Essential Crafting Skills That Every Child Should Learn
Art and crafting activities have positive mental and physical benefits. Studies show that when children work together on craft projects, they build language skills as they create together, and more easily understand the perspective of others. Crafting also helps cultivate a child’s sense of achievement, building confidence and self-esteem through creation and experimentation.
In addition to learning important skills, supporting your child with creative outlets for free expression is good for their overall well being and health. Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and offer space to learn to experiment and create. With a few simple supplies and an open mind, children will have a lot of fun while learning to enjoy crafting, all while developing a wide range of important skills. Here are some recommendations for teaching essential crafting skills to your children.
Junk Modeling
Open-ended art projects encourage the development of critical thinking skills. As a child makes a mental plan for what they want to make, they are building visual-spatial skills and exercising both right and left brain function. Designing models and sculpture helps children learn to evaluate shapes. An assortment of containers, wires, plastic, and random bits of household junk can be transformed into robots, toys, or mobiles. Provide glue and tape to help secure the pieces together, and paint and decorations for embellishing the model.
Help them turn a box into a pretend stove.
Sewing
Hand sewing tasks, like threading a needle or tying a knot, help improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. As noted by the Philly Art Center, the small muscles in a child’s fingers, wrists, and hands are strengthened through arts and crafts activities, which helps to make learning to write easier. Older children may enjoy designing costumes or simple bags. Providing a sewing machine for children is a creative and fulfilling way to encourage artistic expression. Math skills, including spatial reasoning, measurement taking, and shapes are skills that can be learned through pattern making and design. Offer to host a fashion show for children to share and reflect on their creations.
What are the Cognitive Benefits of Crafts?
Making A Collage
Teaching crafting skills like cutting with scissors and drawing encourages the development of fine motor muscles. Suggest a collage theme and set a table with an assortment of papers, magazines, fabrics, leftover crafting supplies, and glue. Children will also learn about dimension and composition, gaining concentration skills as they assemble materials to create their art. Encourage children as they create unstructured work, focusing on the process and exploring the creation of art rather than the end product.
String Art
Children who engage with creative activities exercise and develop a creative mindset, learning there can be many ways to complete a task. With yarn, flat top nails or pins, and a bit of scrap wood or cardboard, kids will build skills like measuring and the steps involved in creating geometric and linear art. Patience and imagination will be stretched as they figure out how to transfer their ideas to the surface. Older children can be challenged to make elaborate templates or intricate designs with parabolic curves and repeating patterns. Dr. Kerry Freeman (Head of Art & Design Education, Northern Illinois University) adds that when kids engage in crafting and art for expression and are given the ability to take risks, they are developing lifelong innovation skills that will contribute to their success academically and as adults.
Learning essential crafting skills has so many benefits for your child, contributing to both their physical and emotional development as they grow. Plan to engage your child with age-appropriate creative activities every week. Enjoy spending family time together to teach these essential crafting skills to your child, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bond and create memories.
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Purchase Fun Equipment for Home Use
There are various toys and equipment that allow different activities without spending too much. You can install a gaga ball pit to provide an exhilarating experience for kids. The pit can be set up outdoors or in a large spare room. You can also dismantle and stored the ball pit between uses. The best thing is that you don't have to spend a lot of money on pricey play venues. This ball pit gives your kids one more choice for fun and beneficial sensory play activities.Pay Ahead
Buy Second-Hand
Barter
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Heart Construction Paper Craft for Valentines Day
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Vertical lay out, lay out images horizontally (landscape) for Valentine's Day cards. |
Love Collage Paper Craft Activity for Valentine's Day
- Search through magazines for pictures of things you love.
- Tear out the page.
- Fold the page in half, centering the image in the fold.
- Cut the image out in the shape of a heart.
- Arrange the hearts on your paper.
- Glue magazine heart cut outs down with a glue stick.
- Repeat.
6 Going Green Activities for Kids
Whether you call it Fall or Autumn, the cooler weather is a great time to go green and focus on eco friendly kid activities. Going green isn't just about sustainability or recycling, it is also a great way to be eco friendly. When you use items from nature in games and craft projects, you're going green! Take the kids on a nature hike, collect twigs, leaves, and rocks and then start creating win the found materials. We've curated five beautiful and fun eco friendly activities to do with the kids that will make beautiful gifts or home decorations for fall. As always, don't forget to make it an educational experience with a companion lesson. We've included a few for you.
