will too.Supplies: Roll of crepe paper streamer (bright colors), wooden Popsicle sticks, glue stick, cellophane tape (Scotch tape), 3x4 inch plastic jewelry bags or any small plastic bag
Where to find: Party supply stores, dollar stores, craft stores, party section of discount stores
To make:
1) Cut 5-6 feet of streamer
2) Apply glue stick to top 1½ inches of Popsicle stick
3) Apply one end of streamer to popsicle stick – wind around once or twice and secure with a piece of cellophane tape
4) Wind up the rest of the streamer on Popsicle stick
5) Place in small plastic bag
