The Best Crafts For Children

Crafts for children play an important role in their early learning. They enhance the creativity of the little ones, help to use their free time profitably, work on memory and improve their concentration.

Regardless of the type of activity that is preferred, the presence and collaboration of parents will always be necessary. Especially in those tasks that the child cannot do alone, such as cutting or using certain types of glue. Next, we will see some suggestions of crafts for children to enjoy as a family and learn at the same time.

Toilet paper tubes

With imagination and creativity they stop being a simple cardboard roll to become :

• Cars We start by cutting a rectangle at the top. Then it will be painted in the color of the child’s preference. Finally, four circles cut out of cardboard are glued to represent the wheels. If details like fire flames are drawn, it can be turned into a racing car.

• Animals. The cardboard tube is painted and then the face of the selected animal is drawn. Then two cardboard eyes and two ears are glued on top. Depending on the shape of the ears and the drawing, the result could be a rabbit, a dog, a cat or a donkey.

• Pencil holders. The roll is glued on a flat surface of cardboard, wood or thick cardboard. Then it is decorated with paints, fabrics, sequins or whatever material the child prefers.

Crafts for children with recycling material

Using recycled material raises awareness in children about caring for the environment. They are taught to collaborate in a playful way that could turn into a genuine interest in the conservation and defense of the environment in the future.

• Pots with soda bottles. By cutting the bottle in half and removing the label we will have our pot ready. Children can decorate them with eyes and caps creating fun characters.
• Photo frame made with magazines. Take a page, roll it up, and stick it in a cardboard frame with a box in the middle for the photo. The same procedure is repeated until the square is completely covered.

• Placemats made with stoppers. A sufficient quantity of caps of soda or other drinks of different colors is collected. Then they are glued together to form a square or circle that works as a tablecloth.

Paper mache

It is a classic of children’s crafts that does not go out of style. Paper mache is a wonderful material to bring any design to life. The steps to follow to make the mixture at home are the following:

• Collect old newspaper, magazines or notebooks, chalk and white glue or school glue.
• Cut the sheets of paper into small squares (they do not have to be symmetrical or perfect).
• Add water and glue until all the elements are mixed.
• Leave for an hour in a container.

When the mix is ​​ready, all kinds of figures can be made : animals, monsters, dolls, pencil holders and much more. When drying, they can be painted in the color that matches the modeled figure.

Finger paint

Children enjoy putting their hands in the paint. Creating figures with their fingers and even with their feet is for them an unsurpassed experience of textures and color combinations. Part of the game can be preparing the painting together with the little ones:

• Heat 3 cups of water to a boil and remove from heat.
• Add a cup of wheat flour dissolved in water at cold or at room temperature.
• Stir slowly.
• Reheat the mixture on a burner.
• Boil for 1 minute.
• Separate the mixture into several containers and add vegetable ink.

For young children it is ideal to have a space that they can get dirty and place a large sheet of bond paper. In this way they will be able to use the paint without restrictions.

Masks with cardboard plates

In family gatherings or with friends that are made at home, there are usually some plastic plates that we do not give any use. These plates are an excellent material to make crafts for children. One option is to make masks of different characters. Next we will see the steps to achieve it:

• Cut out two circles for the eyes of the mask.
• Paint the face of the child’s favorite animal.
• Staple a soft rubber band to hold the mask.

Do not hesitate to do all kinds of crafts with your children whenever you can. This way you will contribute to develop their imagination and creativity while they enjoy!