When there are rainy days or long vacations it could be difficult to keep children busy and having fun. How to entertain children if they can't go outside and play? What kinds of children crafts will help to break up a day filled with not so many fun things to do? And not to hear them moaning “I’m bored” or “I don’t know what to do!”
Children crafts are as varied as the types of children they're meant to entertain. For younger kids, crayons, colouring books and plastic figurines will keep them busy for hours, but many parents and teachers prefer a more 'hands-on' approach to crafts.
In the old days, our parents made us play clay out of flour, salt and water. That was great stuff, but today, Play-Doh is more popular than ever and is a cheap craft that kids from 2 to 10 will enjoy playing with. Many of these types of dough, including sculpturing clay, will allow children to create animals, monsters and anything in between. (here you can find a very easy recipe to do with your kids at home)
Children crafts can be created with simple ingredients like paper, glue, scissors and crayons or markers. Designing cards, masterpieces or just scribbling will keep various age groups entertained, and only imagination is the limit to what children can produce if given the opportunity.
Watercolours and paintbrushes are also a favourite with kids, and finger-painting is still as popular as it was thirty or forty years ago. If you don't want the mess of paints, crayons or markers, try beads, yarn and plastic needles to help your kids create construction paper animals or pockets for letters, chores or homework assignments. (Get some inspirations ideas here)
Children crafts are an important part of your child's life and help to encourage creativity and ingenuity. There are no right or wrong crafts to choose for kids, other than making sure that they are age-appropriate. Younger children may need supervision and help at times, but older children are fine in creating and designing things out of whatever craft supplies you have on hand.
A child, a box and a box of crayons can be turned into fun children crafts when making spaceships or castles and encouraging children to use their imagination provides ample stimulation for their creativity. You will be fascinated with their creative abilities recycling a cardboard box or a plastic bottle.
Old socks can be reused and turned into animals that will delight your children and give them a sense of pride and accomplishment when they see what they can create from a few spare parts. And play with this puppets will bring them a lot of fun. I like to use them to read aloud a book or tell a story. Kids keep engaged longer.
Children love to draw, and large pads of drawing paper placed on an easel will provide ample opportunities for your child to discover the joys of pencil, crayon, marker, watercolours and paints. Let every child explore their inner Picasso or Van Gogh!
No matter what type of children crafts you choose, make sure that floor space is protected to eliminate stress for already busy Mom's and Dad's, and that any craft supplies that you have gathered for your children are age-appropriate. And remember to give compliments, even if you don't know what you're looking at when your child shows you his or her masterpiece, is a great way to instil confidence and pride in children.
Stay creative and enjoy!
Maria Vergara - Wolols' Mom
