Fashion-obsessed girls and boys across the country are being inspired by the hit television show Project Runway to start designing and sewing their own clothes...or first couture collections! Help children who aspire to become fashion designers to develop their fashion skills with Christmas, holiday, birthday, or other special event gifts that nurture a budding interest in fashion.
Some Benefits of Playing with Fashion Design Toys and Kits
Children will develop:
- eye-hand coordination and fine-motor skills through tasks such as tracing, drawing, coloring, cutting, sewing, gluing, and decorating clothes and outfits.
- observational skills from examining models and design guides.
- visualization skills from picturing new outfits and styles.
- problem-solving skills from going through the step-by-step process of creating clothes from scratch.
- self-esteem from having made something they can touch and display to others.
- experience with dramatic play through acting out fashion shows on a high-fashion runway.
Fashion Design Toys for Children Who Can't Trace or Draw
Young children interested in fashion can rub plastic templates with a crayon to create silhouettes of different outfits, then use texture templates to create patterns. Options include:
- Fashion Angels Design Studio Set ($24; 3 and up).
- For a retro alternative, check eBay for old Tomy or Hasbro Fashion Plates sets with templates for clothing styles ranging from the 1970s to the 1990s.
- The youngest fashion designers can also use Barbie iDesign Ultimate Stylist ($35; 5 and up) to layer different fashion cards to mix and match different outfits. Using the included CD-ROM, they can then upload the outfits to a computer (Windows only) and design a fashion show complete with lights, music, and theme.
Fashion Design Toys for Children Who Can Trace
Find kits that include light tables or projectors, or purchase a separate light tracer that can illuminate wardrobe pieces or models from behind and make them easy for children to trace. Options include:
- My Style Studio by Klutz ($21.95; 8 and up)
- Crayola Hannah Montana Light-Up Fashion Studio ($14.96; 8 and up)
- ArtLab Fashion Studio ($22.95; 8 and up)
- Project Runway Design Projector Kit ($32; ages 8 and up)
Fashion Design Toys for Children Who Can Sketch and Draw
Children can use fashion design kits with materials such as drawing models, croquis sketch pads, style guides, color theory guides, and fabric swatches to design fashion collections and create fashion portfolios or "look books." Options include:
- Fashion Angels Fashion Illustrator Sketch Book ($15; 8 and up), or other Fashion Angels sets for sketching pet clothes or accessories such as purses, shoes, and jewelry
- Project Runway Fashion Design and Illustration Studio Set ($29.99; ages 8 and up), along with smaller themed sketchbooks for designing costumes, meeting design challenges, or designing purses and shoes
Fashion Design Toys for Making Paper Clothes and Outfits
Children can use kits that include plastic stencils, fancy patterned papers, and decorative elements (sequins, ribbons, stickers, beads, buttons, glitter glue) to create flat, paper doll clothes. Options include:
- Project Runway Fashion Design Runway Collection ($28; 7 and up)
- Klutz® Paper Fashions Kit ($19.95; 8 and up)
- Fashion Angels Design A Heavenly Wardrobe Kit ($28; 8 and up)
- Paper Doll Fashion Fun: Designer Sketchbook book by the American Girl Library ($17.95; 9 and up)
- Do-It-Yourself Designs Kit and Book sets ($12.95; 9 and up)
Fashion Design Toys for Making Three-Dimensional Doll-Sized Cloth Outfits
Children can use kits that contain fashion design manuals, fancy fabrics, trims, real sewing tools (such as scissors, tape measure, needle, thread, and pins), and small mannequins to transform their ideas into actual doll-sized clothes in styles ranging from sporty or casual to ready-to-wear couture. Options include:
- the no-sew Designed By You Formal Fashions Kit by Creativity for Kids ($30; 7 and up)
- Project Runway Fashion Design Dress Maker Kit ($30; 8 and up)
- Fashion Design Studio Kit by Creativity for Kids ($39.99; 9 and up)
Additional Fashion Design Present Ideas
Boys and girls with an interest in high fashion may also enjoy:
- creating a fashion magazine with a kit such as Fashion Magazine Editor by Fashion Angels ($84.99; ages 8 and up) or the Fashion Magazine Design Studio ($24.98; ages 9 and up).
- reading books such as I Want to Be a Fashion Designer by Mary R. Dunn [PowerKids Press, 2008; ages 4–8] or I Want to Be a Fashion Designer by Stephanie Maze [Harcourt, 2000; ages 9–12].
When children that play with fashion design kits grow older, they may use the skills they have acquired to make their own clothes or decide to sign up for real design courses or classes in pattern-making and garment construction. A well-chosen toy today could be the first step on the path to an actual career in the fashion industry.
References
- "'Project Runway' sparks passion for homemade fashion" by Vicki Hyman in The Star Ledger
Renee Carver - Renée Carver has an Elementary Education degree and over ten years of experience writing and editing children's educational products.
Join the Conversation