Fun Holiday Crafts for Kids of All Ages and Craft Book List

Holiday time is the best time for kids of all ages to get involved in crafts. Most crafts can be done around the kitchen table and are perfect excuses for getting family members together for fond memories and friendly chatter. If your mind is at a loss for some fun holiday craft ideas do not despair just take a peek at some of the craft ideas listed below and the list of great craft books at the bottom of the page. Feel free to print this article to use as a quick reference guide for when you are out shopping for holiday craft or books about crafting.

Young kids enjoy doing crafts that involve painting, using glue or coloring so crafts like making snowflakes, creating paper ornaments, making card placements or winter scenes are perfect for little hands. Make sure you supervise handling of glue and anytime scissors are required. Prepare the area ahead of time such as laying down newspaper, supplying paper towels for quick clean-ups and a bowl of soapy water for sticky fingers.

Older kids and teens can get into the holiday spirit by doing crafts too. My teen daughters enjoy making homemade gifts out of beads, scented soaps and candles or simple sewing projects.

You can find many craft ideas at your local craft supply store with friendly store clerks willing to lend some helpful guidance. Ask about craft classes so that new craft skills such as crocheting, knitting or weaving can be learned and applied before the holidays get here.

Older family members love to be included during craft times and there are many things that they can do even if they have arthritis as Debbie Holterman explains in her Associated Content article Crafts for Older Adults. In her article Debbie talks about needlework, working with plastic canvas, crochet, latch hook and rubber-stamping as being crafts that older individuals can enjoy doing.

Crafting has many benefits that all family members can take advantage of including the fact that many of the rhythmic and repetitive movements involved in doing crafts help to soothe the stress and tensions of the day away. Making a craft can chase away boredom and may give a person something to look forward to. Those who are forced to rest such as those on bed rest or those who are recovering from surgery or an illness will find that busy hands help to pass the time of day. The art of creating something gives most people a great sense of satisfaction and most crafts can be given away as holiday gifts. Crafting is often used as therapy for small muscle control or to help someone re-enter social life as they participate in sewing circles, knitting bees or quilting clubs. Many organizations will make blankets for babies in neonatal intensive care units or quilts for those in nursing homes in this manner crafting can benefit more than just the person making the craft.

List of popular craft books:

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano and Auxy Espinoza

365 Easy Projects for Every Occasion by Carol Dahlstrom

The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts by School Specialty Publishing

Super Crafty: Over 75 Amazing How-to-Projects! by Susan Beal, Torie Nguyen, Rachel O'Rourke, and Cathy Pitters

The Michaels Book of Arts & Crafts by Lark

Marth Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-to-Z Guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspiration by Martha Stewart Living Magazine

The Best Craft Book Ever by Jane Bull

AlternaCrafts: 20+ Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make by Jessica Vitkus and Brian Kennedy

Christmas: Make It Sparkle -- 225 Simple Crafts, Food & Decorating Ideas for Your Holiday Home by Carol Field Dahlstrom and Angie Haupert Hoogensen

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Source

Caring Today - Reap The Benefits of Crafting http://www.caringtoday.com/reduce-stress/reap-the-benefits-of-crafting