The kids may well almost be back at school for a brand new term, but there are still plenty of weekends, evening and holidays to consider how to go about filling. So, how about a craft afternoon? Often costing little to no money, afternoons spent getting creative from the comfort of your own home – and dining room table – can be a great way to keep excitable sons and daughters entertained.
And with summer not too far away, why not consider having fun by creating some handmade cards? Blank cards – ideal for any season or occasion – are perfect for stashing away in a drawer or cupboard, ready to dig out when a family birthday or another special event crops up. So, here’s how you keep the kids quiet and create some cards…
Dig Out the Paints – Finger painting is an easy and fun activity for little ones – and all you need is a table, some old newspaper and some paints. Head over to the blog Red Ted Art for a handy how-to guide and some much-needed inspiration. The blog author has created some colorful sunflower print thank you cards – and you can too. Or why not recreate simple animal scenes instead, before posting out your creations to family and friends this summer? For cheap kits, try budget websites like Amazon and Etsy, where you’ll no doubt be able to pick up some paints suitable for finger painting for less than $10.
Try a Pop Up Card – While this is a skill you’ll no doubt have to assist your child with, it’ll really light up their little face once they see the end result. Thankfully, the Tinker Lab blog has put together this piece to ensure you get it right first time. There’s minimal effort involved too; just a bit of imagination, some scissors and some glue is all you need. Of course, a scrap of patience is required too – but encouraging your kids to wait or join in while you create complex pop up cards is a trait worth learning. Patience is key when it comes to raising kids – and it’s important said trait rubs off on them too; by learning to share, take turns and wait for treats or days out, your child will learn to be much more pleasant in general.
Simple Sewing – Making beautiful cards from scratch is a skill in itself, with kids discovering everything from how to colour in the lines to how to come up with their very own designs. But cards that encourage them to learn another skill, such as sewing, will only develop their creative skills further. Head over to the Tinker Lab blog once again and you’ll find a tutorial for simple sewing cards perfect for pre-school kids. Another craft which develops patience, sewing helps encourage good hand-eye coordination in the process.
Above all, taking time out to enjoy a craft afternoon will prove a relaxing experience for the two of you. So often, kids come home from school and go straight outside to play with friends. While this is ideal if they struggle to sleep at night – ensuring they use up any additional energy before bedtime – activities like card making can also help them wind down in the evenings. Give it a go and see what card-related creations you can put together!
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