Running out of ideas for pretend play? Here's a wacky craft that's sure to liven things up. Make a crazy yarn wig complete with pigtails and plenty of sass. It makes a great accessory for dress-up, a costume party, or Halloween.
What You Need:
- Tray (or something else to wind the wool around which is the same length as the length you want your wig to be)
- 1 large ball or 2 smaller balls of yarn
- 1 sheet of felt in a flesh tone or a color similar to the yarn, roughly 3" wide and the same length as your tray
- Embroidery thread in a color similar to the yarn
- Embroidery needle for sewing
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Round vase, ball, or balloon to use as a wig stand (optional)
What You Do:
- Tie one end of the ball of yarn around the tray lengthwise and have your child wind the entire ball around the tray. It should go around about 200 times.
- Once all the yarn is wound, lay the tray on a table or other flat surface and carefully cut through all the strands in a straight line.
- Spread out the bundle of yarn so all the strands are straight and lying flat on the table.
- Place the sheet of felt next to the bundle of yarn, then carefully gather up the bundle and place it on top of the felt.
- Have your child mark the middle of the bundle with her finger, then pin the bundle to the felt where her finger is.
- Thread the embroidery needle with a length of embroidery thread. Sew the yarn to the felt in three or four large stitches, looping the thread around the bundle in segments. Make sure the yarn is securely attached to the felt.
- If you have a wig, place the wig on it felt side down. Trim away any visible felt sticking out of the wig.
- Now have your child tie the wig into pigtails, securing tightly with a ribbon. Have her use the ruler when placing the ribbons so the pigtails are even.
- Finish the wig by trimming the pigtails so the ends are nice and even.
Have your child try on her new yarn wig and secure with bobby pins. If she has long hair, tie it back and tuck it under the wig so her hair doesn't show.
When not in use, store the wig carefully wrapped around a piece of cardboard so the two pigtails don't get tangled.
By Shaheen Bilgrami
Shaheen Bilgrami has been writing and editing children's books for over twelve years. Her books have been published all over the world.
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