Arts and crafts projects will engage your children and alleviate their boredom when they’re out of school. In addition to putting an end to their complaints of having absolutely nothing to do, these little projects can help your child learn eye-hand coordination, develop self-esteem, and discover a life-long love of the arts. However, not all of these projects are created equal. To find an activity that your children will truly enjoy, review this list of arts and crafts projects.
1. Design Your Own T-Shirts
Kids love to show off their creations, and what better way to do that than by letting them wear their artwork? If you’d like to let your kids give this project a try, here’s what you’ll need:
- Cheap t-shirts
- Cardboard
- Fabric paint or markers
Insert cardboard inside the t-shirts to keep the fabric tight. Then go wild with the paint or markers. Some ideas include thumbprint flower petals, children’s names, school colors, birthdays, and favorite animals. Even inexpensive t-shirts and paint can add up; to make this project affordable, look for craft supplies on eBay.
2. Create a Nature Pal
This project combines a back-yard scavenger hunt with a plan to create a figure out of free resources. Except for a little glue and some twine, you can find everything else for free. Glue together sticks, twigs, and stones to create a small figure. When you’re done, attach a loop made of twine so you can use it as a decorative item on a key-chain, in a window, or on a book bag. Most people make a Nature Pal that looks just like them, but family members, pets, and fantasy creations are all fair game.
3. Make a Rock Necklace
Although your kids would look at you like you were crazy if you mentioned it, many parents still remember The Pet Rock craze of the ’70s. This inexpensive little project will definitely remind you of that fad. For this project, you’ll need the following:
- Rocks the kids can gather from the backyard
- Colored wire
- Leather cords in a variety of colors
- Scissors and pliers
- Pencils or markers are optional
Let your kids go on a rock hunt to find the perfect specimen for their own necklaces. These little stones can be easily wrapped with thin wire (using a pair of pliers) to form a setting that will hang from the leather cord. After stringing the pendant on the cord, tie the ends and let your kids decorate the stone with a marker. Names, initials, flowers, and geometric designs are good choices.
Once your kids realize how much fun it can be to spend an afternoon on an arts and crafts project, they’ll want to do it again and again. What’s your child’s favorite project?