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Make It Ruby (http://www.makeitruby.com/)

common sense media says

DIY site is sweet, simple and good for creative types.

parents & educators say
  • 75% say it's educational
  • 50% say there are positive messages
See all 12 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Make It Ruby offers more than 100 creative crafts that tween girls will enjoy doing at home (and more are added weekly). Its back-to-basics philosophy encourages kids to find items around their homes and “reuse, renew, and repurpose.” Projects are presented in three simple steps, and though they are simple enough for tweens, the crafts may not be sophisticated enough to interest older girls. Monthly contests enable kids to submit photos of their projects and compete to win branded Make It Ruby products such as T-shirts, notebooks, and journals. A party-planning section serves up fun ideas for throwing a themed party, and a parents’ corner encourages parents to create with their kids. Anyone can visit the site and look at some of the crafts, but registration is required to enter contests, see the project gallery, and view the archive of older projects.

Educational value: The site encourages girls to look at objects in new ways -- as potential fodder for their projects.
Positive messages: This site encourages girls to be creative and to do so with reclaimed, repurposed, or found objects. Girls can tackle most of the do-it-yourself projects with items that can be found around the house.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: There are no outside advertisers or brands currently on this site.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Privacy & safety: Registered users can enter a number of contests and submit photos of themselves and their projects. Some photos -- including the winners’ -- are posted on the site, but all submitted photos require a completed form and photo release that must be signed by a parent. Some information about registered users 13 and older may be shared with third parties that sell products or services. Anyone can visit the site, but to access the bulk of the features, content, and archived projects, users must register, and children under 13 must have a parent’s permission.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Make It Ruby

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about how the Internet can be a valuable tool for generating creative ideas to do at home. Do you get the same sense of satisfaction from creating projects offline -- with scissors -- as you do creating projects online with a mouse?

  • Families can also talk about other do-it-yourself items to create at home and how you can safely find more instruction and information online.

  • How can reusing items help preserve Earth’s resources? What cast-off items can be found around the house that can be repurposed?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

If your tween tends to gather paper-towel rolls and bottle caps and whip them into some cool craft, she’ll enjoy a stop at MAKE IT RUBY. It’s a good place to pick up ideas and simple instructions for a variety of DIY projects using items found around the house. The girl-centric graphics and animated guide (Ruby, herself) will appeal to young tweens, and the simple craft projects will inspire some do-it-yourself creativity. Registered users can find simple, step-by-step instructions for an assortment of projects that are categorized by theme (fashion, gifts, etc.) and definitely tailored to girls: a monogrammed compact mirror, ribbon bracelets, decorated water bottle, etc. Though there are a couple of games and activities offered on the site, they won’t hold media-savvy girls’ attention for long. It’s the craft projects that will draw girls to this site and inspire a bit of old-fashioned at-home creativity.

Online interaction: Members are encouraged to post pictures of themselves and their projects, but there’s no social interaction between members.

This review was written by Conny Coon
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 75% say it's educational
  • 50% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

yesthat
kid, 12 years old
8
 
Fun Fun Fun
Super fun crafts that are easy to make.
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LilDevil
kid, 11 years old
10
 
I like it
I think it is fun. This and Disney and Nick are the only sites my mom lets me play on. the earth is the only planet we have and is in trouble so this helps keep things out of the dump and makes awesome art projects. everyone shold do it.
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prettygirlDFW
teen, 15 years old
7
 
Fun crafts from RECYCLED stuff!
Really great, COOL decorating and fashion ideas from stuff we were just gonna THROW AWAY! I want MORE.
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pinkkittyninja
kid, 13 years old
6
 
ok website but boring crafts
This website is ok. The fact that it wants you to be creative and all is great, but the only problem i find in the website are the actual crafts. There really arent that many and the ones that are there are only somewhat fun to make. i prefer other more fun craft sites but this one is ok in a way... well thats only my opinion, so i guess this would be fun if you love listening to directions.
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alexmadero
parent of 9 year old
7
 
I am the mother of a 7-year old girl and we love make it ruby! The instructions are easy enough for her to follow and the projects are an absolute god send for after school and weekends. It is a wonderful way for us to spend time together and turn off the TV! Thank you Ruby!!!
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PickyChick
adult
12
 
I love this site! Great for probably age 10 (my sister's age) and up (I'm 12). I think sometimes not ENOUGH directions, but that's cool because my sister and I get to figure out how to make things work together! Now Mom helps us look at stuff we are going to throw out and think of things to make! It's fun!
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mom LP
parent of 14 year old
9
 
Great birthday party ideas
My daughter and her friends really enjoyed the creative and easy Make-It-Ruby arts and craft projects that we made together at her 13th birthday slumber party.
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loves gabby
kid, 12 years old
9
 
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CrazyBlu4Eva
kid, 10 years old
7
 
WUVIN IT!
Love it!So many things to do!The site makes me a lot more creative!
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meshellem
kid, 13 years old
7
 
Love it!! so much fun!
LOVE it! I've been wanting a site that has great ideas for my room and fashion. It's simple and fun. my friends all like the projects and we're now using them for art class in school.
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Emasmom
parent of 5 year old
5
 
Great website for tweens! Full of great art ideas and games. Fun place for my daughter to play and read about all the things she loves.
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Cinny8
kid, 12 years old
6
 
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines