5 Crafts You AND The Kids Will Love

Posted on | October 25, 2009 | No Comments

When my kids were younger, I loved to spend time crafting with them. Unfortunately, I hated most of the craft projects commercially available. I mean, really, how many adults actually enjoy gluing hair onto the mane of a horse? Or, gluing glitter onto the petals of a flower?

Instead, I searched for craft projects that I could love just as much as the kids did. This meant that most of the time we skipped making paper dolls and concentrated on open-ended projects like sculpture, painting and drawing.

Here are a couple of my favorite projects, along with ways to modify them for several age groups…

1) Sand Painting – For very young children, draw a simple object onto a sheet of heavy paper. For older kids, allow them to draw their own design…just remind them not to put in any small details.

2) Yarn Painting - For very young children, just yarn painting simple shapes will be a challenge. For older children, encourage them to to try yarn painting their name or one large initial.

3) Envelope Book Making - For very young children, the finished envelope book can be used to store drawings. For older children, discuss using the envelopes to store poetry or musings.

4) Sculpture Carving - For very young children, the plaster of paris can be carved with a metal spoon. For older children, a dull knife can be appropriate.

5) Artist Trading Cards Making - For very young children, supply the child with stickers, crayons, pre cut squares of paper and glue and let him go wild. For older children, this may be a good time to teach a new skill like paper weaving or quilling.

Which craft should you start with? Anyone you like. The only thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have FUN working alongside your child!

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