AskAnissa: Fall is about to come and the whole family is excited for it. We have so many plans in store including games and family gatherings but the problem is we don’t have any idea on what indoor games could be interesting for kids. I’m excited to invite my grandchildren over to spend the weekend with us. What tips can you share to make it more fun and exciting? – Anonymous

Answer: As the weather changes into something cooler, it is advisable for children to play indoors. As long as they enjoy and have fun, believe me the entire family will not get bored too. Don’t worry too much because there are so many indoor games in store for your grandchildren.

As well know, the season of fall is related to thanksgiving and for bountiful harvest so better prepare activities that have somehow a relationship to it.

Pre-school Age

Many children that belong to this age group hates reading because they have shorter attention span so better remove the idea of letting them hear stories. Always see to it that they play interesting games like treasuring hunting or board games for kids. Also, you can have printed fall coloring materials for them, in a way you’re also letting them learn.

Older Children

Playing could be sometimes boring for kids ages 8 and above because they might have so much memory already when they were still younger. Families really enjoy playing cards, so why not teach them those kind games? It could really be enjoyable especially when all the family members cooperate. Playing mind board games could also be interesting like Boggles, Word Factory, Monopoly, Scrabble or even Millionaire’s game. Also, if they are already bored, there are DVDs available for rent or purchase. Turn on those television sets and let the movie marathon starts. Prepare them snacks and juices that would make their experience more comfortable and memorable.

For Every One

Always remember that fall games are not only intended for the younger generation. Adults could also enjoy playing with other family members like having charades, freeze dance and the like. It may seem to be so childish but once you try it, it could really be fun. Also, you can teach the kids to bake to warm up the house in spite the cold weather.
There are so many things that the whole family can enjoy during fall. As they say, it’s the best time to celebrate and thank the creator for all the blessings he bestowed on each and every one of us.

AskAnissa: I really wanted to make jewelry, key chains and other projects from polymer clay. I am really fond of clay creations, that’s why I wanted to learn how to do it. I also wanted my kids to learn it so we could have a bonding time together but is it safe to use with children? Where can I purchase polymer clays and how do I get started? – Anonymous

Answer: Being artistic is essential in molding polymer clays because you can create animals, neckpieces, bracelets, beads, sculptures, etc. and when you have mastered the art, you can share it with your friends or establish your very own business. Creating polymer crafts is very easy and safe for children but it is not advisable for ages 3 below because they might swallow it.

Crafting polymer clays is fun and entertaining since you can depict your very own imagination into an artsy work, and the details can be visibly seen since the shape can be held well after being baked, so you can really appreciate the craft more. Crafting polymer clays is really a great technique to enhance your imagination, sculpting skills and creativity and you don’t have to be an artist do it, you just have to enjoy what you’re doing. Polymer clays can be purchased in craft shops or online at <a href=" http://www.theclaystore.com/"> Clay Store</a> and are available under brand names like Sculpey, Kato, Premo, and Fimo, but the most commonly used is Sculpey and Fimo since they are really soft and versatile. It is also available in a wide range of colors and sizes depending on your needs.

And to start with, all you will need is your playful hands, bead rollers, clay cutters, pasta machine if available and a regular oven.  Polymer clays though they are flexible, still need to be conditioned before using. It can be prepared by kneading or by the use of a pasta machine. After molding, mixing colors and creating texture, it can be ready for baking, stay it away from direct heat and sunlight. Bake your clay pieces on a paper and not on foil for 10 minutes at approximately 215 to 275 degrees. And as a reminder, though polymer clays are labeled as non-toxic, we should still be careful and set it aside with our eating utensils.  Enjoy!

Question: I have 4 kids who range in age from 3 to 11, and after school or on the weekends its always helpful to have a few craft ideas on hand. I need some fun kids crafts, please help!

Melanie J., Austin, TX

Answer: Melanie, I completely understand the need to keep new ideas on hand for a rainy day or a day with little or no homework! I have included some fun links below, and I guess I'm a little excited for Halloween. Even though some of them have Halloween designs, they are great templates that can be used all year long. The finger puppets, are great for year round play, and the magazines might just have a few fun activities in them too!

Creepy Halloween Spider Web Doorway Kids Craft
- Craft a spooky spider web doorway decoration to set the Halloween mood. For a less scary look, use fun collage materials to decorate your spiders and their webs. Added to Halloween Crafts.

Finger Puppet Bats
- Finger Puppet Bat. Tie these from the ceiling with fishing line, and watch people duck out of the way. when the party’s over, you can hand them out along with all the treats. CRAFT MATERIALS: Sheet of paper Black construction paper …

Tor's Crepes
- Earlier this week I set out to make a batch of crepes for the kids' breakfast. When Tor saw what I was up to he let out a primal roar: "MY DO IT!!!" OK by me! He did all the measuring & mixing. Momma cracked the eggs & did the stove-top …

Build It, Fly It, Craft It
- And in the crafty department, I recently added Making Stuff for Kids, by Victoria Woodcock to our bookshelves. It has crafts for kids as young as three. It also has instructions for teaching kids basic sewing, knitting, cross stitch, …

Kids’ Crafts & Activities
- Why Kids Will Love It: Need a place to store all those odds and ends your little collector harvests? Then this treasure box craft is just the thing! This easy–to–make craft creates a lasting holder for all those fun treasures and …

TOP 40 Children’s Magazines
- Kids magazines are not only cheap, with many kid magazines offering free trials, but they offer a wide range of interesting stories, picture illustrations, games, puzzles, crafts and art projects for children and teens that help promote …

Question: My kids love to use the craft foam to make things, and as it is getting closer to summer, I want to find more ideas to help keep them busy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Lacey, ND

Answer: Lacey, there are many of these projects that you can purchase online or at your local craft store, but here are the instructions for one that's lots of fun for all ages.

One that I have come across that will keep the kids engaged for a while or can be split into two different activity times, is the foam glasses case. It's interesting and fun for all. This glass case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse.

To make the glasses case, you will need the following simple materials: a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn. Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 3-1/2 inches (9 cm.) by 6 inches (15 cm.). With a hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle, leaving one short side unpunched. Make the holes 1/2 inch apart and allow at least 1/4 inch between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself. Otherwise, the crafters can do this step if you have enough pairs of hole punches.

At this point the crafters can cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If you are doing the craft at a special event, like vacation Bible school, choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For instance, if the Bible school or camp has a cowboy theme, find shapes that fit well, such as boots, cowboy hats, and stars. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially if the crafters are a little older.

The next step in this arts and crafts idea is to thread the plastic needle with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. In a pinch, some teachers of small children use a bobby pin as a needle. It is certainly a safe alternative. Simply loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end of the bobby pin as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.

To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. If they'd rather, they can give the glasses case to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting for all.

My favorite place for crafts is JoAnn.com or your local JoAnns store.