Why Crafting Forky Made Me Love Him

So, true story: I wasn’t in love with Forky.

I thought his name was silly (he’s a SPORK, after all), and he looked, well, cheesy and panicked.   But the trailers continued to stream, the movie release date got closer, and suddenly as if by pixie dust magic, a small box appeared on my doorstep. It was a Make Your Own Forky Kit. (I still don’t know who sent him to me!) Really? Make my forky? Sure… I’ll try it out. But selfishly, by myself, so I can make him as true to the film as I could. No OCD hysteria followed by dismay as my kids add non-essential decorations or spill the sprinkles. That’s for another time, my friend. 

What I didn’t plan on was my littlest, Scarlett, FINDING ME ...

as I began to film my craft. The sound snippets that follow demand that you turn your volume on to watch the less-than-4-minute clip just so you can hear the sweetest encouragement that ever happened. Make Your Own Forky Video with Sweet Encouragement:

Afterward, in the loving glow of my nearly 4- year-old, Forky was done. And buddy, SHE WANTED HIM. she wanted to hold and play with him. Scarlett wanted him to meet her Barbies. And I think that’s when I finally got it. The trash crafts that I made as a kid were not meant for me. They were meant for someone like her. Sure, they won’t last the test of time like Buzz Lightyear (but if you ask the Buzz in our closet, his wings are worse for wear since 2013), but they will be ENJOYED. 

And that’s the part that matters.

I see Forky for what he is. An inspired craft with more personality than I gave him credit for, delighting the little ones. And for what it’s worth, Scarlett is 100% taking Forky to see the movie…

Toy Story 4 opens June 21, 2019, but you can see my favorite trailer with Ducky and Bunny for the movie here!