Make Crafting a Family Affair
Get Crafting With Your Kids and Create a Memory
Think you aren't crafty enough? Expect perfection? Learn to loosen up and create some wonderful memories with your kids through the world of crafts. Read on to learn how.
Get Crafting With Your Kids and Create a Memory
Crafts are a wonderful way to spend time with your kids creating memories that will last forever. Whether you are making one of a kind Christmas tree ornaments or decorating Easter eggs, the delight and creativity cannot be matched. Kids remember the fun things you do with them – not the expensive things you can give them. They want your time, that is what says "I love you".
To make craft time with your kids something you will want to do time and time again follow these tips.
Keep It Simple
Don’t try to design an intricate piece of art when working with preschoolers. Paint pictures, create collages and use kits with pre-cut pieces that are ready to go. Take into consideration your child’s age and ability. Don’t expect younger children to sit for hours working on a project.
Keep Supplies on Hand
Keeping simple craft items like glue, scissors, construction paper, stick-on foam shapes, crayons and markers on hand will allow for spur of the moment creativity. Keep your supplies in one central place. If you can’t devote a closet or shelf to crafts, put your craft supplies in a bin. Collect items such as toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, string, ribbon, used wrapping paper and milk jug lids. You will be surprised what your kids can create with some recycled objects.
Let Their Creativity Flow
Don’t let what you think the project should look like ruin the fun. Encourage your children to be creative. Don’t “fix” their art work or projects. Go ahead – color outside the lines – it really is ok.
Share Your Crafts
Encourage your kids to make things for others. Homemade gifts are the best. Nursing homes and children’s wards would love to have you share your handmade gifts with them. Share them with shut-ins or the elderly in your neighborhood. Hand out homemade ornaments at church during the holidays. Throw a neighborhood craft party. Everyone loves a gift that says “I took the time for you.”
Have Fun
But most of all have fun. Giggle, laugh, get paint on your nose and glue in your hair. Make a crown and be a king. Make finger puppets and put on a play. Use shaving cream to finger paint with and decorate yourself. How do you look with a shaving cream beard? Your preschooler (or teen-ager!) would love to know! So why not give it a try?
