Child's Play

In this age of videos, TV and the never-ending search for faster and flashier entertainment, what a pleasure to find a book with good, easy and basic ideas for children's crafts. Simple yet timeless ideas that have helped this grandmother enjoy many a rainy afternoon with her grandkids. I remember making some of the projects when I was a kid!

I have used this book and the others in the "Child's Play" series for years with lots of preschool and elementary school-aged kids. It is particularly great for babysitters because all the activities can be done using materials everyone has around the house, so you can just scrounge in the kitchen and office for paper, egg cartons, crayons, and other odds and ends for and end up with really cool finished product. Kids love it, and the activities are easy to do and easy to clean up after. Plus the illustrations are cute and funny.

I spend every Saturday with my 3 nephews. One is 6, the others are two 3-year old twins. This book has saved my life! So many times the kids have been over and I haven't had any idea of how to keep them occupied! Since about January of this year, I've been using "200 Instant Crafts" as an instant sources of great craft ideas. The best part is how inexpensive the crafts are to make. I really do have most of the stuff around the house. The guidelines that tell me for what age the craft is appropriate have been an immense help to me. I had no idea what a 3 year old could and couldn't do as opposed to the 6 year old. Using these guidelines keeps me from asking the kids to do something they aren't ready to do. I'll be using this book all Summer! Thanks.

Child's Play is an exciting book filled with easy and accessible projects for the young. The book offers projects that can be made from materials you really do have around the house, so expense is minimal. Not only are the projects entertaining to the child while constructing, but the end product is the stimulus for hours more creative play. I think that's what I like best about these activities...they stimulate my child's imagination! Illustrations and instructions are clear and easy to follow. I really enjoy the activities in this book and so do my children! We have shared this book with many of our friends and know you will enjoy the exciting ideas it has to offer!

This book brought back a lot of great memories but also presented some really fresh ideas for quick and easy projects that your preschooler can do with just a little help from you. Some of the ideas, especially in the paper project section, are great "fillers" for when you need to keep your child entertained for a short time (in a restaurant or waiting room, or between activities at home). Other projects suggested in the book have kept my children busy for hours and have also gotten them thinking about new ideas! For my school age child, the Child's Play 6-12 by the same author has been a real favorite. This book is a lifesaver. Highly recommended!