Crafts for the uncrafty

Children are likely to spend more time on screens during the summer months. One way to get their minds working is…crafts! Stimulating activities like crafts can calm the mind, encourage creativity and advance fine motor skills in children.  

How can I ensure my kid is safely crafting? 

 Parents can ensure their child is crafting safely by purchasing washable or nontoxic supplies. For younger children, supervision is necessary.  

How can I increase my child’s interest in crafts? 

If your child struggles with interest in crafts, cater the project to them. Pick their fixation at the moment and find crafts related to that. Get your children involved in the planning process, too. If your child is still not invested, be open to discussing why and how you can make activities more enjoyable for them. 

Where should I purchase my craft supplies? 

Craft supplies are not difficult to find. They are located at many stores you shop at - even grocery stores! Depending on the craft, you can find items at Walmart, Dollar Tree, Michael’s, Amazon, or wherever you are shopping. If you are worried about price, we encourage you to look into paper plate crafts or a secondhand craft store like Scrap KC. 

I don’t enjoy crafting. How can I encourage my kid to craft? 

Crafting can be an exhausting task, which may lead to parents to not enjoy the activity. Even when one enjoys crafting, the setup and clean up can feel like extra “work.” Buying a tablecloth specifically dedicated to crafting is an easy way to make crafting easier. Go into the activity with a positive mindset and time expectations. Know it may be hectic but if you remain positive, most likely your child will, too. 

Crafting wrap-up 

This summer, push your crafting to the next level! Help strengthen your child’s creativity, fine motor skills and attention span by planning a craft with them! Below we have listed a few crafts to get you started! 

Toddler Crafts 

Easy Clean-Up Finger Painting 

Supplies Needed: 

• Any type of paper or canvas 
• A Ziploc bag large enough for the paper or canvas to fit inside  
• Paint  
• Tape 

1. Cut the paper down to size so it fits nicely into a Ziploc bag. 
2. Add paint to the paper.  
3. Zip the bag shut. 
4. Tape the bag down to a hard-surfaced floor or table. 
5. Let your kiddo paint! 

Dinosaur Footprints 

Supplies Needed: 

• Any type of paper or canvas 
• Paint  
• Tape 
• Plastic toys (dinosaurs, cars, plastic animals, etc.) 

1. Tape down a few pieces of paper, cardstock or poster board. 
2. Squirt out some paint on an extra sheet of paper. 
3. Let the kids dunk the dinosaur’s feet into the craft paint and stamp them all over the paper. 
4. Wash up the dinosaur feet with soap and water. 

Early Elementary Crafts 

Masking Tape Art 

Supplies Needed: 

• Any type of paper or canvas 
• Tape 
• Paint 

1. Lay masking tape on a piece of paper in the desired design (abstract, child’s name, favorite number, etc.) 
2. Use paint to paint over the masking tape and paper. Use watercolors or acrylics, get creative with it! 
3. When the paint dries, gently remove the masking tape revealing your artwork! 

Chalk Paint 

Supplies Needed: 

• Any type of paper or canvas 
• A Ziploc bag large enough for the paper or canvas to fit inside  
• Paint  
• Tape 

1. Mix equal parts cornstarch and water and whisk until smooth.    
2. Divide the mixture into cups or a muffin tin. 
3. Use a small drop of food coloring to color the individual containers, and then use paint brushes, sponges or foam brushes to paint onto sidewalks. (Be aware of how much food coloring you use. Too much will stain the concrete.) 

Middle School Crafts 

Middle schoolers can be very expressive, so start with a canvas or a piece of paper and some paint supplies. Give them a prompt to help their imagination, such as:  

1. Paint your favorite place. 
2. Paint an abstract. 
3. Paint an emotion. 

Kids around this age often have an interest in comic books. Creating their own could be an exciting project that could extend many days. Some story prompts could include: 

1. “I peeked through the curtains. There was a limo parked outside with 2 bodyguards. I heard a knock at the door…” 
2. “As soon as I boarded the train, I began my letter to my sister. I did it. I sold everything and am on my way to…” 
3. “The light started to flicker, first blue, then white. I looked around for a way out, but I was trapped. I guess I’ll have to resort to the back-up plan…”