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 voil`a! 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+