There's a PBS morning show that my children watch called Lamb Chop's Play Along, which is constantly causing us trouble.
It happens like this: Shari Lewis shows some simple craft project, such as folding a napkin into a rose, and my kids go crazy trying to do it.
Of course, Mom and I weren't watching, so we have no idea how to do it. But since we're parents, we're supposed to know everything, such as how to fold a wad of paper into a flower.
A couple of incidents like this sent me to the Web in search of simple projects that the kids can do to stay entertained on a rainy afternoon. I also needed clear directions, not 15 seconds of Shari before she breaks into The Song That Never Ends.
And I found plenty.
Basic origami
Want to fold a paper bird? This popular origami model can be found in several places on the Web, one of the best is "How to Make an Origami Crane" http://jw.stanford.edu:80/KIDS/SCHOOL/ART/origami/kids_origami_crane1.html
This four-page manual offers simple directions and photos that most kids - and even parents - can follow.
If folding a paper crane gives you the origami bug, stop by Bob Shuster's Origami Hotlist -
http://www.webphoria.com/hotori.html - which will link you to sites that show how to fold paper frogs, giraffes and dragons.
Of course, the most popular paper-folding project is airplanes. For a dozen designs, stop by Paper Airplanes on the Internet
http://pchelp.inc.net/paper_ac.htm The directions aren't the most complete, but they can be copied and printed out for study.
Serious folders can take a look at an F-117A Stealth scale paper model at Paper Scale Models
http://www.inch.com/~mw/pprmdl/psm.html and even download plans. Or you can buy them from the site.
Practicing card tricks is a popular activity for older kids; a large collection of tricks can be found at Card Trick Central
http://www.mindspring.com/~ehillsman/index.htm) Tricks here are sorted by difficulty, and new tricks are submitted regularly.
However, to get to the hard tricks, you must pass a simple test that demonstrates your interest in magic.
Learn knot tying
Not into magic? How about knots. The rope kind.
Kids can learn to tie basic fishing and camping knots (such as the bowline and clove hitch) at the Library of Knots http://www.pixelmotion.ns.ca/cybrmall/knots.htm
It's one of several sites that show how to tie knots, using diagrams and animations.
For a massive collection of links to Web pages about knots of all sorts (including decorative, Celtic knot designs, even mathematical theories about knots), visit Knots on the Web
http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~t64tr/knap.html you can learn what knapping is, how to do it, the history of stone tools and where knappers gather to practice their skills, and view stone tools.
There's even an explanation of how to make an Indian arrowhead from a beer bottle (and a warning about the dangers of working with broken glass).
And finally, a project that I recall from my long-lost youth: the pinhole camera.
Yes, you can still make one from a can, cardboard, tape and a roll of color or black-and-white film. Kodak offers the plans at its Web site
(http://www.kodak.com/ciHome/education/lessonPlans/pinholeCamera/
Save those soup cans!
E-mail Charles Brewer with questions, comments and suggestions at CBrewer@enquirer.com Charles Brewer's columns can be found athttp://enquirer.com/columns/brewer