solascriptura Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 As our school year winds down, I'm already hearing complaints of boredom. :huh: My dd is a very independent learner, loves to read, but also needs something else to do. She isn't interested in sports at all. So, we decided that she is in need of a hobby asap. I would prefer a handicraft or something like that. No cheap kids crafts. She says that she isn't interested in knitting, although I can't figure out why. What do your pre-teen girls with their free time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Would she try a knitting loom? My DD enjoys hers. Rainbow loom? Scrapbooking? Sewing/Quilting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 We have always loved Klutz books...good instructions and they come with enough supplies to give it a try. It's been an inexpensive way to try things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Would she try a knitting loom? My DD enjoys hers. Rainbow loom? Scrapbooking? Sewing/Quilting? She has a knitting loom, but became bored with it. I'll suggest the other two. Is quilting hard for a beginner? I am very, very un-crafty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 We have always loved Klutz books...good instructions and they come with enough supplies to give it a try. It's been an inexpensive way to try things. I'll look into it. Hmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Rubber stamping. She can make your family's holiday and birthday cards and make "tray favors" for Meals on Wheels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Dollhouse miniatures. It's a million hobbies in one. You can make things for the dollhouse using all kinds of methods. So, for example, you can weave a little rug on a cardboard loom using string and/or yarn. You can build simple furniture using basswood and an exacto saw and some glue - or better yet, twig furniture using twigs you gather from your yard or the park. You can create all kinds of things from Sculpy/Fimo - to make a little pie, use a bottle cap as a pie plate and make the "berries" and "crust" from clay. You can sew a little quilt for the dolls to sleep under. And of course you can make the dolls themselves. Try pipe-cleaner dolls to start with - they're easy - and then move on to using wire/rope/wood frames and embroider little felt clothes for them. No need to start with a big fancy dollhouse - a "roombox" is a simpler way to begin. The "room" can be wood (there are simple kits available) or create something from cardboard or foamcore, or build a little tent or an outdoor scene. (ETA - Yikes! I remembered roombox kits being much cheaper than the ones I found thru Google! Instead, simple walls can be made from mat board and hinged with decorative tape - think science fair board shape - and then doors or windows can be cut out and pictures glued on. The advantage here is that they can be folded up and put away when not in use.)There are lots of ideas all over the internet. This is a hobby that can be done at all ages. Adult dollhouse crafters are often happily married to model train enthusiasts; they are similar hobbies. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Does she want to learn an instrument? Also, even if she isn't into sports I would encourage some sort of sustained physical activity. It doesn't need to be competitive. It could be yoga or hiking or swimming or just riding her bike. Are there volunteer or odd jobs she could do? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara.I Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Crochet paper quilling sewing fabric painting silk dyeing making doll clothes whittling wood carving carpentry baking fiction writing leatherwork (various knids, from decorative to constructing.) jewellery making stained glass bead-making--paper, glass, wood, fimo... landscape sketching or painting miniatures, like doll houses. calligraphy cartooning knitting chain mail (not actually "knitting" like with yarn, but that is what it's called.) (Note, this isn't what my pre-teen girls do since my only one is 2. ;) Just a list of things that could work.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Papercrafting- scrapbooking or cardmaking? Dd began her obsession with jewelry design right around that age. Try Firemountaingems.com for jewelry supplies that don't break the bank! I know you saif she is not interested in knitting, but how about spinning? Drop spindles are fairly inexpensive. Or you can find instructions online to make your own with an old cd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentlemommy Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My dd is 10. She likes- Paper crafting Wood burning and carving Rainbow loom Crocheting Archery Artistic journaling (where it's not just written entries, but quotes, drawings, decorated lettering, ect) Nature crafting-today she made a pea shooter from some bamboo, she's made fairy houses, collages with leaves and twigs, ect. Working with clay Cooking Hand sewing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstenhill Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Maybe she could join diy.org? My almost 11 year old DD loves doing the skills/challenges on there. There are challenges for just about every interest, and she might discover something new. My DD has tried things she might never have tried otherwise and found some new interests. