Fun and Easy Arts and Crafts for Kids: Making Memories for a Lifetime

Even though arts and crafts for kids might not make it into the National Arts Museum, children's artwork have something very special about them.

For instance my son's artwork isn't necessarily always pretty as such but is has lots of personality and always tells a very personal story of what is going on inside him right now and how his mind works. All which in itself makes it invaluable to me.

Also - and this is not to forget - easy and fun crafts for kids keeps my son engaged and entertained - something I'm sure every parent appreciates immensely now and then 😉

So roll up your sleeves and get ready to make some inexpensive and personal décor for your home.

Colorful Play Dough Fun in the Kitchen:
- Fun Crafts for Kids

In our society of convenience, arts and crafts that used to depend on help from mom now come in a container. While this is handy, you may lose a lot of the fun of the project.

Play dough is one of the most popular kids entertainment, but did you know that you can quickly, and very inexpensively, provide hours of entertainment for your kids not only playing with the play dough but actually also making it?

All the while, you will be teaching them basic measuring skills, mixing (cooking) skills, and how ingredients work together.

Who knew play dough could turn into so many lessons?

Here is a basic recipe for play dough at home:

• 3 cups flour
• 3 cups warm water
• 1 1/3 cup of salt
• 3 TB vegetable oil
• 1 1/3 TB cream of tartar

If you want an even easier and more simple play doh recipe, I have made a whole page on homemade play doh here.

Here is how you make the homemade play dough for your kids' projects:

• Put all the ingredients together and mix over low heat. Once the dough has begun to thicken and looks a little like mashed potatoes, you want to remove the pan from the heat and let it cool.
  
  
• If it is still sticky, then cook it a little longer. If it is sticky, you will not get the fun crafts for kids you are wanting.
  
  
• Kneed your dough on a piecrust mat or a clean counter (the kids will love to do this part).
  
  
• Once it is silky, decide how many colors you want, and divide the dough. You can add food coloring (give your kids some sandwich bags or plastic gloves for this part - once worked in it won't stain hands). Keep working it through the dough until you get the color you desire.

You can also use unsweetened drink mix to add color to your play dough. This won't give you the same dramatic colors as the food coloring, but it works if that is what you have on hand.

This is genuinely an arts and crafts for kids project that is non-toxic - although quite a bit salty 😉

Once your kids have finished with their play dough, it can be stored in an airtight container or a baggy until the next use.

Pretty Paper Mache Bowls

What is more fun than making paper mache?

If you can remember back to your childhood, then this messy, gooey project provides limitless entertainment.

It isn't the frightening undertaking you might have thought to yourself, but be prepared with a fully covered table. You might even consider this kids arts and crafts activity an outdoor adventure.

What you need in the this project:

• Newspaper (and enough white paper to use as a top layer)
• A flat surface to hold the paste to dip the paper into (paper plates work well)
• A balloon or other item to support the paper
• Homemade paper mache paste

How to make the homemade paper mache paste:

• This may be simply diluted Elmer's glue (1 part water and 2-3 parts glue).
  
  
• Or you can use flour and water mixed together. Boiling flour and water makes the paste dry more clearly.

Both of these methods work well.

How to make this paper mache:

• Begin your multiple day project by shredding newspaper into sheets approximately 2" x 5".
  
  
• You are then going to dip the newspaper by strips into the glue mixture and start placing it in strips on the balloon or other mold. Decide ahead of time what you want your project to be. Some kids will enjoy making a bowl they can paint, while some will want to be ambitious and create a whole piñata. The end result is up to your imagination!
  
  
• Once your child has completed their paper mache project, you will need to let it dry for at least one day.
  
  
• Once it has completely dried, then you can allow them to paint their works of art. Use tempera paint or acrylics for this stage of your project.
  
  
• Once your child's finished project has been painted, you can apply a clear coat of varnish and allow that to dry.

Your paper mache is ready to display proudly on the shelf - or the piñata is ready to be filled.

This is a great project if you want a project that will take up several days. It is nearly free to do, as long as you have newspaper, paint and a few balloons handy.

It will keep kids busy for a sustained amount of time, while allowing them to explore their inner artist!

Blow Painting:

So, we have all seen the fancy art museums and thought to ourselves… "What IS that?" You can allow your child to create a masterpiece to hang in the family room - or in their own room - with a unique method known as blow painting.

It doesn't have to be a huge poster - kids will have just as much fun with a sheet of paper. If you like the look, feel free to create a large picture.

Here is how you do it:

• Set up a covered area, and make sure to put a shield behind it. It is bound to get messy, so don't leave valuable stuff lying around.
  
  
• Give your child a canvas, some paint (make sure it's non-toxic), and a straw. This obviously isn't for very young children!
  
  
• Have your kids put a tiny bit of paint into the straw and blow it on the canvas. It will make a splatter everywhere!

If you aren't comfortable with the straw method, you can simply allow them to "splash" paint with a paintbrush onto the canvas. Find shapes or forms inside the unique painting that won't ever be duplicated.

This seems like such a simple idea, but kids between 7-11 love doing this type of arts and crafts!

