Reaching Out to Others with Crafts
Crafting With Your Kids Can Be a Way of Touching Lives
Apr 30, 2008
You live in a fast paced world that is always on the go and the bottom line seems to be - "It's all about ME!" But is that really what you want to teach your children? Do you want the next generation to grow up thinking only of themselves and never of others?
Teaching Kids to Care
Most of you would say no to that question but unless youteach, and show them, differently that is exactly what will happen to the kids. So why not get innovative? Use something almost every kid loves to do - crafts - to teach them to reach out to those around them There are many ways you can do this. Here are a few suggestions to get your started.
Hand Made Cards Spread a Message
Cards are simple and easy to make, and even the youngest member of the family can help. You only need some plain paper or cardstock, construction paper, markers, crayons and your imagination. If your children are to young to do much writing, or if you are planning on making a large number of cards, you can even print off a message directly onto each card. Now have the children decorate the cards. They can draw simple pictures; add stickers, glitter or glue on clipart. Send these cards to shut-ins in your church, a nursing home or the children's ward at the hospital.
Take Some Flowers to Them
Flowers brighten everyone's day so why not share some with the sick or lonely. You can make miniature flower arrangements from baby food jars or other small jars. First let the kids decorate the jars with permanent markers (watch the age on this - it doesn't come out of clothes), stickers or glass paint. Add a single flower or several cut down to fit the jar. You can even make tissue paper flowers. Now take those flowers and go put some spring into someone's day.
Holiday Crafts are Fun
The major holidays are another way to spread some crafting fun. At Christmas-time, decorate and fill miniature stocking for the local residents at a nearby nursing home. Oh, and while you are there why not sing some carols too?
At Easter-time, decorate plastic eggs and place them in miniature baskets for a small table arrangement that can fit in almost any room.
November is the time to be thankful. Create a poster of things the kids are thankful for and hang it on a shut-in's wall. Why not make the leaves the kid’s handprints?
You Get the Picture
With a little thought, some glue and glitter, and a whole lot of love you can make someone’s day very special. Why not get together with some other families in your neighbor hood and spend some time crafting up some goodies to share with others? You will be glad you did!
