Create a Craft Kit for Your Child

Children love to create things with their hands. It does not matter if they make it by themselves or with the help of a friend or adult. Crafts can help build hand and eye coordination. They can also help a child to use their imagination and learn how to be more creative. It is also a chance for a child to practice some independent thinking.

You can make your own craft kit for your child. A craft kit is a great idea regardless of your budget. There is a wide selection of craft supplies in all price ranges. Plus, your craft kit can be customized to be age appropriate.

First, you need a place to keep all the craft supplies together in one place. You can buy an art caddy, plastic storage container, or you can use a large shoe box or boot box.

Let your child decorate their craft storage container if they want. This lets them make the craft kit theirs alone. You can help stencil out letters for the child's name. You can give the child stickers of their favorite animal to place on the box.

Next, it's time to fill your container with craft supplies. Selecting age appropriate supplies, fill your craft container with scissors, stamps, paint (finger paint, water colors, etc), colored pencils, crayons, markers, oil pastels, sponges, drawing pencils, a pencil sharpener, eraser, glue (bottle or stick), chalk, buttons, beads, string (fishing line), cardboard tubes, shipping popcorn, modeling clay, and play dough (you can make your own if you want). You may also want to have some construction paper, stickers, stencils, pipe cleaners, ribbon, and the eyes that roll around. You can even put a kid apron or smock in the craft kit.

Watch your child look in wonder and amazement at all the things that are going in their craft kit. Your child will think they just received a great present. Do not be surprised if your child wants to use everything at once.

If you have older children, you can purchase more sophisticated kits that are ready to be used. Basic art kits usually contain an assortment of drawing and painting supplies. More advanced kits come with a higher cost and may include a sketchbook or more supplies, such as basic or oil pastels or a paper shading stump. There are kits to fit every stage of artistic ability. Bead kits are popular among young girls. They may include different types and colors of beads, cords, wire, clasps, and more to make bracelets and necklaces. There are also sand kits which include plastic or jar bottles and numerous colors of sand to design your own sand art. If none of them sound like your child, there are also wood craft kits. Your child can build a truck, train, or a jewelry box and wooden treasure chest (not recommended for small children), or other endless ideas. There are foam craft kits. Sun catchers are a fun craft for kids. Embroidery and leather are other craft kits available with everything needed to get started, but they may be more difficult for some children.

Paper mache is fun and messy. Blow up a balloon and tie it off. Tear newspaper into one or two inch long strips. Combine water and flour in a mixing bowl until you have a paste thin enough to dip the newspaper strips in. Dip the newspapers in the paste and wipe the excess off. Criss cross the coated newspaper strips on the balloon. Allow to dry in a warm place. When the newspaper has dried, cut a small slit to pop the balloon and remove it. Now, it's time to paint. Though it's messy, it's well worth it.

The possibilities are endless. Your child can turn pretty rocks, marbles, Popsicle sticks, and almost anything else you can think of into a work of art. Your child might like to make some special magnets to place on the refrigerator to hold their artwork. So, let your child surprise you with a self-made craft. I'm sure the first one will be made and given to you.