How Crafty Are They?

Mermaid's Palace (Chicken Socks, $14.95). Make a mermaid's home, furnish it with the punch-out bed and sea creatures, then accessorize your mermaid with shells and pearls. A little too fiddly for kids under about 7, and clean-up's a cow, but pretty engrossing. B-

Flip Books (Klutz, $14.95). The template for a cute little flip book is provided. Young Spielbergs draw in a few details, clip it together, et voilà! This is that rare craft book that boys 10 and older will enjoy. Parental intervention is needed for ripping the pages (careful!), but that's all. B

Short Stuffs (Chicken Socks, $16.95). Even little hands can play God and make their own stuffed animals. It's all about felt and Velcro—no sewing. For kids over 6, this will be pretty simple, though it's fun figuring out what to do with the creature. Science experiments? B+