Whenever we do a craft, we like to pair it with a lesson. The eco friendly kid activities listed here are perfect companion craft activities for a lesson on the environment. After your nature hike, teach the kids about sustainability, going green, and even climate change. Adrian Rubin has great articles that are perfect for high schoolers or college students to read on their own. For middle school or older elementary students, the articles, like this one on climate change and red tide, make good read alouds. Check out NASA for more in depth articles and lesson plans on global climate change.
6 Eco Friendly Kid Activities
- One of our fellow bloggers and favorite crafters, is Maggie, from Red Ted Art. She created a beautiful leaf lantern that is the perfect fall eco friendly kid activity.
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Eco Friendly Leaf Lanterns from Red Ted Art. |
After you hike and create your leaf lantern activity, watch this Global Warming Climate Change video from Brainpop. If you're a teacher or homeschool parent, you'll love that you can create your own quiz or find lesson ideas here.
- Colleen from Raising Lifelong Learners, offers up an ideal going green eco friendly kid activity with these evergreen wreath craft. Click over to see how she incorporates STEM/STEAM lessons with activity. You might also like our Autumn Leaf Wreath How to Activity.
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Evergreen Wreath Activity from Raising Lifelong Learners. |
- Over on the Melissa & Doug blog, we found an eco friendly alphabet kid activity that is perfect for preschoolers. On your nature hike, collect smooth, flat rocks and bring them inside to create alphabet rocks. The next time you go out, place them along the path in alphabetical order to help your little one learn their ABCs.
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Alphabet Rock Walk from Melissa & Doug. |
- We have a fun eco friendly mystery bag activity for a nature hike.
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Collect items on a nature hike for a mystery bag activity. |
- Now that you've collected all those nature items for your mystery bag activity, use some twigs and walnut or hickory nut shells to make your own eco friendly nature tic tac toe game.
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Make an eco friendly tic tac toe game from found objects. |
- All kids like to pick up twigs. They make great swords, don't they? They also make cool eco friendly crafts, like the Christmas Tree ornaments pictured below. Collect the twigs in the fall and gift the eco friendly ornaments during the holidays.
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Eco friendly kid made holiday decorations.from Kids Creative Chaos. |
For more eco friendly kid activities and sustainable ideas check out our Pinterest board on Art and Craft Activities for Kids.
Quality Family Time Board Game
It's been proven that spending quality time with our kids is extremely important, not only for their emotional and psychological development, but also for the fun of making memories. There are times when our busy schedules can get in the way. It leaves us struggling to come up with ideas on how to fit in everything. Board Games for families are a fun way to plug in as a family. We may think we have no time for quality time, but family game night should be a regular part of our weekly schedules.
Thanks to OnebyTwo games, you are covered. OnebyTwo offers Quality Time Kits with busy parents in mind. They kindy mailed us a game kit to test. Even with a full schedule, this cool family game concept creates a way for every parent to spend some one on one time with their children. The entire family can craft the game together, but the games are best for children ages 6 and up. Take turns playing one on one with each family member. Adults will enjoy the strategy and creativity of each game.
Games for Family Time
Game kits are designed for one adult and one child. They are meant to be opened, built, and played in less than an hour. The best part? They are delivered right to your door! That's right, they offer two different subscriptions or you can order a single game for around $20 (each game varies in price.) A six month subscription is $109.99 and a 12 month subscription is offered for $209.99. That's not a bad price to put on quality family time.
With the various game kits available, you are sure to find something that fits with your and your child's interests and needs.
Games are designed to help build the following:
-Fine Motor Skills
-Communication Skills
-Strategy & Planning
-Spatial Thinking
-Memory & Attentiveness
-Problem Solving
Current game themes include: Desert, Camp, The Great Valley, Robots, and Archipelago.
Of course with a subscription, you get something new each month! So you can save each kit to play again until your new subscription arrives.
For your convenience, some of the board games (quality time kits) are available on Amazon. A quality family time board game by OnebyTwo will entertain you and your child and help create lasting, memorable moments of cherished quality time.
Open it, Craft it, Play it!
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Holiday Fun Activities and Light Shows in Indiana
'Tis the season! Are you looking for fun family activities and things to do this holiday season? We've gathered up the 25 best holiday light displays in the greater Indianapolis area and beyond. During the holidays, Indiana is a festive place. Many of the holiday light displays start the weekend before Thanksgiving. Some of these Indiana holiday activities and light shows are free.
