Rating: 
Ages: 6-up Subject:
Art Brand:
Creativity for Kids
Review Sections: Product Overview
Dollar Value
Product Overview
This special craft kit comes with a miniature size, fully functional metal
file cabinet that is ready to paint and decorate with included supplies. The
cabinet measures approximately seven inches tall and just over four inches deep
and is an almost exact version of regular-size file cabinet, except that it
has a slot at the top so that it can double as a bank. The top drawer locks
and two keys are included with the kit.
The kit comes with special paint designed for use on metal surfaces. It's
also permanent, so kids should protect their clothing and tables before they
begin this super craft. Although a few suggestions are given in the kit's instruction
sheet, the project is meant to be rather open-ended. Children can add painted
spirals, squiggles, stars, hearts, and decorative borders to their cabinet.
A magnetic picture frame is included—children need only add a personal
photo. Clear glass stones and magnetic strips are also included so that kids
can create special Opti-Art magnets for their cabinet. Kids use the technique
of reverse glass painting to create original glass magnets in this project-within-a-project,
and the magnets are handy for attaching notes and pictures to the file cabinet.
We have found that too many art kits come with barely enough paint to complete
a project, but this set includes a healthy ten pots of different color paints.
If necessary, children are free to mix the paints in order to create custom
colors for their cabinet. A good suggestion in the kit's pamphlet is to recycle
old pieces of cardboard to create "mini" file folders for the drawers. The metal
cabinet is very sturdy and looks great no matter how it's decorated! Children
enjoy the chance to decorate it any way they please, and the fact that this
project creates very functional art means children can admire, show off, and
use their sturdy little cabinet for years to come.
Dollar Value
The suggested retail price is approximately $19.99
US each.
The Bottom Line
This adorable, open-ended creativity kit allows children
to paint and decorate a miniature file cabinet that can be used as a bank or
a place to store special little objects.
Released: 2003
Reviewed: May 2003
