6 Comments
“NO one in this house is allowed to say that they’re bored any more!!!”
Some of you remember the What Should I Do? post and printable. I still point my kids to that picture chart of ideas if they say that there is NOTHING to do. Oh, but there is.
Most days, my kids choose to do arts and crafts. And, the best thing? I don’t do anything!! I just provide materials in the arts and crafts cupboard.
The kids know where to get the supplies. They use creativity, imagination and the art supplies and materials to create something wonderful. Win – win activity. They use their good minds. I make dinner — or work on a blog post.
How do you get started with an arts and crafts area? Set aside an arts and craft shelf, corner or cupboard. Stock with basic crafty items that will give your child plenty of materials from which to create. Items like . . .
scissors
glue
paints, paintbrushes, smocks
markers and crayons
googly eyes
cotton balls
construction paper
stickers
pipe cleaners
stencils
recycling (paper, boxes)
stamps
envelopes
P.S. Most of you know that I’m NOT crafty in any way. Kid directed craft time (where I do nothing) is REALLY much better. Believe me!
If you’ve developed an inspiring arts and crafts area, please send me your pictures. I will post all the photos and give participants something fun for their craft corners!
Melissa Taylor is a mom and educator from Denver who is passionate about playful learning. Thanks for visiting the site!
6 Comments
Love this idea! Arts and crafts is so great for quiet time.
Hi Melissa
I have been hopping through the blogosphere and stumbled across your blog. The title of your blog immediately caught my attention and then I was hooked once I read a few posts.
We have a craft cupboard stocked full of painting supplies, felt pens, crayons, different textured papers, beads, self adhesive sparkly bits and pieces, stickers, stamps, recycled materials we could use for crafting and the list goes on.
We spend a lot of time crafting and I find it so much easier to have the supplies ready to go.
I look forward to regularly visiting your inspiring blog.
Great idea — ready-made boredom prevention. What age is this good for? I’ve got four-year-old twins, and while I know this would entertain them, I know they’d also get totally out of hand with it. Also, is having the kids put back the supplies part of the regimen?
Bridget, I’ve done this with my kids since they were two – my four year old still doesn’t always pick up everything. She picks something to pick up and I do the rest.
It’s also great to have this morph into a writing center – where kids can just write, or pretend to write freely with a variety of papers and writing utensils.
Let me know how it goes!
I’ve got boys, so that’s part of my, um, issue. One of them, especially, is hyper as all get-out. He literally throws stuff around the room, etc. But I’m thinking this might give him a sense of control. He always needs to be in control! So I’ll give it a whirl (crossing fingers).
I think this is one of the most significant info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers