While doing crafts with kids can be an exciting experience for both you and them, there are a few things to be mindful of including safety and level of difficulty. Make sure that the environment and craft project itself are safe for the kids. Second only to safety, make sure the crafts that you make with your kids are fun for them. Make sure that the difficulty level of the craft is enough to challenge your children but not so much that it discourages them from finishing their project. Here are just a few suggestions for and instructions to some easy and fun crafts for kids:
* Craft Box – Since kids are visual creatures and, because they love things they can see and touch, in order to capture and keep their interest in crafting, help them make craft boxes. Craft boxes are easy to make. You can make small simple ones using pencil boxes or larger ones using clear storage containers with lids. To decorate the boxes, help your children cut out magazine clippings or draw their favorite things and then glue them to the box, essentially creating a miniature mosaic or decoupage project. Stock each child’s craft box will essentials like crayons, Elmer’s glue, colored pencils, a mini ruler, child-safe scissors, sequins and whatever accessories and supplies they’ll need for upcoming projects. When you’ve stocked their boxes, you will ensure that, when it’s time to start a new project, your kids will have the essentials they need in their new craft boxes.
* Picture Frames – Picture frames are excellent crafts for kids because they enhance the photo that will be displayed therein. The most basic picture frame is constructed using four popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. Simply glue the sticks together to make the corners of the frame then have your children decorate the frame using ribbon, sequins, crayons, puffy art glue, noodles or whatever else they have on hand that sparks their creativity! You can do the same project with an already made photo mat.
* Paper Mache РKids love paper mache projects because they involve getting dirty and because they know that paper mache usually means pinata and pinata means candy. Parents love paper mache projects because the diluted glue mixture used to stick newspaper strips together washes out of clothes with ease. Paper mache requires nothing more than some old newspapers, glue, water and a balloon. Blow up the balloon and use it as the base and to create a hollow interior that is useful if you plan on making a pi̱ata. Cover your balloon with the strips of newspaper covered in the diluted glue and shape arms, legs, a tail or whatever else your shape requires, using the balloon as the base. Let the shape dry for at least 24 hours before popping the balloon and painting the project.
* Play Dough and Finger Paint Recipes – When mixing crafts and kids, safety comes first. Children are curious and will taste or eat things that adults would never dream of eating. Making craft materials using edible ingredients is, therefore, an ideal set up for child-safe fun. Edible play dough has many different edible variations; one of the most popular recipes is referred to as salt dough; other recipes use peanut butter as a key ingredient. While these doughs may not taste great, they are harmless compared to commercially made with chemicals or other potentially toxic materials. Finger paints are also easy to create at home, using food coloring and pudding. Try finger paints on paper or in the tub. Give your kids finger paints and let them turn the walls of the tub and shower into works of art. Once bath time is over, you can clean off your children and the shower with ease.
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