6 Creativity-Boosting Kids Craft Projects

Wake up.

Cook breakfast.

Clean up breakfast mess.

Get kids dressed.

Prepare lunches.

Get yourself showered and dressed. 

…All before 7:30 am.

I get it – being a mum is busy!

Do you ever feel like you want to hit pause on all of these mum-duties and prioritise super fun and creative activities? Well, guess what? Nobody but yourself is going to care that those dishes hang out in the sink until this afternoon, or if your son’s socks don’t match. So ditch that responsibility hat for once, and get down and dirty with creativity-boosting crafts with your kiddos. Feel like you don’t know where to begin? Lucky for you, I have 6 projects that will boost creativity in your kids (and maybe even you!):

Old Box, New Tricks

Is your garage piled up with cardboard boxes that need to be broken down and put into the recycling bin? Well, no need to feel guilty for not getting around to this. Today is your lucky day! Those old boxes are going to provide the doorway into a magical world of box forts.

For each kid involved, provide a box big enough for him/her to sit in.

Go to your craft cupboard and get out some colouring supplies such as copic sketch markers. One of the best craft supplies for this project is cloth tapes, that can be used to colour code the boxes and used for straight lines to make doors and windows. Have each kid design a small home, and choose one or two toys to bring inside. For afternoon tea, serve it to the kids in their custom “homes”!

The second option is to use the same box, same supplies, and have your kids design a custom toy chest! Oh boy, this is a good one because it makes cleaning up more fun when you have a special place to put your special things.

For some amazing craft kits for kids, please check out Kid’s Circle.

Make a Mural

Find the biggest piece of art paper (butcher paper from Officeworks is great) that you have and gather the kiddos around it.

Give each child a set of colouring markers, crayons, pencils or whatever art materials you have. Then have the kids all draw at once. This is a creative activity that is both creative and fosters team work. See if the kids can come up with a theme that they all draw to. For example, a garden, a scene from space, a playground. See how they play off each other’s drawing and creativity!

A recent study recently revealed that how children play as kids, is often how they play as adults. So while the tangible outcome of this craft may be a messy version of a garden scene, the wider lesson is team-work and shared creative minds!

Transform Your Sofa

Pillows, blankets, and a sofa may look like items needed for a lazy day watching tv.

But think again. These are the tools needed to build a clubhouse right in your living room. Throw in some chairs, a side table, and a sign indicating “No Parents Allowed” and your kids have a secret playroom that will entertain them for hours!

Play Dress Up

We all know you have some hideous clothes hidden in your closet that could easily be used for a game of dress up. Some old ugly sweaters? Perhaps a raggedy suit jacket? Some fancy hats? It doesn’t take much for kids to be transformed into the alternate universe of make-believe.

The most important part of this craft, is to do it with them.

Engaging with kids in silly play will build trust and confidence in your relationship. A study on how to raise successful children states developing relationships as one of the key factors. So go ahead, toss that feather boa over your shoulder and have a laugh with your wee ones.

Roll it, Pat it, and Mark it with a B

Baking! This is such a great craft idea because the end result makes everyone happy.

We know you have some bananas on their last days sitting on your counter top. Instead of putting them in your kid’s lunch box (where they will no doubt be tossed in the garbage at school), why not mash them up with some butter, flour and other ingredients and make a banana bread! Imagine your husband’s delight (and possible surprise) to come home to a house filled with the aroma of fresh baked bread.

Find some great baking recipes here.

With these top tricks, a rainy day or afternoon home from school will no longer evoke maternal panic. Afternoon crafts, or crafternoons as the savvy call it, provides a great way to bond with your kids and sneak in some life lessons along the way. And hey, it may even result in some freshly baked goodies or a cleaner living room!

Article from E Hudes.