Lantern

You will need:

  • Coloured chart papers
  • Scissor
  • Glue

1. Cut 14 circles from the coloured chart papers. Fold the circles in half.

2. On a long rectangular white sheet, glue the folded circles near each other.

3. Take a thick strip of chart paper and cut fringes on one side as shown.

4. Stick the fringes at the bottom of the white sheet.

5. Roll the white sheet into a cylinder and secure it with glue. Your base of the lantern is ready.

Monster Cookies

You need:

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour, sifted
  • ½ cup oats
  • ½ cup finely ground almonds
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup jaggery
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds soaked in 4 tbsp warm water for 10 minutes
  • Milk, if required

Adult: Pre-heat the oven to 175°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Steps:

1. Whisk the butter and jaggery together in a bowl until mixed properly.

2. Add all the dry ingredients to it and mix it gently with a spatula.

3. If the dough mixture is crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time till it becomes smooth.

4. Divide the dough into 12 to 14 equal parts. Roll it into balls, flatten it and put it on a tray.

5. Add gems, edible sugar eyes, and nuts to decorate the cookies.

6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden brown. Take the cookies out of the oven.

7. Add gummy sweets carefully before the cookies cool.

8. Enjoy the monster cookies this Halloween!

Gracy’s Boutique

Gracy chimpanzee lived with her grandmother in the Ashokvan forest. Her parents had passed away when she was small. Gracy studied very hard but couldn’t score high marks. Her classmates, Teddy bear, Horny rhinoceros, Nancy and others, were top performers. They would boast about becoming a doctor, an engineer, a scientist or a professor. Gracy always kept quiet.

After high school, all students moved out of Ashokvan for college. But Gracy did not get admission in any of the colleges, because of her low marks. She was very sad. Her grandmother asked, “Why is my darling so upset?’’

“Granny, some of my friends have left Ashokvan for further studies, while some others are joining their family businesses. I too want to achieve something in my life but I am unable to get admission in any of the colleges because of my low score,’’ said Gracy tearfully.

“Not getting admission in a college is not the end. You can also think of a career for yourself with your skills or talent!’’ explained Granny.

“But I don’t know anything. Nor can I do anything,’’ replied a sad Gracy.

“Gracy, you have a hidden talent within you. Think about it,’’ encouraged Granny.

“What hidden talent do I have, Granny?’’ asked a stunned Gracy.
“Try to remember. You used to score A+ in crafts in your school. You made a mat out of old rags and a painting out of broken bangle pieces. The colourful paper flowers made by you were decorated all over the school building. Have you forgotten that?’’ Granny recounted.

“But you had helped me in making all those things,’’ replied Gracy.

“Of course! But you had designed and crafted them. I am ready to help you even now,” said Granny encouragingly.

“I just like making those things!’’ exclaimed Gracy at Granny’s idea.

Without wasting any time, Gracy chalked out a schedule to start her work. First, she went online to know how to set up her own business.

Then she went on to meet her art and craft teacher, Chimpy baboon. Chimpy liked Gracy a lot. She felt happy when Gracy expressed her desire to learn painting from her. She said, “I am free in the evenings between 4 to 6 p.m. You can come and learn during that period.’’

During the day, Gracy would learn ‘Phulkari’, ‘Chinkankari’, ‘Crotio’ and other types of embroidery originally from different states. In the evenings, she would go to Chimpy to learn painting from her.

In the afternoons, she would browse the internet and learn making flowers out of cloth and paper. Not only did Gracy have talent, but she was highly committed and hardworking. It didn’t take her long to master all these skills. Soon she became an expert in making all types of handicrafts. She started making artificial flowers, art pieces, paintings on old bottles and turned them into vases. She also made wall hangings out of coconut coir and ice cream sticks. Gracy started selling her handicrafts from home.

She also enrolled herself in a statue making class. She was a keen observer too. She would engrave beautiful concepts on her crafts. She introduced new and novel designs every day. The demand for her products grew rapidly so did her business. She started employing a few workers to help her out too.

