Making outdoor bunting

Picture: 101 Things For Kids To Do Outside (Kyle Books/Will Heap)

There are a few things in life with which I can find no fault: champagne, Betty's Afternoon Tea Room Blend, Tunnock's Caramel Wafers and, of course, bunting.

Of course, the only really appropriate thing on this list for kids is the bunting* which is why I made sure to include a version in my last book.

I love this for two reasons - first because it's BUNTING (naturally) and second because it's a great way to recycle plastic bags (but if you are still overloaded with the things, don't forget they are also ideal to stuff homemade scarecrows).

Oh - and also, it lasts for ages (unlike the outdoor bunting made from oil cloth and sold for extortionate amounts of money by floral sounding brands which just goes mouldy after a year…. not that I'm bitter or anything).

To begin, get the children to decide where they want their bunting to hang and cut a ribbon (or string - but ribbon looks much nicer) long enough to stretch between the two points with a little extra length to let you tie it up at either end.

Next the children need to make a large triangle on a piece of card using pencils and a ruler. If they then cut this out, they'll have a template which they can lay on a colourful plastic bag (or cellophane) before drawing round it.

When they've cut out these triangles, they just need to fasten them at the top to the ribbon with staples.  If they are using string, they can bend the top of the flag over the string line and staple the turnover in place.

And if they only have quite pale or white bags, they could cut these into triangles and then decorate with coloured permanent markers instead.

Whatever they decide, you will have bunting, so all will be well with the world.  And yes, bunting is that powerful.

*NO they are not allowed near my Tunnock's - a fact I've made clear on several occasions

Comments

[mini gardeners]

I share your love of bunting (and champagne!) and I'm drawn to the idea of durable plastic bunting that can stay outside all year round. Going to have to try it although as most of our plastic bags come from Tesco we'll have to go down the permanent marker route :)