10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids — And Bigger Kids Too!-Hobbies
10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!
Crafting with young children really isn't about creating something in particular. Most young children don't have the foresight to see what a project is going to be.For young children it's more important that they have the opportunity to play and experiment with art. Kids need to use as many of their senses as possible to get the most out of crafting. This allow them to try new sensory experiences, as well as learn causal relationships.These are my 10 favorite crafts for little kids based on all that AND the 'fun factor.'1. Finger painting: Finger painting is a wonderful activity for kids. It lets them 'feel' the craft as well as be creative. You don't have to have finger paints to do this activity with kids. You can finger paint with homemade paint, watercolors or even mud. You can also experiment with adding
other things to the paint such as sand or glitter.2. Yarn Painting: Dip pieces of string or yarn into paint and then drag it across the paper to paint with it. It's a good experience to paint with something other than a brush and you can just throw the yarn away when finished.3. Q-Tip Painting: Use Q-tips to create a painting. There are lots of ways to use a Q-tip - scrub, dot, or use it like a brush. It's a good coordination exercise because Q-tips are small around, but it also provides a lot of interest for the child.4. Glue Art: Draw squiggle lines on a piece of paper or let the child use their finger to make random glue spots or patterns on a piece of paper. Experiment with adding different objects to the glue. Sand, glitter, cotton, yarn, feathers, and tissue paper all work well.5. Salt Dough Sculpture: Make a batch of salt dough and turn the kids loose with it. You don't have to worry about them eating it (it's safe and tastes terrible) and clean up is easier than play dough. If you want to keep their creations, let them dry overnight and then paint them the next day.6. Toe Painting: If it's a warm summer day, put on the swimsuits, put some finger paint into pie tins, lay out large sheets of poster paper, and let them 'paint' all afternoon. They will have a ball and all you have to do is hose them off when they are done (that's my kids' favorite part actually!)7. Found Object Art: This project is always a sure thing because kids love to 'discover' things. Let your child gather up leaves, sticks, flowers, etc. and then glue them onto a piece of paper. When they are done, let them tell you about their collection.8. Peanut Pictures: Every kid loves to play with packing peanuts -- but it makes such a mess. Let them create pictures with them instead. Kids can draw on them, glue them to a sheet of paper, or glue the peanuts to each other to make a sculpture. The kids will love it!9. Sticker Play: Turn your child loose with a bunch of stickers, markers, and a sheet of paper and let them create. It's good for little ones to work on their coordination, and it's fun!10. Stamping: Kids love to use any kind of stamps. My favorites are the self-inking stamps or the double-sided markers with the stamps on one end. This may sound like pure play, but is also teaches young children cause and effect.Chris Yates makes it Easy to craft with Little Kids and
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Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids
Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids
After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under the tree, that is the time that many remember in a panic that the stockings over the fireplace still need to be stuffed. Holiday budgets have most likely been spent and there isn't a whole lot of extra money available. Even with a limited budget, there are a number of quality stocking stuffer ideas that are both practical and will bring a smile to to faces of the little ones.If you are at a complete loss of what to get, take a trip to your local dollar store and walk the isles. There should be a large selection of goods at a price that is right for you to choose from which should quickly fill up the stockings. In addition, consider the following Christmas stocking stuffer ideas that can have a dual benefit:Batteries: Instead of wrapping up the batteries with the gift, separate them into stocking stuffers. Since you'd need to purchase them anyway for the toys, they aren't an extra expense. By separating them out, you make a start on your stocking stuffing and the kids will love them because they can start playing any electronic devices they received.School Supplies: Here is another practical stocking stuffer that you'd have to purchase in the future for your kids anyway. You kill two birds with one stone by getting them the school supplies they need and filling up the stocking a little more.Disposable Camera: With all the activity going on during Christmas day, you probably don't have the time to take pictures and document the day. Let your children do it for you. They'll have great fun taking photos from their own unique perspective that will add to any photo album.Art and Craft Supplies: Again, these are supplies that you are likely to need for other activities in the future. Kids love to create and any arts and craft materials make great stocking stuffers. Coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers and paints all fit the bill and can be used for other activities long after Christmas is over.Mini Games or Card Games: Travel size editions of their favorite games or card games that can be played in the car are another good stocking stuffer. The kids can play these on their own, but they have the multiple benefit that they can be used in the car to keep the children occupied during any holiday trips you make.Christmas Letter: You might want to consider writing a Christmas letter to your child telling him or her all the fun things you remember from the past year. This doesn't cost any money, can become a lovely Christmas tradition and will be a gift that the child will treasure long after Christmas is over.By taking a little time to consider stocking stuffers, you won't need to spend a lot of money to fill those socks over the fireplace mantle while still bringing smiles to the faces of your children when they peak inside.Jeffrey Strain is owner of http://www.savingadvice.com -- a website dedicated to providing useful money saving tips and articles
