Your time with your children does not have to be boring especially if you know some arts and crafts. They are a great way to bond with your tots while making the most out of your time together getting them away from the television and into some other activities.
This page will provide an idea of some activities and hobbies you can share with your children which will get their creative juices flowing. Through these types of projects you can create opportunities to spend quality time with your kids and converting that time into a fruitful adventure.
How to Start an Arts and Crafts Hobby
The first step into an arts and crafts activity with your children is doing some research. Through the Internet revolution, this means some time spent in front of the computer, browsing sites that are into the topic. You can also browse arts and crafts magazines or any kind of reading material, which usually comes with detailed tutorials or step-by-step guides.
Gather ideas for arts and crafts activities that you think you like, you think will interest your kids, and you think you will both have a fun time doing together. The activities do not always have to be something that you think you can do. Doing an arts and crafts project that is pretty challenging is quite good because it will stretch your skills and your patience nicely.
When you are ready to start on an arts and crafts project with your kids, shop for the materials you will need. It will be more enjoyable if you pick out the arts and crafts items with them so the fun starts right away. Some materials do not have to be purchased at the store. Before you take the trip to the arts and crafts shop, check your home for available materials that you could use in your project.
The Fun with Arts and Crafts
When the guideline is laid out and the materials are ready, it is time to kick-start your arts and crafts project with your kids. Remember, you are there to supervise the activity, not do it for them.
Arts and crafts projects are intended to provide kids the opportunity to explore and learn and show off. As such, they should always encourage your children to explore their skills, learn new ones, and show off what they make.
Some Examples of Arts and Crafts Projects
Here are a couple fun and easy projects you can try out. Remember that these are just a few as there are a ton more fun activities waiting for you in an arts and crafts store and of course on the Internet.
The Balloon Ghost
Items needed:
- A white balloon
- Scissors
- Two plastic grocery bags (white, same color as the balloon)
- Tape
- A black marker
Steps:
First thing you do is trim off the handles of the grocery bags. It is best to use bags that do not have markings on them or logos. Plain white will generate the best results. With the seam at the bottom then cut the bag into strips from the top down to the bottom leaving a couple inches from the bottom of the bag.
Next blow up the balloon and then tape the end of bag around one end of the balloon letting the flowing strips point down. If you are planning to hang up the ghost you will want the tied end of the balloon on top but if not leave the tied end on the bottom.
Lastly you take the marker and draw in the eyes of your ghost. Depending on your kids desires and creativity a full face can also be drawn as well. And that’s it! This ghost makes a great Halloween decoration and a fun toy as it will fly really great.
The Hawaiian Flower Lei
Items needed:
- Some colorful construction paper
- Some drinking straws
- Yarn (around 2 feet is needed for each lei)
- Scissors
- Optional decorative items for the flowers (glitter, paint, markers, etc.)
Steps:
First draw out some flowers on the construction paper. They should be large and generally all the same shape (number of petals) and size. On a normal A4 size of construction paper you should get five flowers on each sheet. Once the flowers are drawn out simply cut them out and poke a small hole in the middle of each flower.
Once they are cut out you can decorate these flowers with glitter, paint or markers. Just as with the ghost project, this touch is where creativity comes in and you should encourage your kids to go wild and have fun.
Next cut the drinking straws into around one and a half inch segments. While the exact length is not real important, try to have them all about the same size. There will need to be a piece of straw in-between each flower.
Next you will take about a two foot long piece of yarn and tie a thick knot at one end. Fish the other end through one of the flowers and then thread it through on of the small drinking straw segments pushing it down to the flower.
Lastly thread it through another flower followed by another straw segment. Continue this until you come towards the end of the yarn piece, this should be around 13 to 14 flowers. Once you get to the end tie the ends of the yarn together to make your lei.
And that’s it! Two fun and quick projects you can enjoy with your kids proving that arts and crafts are not only fun but a brilliant way to spend quality time with your children.