Gourd Craft Ideas

Keeping the kids entertained this summer

Some self-starters manage to come up with their own creative projects, like a 36-foot lizard constructed from rocks by the visiting grandkids of Dave and Nancy Fonder of Talavera: Sam, 12, and Zachary Fonder, 10.

"We usually spend time doing art days during vacations. This year, I decided to up the game. It ended up being about seven tons of rock. We kept super hydrated and worked every day. The neighbors started gathering around. The kids were so excited when it was done, just ear-to-ear grins," Nancy Fonder said.

There are lots of intriguing projects and pastimes out there to entertain enterprising kids this summer. Here are a few ideas to get you started and parents will be delighted to find that some of the best summer fun things are free.

Put on a show. In the golden age of movies, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland used to save the day by staging a musical in a barn. The hot summer 2011 alternative: enter the 2011 "Rock Your Park" Flash Mob Contest. Gather a group together (from 10 to thousands). Visit any local park or recreation facility and "show the power of parks" together in Flash Mob form through any of the following: music, exercise, dance, chanting, hiking, aerobics, biking, group driving range, calisthenics, etc. Post a video of your Flash Mob on YouTube. Hurry. You'll have to figure out your routine, perform and post it and submit an official online entry form by Aug. 1. For complete rules, tips and entry form, go to www.nrpa.org/flashmobcontest.

If you'd like more formal help organizing your summer star turn (or directoral debut), kids ages 5 to 18 can audition for Missoula Children's Theatre, a week-long theater experience July 25 to 30 at the Rio Grande Theatre. About 60 children are cast in the play, or selected to be assistant directors. Auditions are July 25, followed by daily rehearsals and performances of "Pinocchio" at 7 p.m. July 29 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Info: (575) 523-6403.

Play a game. Yep, video games rule, but this summer why not go low-tech retro? Go outdoors, get together and discover what it's like to actually see the people you're playing with, in real time and in the flesh. Some games to try: Sandlot baseball, touch football, badminton, croquet, hopscotch, hula hoops, marbles and board games.

Free Gourd Craft Projects | LoveToKnow

Throughout history, people have used goards for making everything from bowls to birdhouses. If you are planning on planting some of these decorative plants or you just like to create with items found in nature, you'll find that gourds are versatile craft items.

Gourds are the fruit of a variety of plants related to squash and pumpkins. People don't usually eat goards, but they have other exciting uses. To use the goard as a craft supply, allow it to dry out. These are some popular goard projects:

The shell of the gourd may be any number of bright colors and color combinations, making it naturally decorative as well.

No matter what type of crafting you like to do, there is a project for you to enjoy. Here are some of the most unique crafts using gourds on the Internet.

Woodburning, or pyroengraving as it is often called, can allow you to create beautiful patterns on any object that can be burned. This gourd clock   is embellished with a leaf design as well as roman numerals. Once it is polished and finished, the clock is just beautiful.

This is not a project for a child, nor is it a project for someone who is inexperienced.

Attracting birds to your yard can be as easy as providing them with habitat. Making gourd birdhouses   is a fun family project. This birdhouse uses basic carpentry techniques as well as some basketry techniques.

This is another gourd birdhouse project which is easier than the one above. It is painted with an ivy leaf design and would make great décor for inside if you didn't want to use it as a birdhouse.

This birdhouse from DIY Network takes you step by step through the process, from choosing a gourd to cleaning it and turning it into a birdhouse. If you are starting with a homegrown gourd and you don't have much experience working with gourds, this may be the best project for you.

You can paint, pyroengrave, or decorate a gourd lamp in any number of ways. These instructions are straight-forward and simple to follow.

Use a purchased lamp kit, or do as the author did and use parts from a broken lamp to create your lamp.

You can actually make handmade paper from gourds and use it to create ornaments for Christmas and other holidays. You can also make specialized hang tags and as many other paper products as your imagination can come up with.

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