You've eaten until your belly feels like it is going to pop. You've unbuttoned the top button of your pants to make room for desserts. What next? You can sit in the chair and watch the same old holiday movies while in a food coma or you can go for a ride and get in the holiday spirit with a festive holiday light show display or an immersive holiday activity that's fun for the whole family. If you start now, you can do them all before New Year's Day!
25 Best Holiday Light Display Shows and Family Friendly Activities in Indiana
Speedway - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Holiday Light Show
2016 was the inaugural light show at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway. Pay per car load and take a ride around the famous track.
See over 2 million lights at the Brickyard: 11/17 - 12/30, $25 per car Monday to Wednesday, $30 Thursday to Saturday, $50 for vehicles with 15+ passengers, speedy passes also available for an additional cost.
Danville - Ellis Park Drive Thru Light Display
Winterland is open daily starting 11/24 thru 12/30 (Closed Christmas Day)
Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm and Friday & Saturday 6pm to 10pm. $10 per car load.
See Santa in the Train Station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 23rd.
Copy and print this discount coupon to save $5 at the gate.
Carmel - ChristKindlmarkt
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt offers a blend of traditional German foods and gifts, surrounding a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink. The whole family will enjoy exploring the market and making cherished memories. Event is located at 10 Center Green - Between The Palladium and The Tarkington Theater 11/18 - 12/24 (Closed Thanksgiving Day) Wednesday thru Thursday 4-9 pm and 1-9 pm weekend days.
Kokomo - We Care Park Light Display
Located on the north side of Kokomo in the 2300 block of North Market Street (just west of the intersection of Gano and Lafountain) this outdoor display has over 1,000,000 lights and animated displays. Drive thru the park or walk the 3 acres to enjoy.
Muncie - Minnetrista Enchanted Luminaria Walk
Kick off the holiday season with this family event. Experience sweet treats, winter games and crafts, carriage rides, and holiday music in celebration of the season. Enjoy rides and food for a small fee. Indoors, Minnetrista also hosts a holiday tree event.
Fishers - Conner Prairie by Candlelight
As a past Conner Prairie Interpreter and Manager of Music and Theatre programming, I participated in this event many times. Dress warmly. This magical, family friendly 90-minute walking tour transforms you back in time to 1836 Prairietown where it’s the night before Christmas. 12/8-12/23, $16/adult ($14/adult member) $13/youth ages 2-12 ($11/youth member) Groups of 15+ guests $15/adult & $12/youth. Tours begin at 6 PM and run every 12 minutes until 9 PM. Best for ages 7+.
Fishers - Winter Wonderland
Fishers - Reynolds Farm Christmas Light Show
A million bulbs illuminate a 57' tall abominable snowman and donations benefit a local food bank. 11/21 - 1/1, FREE.
Indianapolis Museum of Art - Newfields - Winterlights
Winterlights is an outdoor strolling experience in the gardens of IMA. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes. Enjoy millions of lights that dance to music and beverages and firepits to roast s'mores at Newfields (Art Museum). 11/9 - 1/7, $8 to $20, FREE for children 5 and under, 5 & 7 PM
Indianapolis - Christmas at the Zoo
Twinkling lights surround the seals, sea lions, walruses and tigers. 11/24-26, 29-30; 12/1-3, 6-10, 13-23, 26-30, $9.95 for children and $12.95 for adults.
Indianapolis - Circle of Lights
See the Soldiers and Sailors Monument transformed into a giant Christmas tree made of more than 4,000 lights. Lighting of the tree is 11/24, FREE.
Indianapolis - Chinese Lantern Festival
Thirty sets of giant Chinese Lanterns light up the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 11/24 - 1/7, $10 to $15, FREE for children 4 and under.
Broad Ripple - Broad Ripple Lights Up!
Broad Ripple lights up for the holidays complete with a Wonderland activity village and twilight parade. 12/3, FREE.
Mooresville - Victorian Christmas Celebration
The annual Victorian Christmas Celebration features a number of fun stops and activities throughout Mooresville. A free shuttle service takes you to each stop so you don't miss a thing! Enjoy carolers, craft fair, carriage rides, performances and Victorian characters 12/2, FREE.
While in Morgan County, hop over to Martinsville and see the candy canes being made at the Martinsville Candy Kitchen.
Santa Claus - Santa Claus Indiana for the Holidays
The town with Santa's name is packed with holiday activities. Visit Santa, mail a letter and more. Check the website for dates and details.
