Looking for ideas for simple crafts for kids? Perhaps you are designing programming for a summer day camp, a sleep-away camp, or a vacation bible school. Perhaps you are just looking for ways to keep your own kids occupied during summer vacation, breaks from school, or on the weekends. Crafts can be a great way to keep kids busy while also exercising their creativity; and they can be fun for adults, as well!
The key to good crafting on a budget is planning ahead. You want to have a lot of materials at your fingertips, so that you can be ready with an activity at a moment's notice. For instance, if you see wooden bird houses for sale, buy them! The kids can paint and decorate them with minimal additional supplies.
Here are a few more easy craft activities:
Suncatchers/ "stained glass" windows: This project goes by a couple of different names, depending on the packaging. It comes with a design made of clear plastic, and some paint that remains transparent when you apply it. Kids can choose their own colors to create a unique design. This activity is easy and great for small children.
Warm fuzzies: All you need for this simple craft is plenty of yarn and a pair of scissors. Measure out eight long strands of yarn (or more, if you want the fuzzy to be thicker), and wrap the strands around your hand. Tie another strand in the middle, and then cut the sides so the ends of the yarn are loose and fluff out. If that verbal description doesn't make sense, a quick Google search will bring up step by step directions with pictures.
Friendship bracelets: This craft is a tried and true classic. You will need safety pins, scissors, and many different shades of embroidery floss. There are lots of different friendship bracelet designs, which you can learn from books or online. Some of them are difficult, but many of them are very simple to learn. Kids are always excited to learn the various patterns, and to start trading the bracelets with all of their friends.
Jewelry making: Because it uses small and intricate objects like beads, wire, and string, this activity is probably best to do with older kids. Toddlers will try to put the beads in their mouths, which could be very dangerous. It is also best to do this small groups, as the materials can get a bit expensive. With the right age group and number of kids, jewelry making can be a calming and satisfying passtime.
Scrapbooking: Even in the age of digital photography, there is something special about a physical photo album or scrapbook. This activity is especially well-suited for doing at home with your own kids, because you may already have family photos around. You can get fancy with it and use die-cuts, acid-free paper, and patterned scrap booking scissors, or you can just use construction paper and stickers. Scrapbooks and photo collages are a great way to preserve memories!
There are countless other arts and crafts ideas out there; these are only the tip of the iceberg. From pre-packaged kits to DIY projects using household items, the possibilities are endless. Build up a collection of materials and ideas and get started!
The key to good crafting on a budget is planning ahead. You want to have a lot of materials at your fingertips, so that you can be ready with an activity at a moment's notice. For instance, if you see wooden bird houses for sale, buy them! The kids can paint and decorate them with minimal additional supplies.
Here are a few more easy craft activities:
Suncatchers/ "stained glass" windows: This project goes by a couple of different names, depending on the packaging. It comes with a design made of clear plastic, and some paint that remains transparent when you apply it. Kids can choose their own colors to create a unique design. This activity is easy and great for small children.
Warm fuzzies: All you need for this simple craft is plenty of yarn and a pair of scissors. Measure out eight long strands of yarn (or more, if you want the fuzzy to be thicker), and wrap the strands around your hand. Tie another strand in the middle, and then cut the sides so the ends of the yarn are loose and fluff out. If that verbal description doesn't make sense, a quick Google search will bring up step by step directions with pictures.
Friendship bracelets: This craft is a tried and true classic. You will need safety pins, scissors, and many different shades of embroidery floss. There are lots of different friendship bracelet designs, which you can learn from books or online. Some of them are difficult, but many of them are very simple to learn. Kids are always excited to learn the various patterns, and to start trading the bracelets with all of their friends.
Jewelry making: Because it uses small and intricate objects like beads, wire, and string, this activity is probably best to do with older kids. Toddlers will try to put the beads in their mouths, which could be very dangerous. It is also best to do this small groups, as the materials can get a bit expensive. With the right age group and number of kids, jewelry making can be a calming and satisfying passtime.
Scrapbooking: Even in the age of digital photography, there is something special about a physical photo album or scrapbook. This activity is especially well-suited for doing at home with your own kids, because you may already have family photos around. You can get fancy with it and use die-cuts, acid-free paper, and patterned scrap booking scissors, or you can just use construction paper and stickers. Scrapbooks and photo collages are a great way to preserve memories!
There are countless other arts and crafts ideas out there; these are only the tip of the iceberg. From pre-packaged kits to DIY projects using household items, the possibilities are endless. Build up a collection of materials and ideas and get started!
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