Little girls and crafts?

[RougeRaven]

My friend and I were tired of hearing about little girls having poor self esteem and self worth. And we were also really pissed about the lack of good female role models in today's society. So we are doing to be doing a bimonthly class with little girls ages 9 to 12. Bascially, each time we meet we'll discuss a different strong woman from history or today, what positive traits she has, what she did, and then a craft that has something to do with the woman we learn about that day. Such women would be Harriet Tubman, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth Blackweel, Valentia Vladimirova, etc. Does anyone have ideas for crafts or even women? Keeping in mind the crafts are suitable for 9 to 12 years olds?

[crnaofca]

jewelry, jewelry, jewelry. my 9 y.o. is mad about making jewelry. it has to be simple enough, bigger beads, minimum of finishing... 10 y.o.-s can make more complicated things, too:)
or you could all make your paper from old newspapers and then make cards from it, they will feel like it is a big deal:) you could dry some herbs and use them for card making
all sorts of decorations... festive or for every day...
they are old enough for knitting, but not all of them will like it:)

and if there is a possibility to have a mini craft-fair, they will enjoy organizing it, just make sure every girl does one part of job, they love to be in charge of something:)

[RockinRobyn]

you can teach them to hand-sewn. Easy things to sew with a good ole needle and thread:

purses/handbags
pillows
stuffed animals
scarves into headbands

[RougeRaven]

All of those ideas are excellent! The jewelry and pillows sounds perfect. I had to laugh when you said purses, I still have a hard time with those lol. Maybe we'll make those jean pocket purses! Thanks girls!

[redthreadarts]

I might do a nine-patch quilt block as a tie in to how most household items were made by women, how much sewing had to go on in the avg. household circa 1870 or so.

[Gryph]

As far as women role-models go for kids, I've always been sort of fond of female superheroes. 'specially the Powerpuff girls these days, they strike me as being cute and girly and simotaniously pretty smart and very capable of fending for themselves. With Bratz Brand-Name Fashion Tweens in 3D showing daily and commercials for Barbie every ten minutes, it might be cool to get them involved with the less midrift-y female rolemodels avaliable on TV. Could work great with some big bead crafts (lots of colour) or drawing games where they could draw their own superhero or somesuch. I loved making up superheroes when I was that age.

Craft-wise, you could try handkerchief dolls. They're really easy- I made one in Girl Guides when I was about that age- and should be cheap to make too.

By the way, it sounds like an absolutely awesome idea for a class. Young girls these days seem to want to grow up into Barbie and Britney Spears all too fast these days, it's great to hear about someone teaching them differently.

[danceisthenewmosh]

I like to teach my 11 yo neice about women in photography because they were out of the box thinkers.  Her favorite is Julia Margaret Cameron.  We also make soap together, obviously with care because of melted soap is hot.  Also paper crafts would be good, scrapbooking, cardmaking collage.  I can't wait till my daughter is old enough to craft with.  Right now we are at the pony beads on a string phase.  Only I do it all and then she stops screaming.

[djonesgirl]

I  have 4 girls and they all love doing crafts from the klutz line of books.  Our favorites are the friendship bracelets, hair wraps, various bead crafts and even quilling!  The books are great and explain every step well.

[craft_t_chic]

What an amazing idea! I work with children myself, and am always looking for ideas for things to do with them. We have a monthly "Girl's Club" that I really want to see get away from nails and facials and go more towards self-empowerment!

I'll make you a deal...you keep me updated on your project and I'll keep you updated on mine?

[danceisthenewmosh]

Friendship braclets!  I didn't even think about that.  Steals idea for next babysittig adventure with neice.