petit ? petit and family: How To Craft With Kids... 10 tips by Caroline ...

I was supposed to have many more guest posts last week, unfortunately my wifi situation wasn't as I hoped for on my vacation. So this week I'll have some great posts from some amazing friends... everyday!

Today's post is by the lovely Caroline from Salsa Pie- She has a way of making crafts with your kids easy breezy. She always finds the way to make the cutest things with her kids and her DIY are simply awesome. What's even more amazing is that these projects are the kind anyone can do, specially the kids. Did I mention Caroline is the sweetest person ever- she is! And by the way, you HAVE got to check out the coolest little videos Caroline has put together for PBS kids, they are all amazing but I especially like the her last one, probably because I have a soft spot for anything dating back to the 20's!

And here is her post!

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I don't believe people are born "artsy" or non-artsy. I think we're all creative and that creativity just manifests itself differently in each of us. I think the fact that crafting is such a beloved activity for children proves this. But, I also believe we have the opportunity as parents to cultivate creative environments in our homes for children. Does it sound easy? Well, it is and it isn't, to be totally honest to you.

Making your home an open space for your child's creativity can be one part art one part science and, since no two families are alike, the strategy for creating a crafty nest is different for every family. But today I'm going to provide you with a list of very practical tips and tricks that I've learned throughout the years while crafting with my four little ones. I've learned these things through trial and error and hopefully they will serve as a loose guide for you in crafting with your kids too!

10 Tips | How to Craft with Kids

1. Organize your craft materials into separate containers and make all the completely kid-friendly materials (that you think are best to make available) available for the kids. Put out of reach things like strong glues, scissors, permanent markers and glitter. Leave things like paper, glue sticks and crayons within reach for the kids.

2. If possible designate an area of your house (a kitchen table or a counter) as the "go-to" spot for crafting. Consider purchasing some type of thrifted covering for the table if you are concerned about getting the surface messy and have that covering ready and available for your crafting sessions. I have a covering like this and I keep it folded in a bottom drawer in my kitchen.

3. Shop at dollar stores for things like: glue sticks, glitter, pom poms, popsicle sticks, google eyes and construction paper. Avoid buying markers and crayons from dollar stores as most of the crayons sold there aren't the greatest quality (they barely color!) and the markers aren't normally washable even when they say they are.

4. Think out of the box when stocking up or searching for crafting supplies. Consider purchasing inexpensive office supplies like sticker labels, post-it notes and index cards. Some of our most beloved projects are made solely out of office supplies!

5. Save old cereal boxes; flatten them out and then store them by stacking them up somewhere. There are literally hundreds of things you can make from cereal box cardboard and it paints really well too.

6. Whenever possible try to encourage your children to craft things by recycling. Using old paper rolls or empty water bottles to make something awesome is not only fun for kids but it's a great way to teach them to think green and encourages them to be resourceful.

7. Guide your kids crafting activities and set common sense parameters but don't get so involved that the project becomes yours. Kids will let you know when they need help. Listen for those cues but otherwise just let them go for it!

8. Hang your child's artwork anywhere and everywhere in the house. Don't just confine the kids artwork to the fridge. Purchase inexpensive frames at thrift stores or dollar stores and frame the work; hang their artwork and display their crafts. Show your kids how proud you are of their crafty ways! This not only makes your homes look even more beautiful, but it also makes the kids feel like a genuine part of the home and (in my experience) encourages them to want to make things all the time

9. Search for project ideas that encourage your children to play. Kids tend to like craft projects that do something: like a cardboard bridge for a toy car or a musical rain stick made out of a paper towel roll and rice.

10. Remember that just like everything, practice makes perfect. The more you make crafting part of your family routine, the more it will become a part of it. Even if crafting isn't your thing, just remember that as long as you are making your home a welcoming environment for your kids to make things with their hands, that's more than good enough!

Have fun and craft on, my friends!

Source: http://www.petitapetitandfamily.com/2013/07/how-to-craft-with-kids-10-tips-by.html

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