Kids Birthdays – How to Throw an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party
Kids Birthdays - How to Throw an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party
Kids take their birthdays very seriously, and are extremely disappointed if their birthday parties are anything short of spectacular. Throwing an unforgettable kids birthday party can sometimes seem like a task better suited for a professional event planner. But with the proper party supplies, a little know how and a lot of imagination, you can throw a birthday party that the kids will be talking about all year.Before you let your inner party planner take over, make sure that throughout the process you consult with the birthday boy or girl, unless of course the party is a surprise. Kids have their own ideas of what makes a party fun, and if the kids don't have a good time the party is a bust. Discuss possible theme ideas, party games, food, and favors with them to ensure everything is kid friendly. If you are planning a surprise party you can ask siblings or friends for ideas and opinions.Theme Party IdeasA successful kids birthday party starts off with a great theme. There are many great party themes you can choose from, everything from your child's favorite toy to their favorite movie genre. The possibilities are endless and a good theme can really help pull your entire party together.Some possible themes include:- Western (complete with cowboy hats)
- Princess (tiaras for all the girls)
- Cartoon characters
- Disney
- Carnival (clowns and plenty of games)
- Toys (Bratz, Barbie, Hot Wheels, etc)Once you have your theme chosen, planning out a kids birthday party becomes much easier. Try and get everything from the decorations to the food to tie into the theme. For instance, if you are throwing a Western theme party get cowboy birthday banners and serve up barbequed burgers, chili, and hot dogs. As party favors you can give each little guests their own cowboy or cowgirl hat to wear. Make sure the birthday boy or girl's hat is extra special.Fun and GamesGames are an important part of any kids birthday party. Games should be fun and get everyone involved. Offering some small prizes to the winner of each game is also a great idea for the kids. Have a variety of games, some that require the kids to get active and some that requires them to use their heads. This will give everyone an opportunity to win a prize.Some fun kid's games include:- Musical chairs- Pin the tail on the donkey (this can be tied into your party theme, for example if your theme is Disney you could have pin the ears on the mouse)- Relay races (you can get really creative with this one and get the kids to do everything from run a course with a balloon stuck between their legs to three legged races)- Memory games (show the kids a selection of items and see who can remember the most once you have taken them away)Favors are one of the highlights for children at a birthday party. They love getting little gifts of their own to take home with them. You don't need to get too extravagant when it comes to party favors. Try and get some favors to go along with your theme. If you are having a princess theme give the girls tiaras as they arrive and a bag full of beauty items. Hairbrushes, hair clips, nail polish, and lip gloss are all fun and inexpensive ideas. More general favor ideas include pencil and eraser sets, notepads, and candies.Food for ThoughtParty food is a key component to any great birthday party. Depending on how long the party is, you'll probably want to offer a lunch or dinner as well as snack and treats throughout the day. Most kids don't have discriminating tastes so you don't need to go overboard with a gourmet meal. Simple is usually better when it comes to kids.Keep your snacks standard. Candy, chips, and pop will suffice, there is no need to add any fancy appetizers to the mix since they will probably get ignored. However, adding a veggie and fruit plate is a good idea since even kids can get sick of the sweet stuff. Be sure to have plenty of beverages on hand, and to save your sanity try and avoid caffeinated pops. Juice and water should be on hand as well. You can also make a fun colorful fruit punch for the kids to enjoy.As for food, stick with simple dishes such as pizza, burgers, and hotdogs. These items are simple to prepare (or order) and will be a hit with the kids. Before planning your menu check to see if any of the children have food allergies or special dietary needs. Most parents whose kids have serious allergies such as peanuts will probably let you know as soon as the invitation is accepted. However, if you've got a little vegetarian in the group the last thing you want to do is serve them a hamburger or hotdog.The birthday cake is the piece de resistance of the party. Everyone loves to see what type of delightful cake will be presented and how many candles the birthday boy or girl can blow out. If your baking skills consists of adding eggs and water to a package mix, fear not. While a package cake will still be a hit with the kids, there are plenty of cake shops and bakeries that can create any cake you desire. For instance, if you're going with a baseball sports theme, you can get a delicious cake of any type shaped like a baseball. The kids will love it, and it saves you time and frustration as well. Make sure you know the birthday boy or girl's favorite flavor before you order.While planning a birthday party can be a difficult and time consuming task, all the work will be worth it when you see how much fun all the kids have. Birthday parties are monumental occasion for kids, and the more special you can make it the better.John Lenaghan writes about party planning and other tips for the Party Ideas 4u website, where he provides valuable tips and advice about Halloween party ideas, birthday party ideas and other party planning topics.