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: 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 bracelets: This craft is a tried and true classic. You will need safety pins, scissors, and many different shades of embroidery floss. There are lots of different friendship bracelet designs, which you can learn from books or online. Some of them are difficult, but many of them are very simple to learn. Kids are always excited to learn the various patterns, and to start trading the bracelets with all of their friends.
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!
Read more about Wooden Bird Houses For Sale: Fun And Simple Crafts.