Simple home-made crafts for kids

 

Arts and crafts is one activity that we love because we know the kids love it and it's a great opportunity for parents to bond with their kids.

But what can we do, you ask?

Well, all you have to do is remember your own childhood, look around your home for what materials you can use and use your imagination.

Sock puppets

If you have old socks that have holes in them, try sewing a mouth and use two buttons for eyes and you'll have a sock puppet. How to get your kids involved? If you don't want to sew on the eyes, get double-sided sticky tape and stick the buttons on. Alternatively, use felt material, ask your child to cut out two small rounds for the eyes and get them to stick them onto the sock. They can do the same for the hair – use strips of felt cloth or even wool string cut to the right length. Yes, it will stay on better if it's sewed on, but if it's stuck on, it'll be something your child can do.

Paper flowers

Get your child to cut pieces of coloured paper in petal shapes. Then using a pencil, curl the pieces so that they are all curled. Hold the petals together – with the petals curling outwards – then tie them together. Tie them to a piece of stick or straw and voila you have a stalk of flower.

Soft toy

Do you have an old bolster that is soft and in need of more filling? Don't throw it away. Tie a string or ribbon at one-third the length. Then draw a face at the smaller side. Sew on thick strings of thread (of the same length) at the top of the head to give the doll some hair. You can also sew on buttons for eyes. Get your child to participate by choosing the type of hair and colour and the types of buttons for the eyes.

Embossed picture/card

Get your child to cut out the same shape (several copies), for example a heart shape. Stick one piece on a piece of paper or card, then stick the others on top of that first heart. The end result is an “embossed” heart on the card. They can do a few different shapes – for example do butterflies and the sun. Use coloured crayons or pencils to add drawings and decorate the card. The end result makes a nice picture or card.