Crafts are a great activity to choose when planning programming for kids, and they can also be a lot of fun for adults! Whether you are running a vacation bible school, serving as the arts and crafts specialist for a summer camp, or simply trying to come up with activities for your own children for the down time during school breaks and summer vacation, crafts are an excellent option for keeping kids occupied with something that exercises their creativity!
To make the best use of crafts as an activity, you want to plan ahead and have many different projects and materials on hand at all times. If you see a good deal that will help your budget, do not pass it up. For example, when you see wooden bird houses for sale, buy them, along with some discounted paints or other decorations. This can make a great art project.
Here are some other quick and simple craft ideas:
Suncatchers/ "stained glass" windows: This project goes by a couple of different names, depending on the packaging. It comes with a design made of clear plastic, and some paint that remains transparent when you apply it. Kids can choose their own colors to create a unique design. This activity is easy and great for small children.
Warm fuzzies: This crafts is as simple as it gets, with the only required material being yarn and scissors. The steps are as follows. 1) Measure several long yarn strands- the more strands, the thicker the fuzzy will be. 2) Wrap the yarn strands around one hand. 3) Tie a shorter strand around the middle of the ball. 4) Cut the ends so that they fuzz out. It will look like a soft porcupine. You can also add googly eyes!
Friendship bracelets: This classic activity requires only scissors, safety pins, and several colors of embroidery floss, which you can find at any craft store. There are lots of different patterns and designs, ranging from very simple to somewhat complicated. Kids love to master the different designs, and to trade and collect friendship bracelets with their buddies.
Jewelry making: This activity only works with certain age groups: toddlers run the risk of choking on the beads and other small object. Also, because of the cost of supplies, this activity is probably best with a smaller group. However, in certain situations it can be ideal, as it is relaxing and meditative, and really allows for individual artistic expression.
Scrapbooking: Most people these days store their photos digitally, which makes a physical scrapbook even more of a unique keepsake. Scrapbooking is an ideal craft for doing at home, because you may have unorganized family photos lying around. If you get really into it, you can purchase supplies like acid-free paper, die cuts, and special scissors for cutting borders. However, you can also make a neat collage or book with only photos, construction paper, and markers.
Those are just a few ideas to get you started planning arts and crafts activities. There are countless others. Some require kits, and some do not. Start planning and building up your stockpile of ideas and materials today!
To make the best use of crafts as an activity, you want to plan ahead and have many different projects and materials on hand at all times. If you see a good deal that will help your budget, do not pass it up. For example, when you see wooden bird houses for sale, buy them, along with some discounted paints or other decorations. This can make a great art project.
Here are some other quick and simple craft ideas:
Suncatchers/ "stained glass" windows: This project goes by a couple of different names, depending on the packaging. It comes with a design made of clear plastic, and some paint that remains transparent when you apply it. Kids can choose their own colors to create a unique design. This activity is easy and great for small children.
Warm fuzzies: This crafts is as simple as it gets, with the only required material being yarn and scissors. The steps are as follows. 1) Measure several long yarn strands- the more strands, the thicker the fuzzy will be. 2) Wrap the yarn strands around one hand. 3) Tie a shorter strand around the middle of the ball. 4) Cut the ends so that they fuzz out. It will look like a soft porcupine. You can also add googly eyes!
Friendship bracelets: This classic activity requires only scissors, safety pins, and several colors of embroidery floss, which you can find at any craft store. There are lots of different patterns and designs, ranging from very simple to somewhat complicated. Kids love to master the different designs, and to trade and collect friendship bracelets with their buddies.
Jewelry making: This activity only works with certain age groups: toddlers run the risk of choking on the beads and other small object. Also, because of the cost of supplies, this activity is probably best with a smaller group. However, in certain situations it can be ideal, as it is relaxing and meditative, and really allows for individual artistic expression.
Scrapbooking: Most people these days store their photos digitally, which makes a physical scrapbook even more of a unique keepsake. Scrapbooking is an ideal craft for doing at home, because you may have unorganized family photos lying around. If you get really into it, you can purchase supplies like acid-free paper, die cuts, and special scissors for cutting borders. However, you can also make a neat collage or book with only photos, construction paper, and markers.
Those are just a few ideas to get you started planning arts and crafts activities. There are countless others. Some require kits, and some do not. Start planning and building up your stockpile of ideas and materials today!
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