A children's birthday is coming up and you are looking for ideas on how to keep the children occupied during the family celebration. A cool idea, especially for the cold and rainy autumn and winter days, is to organize a craft workshop. The little ones can let their creativity run wild. This is especially true for felting with children for their birthday - we offer you some instructions that are guaranteed to cause a sensation. 2-3 projects can round off the festive program. Let the suggestions inspire you!
Garland made of felt balls
If youfor your birthdayIf you want to search your child along with his guests, then you should have certain prior knowledge. Felting is a process in which the wool is mechanically “sealed”. This involves pressing the raw wool and not weaving it. The basic technique is actually very easy and can be learned very quickly even by complete beginners. There are two options: the wool can be processed either wet (then we speak of wet felting) or dry (dry felting). The two processes differ significantly from each other. In the article you will find instructions for the two variants so that you can choose the one you like more.
With the wool garland, the material is processed using special barbed needles and brought into the correct shape. The craft technique is suitable for small three-dimensional objects such as pom-poms, balls, etc. Since this involves handling a needle, care must be taken when piercing. That's why this method is suitable for children aged 9-10 and up and the crafting must take place under parental supervision. A little skill and experience are also crucial for the end result when dry felting. If you don't know how to handle wool, you can use several tricks to save time and nerves. First, you should choose very simple shapes - the quickest way to make a ball is to make one. This is important because, firstly, the children need to bring home a finished product. Secondly, it takes quite a long time for the thread structures to become entangled with each other. We therefore offer you an idea that awakens the creativity of the little ones and is at the same time quite simple.
The materials you need are wool, twine, a brush, scissors, several felting needles, glue or a glue gun. Our tip: First, create all the necessary balls for the garland yourself, so that you can determine the level of difficulty of the craft project yourself, and on the other hand you are prepared if some children do not complete the task. Don't forget to ask your craft shop for advice about wool - the fibers shrink by 40% after processing. For maximum effect, buy different colors, then you can combine them depending on your personal wishes and create multi-colored decorative pieces.
And this is how the felt balls are made - first roughen the sheep's wool with the brush, then fold it into a ball. Hold the ends of the ball with one hand and use the other hand to pierce the ball with the needle. Have each child create a ball like this.
When all the balls are ready, simply tie them in the middle with twine (see photo above) so that their shape resembles a cookie. Then attach the individual “cookies” to a colorful string using the glue or hot glue gun.
The finished garland looks so attractive - a loving gift for the birthday child, the children can even write on their felt balls with a felt pen. If each child creates two felt balls, they can take one home with them as a souvenir.
Cut out a bow from felt sheet
If you have a girl, you can get the materials for another simple craft project just to be safe. You need water-based fabric paint, felt sheets, scissors and string, a needle (it's easier with a hot glue gun). The project is itselffor toddlers of kindergarten ageideal, especially because the children don't have to cut out complicated shapes and can paint the bows instead.
You can divide the textile dye into several smaller bottles. Since the paint is sprayed onto the fabric, expect more dirt. The paints are washable up to 40 degrees - so you can easily remove stains from the tablecloth afterwards. Here's how to make the bow - first ask the children to cut out a 7cm x 15cm square and a 1cm x 6cm square. You can either make a template for this purpose (for very little girls) or give the children a ruler (for school-age children). Then collect all the large squares, place them on the table and let the children spray paint on them. This creates unique patterns. Wait 30-40 minutes for the paint to dry (in the meantime you can serve the food, for example) and print the large square in the middle and glue the small one to it. Complete!
Make finger puppets
If your child has a favorite book or film series, you can make cool finger puppets together and organize a puppet theater for his or her birthday. This craft idea is ideal for children of kindergarten age. Our tip – create a template for the small details, draw the lines on the felt panels with a pencil in advance.
For the craft project you need felt plates, scissors, glue, felt-tip pen.
First cut out the “body” of the finger puppets – a square 6-7cm high and 5cm wide.
Then wrap the felt strip around your finger and glue the ends together with the glue. Leave to dry aside.
Optional – cut out a detail above the finger from felt and glue it to the body.
Cut out the dolls' face - eyes, mouth, mustache, ears, eyebrows, nose etc. from felt.
Then attach the details to the body and let it dry again for one or two minutes.
Draw the details with a felt-tip pen and distribute the dolls to the children. The project is suitable for a small birthday party with up to 10 guests.
Reading and acting are of course included in the program - the idea is suitable for children of kindergarten age.
Make cabochon rings with wet felting
In contrast to the complex dry felting, wet felting is actually quite simple - you only need a little soap, water and sheep's wool to make the felt objects.
The necessary materials for the next craft project - bowl with water, soap, sheep's wool, ruler, glue or hot glue gun, ring settings for cabochon stones.
First lay the wool crosswise, pluck it by hand and immerse it in lukewarm water. With soapy hands, massage the wool into a ball, and if the threads begin to snag, felt strongly. Continue until a tight ball forms.
Measure the ball - its diameter must correspond to the ring setting. Try several times with different amounts of wool until you create the right size.
You will need half a ball for each ring, so you will need to cut them in half with a sharp knife. You can make a garland from the balls that are too big or too small.
Simply attach the felt details to the ring setting using the hot glue gun or glue.
Felting with children – imaginatively display felt balls
Here's an idea of what you can make with the remaining balls -simple felt flowerscan be easily arranged in a modern vase on the coffee table.
Cut pentagon shapes out of cardboard and glue the felt balls onto them - this way you have made unique coasters yourself.
Make a minimalist garland for Christmas - all you need is a needle, gold twine and fabric paint.
Sew a handbag from felt sheets
Here are several craft ideas for sewing (or gluing).
Make a vegetable garden out of felt
A vegetable garden is the right addition to the children's kitchen - we have already shown you howFelt accessoriesDo it yourself, now you can also take a look at the instructions for the garden.
