5 Crafty Ideas with Your Kids

Research has shown that school stimulates the left side of our brain. When kids go to school they are often exercising the analytical part of their brain during learning, while the right, creative side often misses out. We can bring a balance to their lives by doing art and craft work with them at home and who knows, there could be a budding artist in there that simply needs the inspiration to explore new ways of expressing themselves. Here are 5 awesome craft ideas for you and your kids to explore together.

Design your own iphone cover

When kids are in kindergarten and in the early schooling life they will often come home with drawings that they have done, and while we love them and try to keep them, often they get lost or wrecked and we end up throwing them away. Get the kids to design your own iphone 5 cover and you will always have their drawings with you as a reminder of the creative souls that they are. They will feel good about themselves whenever they see you on the phone using the phone with the cover that they made especially for you.

Sock Puppets

You know how socks seem to always go missing in the wash, and you end up with a heaps of single socks and don’t know what to do with them. A great craft idea is to use them to make awesome sock puppets with the kids. You can teach them how to sew some old buttons on for eyes and paint or glue material on to make a nose and mouth. Not only will they be learning valuable skills but they will have a puppet to do puppet shows with, so there are hours of fun in this one activity.

Key Mobile

Over the years as we move house we somehow collect heaps of unused keys that really have no purpose once you don’t have the lock for them. A great craft activity for kids is to make a key mobile with them. You can get them to paint the keys in different colours and find a good stick in the garden. With some nice coloured string they can thread it through the keys and hang them on the stick to make an awesome, colourful mobile that will delight family and friends when they come to visit.

Toilet Roll Painting

How many toilet rolls do we use in our lives and where do those rolls go when we’ve used all the paper off them? Usually in the bin! An awesome craft idea using toilet rolls is to cut them into different shapes, bend back the sides and make paint stamps out of them. They can dip them into the paint and onto the paper for beautiful flower designs. What a great way to recycle and turn rubbish into a fun craft toy.

Pebble and Shell Painting

You know how when you go to the beach and the kids insist on collecting heaps of shells and pebbles? These can be used in craft activities by painting them into cool designs. If Christmas is coming up or you have a birthday and need a present, the kids can make their own present to give, made all by them. Your family and friends will love to get a pebble or shell that has been painted with love by your kids!

Written by Kim Blair

Kim loves writing, spending time with her two kids, as well as doing DIY art and craft which she sells at local market stalls.