Craft kit instructions

[Little_hands]

Hi everyone

I am writing up instructions at the moment and was wondering if any of you would care to pass comment on what you like & loathe with regard to instructions in childrens craft kits.

Thanks in advance
xxx

[Eiledon]

Hi

I did a children's bracelet kit and put full instructions including a picture of the knot to finish of the bracelet.
Just keep them simple and perhaps test it out on a child before printing several of them.

Good luck

http://eiledon.co.uk

[Little_hands]

I was thinking of including things like a preperation steps to help the adult involved get things ready before hand, a list of extra buts n' bobs that might be useful

Also sometimes the instructions are too simple so is it better to spell it out?

Another point is that there are different ways of doing things. e.g using a plastic takeaway tray to put under said craft for pouring glitter over or a piece of paper. Should I mention both in a top tips kinda way.

Should I have 2 sets of instructions. Quick step and detailed, which would also increase production costs.

So many things whizzing around my head!

xxx

[AnnieAnna]

I'd say have as much in pictorial form as you can.
Lots of kids can't read that well or read the words but don't get what they mean. (Lots of grown ups do that too.......Ikea instructions - yeah, computer manuals - argggghhhhh.)

I think you need to try them out on some willing victims before you do a big print run.
(I'm thinking that because I was working out how to teach medieval finger loop braiding at the weekend. I'd already taken two steps back from the original grown up, braid making competant, orientated instructions........and realised I needed to introduce another 'practise' move before (nearly) everyone got a smooth path to success. I still needed alternatives for the under 6 year olds and a girl with the shortest attention span I have ever seen.)

[phoenixdreams]

Feel free to post what you have written on here or message me, Ill show to my 7 yr old, if thats an age your targetting and give my feedback. My little girl loves her crafts and is even wanting to design her own jewellery lol so Im sure she would love to have a peak.