Toddler Crafts
As the rainy days become the new normal and more time indoors approaches I am trying to be more mindful of how my son and I spend our time. I am going to attempt to add craft time into our routine. Check in later to see how that goes ;)
Here are 5 simple Crafts for you and your little can to do together.
- Card Board Shape and String
Prep- Cut out a shape from cardboard, like a pumpkin or leaf, then along the edges use a hole punch every inch or so apart. Cut some yarn into long strips and place tape around the tips for easier use. Tape or tie the yarn into the first hole.
Let the little string through the holes like a needle and thread! If you want to make this a two day activity let them paint or color the shape first.
2. Apple Or Potato Stamping
Prep- Cut those about to go bad, bruised up, apples and or potatoes in half. If you are extra artsy you can cut shapes out of the potato, like a heart, to make it more like a stamp. Set up “splash pad”*. Pour some blobs of paint onto a paper plate. Usually one color per plate is easier for me. (or you could use actual stamp pads). If you wanted to be extra EXTRA crafty ;) make some edible yogurt paint. Just combine natural food coloring and yogurt.
Give them some paper and let them dip and stamp away! Hint- usually this turns into a finger painting session as well ;)
3. Glitter, Glue, and Felt
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Prep- I bought some felt shapes and twine from Target. Or you can cut out your own shapes from felt you may already have. Set up “Splash Pad”* Blob some glue on a plate.
Let them “paint” the shapes with a paintbrush. Then help them sprinkle glitter, add gems, stickers, what ever you have laying around to the shapes. Let them dry, string them up, and you have a cute little garland.
Tip- when using glitter sprinkle it over a paper plate and then I just combine all the leftovers into a mix match container. Toddlers aren’t picky, you can reuse them later.
4. Ziplock Bag Painting (mess free painting)
Use the sturdiest ziplock you have. Take a piece of water color paper, which you can cut into festive shapes if you want, place several dime size blobs of paint on top. Place the paper into zip lock bag.
Give your littler a rolling pin, paint brush, spoon, anything really, to manipulate the paint under the ziplock bag. Take it out and let dry. Art!
5. Salt Dough
Prep- One cup flour, one cup salt, 1/2 cup water combine all until play dough texture. Have your little help measure and mix, add sprinkles, or glitter if you want.
Let your little play with it like play dough, and or roll it out into about 1cm thick and cut shapes out with cookie cutters. Use a straw to cut a hole in the shapes. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake in 150 degree oven for 3 hours. Turn over and let dry over night. The next day you have a second craft! Paint the shapes and string them up.
It can often happen that the mess or lack attention span for a craft you set up can feel like it wasn’t worth it. However if your kid is trying new things I think it is a win no matter what. Turning off the tv and getting them used to trying to focus for longer than two minutes is worth it! Pretty soon they will look forward to it and their attention span will lengthen. If you end up with a mess you can’t clean up until after they go to bed just remember, what is a clean house compared to memories you made with your littles anyway.
*Splash Pad- I cut my paper grocery bags open and lay them out as a way of protecting my table from the mess.
