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I love showing the boys how many ways there are to give back. When I learned about a fun summer campaign that FamilyFun magazine (one of my favorites) was doing I knew it was a simple and great way for kids to give back and we instantly wanted to participate!
“When a child puts on a cape, he feels strong, happy, and free—and that instant transformation is especially powerful for kids in need. That’s why FamilyFun magazine started its Capes for Kids campaign, which encourages volunteers across the country to make capes and donate them to children at risk. Because we love any excuse for a get-together, we think the most fun way to make capes is with friends at a cape-making party!”
Making capes for kids entering shelters is a small but meaningful way to show them that they are thought of and hopefully make them feel a little bit safer. Kids love to play pretend and I don’t know many kids who wouldn’t love a cape.
FamilyFun has some awesome templates and all the info for holding a cape making party yourself.
You can do it one day or keep supplies out like I did and have a mini party whenever new kids come over to visit so they all can make a cape! I had some pre-made plain capes but there are lots of other no-sew templates out there along with the ones Family Fun provided. They also have some cape emblem templates that many of the kids used. Some tips for making your own – make sure you have new, sharp scissors, felt can be tough for kids to cut (adults can help too) and have plenty of colors available.Fabric glue works great at fully securing the felt, just make sure you leave it out to fully adhere and dry for 24 hours before packing up.
Here are some of the favorites that I just packaged up to send.
Once the capes are finished, you can donate them to a a children’s hospital or shelter or to another local charity. Or send them to FamilyFun’s partner Enchanted Makeovers, which is a nonprofit group that creates care packages for kids in homeless shelters nationwide.
This is a great way for kids to brainstorm different things to create or collect to donate and open up a conversation about all the different types of things you can do to give back.