Written by Tirzah Baker
This election year, even our youngest museum visitors are getting politically engaged! On Tuesday, November 1, and Friday, November 4, we’ll be learning all about Election Day at Little New-Yorkers by reading If I Were President by Catherine Stier. Afterwards, we’ll discuss the importance of voting and what makes a good president, then we’ll decorate “Vote!” buttons to wear home!
Little New-Yorkers is a drop-in program for 3–5 year-olds and their adult(s), and it’s free with Museum Admission. Buttons are an easy craft and make great accessories. If you can’t join us at the Museum this week, you can do this project at home! Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.
With a button maker
What you’ll need:
- Button maker
- Pin back
- Metal medallion
- Transparent top
- Printed graphic
- Crayons or other decorating supplies
Step 1
First we need to create the graphic on the pin. On paper, measure a circle a little larger than the size of the metal medallion. (I printed text using Century Gothic, 48-point size font.) Then design and decorate your graphic as you wish.
Step 2
Cut out your graphic.
Step 3
On the pickup dial of the button maker, insert the metal medallion, then the graphic, and then transparent top. Make sure the graphic is face up.
Step 4
Insert the pin back in the crimp dial, also face up.
Step 5
Spin the pickup dial so it goes under the upper dial, then pull the handle down forwards. The upper dial should pick up the medallion, graphic, and transparent top so that they are no longer visible. Release the handle.
Step 6
Spin the crimp dial under the upper dial, and pull the handle down forwards again. Release the handle, and your button will pop out!
Without a button maker
If you don’t have access to a button maker, you can buy adhesive pin backs, like the ones in the picture below, at craft supply stores. Use craft glue, such as Mod Podge, to attach your graphic to a piece of cardboard or thin wood, then stick on the adhesive pin back. Ta-da!
Image credit: https://www.nature-watch.com/adhesive-pin-backs-pack-of-25-p-52.html
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