They're useful magnets AND funny little friends!
Like to put things up on your fridge? I know I do!
I have lots of extra fun with it by making little magnet characters that interacted with the items.
... and now I'm gonna let you know how you can do it too!
Materials needed:
Assorted base materials (foam sheets, felt, cardboard, etc)
String and/or pipe cleaners
Assorted decorative elements (googly eyes, feathers, stickers, fabric scraps, etc.)
Magnets (I recommend sheet or tape style magnets bc they are cheap and easy to cut to size. If you want to hang heavy things though, you will want more powerful ceramic magnets.)
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Scrap paper and drawing tools
Set up (for groups or parties):
Assemble all the materials in a series of piles and containers.
Introduce the activity (and perhaps show an example that you made or pictures that I included in this blog as inspiration).
Encourage people near each other to collaborate, to take 5 minutes to decide on a theme that they can work with together, so that their magnets tell a story or belong together somehow.
Spend the next 20-30 minutes sketching, planning and building magnets. Anyone who finishes early can make a second, or proceed to the add-on activity described below.
Directions:
Sketch a few ideas of characters and items that you'd like to make a magnet from. It's good to take a few minutes looking at and playing with your materials to get inspiration!
Pick a design to start with. If you want to use one of my designs, feel free! Grab the materials in the right colors and textures that you want to use.
Pre-heat your hot glue gun so it's ready when you are!
Cut out the main elements from foam, felt or cardboard! If you want, draw an outline of the shapes before cutting as a guide.
Cut your string and/or pipe cleaners to the desired length.
Lay the pieces on the table in the right placement. Then flip your design over so you can glue them together from the back.
Cut sheet or tape magnet to size. You'll need one for the back of each element.
Glue the string onto the back of the main element, then sandwich the magnet on top of that so the string is securely attached. I recommend hot gluing the magnet on even if it has an adhesive backing.
Add decorations on the front, like eyes, a nose, sparkles, feathers, etc!
Add-on activity: Use an animation app like Stop Motion Studio to make a short GIF or video while moving your magnet around! This is really fun and it could even become a little story with several characters if you work together!
Send me pictures of your crafts! I'd love to see what you come up with. 🤩 🧑🎨
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