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I’ve long wanted to do a website or write a column for a publication that’s all about 30 minute crafts: things you can do when you have almost no time, like I have right now.
It occurs to me that that’s a fine addition to this site, so here is the first installment in the 30 minute craft genre: a simple shaker box for a baby or toddler.
Because my little one (who just turned eight months this week!) is in the stick-everything-in-your-mouth phase, she doesn’t get to play with this one herself right now, or I’d be replacing the paper on a daily basis, but she loves to listen to the shaking and I’m sure will enjoy playing with it when she’s a little less orally fixated.
I should note that this project doesn’t take anywhere near 30 minutes, except it does need to dry overnight.
Materials:
- a little box with a lid (mine held jewelry)
- rice, lentils or something else noisy but small enough that it’s not a choking hazard should the box come open, which is unlikely
- tissue paper in as many colors as you like
- Mod Podge or white glue
- foam brush
Instructions:
- Place a good handful of your shaky substance (mine is long-grain brown rice, which I found had expired in my pantry) in the box. Use a bit of glue on the foam brush to glue the box shut.
- Tear your tissue paper into little pieces and begin to apply to the box in a random fashion, using glue under and over the paper. Leave one side of the box uncovered for ease of drying. Make multiple layers, leave parts of the box exposed, make a design, whatever you like. I just piled a bunch of paper on top of other paper, making sure I got all parts well covered.
- Go over the box with another coat of glue to make sure all the paper is stuck down well. Place the box on the unpapered side and allow to dry.
- Repeat the process, covering any unexposed surfaces, and let dry again.
- Shake, shake, shake.
