Kids Crafts Worth Their Weight in Glue
I love art, but let’s be honest, kids crafts can be an exercise in frustration. I completely understand and wholeheartedly agree that the process of making art is important. Working on craft projects builds small motor skills, allows creativity to bloom and is simply enjoyable for kids. Unless of course the project is too hard, or the instructions are over their head. That is when craft time can cause a melt down.
The following projects are not only fun to create, they are worth the time spent. The end product is interesting or useful, in other words these kids crafts are worth their weight in glue.
Crafty, scrappy frames
Having your kids make colorful picture frames is always useful, but when the kids clean up the scrap bin in the process; it is a win win situation.
You will need:
- Cardstock squares
- Glue
- Scraps of colored paper, gift wrap, scrapbooking scraps, etc
- Give your child a card stock square.
- Let them tear paper scraps into small pieces.
- Glue the paper scraps around the outside border of the square. If they cover the whole piece, don’t worry. Any paper squares glued in the center will simply be covered with another, smaller piece of card stock and a picture.
Create a stamp collection
I was absolutely floored with the results of this project. The neighbors came over during a rain storm and we spent the time making our own stamps. Four year olds and fourteen year olds had an equal amount of fun and we ended up with a cool collection of unique stamps.
You will need:
- Blocks of wood
- Tacky glue
- Scissors
- Stray objects, paper clips, sticky foam scraps, craft foam scraps and corrugated cardboard
- Ink pad
- Simply glue objects on blocks of wood.
- Press into ink and create impressions.
Sensory overload with cloud dough
I love this weird project. The simplicity of the recipe and the joy it brings the little ones make it a must do activity. The consistency is unlike play dough, more like wet sand.
You will need:
- 8 cups of flour
- 1 cup of baby oil, or canola oil, whatever is handy
- Pour the flour in a large container.
- Drizzle the oil over the flour.
- Use your hands to mix and mix, knead and knead, until the flour and oil are one.
- Play!
Mixed media wall art to die for
Kids art projects are often rolled up and stored or stashed on high shelves, but this craft is ready to be hung as soon as the glue and paint dry. So make room for this clever art project! Kids really get a kick out of making “real art.”
You will need:
- Canvas
- Glue
- Scrapbook paper
- Scissors
- Buttons
- Paint
- Start by cutting circles from the scrapbook paper. Let kids attempt to cut the circles as soon as they are able to use scissors. Use different colors and patterns, and do not worry about making perfectly round shapes. The more imperfections the better!
- Make three, four, or five stack of circles, setting one on top of another so that the different shapes and colors show.
- Attach to the top half of the canvas with glue, sticking a button in the center of each circle stack, or flower.
- Now, let your child finish this mixed media piece by applying paint. They can paint the sky, the grass, paint a sun and then add the flower stems.
- When they say they are done, then they are done. Let them leave white space if desired, or none at all.
All these projects are fun to create with a wide age range of children making them ideal for summer. Enjoy both the process, and the finished product!
More by Sylvie Branch:
Make Summer Reading Fun for Kids
Kool-Aid Tie Dye and Other Uses for This Colorful Powdered Drink Mix
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