Columbus - Holiday at the Farm
Bloomington - Canopy of Lights
French Lick - 50 Days of Lights
Indianapolis Indoor Holiday Events
Garfield Park - Conservatory Crossing
See the Conservatory decked with a brilliant display of poinsettias, enjoy model trains and villages, and thousands of twinkling lights. 11/24 – 12/31, Monday-Saturday: 10-5 pm, Sundays: 1-5 pm, Evenings Hours (until 8 pm): December 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23, $4 per person or $10 per family (2 adults max.)
Indiana State Museum - Celebration Crossing
Celebration Crossing comes alive with holiday merriment from the sounds of bands, bell and vocal choirs and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will entertain visitors in their cozy home through 12/24. Take a trip back in time by gazing into the recreated L.S. Ayres store windows rekindling Christmases past. 11/24 - 1/7, included with museum admission. Don't miss the train - it will make cherished memories for years to come.
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Photo courtesy of the Indiana State Museum. |
Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Jolly Days
Celebrate family traditions and holidays with Jolly Days Winter Wonderland. Enjoy favorites like the two-story Yule Slide, Jingles the Jolly Bear, and visits with Santa. 11/24 - 1/7, included with museum admission.
The Eiteljorg Museum - Jingle Rails
This popular locomotive wonderland and Indianapolis family tradition opens 11/18 - 1/15, included with museum admission.
Indiana History Center - Festival of Trees
The history center is full of festive activities at the Festival of Trees. Visit the website for a full list of holiday happenings. 11/17 - 1/6, included with museum admission.
Nearby Events - Mason, Ohio - King's Island Winterfest
Ring in the holidays with the return of WinterFest at Kings Island on select nights 11/24 - 12/30. The park transforms into nine enchanting winter wonderlands featuring ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower transformed into a magical Christmas tree, up to 17 rides including Mystic Timbers, more than 5 million lights and 14 holiday characters spreading merriment, like Jack Frost and Sugar Plum Fairy. Visit the website for hours and cost.
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Holiday Road: Dress the whole family in festive Christmas pajamas while you tour the light shows from the comfort of your vehicle.
Ring in Ring in the holidays with the return of WinterFest at Kings Island on
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Back to School Owl Theme Lesson and Decor
Whether you homeschool, teach in a brick and mortar school, or operate an after school or day care program, you should decorate the environment to make it inviting and soothing for your students. Back to school decorations are abundant. What fall classroom theme you choose likely depends on the age of your students. We've found nine fun owl ideas and themes to decorate your classroom like a pro. Enjoy!
Owl Classroom Decorations and Themes
- Owl Theme Classroom Decor from Oriental Trading. This "Owl About Me" poster makes a nice icebreaker for those early getting to know you days at the beginning of the school year. At 20" x 17," it is poster size and is great for back to school night display for parents or a fun writing lesson for homeschoolers.
- Another way to decorate with an owl theme, is to create your own owl classroom banner. Have each child make a cute paper owl in several color combinations and then string them up on the walls! Get details here: How to Make Owl Garland Banner.
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Paper Owl Banner Craft for Classroom. |
- Birthdays at school can be fun, be sure to let everyone know who's birthday is coming up next with this owl theme birthday bulletin board set from Amazon.
- Pair it with these 6" X 7.88" Owl cut outs buddies from Target.
- While you're at it, you can open with owl them curriculum. Below, we found owl coloring pages, owl unit studies, and more from TeacherSherpa. Check it out!
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Owl Coloring Page from Raising Our Kids found at TeacherSherpa. |
- This unit about Owls tells about the two owl families and various species of owls. Learn about common features, where they live, and their habitats. Mentioned owls are; elf, great gray, screech, great horned, burrowing, and snowy. Activity worksheets include; word find, word unscramble, criss-cross, spelling. Ideal for second through fifth grade science.
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Owl Thematic Unit from SchoolExpress found on TeacherSherpa. |
- We have a homeschool Ornithology lesson that teaches all about birds and works for older elementary and middle school students alike. If you are close to Indianapolis, take a field trip to Eagle Creek Park and visit the Earth Discovery Center and Ornithology Center.
- If you run an after school program or daycare or just want to do something extra fun with the class, try some edible art with an owl theme. This edible owl craft is easy to make and the biscuits are cute and yummy too!
- One of our all time most popular posts is this torn paper owl craft for preschoolers and early elementary. Do it with older school age kids as an owl art mosaic lesson. Older kids will enjoy this cupcake liner owl craft.
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Watch the paper owl art video. |
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