Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids

by Merrilee Liddiard

Perfect for after school or a rainy Sunday, Playful is a charming collection of 26 unique, modern projects for adults to make with and for young children. Divided into five categories—Playful Dress Up, Playful Toys, Playful Paper Crafts, Playful Repurposing, and Playful Art—the low-skill, high-style, low-cost projects include a tiger piñata, a parade of paper puppets, and a dollhouse made out of cardboard and bright duct tape. Sweet and straightforward, this enchant­ing book is sure to inspire many happy, colorful hours of making—and make-believe—among adults and the children they love.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2014

About the author

Merrilee Liddiard (pen name: Tuesday Mourning) grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado where she and her eight brothers and sisters drew constantly. She would look forward to rainy days as they meant a lot of time indoors drawing paper dolls with her sisters and creating elaborate stories about them. She later received her bachelor’s of Fine Art at Brigham Young University where she learned how to draw and paint for a living. Tuesday has illustrated the covers of over 20 chapter books as well as four children’s picture books including the acclaimed Princess Peepers books by Pam Calvert and the popular rhyming story, Billy Milly, Short and Silly by Eve Feldman. She feels ever grateful for the opportunity to be able to work doing what she loves best. When not illustrating, Tuesday loves to spend time with her husband and two boys, crafting, building, reading, exploring, giggling and eating.

Reviews

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with my youngest being 8 and most of the projects geared toward kids a little younger, there are still a few ideas in here that would be fun to make together. Adorable designs and photography for the book.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I question whether kids would be interested in some of these.

I would like to make the squiggle map and the peg people when my baby gets a little bigger.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some inexpensive ideas

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the simplicity of the crafts in this book. They aren't so overly complicated that a child couldn't participate and no need for expensive supplies. Most of the crafts in this book aren't the kind you think "I've never thought of that before" however, they are put together in a way that you don't become overwhelmed thinking about getting them accomplished. I can't wait to begin some projects from this book!

[A.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

2014, informational


I follow Merrilee Liddiard's blog and Instagram, and I am always inspired by her sweet, simple, and common sense designs. Her motifs feel timeless and somewhat nostalgic because they reflect the way children must have played before high-tech toys and digital media took the place of one's imagination. I feel like her templates are unnecessary- I like seeing her creations and then adapting them to our needs.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun book! We're going to make the twig crown and paper floral crown for sure. The duct tape cardboard brownstones are so cute and would be neat to use as Christmas decorations as well as for playing.

[Sherri Osborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out this great book, Playful: Fun Projects to Make With + For Kids by Merrilee Liddiard, and find plenty of fun projects for the entire family. Read my dull review: http://aboutfamilycrafts.com/playful-...

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old fashioned fun of making your own toys, crowns, cities etc. Love it!

[Corinnagoodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

some really great kid knight stuff