| So often we think of the computer and printer as | | | | printer paper and do a search online for playing card |
| office tools meant for work and work alone. You may | | | | images. Print them out and cut them out. Or, you can |
| use it to make a budget, a grocery list or manage your | | | | come up with your own card game. Print out each |
| finances, but the thought of doing something fun with | | | | card and enjoy playing for a long time thereafter. |
| your office equipment may never cross your mind. | | | | Make Your Own Stickers |
| You can show the real versatility of your computer | | | | If you have some label sheets for your printer you can |
| and printer to your kids by trying out some of these | | | | easily design your very own stickers. Take some of |
| fun projects. They're easy, cheap and a lot of fun to | | | | your favorite images or maybe even draw some of |
| do-for both you and your kids! | | | | your own. Have your child draw some pictures, scan |
| Color It In | | | | them in and then print them out on stickers. It's a great |
| A simple project is to do a search online for "coloring | | | | way to make a lasting imprint of your child's artwork. |
| pages." You should find some simple outlines of | | | | Origami |
| images. Save them to your desktop, print them out | | | | One fun way to use your printer and challenge both |
| and let your kids have fun! Make sure you show them | | | | yourself and your kids is to print out some origami |
| the process of finding and printing the images though, | | | | patterns. Sometimes, those written instructions can be |
| because that's half the fun! Make sure to use draft | | | | confusing so a printed page with folding instructions |
| printing mode from your printer software if you want | | | | can be helpful, especially for origami beginners. |
| to save on your printer ink. | | | | Make a Mask |
| Calendar | | | | Have your child design a mask on the computer. |
| If you have an older child, making a calendar on the | | | | Come up with an outline for the mask. Just the basic |
| computer together might be a fun project. Select | | | | shape will do. Then, have your child add pictures of |
| some pictures together. They can be some fun | | | | their choosing, or maybe even scan in a few drawings |
| pictures you find online or maybe some family photos. | | | | of theirs. Once your child gets everything on the mask |
| Come up with a layout for the calendar, there are | | | | outline as they like it, print it out. Punch some holes on |
| many templates available for this in programs like | | | | both sides and add a string to tie it on with. Voila! |
| Apple iPhoto or even Microsoft Publisher. Once you | | | | Instant mask! |
| have finished the entire year, print it out on some nice | | | | Paper Dolls |
| glossy or matte photo paper and either bind it or keep | | | | Draw a simple outline of a person either on the |
| the sheets separate to hang up. | | | | computer or on paper and then scan it in. Have your |
| Scrapbooking | | | | child add features to the paper doll person. And then |
| This is another project for older children and it's really | | | | print it out. Design some clothes on the computer too. |
| quite involved. In fact, if they enjoy it, it can be a hobby | | | | Again, it's simple, just draw some simple clothing |
| they'll continue into adulthood. Start by using some | | | | shapes and have your child fill them in with color, or it |
| template pages in your favorite photo editing program. | | | | can be more elaborate with designs. Programs like |
| Or, search online for some template you can use in | | | | Paint works well for this. Next, print out the work and |
| Word or what have you. Once you have some | | | | attach it to the dolls! It's fun and simple. With so many |
| templates, find images and decorative borders you | | | | different colors, shapes and sizes, this can be a great |
| can include. Finally, select the family photos you'd like to | | | | project that can take hours. Just make sure that your |
| incorporate and get to work. | | | | child does not end up wasting a lot of printer ink |
| Write a Book | | | | cartridges and photo paper by not using all those |
| Okay, so you don't have to write a novel here, but it | | | | images they print with your printer. |
| can be a fun way to have fun with your kids. Come | | | | 3D Models |
| up with a fun story together. Prompt your kid to come | | | | This one is for the older child or the more dexterous of |
| up with an idea for a character. Once you have a | | | | children. Do a search online for 3D models that you |
| great character in mind, think of all sorts of fun | | | | can print out. I know there are some great ones for |
| adventures this character could have. Write out these | | | | the Star Wars series. You can print out the various |
| ideas with your child or have them do it if they're old | | | | parts of the model, cut each one out and with some |
| enough. Finally, type if all on the computer, add pictures | | | | careful folding (and gluing) you can have a realistic |
| and print it out. You can make a little flipbook as a | | | | looking model made just out of paper. Again, this isn't |
| keepsake. | | | | for the little ones, but it can be a fun and inexpensive |
| Playing Cards | | | | project to tackle with your older kids. |
| This one's easy and a lot of fun. Get some thicker | | | | |