Colouring Activities: Colouring Craft Kits

My daughter loves arts and crafts, so when a box of new craft kits designed for kids arrived from the online craft company Janlynn, my daughter was over the moon with excitement.

Her first pick was a colouring craft, a Tinker Bell Fun Pack specifically. Each craft kit includes a canvas item like an apron, bag, backpack, etc. and a set of crayons. The idea behind the kit is the kids colour the pre-printed image with the crayons then the images is heat set with an iron.

I should point out that you need to wash the canvas item first (without detergent) before colouring can begin. This is so the crayons take to the material. I didn't realize this of course so my daughter was all set to colour and was a little disappointed she had to now wait. When the bag was washed and ready, I was surprised at how easy the crayons went on the fabric. There was no need to press hard (actually the instructions say you shouldn't press hard anyway). My daughter set to work on her creation and didn't leave the table until it was done.

My son isn't very crafty but wanted to give it a try too. Janlynn also offers colouring kits with patterns to appeal to boys, like Pirates of the Carribean and Cars. My son coloured a Mickey Mouse Halloween treat bag (pillow case). I has to colour with him to keep him interested right to the end, but he did great considering it was a craft. And he was really proud of his work when he finished.

When both my kids were done their works of art it was my turn. It wasn't hard, I just had to heat-set the colours to the fabric for a few minutes. Easy enough. I may not have set the colour long enough on my son's bag (the first one I ironed) since some of the colour washed out on the first wash. I think I was too eager to get the finished products to my kids and didn't let the iron come up to temperature enough.

The bags were perfect for our trip to California. The rolled up nicely in the luggage and held a lot coming home. The great thing about this craft is that it didn't take great skill; colouring is one of the early activities kids learn to do. Checkout Janlynn for other colouring activities kits.

* Product provided for review.

About the Author Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief at one of the best social networking and lifestyle sites for moms, EverythingMom.com. Trying to balance life at home with my 3 kids (all under 8), while building my business, working at EverythingMom.com and developing my writing. Oh and throw a load of laundry in and a dinner that isn't burnt. Wasn't working from home suppose to be easier? Posted by Carrie Anne in craft reviews on November 05, 2009 More from this author  |  Author Website Follow Carrie Anne on:  |  |  |