Bee and I haven’t yet entered the craft stage (we’re still working on getting the spoon in the mouth rather than on the dog), but I’m so looking forward to a bright future of glue sticks and construction paper. Crafting was one of my favorite hobbies as a kid, and although I’m not much of a DIY gal now, I love the idea of reserving a quiet afternoon for creativity and play. Especially if it looks like this…

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Although the earliest known paper dolls originated in Europe in the 1700s (and were created to entertain adults, no less), it wasn’t until the 1930s that “The Golden Age of Paper Dolls” gained steam. Yet with the introduction of Barbie‘s 3D (or should I write 3DD?) dolls in 1959, the pastime slowly faded from the limelight. Now, more than eight decades later, the paper doll era has returned to glory – thanks to a surprising backlash in technology use among kids.

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We’ve seen fruit-shaped crayons, but what about fruit-tasting crayons? Luxirare blogger Ji Kim has boggled the minds of every DIY-loving mom, creating a series of food bars to be molded and formed in the shape of crayons. The kicker is – they actually draw…

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Tween boys are crazy hard to shop for, yes? They’re not quite in the throes of the “I’m too good for a gift” stage, but they’re really good at hiding their excitement for absolutely anything that exists. Enter “Stitch the Stars” calendar kit from artist Heather Lins ($24). With glow-in-the-dark embroidery floss (which is OMG the most genius invention in the world) and a super simple poke-and-stitch concept, your favorite tween can get an introduction to embroidery while stitching his own zodiac sign.

Or, you know, the zodiac signs of his many future girlfriends.

Printed with glow-in-the-dark ink on heavy cardstock, the kit arrives in a muslin bag with an embroidery needle, floss and an instruction sheet. (Instruction sheet for tweens themselves not included.)

Purchase the “Stitch the Stars” calendar kit for $24 at Heather Lins Home.

I all too often have grand intentions of being a crafty mother, but rarely do I make time for fun projects and artsy creations. (Bee doesn’t quite understand the magic of glitter yet, sadly.) Except for when said projects take less than 5 minutes. Surely anyone can carve out 5 minutes, right?

If you’ve got time to spare, simply cut out a few cloud shapes and string them along using Bumcat’s mobile as inspiration. So cute, right? Go team!

LINK: BUMCAT

Made from cardboard and a series of adhesive dots, Bildopolis is a city of awesome you can create with your littles. From puppet shows to rocket ships and more, let your imaginations run wild! Genius idea, yes?

LINK:  BILDOPOLIS

I’ve never met a kid that didn’t crave off-road driving. But how smart is this roll of removable tape for impromptu drag-racing with your little? You know, for those who prefer to live life in the fast lane.

LINK:  MINIME

Oh gracious; I was completely obsessed with little people as a child. I had the plastic versions myself, but I can’t wait to gift Bee these tiny little wooden dolls someday. And how much more special would it be to craft a set of our own family? (I wonder if I can figure out how to turn a few into dogs for Bernie and George?)

So sweet.

LINK: MINILUU

Finger painting is one of my favorite pasttimes (and current times, actually!), but my gracious, that stuff is toxic to the core. Good news! Veggie finger paint exists, all of the sudden. Who knew?

Genius.

LINK: UNCOMMON GOODS

I know very little about 3d models of planes, trains and automobiles (omg I love that movie!), but I do know I’ve never seen any as cute as these colorful pretties. Also, scooters should definitely reside on every kid’s shelf, because scooters are rad. And kids are rad. So naturally, they jive.

Made from soy oil based ink and created with recycled card and paper, I’m feeling a crafty afternoon coming on, yes?

LINK: FASHION ART OBJECT

p.s. The airplane is equally adorable, FYI.