GRANDPARENTS DAY MAGAZINE
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Craft Corner

Art and craft are very important for children. If you give them paint, glue, crayons, paper and art tools, they are able to develop their imagination. Children also love anything to do with dressing up and playing roles – don’t we all, especially when it has a Pacific Island theme!!

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Hawaiian leis

Create your own Hawaiian Luau with your grandchildren! The first place to start is with easy-to-make paper leis. All the items you’ll need can easily be found in a dollar shop or craft supply store. We’ve just used red here, but you could easily use multiple colours.
YOU'LL NEED:
  • –Large Flower Punch
  • –Thick Cardstock
  • –drinking straws cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
  • –Paper Hole Punch
  • –Yarn or Thick String
  • –Floss Threaders (important for little ones) *See note below

HERE'S HOW:
Step 1: Start by cutting the straws into 1-inch pieces and punching out your flowers.
Step 2: Punch a hole in the centre of each flower.
Step 3: Cut your yarn or string to the desired length and then tie on your floss threader at the end.
Step 4: Let your child add a straw then a flower, creating a pattern.
Step 5: When finished adding straws and flowers, tie the end strings together! Now you have a very cute Paper Lei and you’re ready to HULA!

​FLOSS THREADERS: Floss threaders are a must if you are having children make these leis. Tie the yarn or string around the hole of the floss threader - your child will have a much easier time placing the straws and flowers on the yarn. They are also ideal for lacing, making necklaces, etc

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Hula skirt

In the Pacific Islands, both boys and girls wear happy Hula skirts and while there are many options for clever creating such as using large paper bags or streamers, this is a fabulously easy and fun way to use (or repurpose) a plastic tablecloth. Adults will love to wear one and join in the party, too!
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YOU'LL NEED:
  • plastic tablecloths, any colour (we’ve used green for a genuine ‘grass’ skirt)
  • scissors
  • glue
  • Velcro – sticky back
  • flower stickers​​
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1: Start by cutting your tablecloth in half. One tablecloth will give you 2 grass skirts. With half of the full tablecloth, fold it horizontally. With the fold at the top, now fold it vertically a few times until you have about 5-6 inches (13-15.5 cm) to work with.
Step 2:  Cut 1–2-inch (2.5 – 5cm) strips into the tablecloth, stopping 4-5 inches (10 – 13 cm) from the top fold line.
Step 3:  Continue cutting until you’ve cut all along the folds vertically across.
Step 4: Open the cut tablecloth. You will need to decide how wide to make each skirt. If a child is small, you could fold the skirt in half, doubling up the strips. It’s easy to measure everyone for a perfect fit.
Step 5: Once you have your size determined, add a line of glue to the top of the uncut skirt. We recommend glue strip devices, making it easy to add glue that will dry fast and permanent. When you add the line of glue, fold it over to make a thicker edge for the top.
​Step 6: Glue the sides of the folded over edge as well.
Step 7: Add a strip of sticky back Velcro to each side of the skirt at the back to help secure it to each waist.
​Step 8: 
Add flowers to the centre front of the skirts. This can be an activity each child can do.


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Pom pom pineapples

Pineapple plantations are spread throughout the Pacific Islands and these easy decorations will make any Hula party fun. You won’t need too many supplies, and everyone will have fun creating their very own pineapple – try making many more for a fruity garland!

​
YOU'LL NEED:
  • yellow craft Pom Poms
  • craft glue or hot glue gun
  • foam craft sheets
  • scissors
  • card stock
  • pen or sharpie
HERE'S HOW:
​Step 1: Create your Pineapple shape – perhaps you are clever enough to draw one free-hand, or if drawing is not your strong point, find a pineapple shape to make a template. Make one cut-out for the head of the pineapple and one for the body of the pineapple.
Step 2: Place the pineapple templates on top of the foam sheets and trace around them.
Step 3: Cut out the pineapple head and body. We used yellow and green foam sheets, but you could use any colours you like.
Step 4: Fill up the pineapple body with yellow pom poms.
Step 5: When the shape is full with pom poms, glue the head of the pineapple to the top.
Step 6: Now you are done! How amazing does your pom pom pineapple look?
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  • IN THIS ISSUE
    • Abbreviations
    • X marks the spot
    • Alphabet questions
    • The finger alphabet
    • The printed word
    • Dyslexia
    • In your corner
    • Sequoyah
  • FOOD
  • LIFESTYLE
    • TRAVEL
    • CRAFT CORNER
    • GARDENING
    • BOOKENDS
  • SUPPORT SERVICES
  • CONTACT US