Take Your Medicine

It’s easier than you think for your kids to make their own Medicine Bags! Medicine bags were used for exactly what it sounds like…medicine! Hundreds of years ago, medicine was made from various plants that were used by either eating, being steeped as a drink or they could be muddled, made into pastes or rubs. These bags held the various remedies so they were easily accessible and today can be used to hold all of your kid’s valuables (you know, rocks and stuff).

 

• You’ll need:
  • A piece of fabric (thicker fabric works best and felt is a great option). The bigger the piece, the bigger your bag. A 12″ diameter piece will make a bag that stands about 4″-5″ tall. 
  • A piece of cord: you can use a shoestring, yarn, or a leather cord. The cord needs to be about 6″-8″ longer than the diameter of your fabric. 
• Cut the fabric into a circle
• Mark holes around the edge of the fabric, about 1/2″ from the edge. They should be about 2″ apart. 
• Use a hole punch to create the holes
• Tie a knot into one end of the cord and start weaving the cord in and out of the holes. When you get back to where you started, add some beads to the ends (beads can also be used to slide up and down the cords and keep the bag shut. tie the two ends together,
• Pull on the cord to cinch the bag closed and you’re done!

Art supplies:

• Yarn
• Feathers
• Beads
• Felt
• Leather Cord
• Faux Suede

 

Resource: http://www.childrenatplay2.blogspot.com/2013/08/native-american-medicine-bag.html