Arts and Crafts for Kids

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By Lyn Bell


Pineapple Plant
Pineapple Plant

Growing a Pineapple

If you are looking for arts and crafts for kids to make this craft idea is one that any kid would love and makes a great addition to the home.

You will need a flowerpot, potting soil, a fresh pineapple and a plastic bag.

  • First, fill the flowerpot with potting mix.
  • Twist the top from the pineapple. Children may need an adult to help with this.
  • Remove the lower leaves from the pineapple stalk and place in the potting soil.
  • Water and place the pot in a plastic bag and close. Leave in a warm sunny position. Once the roots have started to grow you can remove the plastic bag. Water regularly.

Although the plant may produce fruit if kept in warm greenhouse conditions it makes a lovely indoor plant.

The following are some more arts and crafts for kids to make:

Make a Miniature Garden

Painted Terracotta Flowerpots


Leaves from the garden for a collage
Leaves from the garden for a collage

How to Make a Glasses Case or Purse.

Whether you are a camp director, teacher, or parent looking for new arts and crafts for kids, try this idea – it’s sure to be a hit. The glasses case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse. The crafting idea can be used in a group situation or for individual children.

To make the case, you will need some simple materials such as a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn and a hole punch. In place of needles you could use a bobby pin (hair clip or grip) – especially for younger children it certainly makes a safe alternative.

Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) by 15 cm (6 inches). With the hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle. Be sure to leave one short side un-punched. Make the holes 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) apart and allow at least 1 cm (1/4 inch) between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If the craft is for small children, you should make the holes yourself.

The young crafters can then cut ornamental shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy ready-cut foam shapes. If the craft is being done for a special event, choose shapes that reflect the theme of the event. For example for a cowboy theme, you could find boots and cowboy hats. Stars will also fit in well. Let the kids choose the shapes they like which can then be glued on. For older children you might also like to provide beads, buttons or sequins to glue on.

The kids will then need to thread the plastic needle or bobby pin with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. You can also use ribbon. If the kids are using a bobby pin, loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end as if it was the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.

This arts and crafts idea can be turned into a necklace purse by simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using the case to store secret notes and small objects. They can even give the glasses case as a gift to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses or sun glasses. Or they can sell the finished cases at the school fair to make some money for more craft supplies.

Arts and crafts for kids teach the children new fun skills and helps develop imagination or even the budding entrepreneur.

Some crafty ideas to help you spark your child's imagination, no more searching for the best ideas they're all here. In fact you'll find one for every day of the year.


craft foam

Boredom Busters with Arts and Crafts for Kids

Do you dread those familiar words, "I'm bored," coming from the mouth of your child? Arts and crafts for kids are the answer. Provide the kids with craft materials and boredom will be a thing of the past.

Essential arts and crafts materials include paper, crayons, safe scissors, and glue – and not forgetting a bit of imagination. Paper can include commercial paper, plain typing paper, scrap pads and any number of other options. Even junk mail and old magazines make interesting art projects.

Crayons are always popular for younger children, but there are many other options these days, such as washable dry-erase markers, watercolor pencils, and gel pens. Arts and crafts supplies can be costly, but even on a tight budget there are many imaginative possibilities.

Other materials kids can craft with include recycled junk and everyday objects.

Recycled junk includes such things as empty cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, cardboard from packaging, plastic containers, and even tin cans. If you let the kids craft with tin cans you will need to make sure the tin doesn’t have any sharp edges. If they do, file the rough edges off or squeeze them flat with a pair of pliers.

Everyday objects could include leaves, twigs, seeds, rocks, and other natural items a child might find in the garden. Any or all of these items can be used in creating arts and crafts for kids.

Making a collage is a fun and popular craft idea. When making a collage anything can be glued to make a creative and fun project. Use a heavy paper for the background.

For an extra challenge, a collage can be built around a theme such as food, animals, or babies. Old magazines can be used to get the right pictures. Older children might like to cut out details from magazine pictures and reassemble them to make new and interesting stories. Interesting words and headlines can be added for a bit of fun and humor.

For younger children collages made of glued down pasta, beans, ice cream sticks, leaves, and many other materials go down well. Don't forget about glitter. If your budget allows only a few arts and crafts supplies, remember that kids of all ages, particularly girls, really enjoy crafting artwork that includes glitter.

It is important to let your child work on their project without you showing them examples of completed work, especially if it has been completed by an adult. Allowing them to explore their own imagination will help develop creativity and problem solving abilities. Provide the materials and instructions and they’ll do the rest.

But whether your kids are boys or girls, young or older, suggest some arts and crafts the next time your kids cry out that they are bored!

Some crafty ideas to help you spark your child's imagination, no more searching for the best ideas they're all here. In fact you'll find one for every day of the year.

Some other sites of interest are:

Arts and Crafts for Kids

Craft Ideas for Kids

Creativity for Kids Totally Awesome Art Creativity for Kids Totally Awesome Art
Price: $12.38
List Price: $14.99
Big Fun Crafts Big Fun Crafts
Price: $14.90
List Price: $25.00
Creativity For Kids Butterfly Bedroom Creativity For Kids Butterfly Bedroom
Price: $9.99
List Price: $14.99
Do Art - Modern Masterpieces Do Art - Modern Masterpieces
Price: $9.99
List Price: $18.00

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MM Del Rosario profile image

MM Del Rosario  says:
2 years ago

Hi lyn,

I like using recycled junk to use as crafts, great tips.

All the best. MM

Buy Webkinz profile image

Buy Webkinz  says:
2 years ago

Great hub Lyn, picked up some great ideas for my girls.

Dianne  says:
2 years ago

Hi Lynn, I picked up some great tips for working with the Reading to Kids group that I volunteer for. Thanks, Dianne

Lyn Bell profile image

Lyn Bell  says:
2 years ago

Pleased that you were able to get something helpful out of my hub. It's probably getting a bit late now but if you are looking for Halloween ideas try http://artsandcraftsforkids.weebly.com/halloween-a

or http://craftideasforkids.weebly.com/halloween-cost

Cheers, Lyn

Lyn Bell profile image

Lyn Bell  says:
2 years ago

I decided better late than never and have created another hub just for Halloween http://hubpages.com/hub/Halloween-Ideas

Lyn

painternc  says:
2 years ago

That is a really great craft! Recently I started making opportunities to do crafts with my kids. I think it can be a very significant way to bond with them and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. It can be simple, inexpensive and does not have to be time-consuming. I believe it is exciting for them because it builds their positive experience of completing something and creating an item for basic materials.

wwwlhowtomakefriendshipbracelets.blogspot.com

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie  says:
2 years ago

Great ideas.

G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson  says:
2 years ago

 have used marbles in a square pan with sides(like a cake pan) put several blobs of poster paint in a row then tilt the pan and let the marbles roll back and forth..wonderful designs, messy but so much fun G-Ma :o)

Prosperity66  says:
2 years ago

Very nice hub with great craft ideas!

Keep up the great work :)

ElitePoetz profile image

ElitePoetz  says:
13 months ago

Nice hub. great content/ideas. thanks

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