by James Johnson

Created on: April 12, 2010

I do a lot of programs and activities with children in the Caribbean and money is always a challenge, as well as keeping the kids excited and interested.  This means using local resources that cost little or nothing except effort, that can be collected by the kids if possible and yet have a wide range of uses.  Bamboo meets all those qualifications, especially if doing crafts!

There is a thin member of the bamboo family, "switch cane" that is native to the islands.  It is long, thin and more of a grass (It is also known as bamboo grass)  There is also the thicker bamboo that was brought from Asia and Africa for use as scaffolding and construction. it can get up to 6 inches in diameter, is extremely durable, and strong.  Both types of bamboo are very useful for crafts!

The thin bamboo can be taken and dried, then the thin stalks used for the frames for a wide variety of kites.  The strength is amazing and you can make everything from the standard "t"  kite to circular Caribbean kites to some fancy box kites.  Make your frame from the bamboo and then simply use paper or plastic to cover it.  We then paint it brightly, add on a variety of tails and the go fly kites!

The little bamboo can also be easily cut green and then carefully twisted into circles.  The circles can be interwoven and dried to become frames for baskets (which we line with coconut cloth and fill with mangoes).  The hoops can be left single, lined with flowers and are now wreaths for doors and churches.  Of course, some kids just make the hoops, put out sticks in the ground and play a game similar to horseshoes! 

The bigger bamboo is cut up into sections, usually either into rings, thin slats or whole joints and then made into craft items by having the children paint them.  Thin rings become napkin holders.  Whole joints become flower vases, bowls or even pirate mugs.  The slats can be whittled down and made into toy knives.  

Kids can also use the bamboo for making picture frames, toy boats, blow guns (and the darts) and almost anything that can be made out of wood (we even made collapsible Frisbees).

Bamboo makes great crafts for kids

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