Most people, I think, have only heard of this magazine because they either have a child in Scouts or know someone that does. It is sort of geared toward Girl Scouts. Although I am not sure why. It is the perfect magazine for anyone that likes doing crafts! Scouts do not get a discount on the magazine, (I have 2 girls in Scouts for the past 4 years and have never been offered the pleasure), but more than once I have received "offers" for the magazine and there are always pictures of the troops completing projects.

And what wonderful projects they have! From something as simple as cutting the top off a 2-liter pop bottle, painting it orange with black features (like a jack-o'-lantern)and filling with candy for Halloween to a bit more advanced ideas like Christmas necklaces where you make some of the beads. I have gotten many ideas from this magazine for Scouts, school, and home. Including Christmas gifts: paint an old marshmallow creme jar, fill it with Chocolate Mocha Cocoa Mix (recipe included), decorate the lid and viola! Not your style? Fill it with chocolate ball candies. Still not quite you? Skip the lid, put a small pot in the mouth of jar, in that place a votive candle. Great idea!

In this one particular issue I am looking at from a couple of years back (like National Geographic, these things NEVER get thrown away!!!), it advertises "41 Easy gifts you can make". Well, I think it should be "41 IDEA'S". I don't think the snowman costume would be a really great present for someone! However, you can look at the pictures in the ads, etc. and understand how to make them, which adds even more ideas!

The paper is a bit thicker than most magazines which is great because, as I said before, these puppies do NOT get thrown away! AND because they tend to get messy when working with the kids and glue, paint, etc.

Unfortunately, the single issues are $4.95. I am a cheapskate and that seems like a lot of money to me. The yearly rate is $17 and it is publishes every 2 months. That can be a problem in itself: once I got a Halloween issue a week before Halloween. In the "arts and crafts world", that is a bit to close to the holiday!

Even with the higher cost and being published 6 times a year, this is a TERRIFIC magazine and well worth the money!

My favorite thing about the magazine is that is not written for crafty Martha Stewart's! It is written in plain English and with helpful pointers. Each craft has a square on the page with the needed materials, which makes shopping easier. Then it has ideas on where to buy certain items. For example, materials for 'Scratch-and-See Rewards Cards' it says:
MATERIALS: Pre-cut card
stock, shapes of choice*
Gel ink pen, color of choice
Acrylic paint, color of choice
Masking solution*
Paintbrush, rubber stamps
(Option: stamp pad)
*Pre-cut shapes can be found in the scrapbook section of craft or parent/teacher stores. Masking solution (EN 109) from Aleene's TM Extender Series was used in this project. See where to find it on page 66.


This makes it all SO simple for those of that are trying to learn how to do along with our children!

Pak-O'-Fun has only a few "extra's": "What's Inside" is on two pages (there's always a lot to do here!), a quick note from the editor and the necessary credits one page, then 2 pages on 'News From You' (showing pictures of kids and their completed projects), 'News For You' (arts and crafts-type products for kids, helpful holidays ideas, etc. You know, one paragraph ideas/items that might interest you). The rest of the nearly 70 page magazine is packed with crafting ideas!




Recommended: Yes