Crafting with children is a fun and rewarding activity as children so enjoy creating projects that they can either use themselves or give as presents. However, for the adults things can sometimes be more hectic so the following tips can help things to run smoothly.
·Be prepared! There’s nothing more disappointing for a child than to discover that they are unable to complete a project due to the lack of a vital component. Make sure you have all the necessary materials to hand before you start.
·Mess! This is unavoidable with some projects but can be kept to a minimum with planning. Choose Chubbi Paint Markers (Paint & Accs) if you’re worried about paint spillages, they’re perfect for younger children too. Remember to cover the table and Dad’s old shirts are always handy as makeshift aprons.
·Remember not to throw away any unused materials. Keep them in a box as you never know when they may come in handy. Children love to investigate scrap boxes and use them to make collages which are great for those last minute craft sessions.
·Glue dots (Supplies & Accs) are a great alternative to PVA and glue sticks as they make no mess, do not need drying time and can be repositioned if necessary.
·If you are planning a craft party make sure that you plan the activities beforehand. Younger children have shorter concentration spans so it’s better to plan two short craft activities separated by games, food etc.
Ideas
Here are a few ideas of how some of our products that are not in kit form can be combined to create projects.
·Craft boxes (Wooden Crafts) are great for making trinket boxes. They are especially good for younger children as they are easy to decorate using stickers, jewels and foam shapes etc.
·Foam door hangers (Foam Craft) can be personalised with foam shapes etc. A quick and easy project that can be completely mess free depending on the accessories used!
·Our card blanks (Design Your Own) are very versatile as the skill level can be determined by the ages of the children. Younger children can simply stick shapes and decorations directly onto the card, while older children can be more creative using stampers and stencils (Paint & Accs) etc. And whose Gran can resist a homemade card?
·Stampers and stencils (Paint & Accs) need not be just for paper. They are very effective when used with fabric paint or crayons to decorate t-shirts and tea towels etc. And of course they can be used over and over again.
