Dinosaur Tails

It is just a week before Christmas now. I looked around at all of the crafts that we have made in the past few weeks and thought, "I want pictures." Then I thought about how everyone asks me about our craft projects and decided to create a blog about it. This can be, for lack of a better word, my new journal. My old journal ran out of pages. Don't you just hate that?! Anyway, I though I would start with the dinosaur tails I made (with the assistance of my good friend, Jenni K) for Carson's dinosaur birthday party. These are incredibly easy to make and inexpensive. I bought white pantyhose for $1 at Walmart. This project requires one pair of pantyhose per child. I had saved newspapers up until I had quite a few. I balled up pieces of the newspaper and stuffed them down one of the pantyhose legs. I did this in a graduating manner. So, the leg was smaller at the bottom and built up into a larger top, so it would resemble a tail. Then I painted the tail. This is the tricky part. I just used regular tempura paints. It took several coats of paint. I would paint one side and let it dry then flip it over and paint the other. It take a couple of days to get the paint just right. Then, when the tail is completed, I tied the non-stuffed leg around the child's waist while positioning the tail in the back of the child. It sounds complicated, but that is because I am not so good with the words!! :) Anyway, they were a total hit!! The kids loved them. They were an inexpensive, unforgettable party favor. I topped them off with foam masks from Oriental Trading Company, and we had dinosaurs running around everywhere. It was great.

Carson and Jordan's tails.

Since Jordan is only 15 months a made a half-tail by only stuffing half of the leg and tying it off lower than normal.

This is a great shot of the graduation in thickness. They really do look like tails!!

This was an incredibly easy craft to do. I would say that it was a bit time-consuming because of the paint, but it was worth it. It set the tone for the whole party. The kids loved them. And, none of the parents had seen them before. I give this craft high marks.

Happy crafting!!