10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!

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10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!

10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!

Crafting with young children really isn't about creating something in particular. Most young children don't have the foresight to see what a project is going to be.

For young children it's more important that they have the opportunity to play and experiment with art. Kids need to use as many of their senses as possible to get the most out of crafting. This allow them to try new sensory experiences, as well as learn causal relationships.

These are my 10 favorite crafts for little kids based on all that AND the 'fun factor.'

1. Finger painting: Finger painting is a wonderful activity for kids. It lets them 'feel' the craft as well as be creative. You don't have to have finger paints to do this activity with kids. You can finger paint with homemade paint, watercolors or even mud. You can also experiment with adding other things to the paint such as sand or glitter.

2. Yarn Painting: Dip pieces of string or yarn into paint and then drag it across the paper to paint with it. It's a good experience to paint with something other than a brush and you can just throw the yarn away when finished.

3. Q-Tip Painting: Use Q-tips to create a painting. There are lots of ways to use a Q-tip - scrub, dot, or use it like a brush. It's a good coordination exercise because Q-tips are small around, but it also provides a lot of interest for the child.

4. Glue Art: Draw squiggle lines on a piece of paper or let the child use their finger to make random glue spots or patterns on a piece of paper. Experiment with adding different objects to the glue. Sand, glitter, cotton, yarn, feathers, and tissue paper all work well.

5. Salt Dough Sculpture: Make a batch of salt dough and turn the kids loose with it. You don't have to worry about them eating it (it's safe and tastes terrible) and clean up is easier than play dough. If you want to keep their creations, let them dry overnight and then paint them the next day.

6. Toe Painting: If it's a warm summer day, put on the swimsuits, put some finger paint into pie tins, lay out large sheets of poster paper, and let them 'paint' all afternoon. They will have a ball and all you have to do is hose them off when they are done (that's my kids' favorite part actually!)

7. Found Object Art: This project is always a sure thing because kids love to 'discover' things. Let your child gather up leaves, sticks, flowers, etc. and then glue them onto a piece of paper. When they are done, let them tell you about their collection.

8. Peanut Pictures: Every kid loves to play with packing peanuts -- but it makes such a mess. Let them create pictures with them instead. Kids can draw on them, glue them to a sheet of paper, or glue the peanuts to each other to make a sculpture. The kids will love it!

9. Sticker Play: Turn your child loose with a bunch of stickers, markers, and a sheet of paper and let them create. It's good for little ones to work on their coordination, and it's fun!

10. Stamping: Kids love to use any kind of stamps. My favorites are the self-inking stamps or the double-sided markers with the stamps on one end. This may sound like pure play, but is also teaches young children cause and effect.

Chris Yates makes it Easy to craft with Little Kids and Create a little Magic Time with Hundreds of Project Ideas. Visit Little Kid Crafts Now!

In The News:

Work begins on new crafts, home décor store
Statesville Record & Landmark
The home décor and craft store, built by developer Magnolia Property Group, will be adjacent to Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse store on NC 150. Vincent Parker, spokesperson for Hobby Lobby, said the company felt like Mooresville was an “underserved ...

and more »

Hobby Lobby Grand Opening June 4, Shelves Being Stocked
Patch.com
By Debbie L. Sklar Hobby Lobby known to be a place where all things crafts and hobbies converge under one roof is expected to have its grand opening on June 4. According to Earl Kortemeier of Hobby Lobby, the store located in the former Mervyns space ...

Orange City Hobby Lobby opens Friday
Daytona Beach News-Journal
The ribbon cutting for the national arts and crafts retail store is 9 am The DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event that is open to the public. The store is open after the ribbon cutting; however, grand-opening events are Monday, ...

AboutMyArea
Craft Fair Leads The Way For Small Rossendale Businesses
AboutMyArea
Small businesses in Rossendale are making good use of their own unique talents, turning hobbies into businesses. Crafty Craft Fairs return to The Bacup Hub, Burnley Road, Bacup on 27th May from 11.00am to 3.00pm for The Bacup Craft Fair.

and more »

Intermountain Catholic
Soaring Eagle math teacher retires after 11 years
Intermountain Catholic
She is excited to spend more time with her husband, who is already retired, as well as on her many hobbies. "I've put off doing crafts and sewing that I haven't had time for," she said. "And we're looking forward to traveling; starting with just ...

Students Learn About Bug Candy, Hobbies at Exploration Day
Patch.com
The Libertyville school held its seventh Exploration Day so that students could learn about careers, crafts, hobbies and sports skills. This year's theme was "Cougie World Tour." Cougie is the name of the schools cougar mascot.

Los Angeles Times
Marie Kolasinski dies at 90; Christian activist ran OC crafts business
Los Angeles Times
... which occupies a warren of rooms jam-packed with homemade knick-knacks, quilts and craft supplies. It also runs scores of classes on traditional hobbies, such as knitting socks and making porcelain dolls, and runs a flourishing mail-order business.

and more »

Next on the list is to organize your things!
Gaston Gazette
Things are like your kids toys, your hobby and crafts, your purse or backpack, the vehicle, your pet stuff. Organizing your kids toys can be first, and don't forget your toys. Think about your hobbies and the equipment involved.

John Howell White, chairman of art education, KU
Reading Eagle
... has chaired the Department of Art Education and Crafts for 10 years. Prior to that, he taught at Sewickley Academy in Pittsburgh and the Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Calif. Hobbies: White paints in egg tempera, watercolor, acrylics and oil.

Spiegel Online
Backlash against ConsumerismHandicraft Sites Turn Hobbies into Big Business
Spiegel Online
Unlike other platforms such as Ebay, however, these sites emphasize offline links between the makers and consumers, hosting DIY blogs and offline crafts workshops. Successive years of climbing sales show they have tapped into a bigger trend.

Google News