DIY Kids Coins

 I've been busy! I got this idea a few weeks ago and started figuring it out in my mind while I waited on buying some supplies (this was NOT expensive!) My mind started rolling after seeing this post about robot coins here, and this idea about story stones here. I've also been brainstorming games and activities to help Otto count up to 20. He's great up to 12, then gets confused with the teen numbers {whose brilliant idea was is to name them that way?}. So the Coins were born. I like that they are small . I like that they are sturdy. I like that they have numbers and pictures. I like that with one item, there are many different games and activities.

So here's the idea and the many uses of the coins: 

1. Otto can post the coins in numerical order while at the same time (this is important so they aren't fighting!) Atlas can post the coins which have pictures on both sides.

2. Both boys take turns picking ones that I specifically ask for (ei. Atlas, where's the guitar? He LOVES it!)

 

3. Otto can sort them by categories: Numbers, Weather/Nature, Things, Food, People/Animals, and Transportation.

4. We can pick them out of the jar one by one and use them as story coins. The idea is that you choose one to start your story, then as you go along keep choosing new coins, weaving that item into your story.

5. They can be used to match colors, and I'm sure we'll find other uses for them as we use them more!

Here are the coins front side:

 

And flip side:

 

I wish I could give everyone my JPEGs for printing them out, but because I used all items from scrapbook designers, it would be illegal! I can tell you how I made them and give credit to the designers whose work I used.

I used 1.5" wooden discs from Michaels. They were 22 discs to a pack, and I used 32 coins. (There are some leftover, so I can always add more pictures if I want.) Since I couldn't just wait to use two 40% coupons in two visits (the only store that carried these was a bit far away), I used one coupon and bought the other at full price. Total price: $8

The can was an upcycle cocoa can. Total price: free (we already used the cocoa, right?) I covered the can with some nice scrapbook paper. Price: 25¢

For the images, I created a new document in Photoshop Elements and made a template to house each item at the perfect size. Then I added each item, resizing them to fit. Some of the items are from online freebies while others are from kits I purchased previous to this project. After I filled a page with the items, I deleted the template part and printed the sheet. If you are interested in making your own, Google images is a great way to get clip art.

Next, I used a 1-1/4" circle punch to punch the images, then mod podged the circles onto the discs. My husband commented, "That's your favorite stuff, isn't it?" Well, I do love my Mod Podge!

And there you have it! Fun Coins!

A breakdown of the items I used:

Sahlin Studio: numbers (recolored), deer; 

Designs By Dani: flower, shoe, ice cream, popsicle, boy/girl, robot, owl, blue car, street light, yellow bus, rocket ship, skateboard, submarine, blimp, race car; 

Just Jaimee: rainbow, cloud, boots, beach ball, hot air balloon; 

Creativity By Crystal: planet, house, guitar, apple, whale, dump truck; 

Megan Turnidge: star, arrow; Amy Stoffel: raccoon, fox

Melissa Bennett: sun; Karla Dudley: moon; Sugary Fancy: umbrella; Sugar Hill Co: tree; Queen of Quirk: record player (recolored); Zoe Pearn: heart; Digital Design Essentials: camera; Cinnamon Scraps: cupcake; Little Butterfly Wings: dog; Jady Day Studio: bee; R. Wagler: butterfly

Family Memory Game in Felt Bag Tutorial

I made my first felt bag for a set of flash cards I got at a garage sale. I can't stand having cards in a plastic bag - the bag gets wrecked, discarded, and you end up with a flash card here or there, under the couch, in the toy basket, etc. So, I made a felt bag to contain them. Otto loves it and so does my sanity.

Last year I made a Family Memory Game for both sets of our parents - they were a hit, especially with the grandchildren - they get to play a game with their own faces on it, how cool is that?! The game itself is pretty easy to make:

Supplies:
One set playing cards with colorful back
Photos - 2 of each person/couple, size 2x3
Double-sided tape
Laminating Sheets
Laminator
Corner rounding punch

Tape photos onto the playing cards, then laminate. Round the corners with the corner-rounder punch. See? Easy.

The next part is the tricky part (for my artistic side of the brain vs. wherever the heck my math side of the brain is). You will need to measure your finished deck of cards like so:


Supplies for your Felt Bag:
Felt (I use a thick felt)
Strip of cotton fabric
Snap and Snap setter

Do you have your measurements? Now you have to do a bit of math.

Add: Width" + Depth" + .75"= width to cut your felt.

Add: (Depth" x 2) + (Length" x 2) + 2"= length to cut your felt.

Now cut your felt.

Measure the length of the felt and add 4".
Cut your cotton fabric: 2.75" (width) x (length of your felt + 4")

Okay, now the hard part is over and you can get to the sewing, Yay!

First fold over the edges (1/4") of the cotton strip and press.

Center the cotton on the felt and pin.

Turn over and pin the cotton approximately 1/8" from the end. This is really important because you will be stitching from the top and the pins will be your guide as to where to sew the ends down.

Sew all around the cotton piece, 1/8" from the edge. Now go back and sew from where you pinned on the back down to the other pin to close the cotton on the other side. After you are done, it should look like this on the back:

Fold the felt, right sides together and sandwich the deck of cards in between. One end of the felt should be flush with the top of the cards. Pin (like above) to indicate the top of the deck. [If you are attaching a label/tag, now is the time to sandwich it between the side seams] Sew the sides together up to the pin.


Trim the sides of the flap down to your sewn edges so you won't have extra material "flapping" out the top.

Put the corners of the flap together and round them with scissors.

Turn inside out - You are almost done!

Center the snap and attach according to package directions.

Now admire your handywork and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!


This is my first tutorial, so leave a comment if you liked it or if I need to change anything so it's easier to understand! Thanks!