Party favors
Making place mats will entertain guests and provide souvenirs

Turn ballpoint pens into something that is not only functional, but will add beauty to the house.

For your child’s next birthday party, let her friends prepare their own party favors. Making these place mats will give the first guests something to do while the rest of the party arrives. After the mats dry, the children can use them while they eat and then take them home.

Materials:

• 18-inch-by-12-inch sheets of colored construction paper;

• foam stamps;

• acrylic craft paints;

• foam brushes; and

• paper plates.

What to do:

1. Use the paper plate as a paint palette applying a small amount of each color of paint to the plate.

2. Use the foam brushes to apply the paint to the foam stamps.

3. Press the painted side of the foam stamp on the construction paper and remove.

4. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the paint to dry.

The foam stamps come in a variety of shapes, from airplanes to butterflies, and can be found in any craft section. Children can use these to do an allover design, create a border or personalize the mats with their names. Clear contact paper can be used as a laminate if desired.