Must-Try Crafting Activities for Creative Children of All Ages

Crafting is a great way for children to express their creativity, learn new skills and have fun. Even better, it’s something parents and foster carers can do together with their children on a rainy day or just to get kids away from screens. Here are some must-try crafting activities suitable for kids of all ages.

Simple Crafts for Younger Kids

Younger children often enjoy crafts that are simple yet engage their senses. Here are some great starter crafts:

  • Playdough – Roll and shape colourful playdough to make animals, foods or abstract shapes. Encourage experimentation with tools like rollers and cookie cutters. 
  • Paper plate masks – Decorate sturdy paper plates with crayons, stickers and other embellishments to make fun masks. Add string or elastic bands to wear the masks.
  • Potato stamps – Cut potato halves to make stamp shapes like hearts, stars or circles. Let kids dip the stamps in paint and print patterns on paper.
  • Tissue paper collages – Have children tear coloured tissue paper into pieces and glue onto cardstock to make a vibrant collage.

These crafts help develop fine motor skills and creativity in younger kids. Make sure craft materials are non-toxic. Remember that fostering allowances can be used to help cover the cost of craft materials for foster children.

Crafts to Build Skills for Older Kids

Older children have better focus and motor skills for more complex crafts. Engage their skills with these projects:

  • Weaving – Weaving teaches pattern making, colour and texture skills. Use cardboard looms and show kids how to interlace coloured wool or fabric strips.
  • Origami – Folding paper origami models like birds, boats or stars teaches sequencing and spatial skills. Start with simple folds and progress to intricate shapes.
  • Papier mâché – Show kids how to make papier mâché paste onto balloons or boxes to make 3D structures like bowls, animals or masks. Paint colourful designs when dry.
  • Jewellery making – Stringing beads, crimping wire and knotting cord help develop coordination. Make necklaces, bracelets or keychains with fun materials.

The sense of achievement from these crafts boosts confidence and creativity in older kids. Give challenges suited to their skills.

Art and Crafts to Do Together

Crafting is a great family activity. Here are some ideas for creative projects to do with children of different ages:

  • Nature collages – Collect leaves, flowers and other natural materials on a walk, then create a collaborative collage by gluing items onto cardstock. 
  • Decorative candles – Let each child decorate a plain pillar candle with glitter, sequins, shells or other embellishments. Supervise as needed.
  • Handprint art – Paint children’s hands or feet and press onto paper to make colourful prints. For multi-age fun, do handprints of the whole family. 
  • Wind chimes – Make a family wind chime by suspending painted sticks, seashells and other found objects from ribbon. Hang outdoors to add cheer.

Doing crafts together lets kids of varied ages connect while learning from each other. Adapt activities to suit different attention spans.

Crafting sparks imagination in kids while building their skills over time. Try out these engaging, screen-free activities to encourage creativity in children of all ages.

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