Let’s face it. The newest generation of digital age children
is less likely to be lured by arts and crafts than by TV and video games. Lately,
adults have been turning to handmade endeavors—thanks to the DIY craze supported
by sites like Etsy—as a relaxing escape from the everyday grind, but kids
haven’t quite taken the cue. To break the cycle and engage them in wholesome quality
craft time—not to mention, a bit of bonding with Mom and Dad—we’ve asked two
experts for their advice on encouraging creative pursuits.
Why Craft?
For some city fams, crafting may seem frivolous amidst work,
school and extracurricular activities. But avid art enthusiast and Owner of The
Craft Studio on the Upper East Side Lindsey Peers strongly feels that crafting
is worth clearing the family calendar.
The benefits are obvious: children learn invaluable lessons
from getting in touch with their creative side. “I think it’s extremely
important, especially in a big city, because there’s so much stimulation… It’s
something [kids] can focus on,” says Peers.
Jo Pearson, a craft expert at Michaels Arts and Crafts,
agrees and adds that reports have indicated that creative play such as crafting
aids “in the development of fine motor, visual/spatial, cognitive and
social/emotional skills.”
How To Get Started
Launching a crafty hobby can be intimidating for newbies,
but you don’t need to be the next Van Gogh to reap the benefits. Pearson
recommends starting small with a project that can be completed in a short
amount of time. Additionally, crafting doesn’t need to cost a ton. Inexpensive
materials or items you already have around the house such as wrapping paper,
aluminum foil, cardboard boxes, uncooked pasta and buttons can often do the
trick. You will be amazed at how creative children can be when given the right
materials.
Boys & Art
Craft time isn’t just for the little ladies. Peers
recommends getting reluctant boys on board by making t-shirts for their
favorite sports team, decorations for game day or a “Go Team” decoupage or
collage. Encourage them when they are young and they will grow up to have an
understanding and appreciation for the arts.
Sometimes, the mess is part of the fun, especially for boys.
But for times when cleanup feels overwhelming, turn crafting into a family
outing and hit up a local studio. “We have tiny spaces in Manhattan
and you can leave the mess somewhere else,” Peers explains about the appeal of rolling
up your sleeves at The Craft Studio, where there is no time restriction or
sitting fee. Michaels meanwhile offers a variety of onsite arts and crafts
classes and workshops year-round.
Ten Must-Have Craft Materials
Here’s what the experts recommend you have on hand for spur
of the moment craft-a-thons.
1. Construction Paper
Every artist needs a canvas. This is a must for handmade
cards, name plates, collages and more.
2. Age-Appropriate Scissors
Shears will help shape your child’s project, but safety
should always be taken into consideration.
3. Washable Markers or
Crayons
What’s your medium? Markers and crayons are inexpensive and
easy tools for creativity.
4. Pom-Poms
Kids love working with pom-poms. Kooky and colorful, they
can spark all sorts of imaginative results.
5. Elmer’s Craft Glue
Keep it together! A kid-friendly craft glue should be your
foundation.
6. Pipe Cleaners
The mess-free possibilities are endless.
7. Modeling Clay/Play-Doh
If you don’t want to purchase modeling clay or Play-Doh,
look for recipes online that use basic ingredients and food coloring. Making
the clay can be part of the project.
8. Popsicle Sticks
Making a picture frame is a cinch with some popsicle sticks,
craft glue and yarn.
9. Age-Appropriate
Paint and Brushes
Let your child discover his or her inner Monet with some
inexpensive basics.
10. Yarn
This simple material can be used to make jewelry, decorate
frames or be incorporated into a collage for a pop of color or texture.
Craft Projects
Between crafting books, specialty stores and the web, there
are endless ways to find new project ideas. Michaels offers suggestions for all
ages and incomes on their kid-oriented craft blog The Knack, with step-by-step
instructions, a materials list and even a helpful messiness rating. Peers’
go-to craft sites for kids are Pinterest and CraftGossip. With these great
resources, you can sit back and watch your family’s creativity and imagination
blossom.
Four Fun Springtime Crafts From The Knack
-
Cut a 6-inch piece of a pipe cleaner and fold in half.
-
Slide 9 pony beads onto folded pipe cleaner, leaving the
folded end about 1/4-inch exposed. -
Glue a mini pom pom onto folded end.
-
Glue a 1-inch pom pom to other end of pipe cleaner for head.
-
For wings, using another pipe cleaner, fold the ends in
towards the center, overlapping the ends at the center by 1-inch. Shape the
ends to create loops, twist loose ends around center to create bow. Position
the overlap ends for legs. -
Glue the wings between the beads and the head.
-
Glue wiggle eyes in place.
-
Knead some beige clay for 2 minutes.
-
Roll one 1 1/8-inch beige ball into an egg shape. Press one
side gently onto the work surface to create the body.
-
Roll four 5/8-inch beige balls into tapered logs for legs.
Gently press the fatter end of the leg flat onto the work surface to create
paws. Place two behind the body and two in front of the body. -
Roll one 1/4-inch beige ball into a log with a pointed end
for the tail and press onto the body. -
Roll one 11/16-inch beige ball into a rounded triangle and
press onto the front of the body, for the head. -
Roll two 7/16-inch beige balls into tapered logs and
flatten, press to top of head for ears. -
Knead brown clay for 2 minutes, roll into small balls,
flatten and press onto the body for spots. -
Roll two tiny black balls for eyes and a tiny black oval for
a nose and add to the face. -
Use the Firefly tools to make indentations in the paws and
face as shown. -
ADULT: Bake on oven-proof glass or metal surface at 275
degrees for 15 minutes per 1/4-inch of thickness. Do not use in microwave oven.
Do not exceed the above temperatures or recommended baking time. Baking should
be completed by an adult!
-
Cut a beak shape from yellow craft foam and cut four
1/2-inch wide strips from various colored craft foam sheets. -
Glue the craft foam strips to the beak.
-
Use a black marker to outline the eyes on the glasses.
-
Glue the beak to the glasses so that when it is worn, the
beak fits over the nose. -
Glue feathers to the sides of the glasses as shown. Let dry
completely.
-
Paint wooden circles for each sport: white for baseball,
orange for basketball and black for pool ball. Let dry. -
Use red marker to draw dash lines for baseball. Use black
marker to draw lines for basketball. -
Cut a 1-inch circle from white paper and glue to bottom
center of black wooden circle. Use sticker numbers and place black
“8” center of white circle. -
Use the wooden circle to trace onto cork and have an adult
cut out circles. -
Glue cork circles to bottoms of coasters.
