You will be amazed at how much fun you can have at a Junk to Jewels event!

 

Kids are very creative...and their little minds work so different from one another.

 

There are really no rules with a Junk to Jewels event. Kids can create whatever they want...however they want.

 

Just set out the junk and let their imaginations run wild!

 

You may want to have a few "creation" examples availabale to get their little minds to working...thing that you created in advance.  If you decide to do this, make sure to tell them that they are not to copy your work...but create their own.

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Before We Begin

• Gather Junk, Junk Junk...and more junk! Clean out your resource room, closets and drawers at home, your husbands shop, your sewing and craft rooms, etc. Ask your members for their junk. Be specific...small items and old electronics...no refrigerators, car tires, etc. :) If you do not receive enough electronics to tear apart, check at junk stores, salvation army, thrift stores, etc. They usually have a toss bin for items that are just junk! 

• Set up several tables filled with old craft items...Kids may pick and choose what they want to use. 

• Throw down a tarp to place pipes, scrap metal pieces, or larger items on. Kids can sit  down on the floor to create or take what they want back to their tables. 

• Set up tables filled with old electronics. Supply screwdrivers and battery operated power drills with a screw attachment (If you have one or two). Your handyman can show them how to use the drills to get them started. I allowed our older kids to use the drills and they did great with them. You be the judge at your event. 

• Set up several "work tables" for the kids to work on. Give them plenty of space to work. You may want to cover the tables with brown paper or plastic table cloths.

• Set up your handyman and craftyista tables (if you choose to use one). Make sure to set the tables up near an electrical outlet.

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Food

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Can you guess what you would serve at a JUNK to jewels event?

Junk food of course! Please see suggestions at the bottom of the page.

 

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Be Prepared

Some children are quick to create...some are not.

For those who whip out one craft after another...challenge them.

 Hand them a bag of puzzle pieces, some wiggly eyes, some screws, etc. Instruct them to create something using each of the items. Give them different challenges throughout the evening. Check your tables for items that are not being used...unusual items. These are the items you want to challenge the "crafty person" with.

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For children who need help a little extra help...partner them with other children allowing them to create group crafts. The only problem here is "Who" gets to take the craft item home. If there are two people working on a craft, they will have to make 2 crafts and each person gets to take one home.

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Clean Up

There are no limits on how many crafts a child can make.

Each child will take home their own crafts.

This means that they will be hauling off a lot of the items that you brought in! Win! Win!

When we were finished with our event, I allowed parents and children to take anything

that they could/would use at home.

I pulled a big trash can up to the junk tables and disposed of "junk" items.

All metal, paper and plastic items went into recycling. (I dropped it off at our

local recycling center on the way home)

All unused supplies went back to the resource room. (glue, tape, etc)

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Pics

Take Pics, Take Pics, Take Pics!

Take short video clips, take short video clips, take short video clips!

If you have extra help, assign the picture taking duties to someone else!

CANDID SHOTS ARE GREAT!!!

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Extra Help

Although the children will be busy creating, it is ALWAYS a great idea to have extra help for your event. Extra hands make for light work.

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This is the perfect event for some kids from your youth (student ministry) department....to help with.