Paper Fashions Fancy
(Klutz $21.95 Score:) Paper cut out books were never so open ended. Here the fashions are designed by using templates on a variety of papers that are supplied for inspiration. There are trims as well to add to the original designer clothes that kids can dream up. A goodly supply of fashion ideas are provided in the pages, but the real fun is in making them truly your own. This is a satisfying kind of kit for kids who are at that stage when their own drawings are sometimes not all they would want them to be. A supply of tiny metal hangers to hang your designs on. No scissor is provided, but tips on cutting are. They say 8 & up. We think this will challenge even slightly older kids.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2008.

Create YOur Own Fashions
(Klutz $21.95 Score:) Remember your Barbie Tracing kit? This is a non-Barbie version with plenty of possibilities for young designers. There are two models and lots of stick on clothes. The young designer puts the ensemble together on a template. There are faces, hairstyles, clothing and accessories. Then they trace their design and figure. Now they can add textures and color. Testers liked the open ended-ness of something that on the surface appears to be little more than a tracing kit. This is a satisfying kind of kit for kids who are at that stage when their own drawings are sometimes not all they would want them to be. Calls for a lot of fine motor skills that kids may be willing to apply when they like what they are doing. 8 & up, up, up.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2008.

Thumb Doodle Book
(Klutz $14.95 Score:) Getting boys and girls to hone their fine motor skills for writing may be a little easier with this entertaining Thumbprint book. Kids dip their fingers into the paint pads and then add features to create cartoon like doodles. It’s not great at, but it is good fun and even better, it can make using a pen less ominous. 6 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2008.

Klutz Build a Book
(Klutz $12.95 Score:) There are two versions of this book making kit. Both are guided book making with suggested art and materials provided to make the pages that show our family, favorite things, stuff you like to do and friends. Sure, your child can make this kind of book without buying a kit, but this one is spiral bound and provides some inspiration. Another version of the book that is titled “All About My Family.” These are the kinds of projects that get better with age. More fun to look at 10 years from now than they may be when the glue is still drying.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2008.