three Hula-Hoops and four thin dowel
rods.
Fold a sheet to match the 2 inches
longer than the diameter of the
Hula-Hoop, and 4 inches longer than
the length of the dowel rod used to
construct the skeleton.
Lay the length of your skeleton down
on the floor and roll the Hula-Hoop
structure along the sheet, securing with
safety pins as needed.
Secure structure to the top of a very
study trunk with cotton rope as needed.
CHAPS
You will need
*Sheepskin rug
Cut a rug to cover the front portion of
your child’s leg.
Secure comfortably by tying directly
over the fur and around the child’s leg;
one at the thigh; one at the calf so it
does not restrict movement.
*We bought ours at IKEA.
RAPUNZEL
RAPUNZEL’S TURRET
You will need
1 industrial hook
1 to 2 rolls of hanging wire, depending on
ceiling height
1 Hula-Hoop
20 curtain rings
1 sheet
Secure an industrial hook into the
ceiling; this will be your anchor.
Tie a length of high-weighted picture
hanging wire at four corners of a Hula
Hoop, secure these lengths at level
heights to the hook in the ceiling.
Using curtain rings that are able to open,
secure five along each interval of the
Hula-Hoop.
Secure and hang a sheet to create a
“shower curtain.”
Create a cardboard section to dress up
the top.
Braid a length of yarn to create a length
of “hair.”
NOTE: Children should not attempt to
climb up the hair.
HEADBAND
You will need
3 feathers (or more, depending on your
tribe status)
1 yard of ribbon (we used 1/2” buckskin
suede, but anything will do, even a
shoestring)
Small piece of leather approximately 6
inches (we designed it so the suede side
showed to feel more like deer skin; two
leather elbow patches would also work)
Cut out one 3-inch diameter circle.
Cut another 2 1/ inches in diameter. (The
larger will be the bottom, the smaller is
the top.)
We used pinking sheers on the edges of
ours for a finished design effect.
Center the circles on top of each other.
Using an X-acto knife, cut two 1/2-inch
vertical slits about 1/2 inch away from
each other in the middle of the circle.
This will be how you thread the band
through.
On the bottom circle, measure a
concentric circle 1/2 inch in with a pencil.
Along the line of this new mark, make
three 1/4-inch slits where you would
like your feathers to be, we divided our
distance evenly into thirds.
Cut another 1/4-inch slit parallel to each
existing slit (like an equal sign) 1/2 inch
from the existing slit.
Thread your feathers through these slits.
If you want more feathers, make more
slits.
Place your bottom circle, now with
feathers, and place the top circle on it to
line up the slits for bands.
Thread through, leaving a loop for the
headband.
Slip on your child’s head and knot.
PIRATE SHIP
PIRATE SHIP*
You will need
3 curtain rods
4 zip ties
50 pound weight
1 drill
2 industrial hooks
1 to 2 rolls fishing line
Curtain rings
One Sheet
Paint (optional)
1 fan (optional)
Lay the longest curtain rod down on the
floor.
Measure at the halfway point and lay
another shorter curtain rod along at its
center point.
Measure sections into fourths; at the 1/2
mark, attach a curtain rod. At the next
1/4 up, place another.
Lay the remaining curtain rod at its
center point at this point.
Secure crosswise with multiple zip ties.
Select desired place in floor for pirate
ship to stand; measure the length of the
horizontal beams.
Tie a length of a high-weighted picture
hanging line at the ends of the beams.
(You need to make sure you use a heavy
enough weight line.)
Drill two industrial hooks into the ceiling
to sustain the weight. (These will be your
anchors.)
Erect the frame into an umbrella stand
(weighted down with books), a small,
clean garbage can or a vase (as shown).
Secure the lengths of fishing line into
the hooks to prevent the sail from
tipping over.
Slide curtain rings onto rods and clip on
a folded sheet, or cut to desired size.
For sail action, turn a fan on to a low
setting.
*Please use caution—recommended
for older children and under the direct
supervision of adults.
SHIP’S WHEEL
You will need
3 paper towel or 5 toilet paper rolls
Glue gun
2 pieces of cardboard (to cut rings)
Cut out two rings with extra cardboard
Hot glue the staggered rolls in between
the two rings.
SWEET PAUL . SPRING 2011 |117