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Do you have a sewing machine? I learned to sew about that age. Maybe she would be interested in making a quilt? I also cross-stitched and embroidered when I was 11 and 12. She could get a head start on Christmas ornaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I'll look into it. Hmm...Their website is different than I remember...looks like they were bought by scholastic. I still see a lot of familiar titles though. A large bookstore might have a good selection to look at and I think Michaels crafts might carry some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My 12 year old daughter is currently in her room making a fleece tie blanket. She enjoys repurposing items throughout the house, sewing, painting, scrapbooking, making jewelry, stamping cards, decorating clothing, and almost anything else that is creative. She made me a beautiful pain of earrings for Mother's Day. She has also started trying to make a rag rug. Pinterest is where she goes for ideas and she looks up how-to videos to learn how do whatever she cannot figure out on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Diy.org is actually a great idea. Especially if you "assigned" challenges. I totally agree with the physical activity thing though. I would have her train for a 5K, or work up mileage on a bike, or just run around at parks too. My almost 11 year old dances. She also loves to draw. Rainbow loom was huge here for a LONG time and still comes out sometimes. I did teach her to crochet, but she didn't love it. I'm teaching a beginning knitting and crochet class to beginners this fall and I think I will have her take it. My kids just try a bunch of stuff. Sometimes I push to get them to try because that's their personalities. Some things stick. Some don't. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Does she want to learn an instrument? Also, even if she isn't into sports I would encourage some sort of sustained physical activity. It doesn't need to be competitive. It could be yoga or hiking or swimming or just riding her bike. Are there volunteer or odd jobs she could do? She swims and will pursue life guarding when she is 15. She plays piano, but doesn't like it enough to play beyond her required daily 20 minute practice. good ideas, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 My 12 year old daughter is currently in her room making a fleece tie blanket. She enjoys repurposing items throughout the house, sewing, painting, scrapbooking, making jewelry, stamping cards, decorating clothing, and almost anything else that is creative. She made me a beautiful pain of earrings for Mother's Day. She has also started trying to make a rag rug. Pinterest is where she goes for ideas and she looks up how-to videos to learn how do whatever she cannot figure out on her own. The repurposing is a great idea. Unfortunately for her, I am a minimalist, so everything I don't have a good use for usually goes in the garbage. I kind of feel badly for my kids. When I tell them that I am in the mood for purging, they frantically start to put all of their toys and stuff away. "Oh no! Mom is purging! Quick, put everything away!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Sewing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I would encourage cooking/baking! It's an important life skill, plus you get to eat goodies. Maybe she could eventually take over making dinner one night a week! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Baking and bread making, I started both when I was her age. I made the craziest stuff because no one told me I shouldn't. One of the first things I made was a cheesecake. I am still an excellent cheesecake maker to this day. There is so much to learn about baking and cooking. Let her watch some alton Brown on Netflix and take some cookbooks out of the library. Let her spend some $ on ingredients and see what she comes up with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My12 yo sculpts with sculpey for hours on end- pinterest is full of great ideas. Drawing/ painting. She planted her own garden this spring and has big plans to get a water garden this fall. Violin practice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Weaving (rigid heddle loom or inkle loom) Computer Programming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Weaving (rigid heddle loom or inkle loom) Computer Programming Yes! She could learn to code this summer! All the really cool girls are doing it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Making skin care/ soap. Lots of recipes are really easy and it's very practical from the point of having a product to use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroe1 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Video games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Photography could be a good option too. You can keep it simple and use a phone camera or similar. There are tons of free apps for editing phone images and creating art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonwood Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Rainbow looming is way different than using a loom. Plus there is no shortage of rainbow loom videos on YouTube. Dd has made loads of cool things. Duct tape crafts! Also no shortage of videos on that. Dd really loves her duct tape crafts. Oh, and around here if you say you're bored, you are put to work. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather R Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My daughter enjoys computer coding and doing science projects from decent quality kits. Yesterday she extracted DNA from an onion. Lol. And then was very disappointed our microscope was not adequate to actually see the DNA strands. Lol She also writes stories, plays playmobil, goes for bike rides, etc. This summer she wants to learn stop motion animation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 My DD draws/writes a webcomic and a blog. Citizen science projects are also a good way to spend the time. If you have a Project FrogWatch chapter in your area, they're partnering with PBSKids SciGirls to offer workshops focused on pre-teen girls this summer in various parts of the country (DD's chapter is doing one and she gets to attend as a helper-she's not eligible to be a student since she's done FrogWatch training in the past). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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