What would you add to, change, or suggest about this kids' craft project?

Question

There will be three boys- a 3 1/2 year old, and two 5 year olds.
We will be making 'Spongebobs' out of yellow sponges, yellow chenille stems, googly eyes, red yellow and brown felt, a little black fabric paint, and some glue.

I have Elmer's, fabric, and hot glue. I prefer not to use the hot glue if I can help it, since the boys can't use it themselves. I'll precut pieces of felt for them to make Spongebob's shirt, pants, and tie with. I intend to stick one chenille stem all the way through the body and trim it (arms) probably myself beforehand. Another will be cut and attached for legs.

So what would you suggest? Are my ideas too hard for the boys? Or am I doing too much of it myself? Do you think it will work? Or is there something I should change? I'm open to all ideas and suggestions.

Just for the record, I cannot STAND Spongebob, but all three kids LOVE him (in fact so does the 12yo who may join in) so I'm being tolerant by allowing that......creature.....to be part of an art project in my house.

Answer 1

I think you are doing a great job. At that point of their lifes the little boys can't really cut straight or have the shape they want cut out. You are doing a great job by doing some of it yourself. Don't worry they still have plenty to do...like pasting things. Also onece you are done with this project you can also try to create projects in which they do most of the cutting. So you know they can start getting used to the scissors. AND i think it is a great idea that you are not letting them use the hot glue gun. They can really hurt themselves with that if they don't know what they are doing.

P.S
I love spongebob

Answer 2

It sounds like a good project. I worry about the safety issues with hot glue, too. When I was a kid, we made do with Elmer's school glue. Remember, this project doesn't have to outlast the Taj Mahal, nor does it have to be perfect. Let the kids do as much as they can. You can keep the pre-cut stuff in reserve in case they get frustrated, but let them try.

If these Sponge Bobs can stand pretty good, you can turn them into "Sumo Bobs." What you do is take a cardboard box that is fairly square, and will hold two sponge-bobs. Flip it over so you have a flat surface, then draw a circle on the surface. Place the two sponge-bobs on the ring, and the two boys tap on the surface until a sponge bob falls over or goes out of the ring. The spongebob left standing inside the ring is the winner.

I think it should work just fine. And if it doesn't, well, try a different project next week. Maybe a Crusty Crab Cake? (-:

Answer 3

I def would not use hot glue round children even i get horrible blisters from the glue
I think you could let the 5yo's cut the felt pieces if you make the cutting lines clear or maybe let them do some and you do some get them involved to
I dont know who this character is but it 'sounds' like something the older [5yo] can manage
If you do all the work cutting gluing they will be board very quick and wont have as much fun you will have to give the 3 1/2 yo a hand tho as at that age it is hard with scissors, glue etc but then again some 3 1/2 can be quite handy my cousin is quite a wiz at 4 at craft ....
but as i said you do a bit they do a bit and you all should have a great time but please give the hot glue a miss [ i use it in wreath making and boy have i got scars to prove it] if you need to hold the glue while it dries use a cloths pin / peg

Answer 4

As everyone has said, you cannot get 15 credits in 1 month. You can't even get 1 credit in 1 month. The shortest class at the college I'm going to is 8 weeks and that's for 3 credits. There are 2 classes like that so if I took them both that would be 6 credits. Still short of 15. Even if he could go back and get his HS diploma (which I think he's too old, most states stop funding at 20 I think plus he already has his GED), it would take longer to do that than to just take a semester's worth of class. Enroll in community college next semester and knock at the credits. Even if he could get the credits by next month, it'll be a long time until he can go to boot camp, the services are near full. Good luck!

Answer 5

Looks like a good game plan.

Avoid the hot glue, that is you doing the work, not to mention the safety. Elmer's is sometime frustrating for kids doing dimensional work. Consider a good fabric glue (and old clothes, in case). Consider the new colored foams for hands and feet. Let them do as much as they can, otherwise it is not their project. (you can still cut out pieces, but let them assemble, etc.) Give them choices like in fabrics, colors, and maybe two choices in sizes for the eyes. It gives them independence and responsibility.

By the way, googly eyes always makes you the "best ever" when it comes to little kids.

This is not too hard or easy for this age group. Sounds pretty good.

Answer 6

HI ! I WAS ONCE ASKED BY A PRINCIPAL
WHAT LIMITATATIONS I FELT MY FIRST TO FITH GRADERS HAD. " easy answer "
" ONLY THOSE I PLASED ON THEM"
" SAFETY FIRST" NO GLUE GUNS THESE
YOUNG CHILDREN CAN REACH OR TOUCH.
REMEMBER YOU CAN NEVER HAVE YOUR EYES ON EACH CHILD- ( UNLESS YOUR NAME IS GOD OR YOU HAVE A CROWN )

MY FIRST QUESTION IS - WHY SPONGE
BOB? I'LL BET YOU A DAY OF HOUSE CLEANING THAT THESE CHILDREN CAN
BEAT OL' SPUNGE BOB EASY !
how ? 1.look around your home for "stuff"
2.shiney- paper tubes- and all the fun
stuff you already have.
3. connecting stuff is very important
( glue in front of each child. ) help
me GOD from the chld who has to reach across the table for glue !
4. my best advice is --if you use a glue gun have a friend to help ( if just for that part!)
5.you sound like a great mom
6. my daughter won 50,000.00
two years plus more stuff than i'll ever gather.
i've been an art person / teacher since my first mud pie. people are always wanting to give me some creit for her artistic talent- SUCH BULL ! ALL I DID WAS NEVER (WELL MOSTLY NEVER) GIVE OUT PRE-CONCIEVED IDEAS ! I REALLY HOPE YOU
DO THE DISHES WITH THE NICE NEW SPONGES. AND LET THOSE CHILDREN MAKE SOMETHING THAT CRAWLS IN THE NIGHT. OR PROTECTS IN THE DAY. LIVES
IN THE SKY OR SLEEPS IN A TREE.

FROM JUST ME WITH MUCH RESPECT FOR MOM'S WHO BRING CREATIVITY INTO THEIR HOMES ! bonnie

Answer 7

May I suggest that you get some 18 ga. wire and make the legs in advance also.Make the feet out of Fimo or Sculpey clay, insert the wires and bake (per instructions). once they are baked and cooled, wrap a chennile stem around the wires, the color of sponge Bob's legs. Cut 2 small slits in the bottom of the sponge to insert the legs. After they assemble their creation, YOU can hot glue the wires in, allowing Sponge Bob to stand up.

Answer 8

My only suggestion is to use the felt that already has the adhesive on one side...you can draw patterns on the paper liner side for the boys to"follow" when cutting and you will only have to show them once how to peel and stick.

Answer 9

I think it sounds great! Very Cute too! My little brother used to LOVE LOVE LOVE spongebob.. we had to watch it everyday!! lol

Answer 10

either that or you can just cut two smaller pieces of foam and color them black for his shoes to stand up with. sounds like great fun.. wish i could see their smiles :)