3 Things to Do With Buttons

Total Time Needed:: 1-2 Hours

Mark a page
Bookworms of all stripes will love these bright place markers. They make sweet stocking stuffers -- and they're fun and easy for kids to create. Simply cut lengths of ribbon (ours are 12 to 14 inches long, to fit a standard-size hardcover book), then attach buttons to the ends using tacky glue or a glue gun. Shown here are just a few of the decorating options: sandwiching the ribbon's ends between two buttons; stacking smaller atop larger buttons; and grouping several small buttons in a pattern.

Tiddle a wink
Our Button Skee-Ball game is an update of tiddlywinks. To make the target, use 2-inch-wide poster board rings 28, 21, 17, and 8 inches long, secured at the seams with double-sided tape. Attach printed point values Tiddle a Wink Step (or simply write them on)and assemble the rings as shown, securing them with more double-sided tape. Cut out a felt launchpad. Players take turns using a large button to flip 10 small buttons toward the target. The player with the highest total score wins.

Jazz up a window
A button mosaic becomes a cheery sun catcher when it's sandwiched between layers of clear Con-Tact paper. To make one, cut out a square of Con-Tact paper, remove its backing, and lay it sticky-side up. (If you like, slide a drawing beneath the square as a guide.) Place buttons on the square to create a shape, leaving at least a 1-inch border on all sides. When you're done, cover the mosaic with a second Con-Tact paper square. Smooth the edges with a cotton swab and cut out the mosaic, leaving a -inch border on all sides. Stick your creation to a window with glue dots or tape.