Want to do a Youth Fair entry but your time is limited? Here are some quick ideas.

1. Dried Foods (meat, fruit, or vegetable) in the Food Category. Over the Christmas holidays, a dried meat, like jerky, can be made. Sometimes there is extra time when school is not in session and there is no homework to be done. Entries can be made any time since the 2008 Youth Fair.

2. Mixes also in the Food Category. A muffin, cookie or cake mix makes an excellent entry for younger children Youth Fair entries. It is quick and easy. Most of the measuring is done. It is a good way to introduce cooking to younger children. Older youth can use a mix as a starter for a recipe. Most mixes have recipes somewhere on the label. They are usually very good. After all the company wants you to try the recipe and enjoy it so much, you buy the product again.

3. Single 5&7 or 8x10 photo in Photography. Digital cameras have really made entering the photography category very easy to enter. How long does it take to take a picture? And you can take numerous shots in an hour and select the best one for your entry. Computers/Photo editing software also help you make corrections, like centering the shot and reducing the red-eye. It also has elimated the necessity of needing to go somewhere to get the picture developed.

4. Collage in the Poster category. This entry would require a piece of poster board and some old magazines to cut pictures out of, plus some scissors. Pick a subject like horses, cats or food and find as many pictures as you can. Arrange and glue on the poster board.

5. Create-a-card in the craft category. Pick a holiday or a special occasion for a person you know. Use markers, stickers, stamps, etc. to make and decorate a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper folded. Or make a card on the computer. Either way makes a great entry in this category.

6. Models in the craft category. There are lots of model kits available. (cars, planes, etc). Youth can glue the pieces together and decorate the model with stickers or paint if desired. A great youth fair entry.

7. Computer Graphics in the craft category. Most computers come with a program that allows you to draw lines, shapes, etc. and also color. Let your youth use their imagination and see what they come up with.

8. Markers, Map colors or crayons in the Art Category. Draw a picture using the markers, map colors or crayons on a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. The picture can be of anything—your pet, an idea from a story you read, a TV program, or something you see out of your window.

All youth fair entries are to be at the senior center on January 15th between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. For more information about the youth fair call the San Saba Co. Extension Office at 372-55416 or email cl-mcdowell@tamu.edu.