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 allows 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 the 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 it also teaches young children cause and effect.
Some Amazing For Kids
Latch Hook Kits for Kids – Kids Crafts, Arts and Crafts, Yarn Art
Brand: LatchKits
Age Range (Description): Kid
Color: Multicolor
Theme: Fantasy
Cartoon Character: Unicorn
Crayola Washable Finger Paints
Brand: Crayola
Color: Multicolored
Finish Type: Matte
Size: Other
Item Volume: 0.12 Fluid Ounces
Special Feature: Non Toxic, Washable
Unit Count….
Simple & Big Coloring Book for Toddler: 100 Easy And Fun Coloring Pages For Kids
100 fun, easy-to-color drawings, such as:animals, sun, flowers, cars, unicorns, balloons, stars, rainbow, lollipops, ice cream and many more.
The perfect coloring book for learning to color…..
Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, Washable, 7 Grams, 30 Count
Brand: Elmer’s
Specific Uses For Product: School, Craft
Material: plastic
Compatible Material: Paper, Wood, fFabric…
Crayola Air Dry Clay (5lbs), Natural White Modeling Clay for Kids, Sculpting Material, Bulk Craft Supplies for School Classrooms [Amazon Exclusive]
Brand: Crayola
Color: White
Age Range: Kid
Material: Clay
Item Weight: 5 Pounds….
Melissa & Doug Finger Paint Paper Pad (12 x 18 inches) – 50 Sheets, 2-Pack – FSC Certified
Brand: Melissa & Doug
Color: Multi-color
Material: Paper
Sheet Size: 12 x 17 inches
Paper Finish: Smooth
Skillmatics Card Game – Found It Indoor, Scavenger Hunt, Stocking Stuffers for Ages 4, 5, 6, 7, Educational, Gifts for Kids, Boys, Girls and Families
Fun Family Game, Gifts for Ages 6 and Up
How To Draw Everything: 600 Simple Step By Step Drawings For Kids Ages 4 to 8
Give your LITTLE one the skills needed to be an amazing artist with our BIG drawing book!
Over 600 cute and fun images to draw
Step by step illustrations to make drawing easy…..
Fashion Angels 1000+ Ridiculously Cute Stickers for Kids – Fun Craft Stickers for Scrapbooks, Planners, Gifts and Rewards, 40-Page Sticker Book for Kids Ages 6+ and Up
Brand: Fashion Angels
Color: Multicolor
Item dimensions L x W x H: 5.8 x 0.4 x 8 inches…..
Melissa & Doug Disney Princess Wooden Stamp Set: 9 Stamps, 5 Colored Pencils, and 2-Color Stamp Pad
Wooden stamp set featuring favorite Disney Princess characters
Includes 9 wooden stamps, 5 colored pencils, and 2-color stamp pad
Washable ink….