non-electronic pastimes for pre-teen DD

[lilolilmanchester]

Prompted by another thread.... what home-based activities can I suggest for my 12 year old who once upon a time would spend hours doing arty-crafty type stuff, writing stories, illustrating, doing jigsaws, playing board games, loved reading etc etc. She does have activities outside the house but when she's home, she is not interested in anything. We won't allow her to spend all her time on computer/TV/texting - but she finds everything else boring. Occasionally I can persuade her to make greetings cards and she's made the odd scrapbook but she has grown out of the other crafty activities. She'll knit for 5 mins, then she's had enough. Likes cooking/baking but can't be doing that all the time. Hates jigsaws; struggle to get her to read for long. ideas very welcome!

How about other sewing-type activities? I wasn't good at knitting, but loved crocheting at that age. I also learnt how to use a sewing machine then, and also how to do patchwork.

great idea re sewing machine. I think she'd love that. Never done patchwork myself and can't remember how to crochet but maybe we could learn together!! Actually, thinking about it, she loves "customising" things (whether it's her Nintendo DS, bags, t-shirts etc) so you've given me some great ideas for projects. THANK YOU DandyDan

Would be interested in any other ideas too

DD1 had Klutz Paper Fashions for her 11th birthday 3 weeks ago and has not put it down.

Brilliant.

Has got her off the laptop.

My dd1 (10) and I are learnign to patchwork together at the moment - she's much better at it than I am!!

Thanks Chaos. Will show DD, if she likes the look of it she can put it on her birthday list. Actually, forgot to mention she'll be 13 soon so the opportunity to get some things for her. That said, would also like ideas for things which don't cost a lot too

Re the sewing machine thing: something very easy you can make is a tote bag out of strong cream fabric (can't remember the name of it). One long piece for the front-through-to-back, and two short pieces for thin side panels. And folded and hemmed strips of whatever length you like for the handles. I made some of these last year with my daughters and they liked printing on them with those hard foam stencils + fabric paint. Or we sewed on lengths of bright ribbon, and jazzy matching buttons on top of the ribbons.

My 14 year old has a hotfix wand that she uses to bling all her possessions with crystals. It started because she wanted glittery skating stuff, but you can do denim, bags, clothes, shoes - she has even done her nintendo! The swarovski crysals are £££ but you can get much cheaper ones that are a bit less sparkly but otherwise do the job just as well.

It's something that will suit ex-crafty types whilst still being uber-cool - crystals on clothes are very in at the moment!

This is my favourite site for the actual crystals. They do mixed hotfix boxes which are great value.

Dd1 at this age was very into Beadlings. Jewellery making is an obvious spin-off from that.

I found some cotton sheets that can be printed on using a normal printer. DD and I are going to print some pictures of Jonas brothers and make cushion covers for her room.