Gracy’s handicrafts were the talk of the forest. One day, Bhoori monkey, Shilpi wolf and Disco duck met her in the market.

“I like the view of the sea. So I got a sea view painted on my bedsheet by Gracy,’’ said Shilpi.

“And I got a scene of a river flowing through the mountains on my dupatta,’’ said Bhoori.

“There’s no doubt in it. Whether you need to decorate your house or gift something innovative to someone, you get them all at Gracy’s store,’’ added Disco.

Gracy’s business expanded in no time. And Gracy opened a store that was the talk of the forest!

Summer holidays started and Gracy’s classmates were back home from their colleges. They were surprised to hear about Gracy. “This is just miraculous Gracy! We still have to pursue our studies for two more years and then we have to search for a job. But you have achieved a lot in such a short span of time. You are already running a successful business,’’ said everyone praising her.

After a few days, Gracy decided to join the Institute of Design. It was a part-time course.

Granny asked Gracy, “You are running such a successful business. Why do you have to enrol yourself for anything else?’’

“Granny, this way I will fulfil my dream of achieving higher studies. I can also learn new techniques to develop my career. My business will run more successfully,’’ replied Gracy.

Granny felt happy that Gracy had taken such a wise decision of fulfilling her dreams.

DIY Tricolour Badge

You will need:

A5 size cardboard, blue coloured paper, scissors, black sketch pen, paint brush, craft glue, ribbon, pista shells.

How to make:

1. Take a piece of cardboard and cut into a circle.

2. Cut and stick the blue coloured paper on the cardboard.

3. Colour the pista shells – orange, white and green as shown.

4. Stick the green shells on the outer edge of the cardboard circle. Next, stick the white shells and stick the orange shells in the inner-most circle.

 

5. Add a ribbon on top for hanging it. Write a message in the center of the badge.

Your Badge for National Flag Adoption Day is Ready!

Pencil-Shaped Box!

Make a pencil box at home to store all your stationery!

You will need:

Pink and white chart papers, pencil, ruler, scissors, glue, black marker

How to make:

1. On a white chart paper, draw a rectangle measuring 18x16cms. Divide the rectangle into one row and 6 columns measuring 3cm each.

2. Draw 6 triangles over the columns.

3. Draw a horizontal strip on one side of the rectangle and semi-circles on the triangles. Your template is ready.

4. Cut on the lines and fold the semi-circle flaps inwards.

5. Apply glue on these flaps and the horizontal strip to secure the body of the pencil.

6. On a pink chart paper, draw two parallel lines measuring 18cm. Divide the lines into 6 parts of 3cm each. On this line, draw a hexagon with each side measuring 3cms. Draw a thick border around the 5 sides of the hexagon.

8. Cut the template and fold the hexagon forward. Fold the 5 segments on the thick band.

9. Fold the 5 flaps inwards and glue the segments to them. This is the cover of the pencil box.

10. Use a black marker to decorate the pencil.

Rainbow Bites

You need:

  • Chopped onions, carrots, capsicum, tomatoes and boiled corn
  • Cheese Spread
  • Sliced Bread

 

  • Apply cheese on the bread slices.
  • Arrange the chopped colourful vegetables as you wish.
  • Enjoy!

Oven-Roasted Corn

Hot, roasted corn is a must-have this monsoon! Use a topping of your choice and have fun!

To cook the corn:
1. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 190°C.

2. Put the whole corn along with the husk in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. If there’s no husk, cover the corn with foil and bake.

3. Ask an adult to remove the corn from the oven and peel the husk off.

4. Insert a popsicle stick on both sides of the corn to hold.

5. Mix the ingredients for the toppings and brush your favourite one on the corn! Enjoy!

Toppings:

1. Butter, salt and pepper

2. Butter and chocolate sauce

3. Honey, lemon juice and butter

4. Cheese sauce, butter and pepper

5. Lemon juice and chaat masala