As you know, we are big fans for crafting – especially crafting as a family TOGETHER! Spending time creating is a wonderful way to connect and making some wonderful family memories.
There are many crafts and activities you can do – throughout the year and the holiday season. And to make things a little easier – a number of fantastic crafts have supporting printables and templates to help you along the way.
Choose your craft
To begin with.. it is important to consider the age range in your family unit. Are you getting crafting with little ones – your toddlers and your preschoolers.. or are your kids in the tween and teenage range.
Needless to say, you will be choosing very different crafts or subject matters depending on the age group.
For younger children, we like to keep things super simple and work with basic materials such as toilet paper rolls and paper plates. Maybe with some add simple templates (though you don’t really need printables when working with younger children). Just time and a little patience! We love a bit handprint art as they make wonderful keep sakes! That said, some fun 3d Coloring Pages always go down well with this age group too!
For older children, you can really make use of some wonderful DIYs, crafts, printables and templates, as well as video tutorials out there.
When working with older children, I find it useful to consider their personal interests. E.g. do they like a certain cartoon or gaming character (Pokemon?) or are they interested in textile arts (e.g. knitting, sewing and crochet)? Or maybe they like some 3d models, like these fun paper houses? Plan accordingly!
As mentioned, I generally find, following the seasons useful when planning!
Get Ready for your Craft Session
Being organised and READY for your crafting, is key to success. When my kids were little, this was especially important. You need a nice clear working area, where you can spread out as a family. Without worry about spills here and there.
So clear that kitchen table, put down a waterproof table cloth and get all your supplies ready!
Work with GOOD quality Supplies
Whatever the age, I always recommend working with good quality supplies. Get a good glue stick (not a cheap one), buy scissors that are safe but fit for purpose (don’t bother with plastic scissors). Yes washable paints are practical, but do they look nice? Can you paint on a variety of surfaces with them? Some washable paints are better than others!
With the older kids, if using some good quality printables be sure to opt for high-quality cardstock or good quality printer paper, which can handle more ink and provide a sturdier base for your creations. Consider the finish of your paper as well; glossy paper can bring out the colours in photo-heavy projects, while matte paper is ideal for items where glare might be an issue.
Storing your artwork
This is always the biggest “dilemma” for us. We like to craft a LOT.. so we have a LOT of “stuff”. How do you manage all the things your kids created. We have a number of solutions for you:
- Gift to family – grandparents will always love some handprint art!
- If working with older kids – SELL SELL SELL at school fairs and raise funds for charity
- For artwork, you can get some great storage frames (or make your own box frame)
- Keep a digital record – photograph all the work – then merge into one file using online tools (they can do all sorts of things, even converting PDF to Word files etc)
- Admire for a while and then recycle – you can’t keep everything!
Now we have the family crafts basic sorted.. here is some more food for thought.
Educational Crafts for Learning Through Doing
Integrating education into craft activities enhances learning with hands-on experience. For younger children, crafts that involve counting, colours, and basic shapes are excellent for teaching foundational concepts. Creating a simple abacus with beads and strings or sorting crafts based on colour and size can be fun and educational.
For older children, consider projects incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) elements. Constructing a basic circuit with a battery and LED lights or crafting a homemade barometer engagingly teaches practical science. These educational crafts provide a platform for academic learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking, skills crucial for academic and personal growth.
Ideas for Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
Seasonal crafts offer a perfect opportunity to teach your children about the changing seasons and the unique aspects of each one. Spring crafts might include creating flower wreaths or butterfly mobiles that celebrate new life and growth. During summer, you can focus on outdoor projects like making wind chimes or sun catchers, perfect for sunny days.
For autumn, consider crafts that use natural materials like leaves and acorns. Creating leaf prints or acorn necklaces can be a great way to appreciate nature’s bounty. Winter crafts could involve making holiday decorations or snow-themed art, like cotton ball snowmen. Each season brings its own charm and materials, providing endless possibilities for creativity and learning.
Crafting together as a family offers a delightful blend of creativity, learning, and togetherness, providing your children with skills that extend far beyond the craft table. Each craft becomes a stepping stone in a child’s development, enhancing their coordination, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the world around them.
As seasons change and children grow, the crafts you explore together can evolve to reflect these changes, keeping each project fresh and exciting. So, grab your scissors, papers, and paints, and prepare for countless hours of crafting fun. By spending this quality time together, you’re making crafts and memories that will last a lifetime, all within the comfort of your home.