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!
Planning in advance is the key to having good crafts prepared, and to saving money. You want to build a stockpile or materials, so that you can always be ready whenever you need to lead an activity. If you see something that might make a good craft, like wooden bird houses for sale, stock up. You probably already have a good selection of paints and other things you can use for decoration.
Here are a few more easy craft activities:
Suncatchers: These are also sometimes packaged as "stained glass" window painting kits. They come with a clear plastic shape, such as a rainbow or a paneled window, and transparent paint. Kids love them because they are very easy but they look impressive when they're finished. They are a great activity for younger kids who can't deal with small parts.
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 bracelet making: This activity has been popular with kids for decades. The supplies required are minimal: embroidery floss on different colors, safety pins, and scissors. You will want to master a couple of different designs to teach to the kids, or at least have a book on hand with directions. Like warm fuzzies, friendship bracelets are for giving to others, and kids love to trade them!
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: People are doing this less and less now that the art of photography has largely gone digital, but that just makes physical albums and scrapbooks more special. Because you need photos, this is an ideal activity to do with your own children at home. You can buy fancy scrapbooking supplies like acid-free paper, die-cuts, and scissors with different patterns for creating borders. However, if you don't have those things on hand, you can make photo collages with stickers and regular construction paper. These are a fun activity and great way to cherish 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!
Planning in advance is the key to having good crafts prepared, and to saving money. You want to build a stockpile or materials, so that you can always be ready whenever you need to lead an activity. If you see something that might make a good craft, like wooden bird houses for sale, stock up. You probably already have a good selection of paints and other things you can use for decoration.
Here are a few more easy craft activities:
Suncatchers: These are also sometimes packaged as "stained glass" window painting kits. They come with a clear plastic shape, such as a rainbow or a paneled window, and transparent paint. Kids love them because they are very easy but they look impressive when they're finished. They are a great activity for younger kids who can't deal with small parts.
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 bracelet making: This activity has been popular with kids for decades. The supplies required are minimal: embroidery floss on different colors, safety pins, and scissors. You will want to master a couple of different designs to teach to the kids, or at least have a book on hand with directions. Like warm fuzzies, friendship bracelets are for giving to others, and kids love to trade them!
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: People are doing this less and less now that the art of photography has largely gone digital, but that just makes physical albums and scrapbooks more special. Because you need photos, this is an ideal activity to do with your own children at home. You can buy fancy scrapbooking supplies like acid-free paper, die-cuts, and scissors with different patterns for creating borders. However, if you don't have those things on hand, you can make photo collages with stickers and regular construction paper. These are a fun activity and great way to cherish 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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