Hey hey… Parish is back with a new booklist! This time he’s selected some of his favorite activity and DIY books for kids and teens.
With school back in session and the weather turning a little bit cooler, we’re in the mood for crafting and activities! Crafting and hands-on projects (for kids or the entire family!) can be a great way to relieve stress and to let your imagination and creativity run wild. Parish’s booklist includes his personal recommended activity books that crafters of any level will find enjoyment in.
Show Me Cool Magic: A Guide to Creating and Performing Your Own Show
by Jake Banfield | Grade: 2nd and up
This book takes the reader from knowing zero about magic to being able to do a whole show for their family and friends. Along the way they will learn some cool tricks to show their friends in school, find out how to do a PR stunt, film their own tricks, develop their unique magician persona, and all the other secrets to making magic amazing.
From Parish: Who doesn’t love seeing a magician display unbelievable card tricks! I know I do! This book does a good job teaching readers with no experience how to do all kinds of unbelievable magic tricks to impress their friends! I highly recommend this book for readers who are looking for new skills or something to impress their peers.
My First Rock Painting Book: 35 Fun Craft Projects for Children Aged 7+
by Emma Hardy | Grade: 2nd and up
In My First Rock Painting Book, craft expert Emma Hardy shows how to take a simple rock and transform it into something truly amazing.
From Parish: I was inspired to try rock painting a try thanks to Miss Penny and Miss Diane’s rock painting program. If I had to pick any book to give me inspiration for painting rocks, this is the book to pick! It is filled with tons of creative ideas and instructions. You can definitely find something to make; my favorite is the rock cactus.
Crayola Create It Yourself
by Crayola LLC | Grade: 1st and up
Crayola: Create It Yourself includes fifty-two of the most popular and fun craft projects, organized by the four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Kids will create DIY gifts like Mother’s Day picture frames and Valentine’s Day Lanterns, they’ll decorate the house with Haunted Halloween Decorations and Melted Crayon Ornaments, and they’ll make timeless paper spinners and CIY terrariums for use all year round.
From Parish: Crayola is one of my favorite brands and the book lives up to the Crayola name! Readers who are a fan of card making, any type of decorations, and have a box of crayons laying around (either Crayola or not!) will enjoy this book!
Writing a Letter
by Cecilia Minden | Grade: 3rd and up
Writing is an important skill that kids use almost every day. The goal of the Write it Right series is to make kids writing experts. Writing a Letter is full of tips and tricks to help kids craft an engaging letter, from constructing an introduction to labeling the envelope.
From Parish: Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Mr. Parish, why are you recommending a letter writing book when we’re trying to de-stress?” Hear me out! Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a handwritten letter in the mail? Especially from a loved one? I know I do, and if you’re interested in our PenPal Exchange program, why not brush up on some new letter writing skills! With the holidays approaching, after crafting a beautiful homemade card, why not write a lovely letter with it? 🙂
Recycle and Remake
by DK | Grade: 1st and up
This gentle, but empowering book is full of creative making activities, information, and ideas that give young eco-warriors (like you!) the know-how to really help the environment.
From Parish: Recycle and Remake is a must read and craft because it shows you how to give old things new life. This is perfect for readers who like to discover fun ways to turn cardboard into a piñata or turn straws into a bee hotel!
Ultimate Slime
by Alyssa Jagan | Grade: 1st and up
DIY tutorials for crunchy slime, fluffy slime, fishbowl slime and more than 100 other oddly satisfying recipes and projects.
From Parish: SLIME! I highly recommend this book to any one and I mean ANY who loves SLIME! Every page in this book explains different ways to create awesome, slimy, gooey slime that everyone will enjoy!
Let’s Get Crafty With Cardboard and Paint
by CICO Kidz | Grade: 1st and up
These fun, colorful crafts are designed to bring out a young child’s creative side. The inventive ideas include a super space rocket, colorful rainstick, and cardboard castle.
From Parish: I just love any type of crafting that utilizes cardboard! Cardboard is so easy to obtain you can create any type of craft! This book is perfect for readers who have tons of cardboard lying around the house. I highly recommend the airplane craft!
A Kid’s Guide to Awesome Duct Tape Projects
Grade: 1st and up
It is a known fact of the universe that duct tape can fix anything. Now, thanks to Instructables.com, there’s one more thing duct tape can fix—boredom! These awesome DIY crafts will be sure to entertain and delight kids of all ages.
From Parish: Fun book for middle schoolers, tweens, and teens! This is a book that teaches how to make durable wallets and other projects with duct tape! Perfect for readers who enjoy creating their own gifts for family and friends.
The Everything Toddler Activities Book
by Joni Levine | Grade: Present
Now you can play and teach your toddler at the same time with this book. Written by an experienced child-care expert, this informative and fun guide shows you how to stimulate your child’s development with age-appropriate, enjoyable, and educational activities such as:
- Making Puppets
- Margarine Tub Jellyfish
- Dinosaur Eggs
- Flower Crowns
- Story in a Bag
- Camping “Out”
- Plus rhymes and songs, holiday fun, and crafts galore!
From Parish: Parents who are seeking activities for their younger kids should check this book out! Written by an experienced child-care expert, this book has tons of information to help with your child’s development. You can also have your older children tag along too.
Want more recommendations?
You can check out all of our online booklists (for kids and for adults), or reach out to us! Our staff is ready and willing to make reading, listening, or viewing recommendations to you! Email us at reference@benlib.org or contact us via our online form!