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Crafting with young children really isn't about creating
something in particular. Most young children don't have
the foresight to see what a project is going to be.
For young children it's more
important that they have the opportunity to play and
experiment with art. Kids need to use as many of their
senses as possible to get the most out of crafting.
This allow them to try new sensory experiences, as well
as learn causal relationships.
These are my 10 favorite crafts
for little kids based on all that AND the 'fun factor.'
1. Finger painting: Finger
painting is a wonderful activity for kids. It lets them
'feel' the craft as well as be creative. You don't have
to have finger paints to do this activity with kids.
You can finger paint with homemade paint, watercolors
or even mud. You can also experiment with adding other
things to the paint such as sand or glitter.
2. Yarn Painting: Dip
pieces of string or yarn into paint and then drag it
across the paper to paint with it. It's a good experience
to paint with something other than a brush and you can
just throw the yarn away when finished.
3. Q-Tip Painting: Use
Q-tips to create a painting. There are lots of ways
to use a Q-tip - scrub, dot, or use it like a brush.
It's a good coordination exercise because Q-tips are
small around, but it also provides a lot of interest
for the child.
4. Glue Art: Draw squiggle
lines on a piece of paper or let the child use their
finger to make random glue spots or patterns on a piece
of paper. Experiment with adding different objects to
the glue. Sand, glitter, cotton, yarn, feathers, and
tissue paper all work well.
5. Salt Dough Sculpture: Make
a batch of salt dough and turn the kids loose with it.
You don't have to worry about them eating it (it's safe
and tastes terrible) and clean up is easier than play
dough. If you want to keep their creations, let them
dry overnight and then paint them the next day.
6. Toe Painting: If it's
a warm summer day, put on the swimsuits, put some finger
paint into pie tins, lay out large sheets of poster
paper, and let them 'paint' all afternoon. They will
have a ball and all you have to do is hose them off
when they are done (that's my kids' favorite part actually!)
7. Found Object Art: This
project is always a sure thing because kids love to
'discover' things. Let your child gather up leaves,
sticks, flowers, etc. and then glue them onto a piece
of paper. When they are done, let them tell you about
their collection.
8. Peanut Pictures: Every
kid loves to play with packing peanuts -- but it makes
such a mess. Let them create pictures with them instead.
Kids can draw on them, glue them to a sheet of paper,
or glue the peanuts to each other to make a sculpture.
The kids will love it!
9. Sticker Play: Turn
your child loose with a bunch of stickers, markers,
and a sheet of paper and let them create. It's good
for little ones to work on their coordination, and it's
fun!
10. Stamping: Kids love
to use any kind of stamps. My favorites are the self-inking
stamps or the double-sided markers with the stamps on
one end. This may sound like pure play, but is also
teaches young children cause and effect.
About The Author:
Chris Yates makes it Easy to craft
with Little Kids and Create a little Magic Time with
Hundreds of project ideas. Visit http://www.LittleKidCrafts.com
Now!
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