Modern Art Painting
- Fun Kids Crafts

Yes, believe it or not - there is a way to have modern art in your home without having to spend a fortune.

To the right you can see my son's version of modern art with silver, gold and bronze paint. And guess what ... he was only two at the time :-)

• Provide your child with about three colors that coordinate with the room.
  
  
• Allow your child to paint a tile or a canvas that you can display.
  
  
• Tell them to make only shapes or stripes if you really want a "modern" look.

This is so much fun and you might even want to make one yourself. Hang a collage of artwork from each of your children in the art area.

Easy Origami That Is Toys At the Same Time
- Simple Paper Crafts for Kids

One of the new arts and crafts for kids is actually one of the oldest forms of entertainment. We all know paper airplanes, right?

Origami uses simple paper to create animals, shapes and boxes that will become some of the most affordable toys you have ever bought. There are many books and illustrations that demonstrate step by step how your child can make new shapes.

How to Make an Origami Fortune Teller

Think back to your childhood with the paper squares that opened up with "pick a color" and then "pick a number"… didn't we all have fun playing with the questions to find out answers to life's most important questions?

My four-year-old son has lots of fun with the 'Fortune Teller' and here is how you make it in case you have forgotten.

Step 1: Find a piece of paper and a pair of scissors. Fold up the bottom corner of the paper and cut away the rest of the paper so that you are left with a square.

Step 2: Fold out the paper and fold up the other corner so that when the paper is flat out on the table you have the folds make out an "x".

Step 3: Fold up one corner so that it touches the middle of the square.

Step 4: Do the same thing with all four corners. You now have eight triangles on which you write the numbers one to 8. When you open the flaps you can write your messages hidden under each number.

Step 5: Turn the paper around on its back. You now have four squares. Make colorful circle on each of them.

Step 6: Fold up the two long sides of the square to make a folds in the middle.

Step 7: You can now put in your fingers and form the fortune teller so that it has the right shape and get going with predicting the future :-)

How to Make an Origamy Airplane

Most of you probably know how to make a paper airplane but for those of you who have forgotten here is how you go about it.

Origami takes this concept and extends it into unique creations. Just watch out - you never know what type of paper your kids might start folding.

Step 1: Find a nice piece of paper (colorful is always fun) and fold in the two top corners

Step 2: Turn the paper around on its back.

Step 3: Fold up the paper horisontally.

Step 4: Fold down the top corner.

Step 5: Turn the paper around and do the same thing on the other side.

Step 6: The you once again fold down the top so that it levels with the bottom of the airplane.

Step 7: You then turn the paper around and do the same exact thing on the other side and tadaaa ... your paper airplane is ready to fly! :-)

Personalized Jewelry:
Easy Crafts for Kids

Jewelry is one of the fun crafts for kids that can develop into a small business. There are so many types of jewelry kits available that your child can start in the preschool years and develop into a genuine pro.

Very young children enjoy the drugstore variety kits. These often contain letters, or animals figure or fruit so they can make name necklaces, and very inexpensive beads.

To the right you'll see a necklace my son made for himself. Yes, boys can find such kinds of arts and crafts fun, too! However, rather than wearing it as a traditional piece of jewelry around his neck, he prefers to wear it as a moustache over his lips! 😉

Your kids might enjoy giving homemade gifts to their friends or as Christmas presents.

This is a great way to practice fine motor skills with your child, as well as working on patterns, letters and shapes. Your arts and crafts will keep them from even realizing they are learning.

As your youngster progresses, there are many jewelry making classes available, as well as more sophisticated beads and charms. The quality of these pieces can often exceed anything store bought, and gifts become something beautiful for your artist to present.

Creating your own jewelry allows you to design custom pieces that reflect your personality.

Arts and crafts for kids teach them to explore their world through a creative outlet! You never know just what type of creative insight your child will offer.

The Last Fun Crafts for Kids Tip
Make an Arts and Crafts Bag

Keep a Craft Bag at the ready; often what we throw away can be the basis for a new craft idea.

Think of toilet paper rolls, cans, newspaper, bottles, or cardboard.

If you have a bag handy, you can let your child have access to free art materials that will stimulate imagination. This will also teach the importance of recycling!

There are so many lessons that you can teach your child by allowing them to have unrestricted fun crafts for kids that allow them to learn, experiment, and grow.

It will teach colors, patterns, and beauty. Most importantly, it allows you to spend time with your child creating memories that will last forever! 😊

Your Positive Parenting Ally,
Birgitte

Parent Coaching

- For Inner Peace, Clarity and a Deeper Connection to Your Child

Being a parent can feel like a double-edged sword. Life with kids may feel like the greatest gift you have ever received, while at the same being hugely challenging, often leaving you confused, stressed and overwhelmed.

When we feel like this, we've lost touch with ourselves. We can't hear our own inner voice, and it's difficult to know what is 'right' for us and how to act.

I offer in-depth parent coaching to help you regain your balance and get back in touch with yourself. From a place of inner peace and clarity, your will find your own answers which will help you reconnect with your child from a place of unconditional love and acceptance.

Read more about my parent coaching here.

Where Would You Like to Go Next?

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5 Creative Ways to Teach Exercises for Kids.

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