Book, website chock full of crafts for kids

It's inevitable: The weather is wet and cold. Kids get bored. But the doldrums are just the thing for unleashing children's creativity.

Give them a few ideas and supplies, and step out of the way.

If they can wield a pair of scissors, children can make the cute characters in Sarah Goldschadt's book "Craft-A-Day." The book provides a crafting motif for each week of the year, and a simple paper cutout or small felt object each day. There's a new iPad app for downloading templates and instructions. Goldschadt's website, www.sah-rah.com, is starting out the year with a craft a week.

The animal patterns, including a penguin, dog and raccoon, are most likely to grab a child's imagination. After tracing a template, kids can use it to make cards, magnets, gift tags, mobiles and cake toppers.