What are some good craft ideas for teen girls?

Question

I work in a group home for teen girls and I always try to give them something fun and insperational to do because they often get depressed and I'd like to give them some skills that they dont learn in school, like cooking and beading and such, I'd just like some new ideas to keep they're interest up

Answer 1

Knitting and crocheting are great for teen girls - it's really popular right now - everyone is doing it - even in Hollywood. It's a skill they can use the rest of their lives - it's like learning to play the piano - it's something that not everyone knows how to do and it's definately something they can be proud of - they'll also be able to teach others. They even have looms that they can finish a scarf or hat on in around 2 hours. I use the looms with kids as well as teaching regular knitting. The looms I use are called Knifty Knitters and they're a lot of fun and very easy to use. They also offer a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment because you can create something so beautiful with no knowledge of actual knitting in a short amount of time. The craft is actually quite addictive - you can take it anywhere and do it while watching tv or talking with friends. I promise, after the first scarf is finished, everyone will want a loom.

I prefer the retangular looms to make scarves on - they come out much prettier. The round ones are better for hats - although you can make scarves on those as well, I don't like them as much.

Here's a link to Joanne's where they sell the Knifty Knitter and the second link is to the Knifty Knitter by Provo Craft web site. They have all the looms, instructions and projects that users submit to them to be posted on their site.

Answer 2

I used to run an after school project for teens and tweens and on day I brought along my crochet bag so I could work on a project while we were in the Gym because it had been raining for a couple of days, suddenly Gym time turned into crafts because they all wanted to learn to crochet even the boys so I had 15 kids in the program and 13 of them learned crochet their parents though tit was neat that I went and got them each a hook and a skein of yarn for Christmas that year and all 13 of them had a scarf finished for a loved one by Christmas we even stamped our own wrapping paper. That was 9 years ago and I received a lovely hand crocheted Angel the other day from one of my kids along with a brochure with crochet items and classes, with a lovely note that read because you cared enough to teach us. She owns her own business now. Crochet is a wonderful hobby to pick up there are many items that you can make. I still learn new stuff all the time I didn't know how to do Granny Squares until recently.

Answer 3

My son, stepdaughter and I cover ink pens with Polymer clay and it is great fun. You just need pens that you can take the ink tube out of. (BIC) A box of 24 costs less then $2. Take the ink tube out and cover the pen with the polymer clay. We make faces on the tops or roses. They can be personalized in school colors, with beads, feathers (although some get glued on after they are baked)... go CRAZY. ANYTHING you can imagine, bake them in the oven, put the ink tubes back in and they are ready to go. Make great gifts and conversations starters. If you want any further instructions or have questions or would like to see one, email me at justme33513. More than happy to help you out. Great work you do there!!!

Answer 4

Embroidery could be fun as well. In the past, I have purchased cheap canvas/denim tote bags, stencilled (or freehanded!) designs on them, and then stitched the lines with embroidery floss (or DMC perle cotton). Cheap startup, endless variety - you could buy one book to teach specialty stitches as a reference. They could do something as simple as a backstitch or learn more stitches and could get really creative.

Approximate startup costs per person:
Canvas/Denim tote bag - $4.00
DMC Perle cotton #5, 3 skeins - About $4.00
-OR- DMC embroidery floss (6 stranded, use 3 strands for general purpose embroidery) - $0.30/skein
Embroidery needles (medium eye) - About $1.00 for several
Chalk pencil - about $1.00
Stencils - $2.00 - $5.00
Total estimated startup: $14.00/person

A book you might want to look into is "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Needlework." I don't own the book but have looked through it and it is very good. There are tons of books on embroidery available used, or you could check out a few from the local library.

Answer 5

knitting that way each one can make a blanket or a scarf something they can use and be proud of. I would also go with the cooking idea if you go to a local store and pick up some cook books and have them pick out their favorite dishes each night have one girl make the dinner for ever one else. each night should include a salad and or soup, main dish, and then a dessert. I know each night someone makes a dish they will be so proud of themselves. email me and let me know how things work out. :-) good luck

Answer 6

when i was a teen my hobby are cross-stitch,making little key chains using thread which are time consuming , by doing tat they not only be doing the whole afternoon n they could do it at home too. It oso train them to be patient .But after they done it they will be thrilled to see the fruits of their own labour.or u could let them try wood craving , clay modelling or u could get them try to recycle the tissue box by re-decorating it n reuse it as a jewellery box or present boxes.. good luck

Answer 7

hey... craft ideas for teen girls huh..... they might like makin accesoriz for themselves... eg. little bags... with beeds, bracelets, rings, clay objects to paint..... designing new jewellery boxes, hairstyling >make a doll with lotsa hair (wool or thread)< and learn to create your own styles, if interested in designerwear then try designing ur own stuff eg. make up boxes , scarfs, jewellery (and all simple things that u can make on ur own.)

Answer 8

If you can get someone to donate a sewing machine, teaching them to sew would be a great thing. They will be able to sew everything from potholders to quilts, clothes to slipcovers. Something they can use their entire life.

Answer 9

They can make cloth covered books.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/makingbooks/sc_clothcovered.htm
They could also decorate small boxes and make jewelry or treasure boxes for keepsakes.

Answer 10

scrapbooks are fun from what i hear and can be inspirational too if you have them put in pictures that are special to them. plus it can be an ongoing type of project too, so its not something they'll do in one afternoon and then be bored.