5 DIY Craft Ideas Any Parent Can Handle — and Every Kid Will Love
I’ve said it before, but let me make sure I reinforce it here: I am not Martha Stewart. I’ve had too many Pinterest fails to count and my two-year-old might be better at staying in the lines than I am. But even though my visual art skills are seriously lacking, I really enjoying getting crafty with my kid. So I’m learning to lower my expectations of the kind of art projects I can take on.
Melted crayon ornaments? Way too delicate and messy. Watercolour landscapes? Definitely above both of our skill levels. Yarn weaving? Nobody in my house has the time and patience for that. I’m looking for fast,foolproof, and relatively cheap crafts — ideally using items I already have lying around. And it turns there are loads of options that fit into my criteria. So, in the interest of helping out my fellow un-artistically inclined parents, here are five DIY craft ideas you (and your kids) will love.
Pipe Cleaners
These bendy, colourful, and mess-free wonders can be shaped into anything your imagination can cook up. I’m talking finger puppets, crowns, bunny ears, pencil toppers, animals, flowers, and jewelry. No glue, tape, or extra accessories necessary!
Toilet Paper Rolls
We’ve all got them. Instead of tossing your empties in the trash, stash them for easy rainy day crafts. Make a town of tiny and adorable paper roll houses, string them together into garlands, or transform them into kaleidoscopes. Leave them as is for the “rustic look”, or jazz them up with markers, paint, or stickers.
Paper Plates
Easy to find at your local grocery or dollar store and they come in a plethora of colours. Cut out the middle and create a wreath for whatever holiday or season is coming up. Attach streamers to the bottom and decorate with feathers and beads for homemade dream catchers. Or, cut them in half and attach a handle for a paper fan.
Paper Bags
These are the perfect base for hand puppets. Draw faces on them with markers and crayon, or glue or tape on construction paper, googly eyes, and pom-poms to create your kid’s favourite animal.
Popsicle Sticks
No, you don’t have to eat a million Popsicles and wash them to get a good supply going. Most dollar stores and craft stores sell these in bulk. But don’t let me stop you from a Popsicle binge : ) A little glue and paint can turn these into anything and everything. Bird houses, airplanes, animals, stick people, pictures frames, ornaments, etc, etc, etc.
So, stock your pantry or craft closet with a few of these basic supplies, and I promise you’ve got endless — and easy! — craft possibilities ready for you and your kids to dive into.
Originally published at wellthyliving.ca on May 1, 2017.
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