Summer Crafts Don't Have to Bore Your Kids

If your kids bore easily, they may be victim to the growing trend of young people who need to be highly engaged at all times. You could blame society, technology, or a number of things. But playing the blame game gets you nowhere. Being the mother to a group of high-energy kids who like to be active at all times has fine-tuned my inventive and creative skills. If your kids think summer crafts sound boring, that's a sure sign they have not been to our home during a crafting session .

Extreme flip-flop decorating serves multiple purposes. Take decorating flip-flops to a new level. Small party favors are perfect for creating themes. For instance, miniature plastic cars, dinosaurs, and doll figures can be easily pinned or glued on. Natural items, like pine cones, are a fun accent. Encourage the kids to go above and beyond with their decorating by providing a wide variety of interesting materials. Pompoms, chenille stems, googly eyes, feathers, bells, ribbon, fabric, floral stems, miniature party favors and toys, and natural supplies are just some ideas .

Don't just make it. Play with it. Once the summer craft has been completed, have a ready list of ways that kids can play with them. If the kids make flip-flops, use them for a mock modeling show or photo shoot. Hair accessories and other wearable art can be used for the same purpose. If the kids make things with clay dough, encourage them to play with the sculpted items. For instance, sculpted people and animals can set the stage for an imaginary city scene. Drawings and paintings can be props for a mock art show or auction. The possibilities are endless.

Go on a nature walk prior to making crafts. Mother nature has so many items that can be used for crafting purposes. Create an adventure out of collecting natural items to craft with. A walk along the beach might produce shells, sand dollars, driftwood, beach glass, and more. Taking a nature trail may yield fallen branches and twigs, fallen leaves and flowers, pine cones, seed pods, cat tails, and more. So long as nature is done with the item, the kids can use it in crafts. Be sure not to let the kids collect anything that is still growing.

Have a summer craft and lemonade sale. Kids love having lemonade sales in the summer. Throw summer crafts in the mix and they'll likely make even more and have twice the fun. Be sure to check and follow your area's codes when it comes to selling items out of the home. Friendship bracelets, summer decor, paintings, decorated flip-flops, drawings, painted shells, and hair accessories are just some of the many things could craft and sell.

Mix up the scenery. It's great if you have a special area for summer crafts. But kids like to see a change of pace now and then. Try rotating the location where crafting is done. Try summer crafts while camping or relaxing in the summer sun. Take it to the beach, backyard, a class at a local crafting store, park, various areas of the house, inside a tent, and more. The more creative your location, the better.

When you get creative, summer crafts don't have to bore your kids. Perhaps your kids are only bored with crafts because they haven't experienced much flexibility in them. Maybe their supplies and imagination have been too limited in the past. Summer crafts are only boring if you make them that way. Even kids who normally avoid crafts can appreciate you going above and beyond to make a great experience.

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