Looking for a creative activity to do with the kids? Why not consider making a dream catcher? As well as being an attractive decoration to hang over a bed or throughout the bedroom, the dream catcher has a symbolic and comforting meaning. According to legend, it helps ward off bad dreams and promotes peaceful sleep, making it an ideal project for the very young. But how do you make a dream catcher?
In this article, Kidlee with DIY ideas and practical tips! With your help, children can create their own dream catcher. Before doing so, we'll explore the origins and significance of this object.
What is the origin of the dream catcher?
The dream catcher has its roots in Native American culture, more specifically among the Ojibway tribe. Legend has it that a man, looking after his brothers and sisters, set out as usual on a hunt. Finding no prey, he wandered off towards a mountain. There he encountered a terrifying beast, the memory of which would haunt his nights as soon as he closed his eyes to go to sleep. Exhausted by his nightmares, he went into the forest one day, exhausted, and fell asleep. When he awoke, he discovered a spider's web above him, and concluded that it was thanks to the web that he hadn't had a nightmare. He decided to try the experiment again, and once again, he didn't have a nightmare! Little by little, the story spread among his tribe, and the women began to make dream-catchers inspired by the spider's web to protect the inhabitants from bad dreams. The dream-catcher, or dream catcher, is thus designed to capture bad dreams and destroy them at daybreak.
What does the dream catcher represent?
Legend has it that the hoop symbolizes the sun. The traditional weave of the dream catcher evokes a spider's web that captures bad dreams, which are burnt away by the first rays of sunlight. The eight points of contact with the hoop correspond to the eight legs of the spider, while the pearl at the center of the weave represents the spider itself. The pearl in the center of the weave represents the spider itself, and the feathers help dreams to pass from the pearl to the holder of the dream catcher. Originally, dreamcatchers were mainly intended to protect children and babies from bad dreams. In Amerindian culture, dreams are seen as a link between man and the Great Spirit, and good dreams have a positive influence on a child's development. If they focus on their good dreams, they are more likely to adopt a positive attitude. Over the years, dreamcatchers have become spiritual decorative objects to be hung on bedroom walls or above the bed. Since then, many different types of dream-catcher have been created to be placed in different rooms, adding a bohemian decorative touch as well as a spiritual dimension. Dream catchers are also said to absorb negative vibes in their environment.
How to make your own dream catcher?
Have fun creating dreamcatchers with the kids thanks to affordable DIY. If you are baby sitterIf you'd like to organize a small creative workshop on a Wednesday. If you are FamilyMake the most of a rainy weekend by creating dreamcatchers together. Here are a few DIY ideas for you to choose from.
Mini dream catcher simplified
The dream catcher shown here is simplified, both in terms of weaving and the number of beads and feathers. To make it, simply follow the steps below:
- Material preparation : Gather an empty roll of tape, a pair of scissors, wool, feathers, colored thread and other decorations.
- Wool winding : Wrap the wool around the roll until it's completely covered. Secure with a knot.
- Weaving creation : Take a length of colored string and tie a knot around your hoop at regular intervals. Then stretch the string to a central point and form a loop. Continue making evenly-spaced loops until you've gone all the way around.
- Repeating the process : Repeat with a second length of string, then a third.
- Adding feathers: Tie a length of string to a feather and secure it with a knot at the bottom of your hoop.
- Final decoration : Add a few decorations, like mini pompoms or a glitter star.
- Suspension : The final step is to attach a loop of string at the top to hang your dream catcher.
Source: HappyThough.co.uk
DIY child, how to make a dream catcher with a paper plate :
To make this dream catcher, you will need the following items:
- A paper plate
- Scissors
- Painting
- Wire
- Feathers
- The pearls
- A hole punch
- Stickers
The steps:
- Cutting : Cut out the center of the plate to create your circle. Punch holes around the edge and paint the plate.
- Feather preparation : While the plate dries, attach the thread to each feather and add the beads for decoration. Repeat for three strings of beautifully decorated feathers.
- Weaving on the plate: Once the plate is dry, thread your yarn randomly through the holes and add a few beads to embellish. You can also decorate with stickers if you like.
- Feather attachment : Drill three holes towards the bottom of the dream catcher and attach the feathers.
Your dream catcher is now ready to hang on the wall or above the bed. If your child has a bad dream, invite him or her to blow into the sensor!
Source: 4 Crazy Kings
Colorful dream catcher
or this version, gather the following materials:
- An embroidery drum
- A few balls of brightly coloured wool
- Coloured adhesive tape
- Multicolored wooden beads
- Pompoms
Realization:
- Hoop winding : Wrap the wooden hoops with adhesive tape to match the desired decoration.
- Canvas creation : Use different-colored twine to create several passes and a full weave. Make a few garlands from string and beads to give your dreamcatcher a finished look.
Source: Deavita
DIY kids : How to make a dream catcher in 5 steps :
You will need the following items:
- A round base for the dream catcher (metal ring)
- Scissors
- Remaining strands of wire - different colors
- Adhesive glue
- Colorful handcrafted feathers
- Colored Styrofoam balls
- Pompoms
The steps will be as follows:
- Take a metal hoop and wrap it entirely with wire, then finish with two tight knots with the remaining wire.
- Take 1 or 2 strands of yarn of different colors and wind them randomly inside the base to create a random pattern.
- Once the weaving is complete, attach coloured thread to the bottom of the circle.
- Glue Styrofoam balls to the weave to add even more decoration.
- Finally, attach the colorful craft feathers and pompons to the open ends of the wires attached to the bottom of the circle.
Find the DIY in detail on : Craftbits
Small video tutorial to make the famous traditional canvas:
We're sharing with you this tutorial video showing how to make traditional weaving easy. If the child wants a real dream catcher, you can take care of the weaving while he adds the decorations to the threads that hold the feathers!
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/705868941594772286/
