Why go to the mall when you can make things at home using materials recycled from around the house?
This classic educational and creative text features 125 projects, carefully selected by the author to "develop natural curiosity and self-esteem," and to demonstrate "simple and important concepts that have shaped the cultures of the world."
So when a child asks, "What can I do?" you can reply, "Make things! Paper from laundry lint! A bird feeder from clothes hangers! Chocolate pudding finger paintings! Beautiful fishandpotato prints! A cardboard box loom that teaches weaving and math! A simple pattern to sew shirts, pants, or dresses!"
The author's detailed and delightful drawings fill every page "so that children just starting out and grownups who have missed out can quickly grasp the ideas."

Consistently the most useful book I've used with kids . . .[it] has been, and still is, my bible.

—CathyWilson, author, mother of nine homeschooled kids, and teacher of youth in custody

Fresh and inspiring. . . . The majority of the ingenious projects are not found in other craft books.

—Library Journal, starred review

Ann Sayre Wiseman developed this book while Program Director of the Boston Children's Museum Visitor's Center. A therapist, teacher, mother, and grandmother, Ms. Wiseman has written more than a dozen books. She is also an artist with work in the Rockefeller and Hirschorn collections, among others.

Credits and Thanks VI
Dear Beginners and Late Starters VII
Permissions VIII
The Animal School:A Parable IX
Learning by Doing XI
Save Things for Making Things XII
Paper Lace Hangers 2
More Paper Lace Hangers 4
Star Balls 4
Paper Sculptures 5
Paper from Vegetable Fibers 6
Paper-Making Master Notes 8
Kiko's Seagull 10
Flapping Owl 11
FoldandCut 12
3-D Stand-up Scenes 13
Paper Beads 14
Paper CurlsandMobiles 16
Tissue Fish 17
Paper Glider 18
Paper Spinners 19
Paper Faces 20
Finger Puppets 22
Paper Bag Puppets 23
Corrugated Cut-away 24
Printing Fingers 25
Printing Vegetables 26
Printing Potatoes 28
Block Printing 30
Roller Printing 32
Fish Printing 33
Marbelized Paper 34
Smoke Paper 35
Bookmaking 36
Binding Signatures 38
Cloth Book Jackets 40
Butterfly Book 42
City Book 43
Clay Leaves 44
Pasta BeadsandPaper Clips 45
Finger Painting 46
Crayon Activities 47
Marionettes 48
Slotted Animals 50
Climbing Pull Toys 51
Tin Lid Ornaments 52
Hammered Wire Jewelry 53
Balancing Toys 54
Mobiles 56
Balancing Shapes 57
Straw Mobile 58
Salt Pendulum 60
Bed FriendsandUmmmm-Dears 62
Pillow Cozies 63
Mouse Pouch 64
AppliqueandStitchery 65
Stitches 66
Rug Hooking 68
Portable Houses 70
Box Houses 71
Box Horses 72
Cardboard Racing Turtles 73
Stilts 74
The Wire Hanger 76
Camping Aids 78
Grass Hats, Mats, Sacks, and Soles for the Feet 80
Animation Motion 82
Zoetrope 83
Kites 84
Plastic Bag Sled Kite 85
Twisting 86
Rope Winding 87
OverandUnder Weaving 88
Plastic Drinking Straw Belt Loom 89
The Heddle 90
Popsicle Stick Heddle Loom 91
BoxandStick Inkle Loom 92
Thrumming Loom 94
Weaving in Math Class 96
Weaving Patterns 98
Weed Weaving 99
Twining 100
Macrame Knots 102
Macrame Belt 103
Macrame Necklace Sampler 104
Love Pouch 105
Knots 106
Commando's Vest 108
Quick Clothes 112
Donut Blouse 114
Tie-Dye 116
Dyeing 117
Quick Batik 118
Stocking Masks 120
Braid Wig 121
Glove Finger Puppets 122
Odd Sock Puppets 123
Soap Mitten 124
Ivory Soap Boat 125
Soap Sculpture 125
Giant Bubbles 126
Go Fish 128
Xylophone 130
Sweet Sounds from Found Objects 131
Candle Casting 132
Candle Dipping 134
Energy Toys 135
Box Costumes 136
Box Sculptures 136
Window Shade MapsandMurals 137
Stained Glass Cookies 138
Bread Dough Sculptures 140
Peaceable Bread 142
Casting Plaster 144
Sand Casting 145
Plaster Scrimshaw 146
Plaster Carving Blocks 147
Connecting Things with Ideas 149
Questions 150
Solutions 151
The Making of Making Things 152
Art and Craft Books 156
Books on Ways of Learning 157
Index 158