Craft Ideas for Kids

(and Grown-Ups)

Searching for new "craft ideas"? Your photo scanner ... yes, the same one you use to copy documents and photos ... can also be educational and fun for kids!

Any place you use photographs, you can use scanner photography. Today's young children are introduced to computers very early. Scanner Magic will fit right in!

If you missed the how-to section please see Things to Know First and Ten Easy Steps.

Very young children are delightfully self absorbed. Simple scans such as handprints are exciting and can easily included in simple craft ideas! Take a scan of two or three friends' handprints at the same time. A tiny handprint is a wonderful memory and a perfect gift for far-away grandparents.

Sisters Zoe and Emi have fun with Scanner Magic, here they share their handprints with us!

scanography for kids, scanner photography, photo handprints

Scanner Magic is a wonderful child/parent activity. Put it in your file of craft ideas!

Here's another easy-to-do 'fun for kids' project:

Scanner Photography toy trucks

How did I create this little scene?

One piece of trimmed black craft paper to make the hill.
Cut-outs shapes from blank white index cards as the clouds.
The small toy trucks? I purchased all three for $1. at the local 'one dollar store'. (Love that place!)
Top them off with an old blue file folder for the sky.

I arranged them on the scanner and hit SCAN. That's almost all there is to it. Be sure to read all the pages of Scanner Magic for full details.

Show and Tell

Use scanning small toys and other small items as a way to 'show and tell'. Let the kids help create an album of his or her favorite toys. Every child will love to say "Look what I did!"

Scans of favorite things, can also be saved for parents to enjoy when the kids are older.

A SPECIAL NOTE TO GROWUPS:

It is a good idea to cover the scanner glass with a sheet of Acetate (Especially when working with children.) Get more information on Acetate sheets here. (Includes an online source.)

Acetate protects the glass from fingerprints, smudges and any possible scratches from toys and other things we scan.

These sheets are often used for color separations, overlays and layouts. Sometimes you can find them in office supply and art stores. Be sure to get the CLEAR.

After removing a sheet of acetate, clean the glass!

(NO, kitchen wrap is not a good substitute! It can leave a film on the scanner glass.)

Pasta Writing

Get a box of alphabet pasta and have fun!

Write the child's name, Mom, Dad or even a message to a friend. Or let the children test their spelling.

Pasta writing can also be a lesson in mirror writing!

scanner photography, pasta writing

Have an Old Frame?

If you have craft ideas for frames, use it. Or paint an old one just sitting around ... let the kids create 'art' like this paper clip Scanner Magic.

It's easy and frame-able!

Scanner photography paper clips

Make Your Scanner Magic a Puzzle!

Wow! Would scanner images make great puzzles? Yes, they do!

Create a puzzle from an image the kids created. Email it to family and friends!

To see how, go to the Jig Saw Puzzle page.

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Projects

Do you know a scout looking for a great merit badge idea? Here's a Scanner Magic look at meeting the requirements. Go to the Scouts page.

Even if you don't know a scout, take a peek at the nifty scanner images on that page.

For Tween Girls and Tween Boys

If your children are getting a little older, there's a Scanner Magic page for tweens. A great tween party idea is there!

Tell your tweens about the Scanner Magic Tween Page.

Don't miss more Scanner Magic ideas on the Teen Page too!

Scanning is a Great Teaching Tool!

Technology, art and thinking all rolled into one!

Teach technology by going beyond the Auto Mode; demonstrate art with the positioning of items on the glass; and mirror writing requires thinking for sure!

Even without a printer, Scanner Magic craft ideas will work. Once the images have been created, any copy center can reproduce them for you.

Photo scanners can cost less than some electronic games. They are unique and creative gifts for kids of all ages!

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