Summer Boost
Activity:
Make Mug Markers
Americans use 10 to 20 gallons of water per person, per day, to wash dishes! You can save water by making some mug markers of your own. You won't need to wash your cups as often because these fancy decorations will tell you whose glass is whose! Kids will have fun and get valuable sorting and button-sewing practice as they work.
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What You Need:
- 2 yards elastic, 5/8" wide
- Button assortment (flat and loop-back)
- Tapestry needle
- Heavy duty quilting thread
- Tape measure
What You Do:
- Prepare the elastic together. Measure the diameter of your everyday water glasses, then ask your child to measure, mark and cut the elastic to size.
- Next, invite your child to sort buttons into different sets. He can sort by any attribute he chooses (color, shape, material, etc.).
- If he has experience, let him cut about 2 yards of thread and thread the needle himself. Otherwise let him snip the thread, and have him watch while you thread the needle.
- Now it's time to make the button charms. Have your child reserve one flat button from each set for later. Then, invite him to string one of the button sets.
- After the set is strung, have him push the needle back the other way through a different hole in the last button, re-string all the buttons, then tie a double knot.
- Now, he should take the reserved button and sew it onto the elastic. Show your child how to use the needle to sew a button on the front and knot the threads on the back. Have him sew on the charm the same way, making 3 or 4 stitches. He should adjust the charm so it will dangle before he double-knots the threads and snips.
- Repeat. Help him with the steps as needed.
- When he's done, ask him to drop one tiny glue spot on each knot. When dry, overlap the ends of the elastic no more than half an inch. If he can stitch them together himself, encourage him to do so. Otherwise, secure the ends with several stitches and a double knot.
Now have him pick a mug marker of his own and put it on his favorite cup! He'll love showing off his new creation anytime he gets thirsty.
