| Arts & crafts with kids! | | | | good idea to keep a drawer stocked with construction |
| There are countless reasons why it is a great idea to | | | | paper, beads, glitter, paint brushes, glue sticks, and the |
| do arts and crafts with your kids. For one, working on | | | | ever popular "wiggly eyes." |
| arts & crafts helps to hone children's creativity. | | | | The education benefit of arts & crafts |
| Arts and crafts can also help promote teamwork and | | | | Arts and crafts can be used to apply hands-on |
| sharing, as well as offering the perfect opportunity to | | | | learning to any subject. Using crafts this way helps kids |
| bond and find new common interests. Arts and crafts | | | | think more in-depth about the subject of their artwork |
| also allow kids to openly express themselves, even at | | | | or craft projects. Virtually any subject matter can be |
| very young ages. Nonetheless, despite all these | | | | taught using arts & crafts with a little creativity. |
| positives, the best reason for getting your kids involved | | | | For instance, if you are learning about world |
| in arts and crafts is that it is fun! If you are panicking | | | | geography, you could have the kids make a tissue |
| that you will not know how to guide your child through | | | | paper globe. |
| their first craft, there is no need to worry; there are | | | | Learn about holidays, history, and any other topic your |
| plenty of arts and crafts ideas for all ages from | | | | kids should study. Even math can be enriched through |
| pre-schoolers up through teenage artists. | | | | arts and crafts. Remember that school isn't the only |
| Best practices for doing arts & crafts with kids | | | | place kids should be learning; your kids will be much |
| 1. Don't ask "What is it?" when you are befuddled as to | | | | more willing and excited to learn if you make learning |
| the identity of your kid's final creation. Just ask your kid | | | | fun with interactive arts and crafts projects. |
| to tell you more about their art or craft, and let them | | | | Some ideas for kids' arts & crafts |
| explain how they see their creation. | | | | Kids' arts and crafts can be quick and simple to keep |
| 2. There will be a mess. There is nothing you can do | | | | the attention of on-the-go toddlers. They can also be |
| about it. As soon as you make that realization, the | | | | sophisticated and complex for older kids who are up |
| whole experience will be far more enjoyable. Indeed, | | | | to a challenge. To get an idea of the scope of arts |
| sometimes it is even important to make a mess. Take | | | | and crafts projects out there, take a trip to your local |
| that knowledge to plan ahead. Get a large clear | | | | arts and crafts store or teacher's supply shop. These |
| workspace for your kids, and give them the | | | | stores will have pre-designed craft kits, including |
| opportunity to be creative without having to worry | | | | jewelry art, painting kits, and other craft ideas. Each kit |
| about getting paint on your new Persian rug | | | | will come with instructions and all of the materials you |
| 2. Making arts and crafts is supposed to be about | | | | require. |
| using your imagination. For this reason, try not to show | | | | Another good idea, once you have gained some |
| your kids a completed craft as an example. Instead, let | | | | experience, is to walk arts and craft stores to shop |
| your kids learn to interpret the instructions as they wish | | | | for kids' art ideas. Here are some ideas: try straw |
| in order to truly be creative. This will also give your kids | | | | painting, where kids can create arts and crafts by |
| a good lesson on the best ways to follow and adapt | | | | blowing paint through a straw onto a poster board or |
| instructions. | | | | construction paper; or let your kids dip marbles in paint |
| 4. Making arts and crafts requires a lot of focus. For | | | | and roll them across the painting surface for a messy |
| this reason, it is best to get your kids to calm down a | | | | (but fun!) painting project. If you are looking for |
| bit before placing them in front of glue and scissors. | | | | something a bit less messy then try pipe cleaner art. |
| Basic supplies for making arts & crafts with kids | | | | This is a great craft because kids of all ages can join |
| Just like your kitchen pantry, a kid's craft drawer | | | | in. Young children can use their imaginations to create |
| should have a few staples. While you may need | | | | simple objects out of pipe cleaners. Older kids may |
| something more specific for special crafts, for the | | | | enjoy incorporating other supplies such as beads into |
| most part you will be able to get by with the following | | | | pipe cleaner art. |
| list: kid-friendly paint, scissors, crayons, etc. It's also a | | | | |