written by Mathiny Khanis
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Having trouble keeping your kids busy while you are at work? Here are 5 ways you can have a wonderful time together and channel their bursting energy with the help of art! After all, you might be a great form of inspiration too. But first, it is important to allocate a specific time, this helps keep them enthusiastic for what they are about to indulge in.
Setting a time
Set a specific time or pick a particular day of the week. For example, Tuesdays as “Crafting with Mommy Day”. This will make sure that little ones can look forward to a good art time, and keep their active minds occupied, planning and brainstorming what to do for their art session. We have the solution right here for you. Keep reading to find out more.
Photo by Samantha Hurley from Burst
1. Time Capsule
Things you will need:
a) Box ( eg; a Shoebox )
b) Decorating items (stickers, printouts, paint )
c) Mementos from friends and family ( photographs, a favorite recipe, a letter to future self)
What do you do next…
Have all the fun decorating the box, and you can keep it as personal as you want. After all, it is something special. Once you have decorated the “time capsule”, put in all those mementos you have collected into the box and seal it tight. Meanwhile, you can ask your kids to collect their souvenirs over the week. Lastly, add a note, ‘Do not open until [future date here]’ and your time capsule is all set!
Photo from Optimistic Kids Art
2. A Mail : The Classic Style
Mails nowadays are a bit old school. Nevertheless, they still hold a special place in people’s hearts. So, here’s what you would be doing with your kids; post a mail!
Photo by Rinck Content Studio on Unsplash
Things you will need
a) Pencil/Marker
b) Scissors
c) Paper
d) Glue
e) Patterns
f) Envelope
Cut out patterns or clip art that you have printed. It can be your favourite animal, plant, a photograph or anything. For instance, you can get creative here, by making a collage of pictures and craftworks that belong to you and your kids. Next, put them in the envelope, add a small handwritten note to it and off they go!
Here is a cool pattern that you can use! Click on the image for more fantastic printable designs and templates from LoveSVG.
3. Papercraft Decorations
Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash
Papercraft is an effortless yet fun activity to do. This can take a whole day as you and your kids can experiment with colors and patterns.
Things you will need:
a) Ribbon/strings
b) Small sticks/bamboo straws /toothpicks
c) Printouts (animals/plants/patterns)
d) Color paper
Get creative here as you can get super versatile with paper. Fold it as you like your design to be. You can glue the printouts on the paper, draw shapes and tie or glue a ribbon across if you want some extra tangling effect. Now, you will have a fancy looking paper craft. Go ahead and get creative. Maybe if you are making a butterfly, you can add their antenna and body parts, or you can even experiment by making paper flowers! It is as simple as cutting shapes of flower petals and glueing them together. It is also a fantastic learning experience for the kids!
4. DIY Gift Wrappers
I am personally obsessed with getting messy and this particular form of craft. Art is all about freedom and expressing yourself. It is a gift, I would say! Don’t you think so too? Here is the tutorial on how to craft your gift wrappers.
Things you will need:
- Your and your creative juices
- Paint
- Sponge/leaves, vegetables or anything that you want to turn into a stamp
- Paper ( Color papers, old newspapers)
Photo by Samantha Hurley from Burst
Hold up, before we get started, let’s talk a bit about paint and colors. There are many ways you can get colors, but have you tried organic or homemade colors before? For example, from your favorite morning drinks like coffee and tea. Yes! You can teach your kids the benefits by using them to make really cool paint effects and outcomes. Plus, it is chemical-free and safe for children to use too!
Now that you have all the crafting tools, let’s begin. It does not have to be a specific pattern or form, let free and have fun. I guarantee you would not regret the outcome! It might turn into an abstract piece of art for your living room.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
5. Printable Brought Alive
This is simple, but I would call it as a brain exercise; You can always get printouts and get creative with them. Coloring and bringing a craft to life! Don’t know what this is about? Keep on reading and you will find out. We’ve got you!
Things you will need
a) Printouts (there are hundreds of unique illustrations at LoveSVG for free!)
b) Crayons/paint
c) Glue, tapes, adhesive materials
Now, choose an image that you like. You and your kids will be spending some quality time here, and it is a golden opportunity for you to learn about each other! Here is an adorable-looking squirrel that you can start off with!
Once you have your choice of an image, hit the download option, print it out, and paint them with colours or anything that makes you happy! The intriguing part about art is, there is no right or wrong.
And how do we make it 3D? Easy-peasy! Print a couple of the same images and glue them together and voila! Now you have a life form of your artwork. Enjoy!
Photo by Dragos Gontariu on Unsplash
Now, you can start creating amazing art and crafts with your kids! Feel free, break the rules and create wonderful mistakes. Let them be authentic and have fun!