Thinking about introducing arts and crafts to your kids? Congratulations! You’re doing your child a very big favor. Arts and crafts are important for your children’s development. In fact, experts say it’s the most effective way to help them grow and develop.
There are many benefits from arts and crafts. Aside from having fun, arts and crafts can help your kid’s motor skills. Everytime they use their fingers to manipulate colors or things, they begin to develop fine motor skills. As a result, their bilateral coordination starts to improve over time.
It also improves their literacy. Arts and crafts comes with a lot of benefits. It ranges from helping kids develop their speaking and listening skills. Not only that, but it develops their understanding as well. Notice when kids are involved with art, they talk about their work and as a result they learn to express themselves.
Self expression is important. That’s especially now more than ever. Arts is one way to develop creativity. When children begin to be creative, you allow them to express themselves which help them cope with their emotions. This fosters a healthy mental development in children.
When people can openly express themselves, that means they have a high-self esteem. That’s also important for your children’s growth. Children get a sense of achievement everytime they finish something they’re proud of.
Arts and crafts is one of the safest and effective ways to teach them that it’s okay to make mistakes. And sometimes wrong things can lead to new ideas. Likewise, it’s a great way to help them develop patience.
Furthermore, we all know that talent and skills are important. However, there’s no alternative to great relationships between family members. For this reason, we are confident that arts and crafts is a good family bonding activity. Kids love to spend quality time with their parents. Introducing them to arts and crafts will not just develop important life skills but they will also cherish life-long memories with you.
So, without further ado, we gathered 5 educational crafts you could do at home.
- Finger Painting
Finger painting is one of the simplest and quickest arts and crafts ideas. The good thing is, everyone can do this no matter the age. Even adults can do it too. It’s fun to be messy sometimes. Do you remember when you’re a kid making dots and stripes in art classes?
Older kids will love this too. Prepare an ink pad and a set of paints. Make finger-painted animals and characters. You can even decorate cardboard eggs. However, when letting your kids finger paint it’s important to get a food-grade paint for their safety.
- Make custom masks
Dress up with your own craft is an all-time fave. Making masks is a classic arts and crafts activity in paint classes and workshops. Mask making is simple and easy but it’s a lot of fun too. All you need to prepare are cardboard, a rubber band, and some children’s color pens and crayons.
Also, there are ready-made Super-Hero masks if you want to buy. But if you don’t want to spend more money on it, you can also print your own ready-made mask if you have a printer and a computer at home. All you have to do is download and print the template.
- Painting rocks and pebbles
This is another classic. It’s easy, quick and very much cost-effective. All you need are some paints, brush and some rocks and pebbles. However, it’s important to use Poster or Acrylic paints as per advice from paint workshops. Rock and pebble paintings have gotten a bit popular thanks to various community challenges.
On the other hand, it’s important to keep your painted rocks and pebbles waterproof. A layer of varnish will do the job.
- DIY stamps
Stamp making is another popular kids arts and crafts activity. Children, toddlers and adults can do this. In fact, it’s a good activity for bored teenagers. From humble potato print, palm, and everything else on fabric, shirts and tote bags. DIY stamp making is another classic arts and crafts activity that is beloved by everyone.
Eco-friendly tote bags are becoming famous today. With that being said, it’s the perfect partner with DIY stamps. Here’s a simple yet effective tip: Use adhesive foam, recycled bottle caps, and jar lids for your DIY stamps.
- Egg carton flowers
Make empty egg cartons fun and exciting. Making egg carton flowers is another fun and inexpensive craft to do at home. Just clip the egg cups from each other, snip them into petals and stack them into an indoor 3D flower garden.