Start saving your toilet rolls and elastic bands, used greeting cards and Popsicle sticks. You and your grandkids (or kids) will need them to make the crafts featured in the book Granny Get Your Glue Gun, by Maureen Goulet and Diana Budden.
The two West Vancouver women, both 65 years old, recently self-published the 64-page book of crafty activities that they say “even the most craft-challenged” will enjoy. All the activities and crafts, including baking and games, come with easy-to-follow instructions and comical quips to amuse grandparents while the youngsters (suitable for ages two to 12) work on their chosen project.
Although Goulet and Budden are "grandmas-in-waiting" they recognized a need whereby grandparents could connect with their grandchildren in more creative and meaningful ways. They also noticed more and more grandparents babysitting and helping out as an alternative to sending kids to daycare.
“We believe that grandparents can play more of a role to inspire their grandchildren,” says Goulet, who notes you don't have to be a grandmother to want to get started creating projects. “It’s also a great tool for young babysitters — all the crafts are inexpensive and simple to make.”
They initially had an idea for a book aimed at the gift market — a present to bring to, say, a baby shower for granny-to-be. They wanted simple, easy-to-follow activities with lots of bright illustrations that every age would enjoy.
“It was a big investment and not one publisher wanted the book at first,” says Budden, laughing. “So we made the book simpler, decided to self-publish and a book distributor in Kelowna liked it — now it’s selling across Canada. When we sold our first 1,000 books we were able to pay ourselves back our investment and make a profit.”
Granny Get Your Glue Gun is targeted at grandparents who didn’t have the opportunity to stay home with their own kids. Both Goulet and Budden were stay-at-home moms. Budden remembers making miniature gardens with her kids. Goulet made greeting cards and wrapping paper out of bits and pieces. Both women spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking with their girls and boys.
Budden says their most popular crafty project is making “flubber.” Remember Play-Dough? Flubber is similar, but costs almost nothing to make, as are most of the projects in this book. (The book also provides instructions on how to get flubber out of things.) “Making boats is a great excuse to drink wine,” says Budden with a chuckle. “But who needs an excuse? Collect wine corks, put them together with elastic, add a Popsicle stick mast and sail and voila, it floats.”
The challenge isn’t getting kids interested in the book — they love it. Rather, it’s getting them away from computers and television. Goulet suggests grandparents establish a routine when the kids come over that includes leaving computer or TV time for later. “Build a tent fort in the living room and then bring your iPad. And have a tea party,” she advises. “Last night I had some friends come over along with two young kids and their parents sat the five-year-old down with his computer. His puzzles and games were creative and amazing, but there was no interaction. We believe it’s important at times to be one-on-one — it creates a rapport and you get to know your kids.”
Goulet promises their book is a great way to do that.
Granny Get Your Glue Gun can be found at most bookstores across Canada, including Chapters and Kidsbooks. For more information visit grannygetyourgluegun.com.
