The key to keeping a group of little hands busy is to have a few crowd-pleasing crafts up your sleeve. Specifically, that means projects that are inexpensive, can be mass-produced, use handy materials, and don't require a lot of adult direction.
The following projects are six such gems, from tiny faux flowerpots that are perfect make-your-own party favors to paper plate portraits that will keep a fidgety gang busy at a neighborhood potluck. So the next time the troop meets at your house, whether in uniform, party hats, or school clothes, choose one of these ideas and practice some crowd control of your own.
Friendly Face T-Shirts
Create wearable mementos featuring the names and faces of friends
Pet Rocks
Hunt for the perfect rock to decorate with this '70s-inspired craft
Mini Bread Monster
Turn the kitchen into an edible monster lab with store-bought bread dough
Dinner Plate Portraits
Invite kids to express themselves with this mask-making project
Faux Flowers
Plant mini terra-cotta flowerpots with exotic beaded blooms
Paper Bag Neighborhood
Transform recyclables into model towns of dreamed-up dwellings
Maryellen Kennedy Duckett is a frequent contributor to FAMILYFUN.
