Jon Kelly asked:


Once the days are shorter and colder, entertaining an active toddler can become really hard work. This is where your list of toddler winter craft ideas also becomes your life line and your sanity. As a parent there is one place you can never avoid – the kitchen, hence this is the best place to stick your list of toddler winter craft ideas.

You toddler winter craft ideas list needs to grow with your toddler – as he learns and progresses so will your list. You will also find out which crafts he/she enjoys most and be able to develop more of these. It is worth speaking to the other mothers who have been driven out of the parks by the rain and cold and suggest that they too have a toddler winter craft ideas list, this way you can all swap ideas and the list will extend fairly fast, with tried and tested ideas.

When you are developing projects for your toddler winter craft ideas list you need to choose projects which are suitable for your toddlers attention span – short. If an idea does not work do not write it off as a failure, simply pack it up for that day and try again another day, or discuss it with another mother who may have an idea how to adjust it to make it more successful.

A good starting point for toddler winter craft ideas is the simple paper plate. You can decorate it to make a picture; make a cut from the edge to the center and sticky tape it into a cone, decorate the outside and use it as a hat; make a cone out of it, decorate it and put pop corn in it; cut it in half, stick some pieces of ribbon hanging off the straight edge and make a jelly fish; cut it in half, remove two eyes, and a triangular shape so it fits over the nose and you have a mask. All simple and cheap toddler winter craft ideas from a plate – none of which require preparation and can be packed away quickly when they want to move onto something else.

If you have an older child as well you can probably get them working along the same lines as your toddler winter craft idea, for example the older sibling could help make the popcorn for to go in the cone; could paint a sea scene to put the jelly fish in … Once you get into the swing of it the possibilities are endless.

Remember, put a piece of paper on the kitchen wall titled Toddler Winter Craft Ideas and when you think of something just jot it down and it will be there next time you need to distract your toddler – never rely on your memory as the times when these ideas are most needed are probably the times when you are most stressed. You may also want to have a box in the kitchen where you can put useful supplies. It is probably best to keep this out of reach so that when you need it the stuff is still there, otherwise you may find your efforts unintentionally sabotaged by your toddlers exploring fingers!



Ronald

Mrs. Janice asked:


I was thinking on helping my children who are six, nine, and twelve make some presents for daddy today. I am wondering what would be some simple craft ideas to do with them to make presents for him that I could use with household materials or other cheap materials? I have several craft supplies hanging around already including glitter, glue, tubing, foam squares, etc.

Michelle

Sherry Frewerd asked:


Summer will be here soon enough, and your kids will be thrilled with being out of school and playing outside. Well, at least for a few days anyway. Once the newness of summer has worn off and the reality of boredom sinks in, your once happy campers can turn into ‘mom I’m bored’ monsters. What’s a parent to do to help ease the pain of ‘nothing to do’? Planning summer craft projects in advance is an idea that smart parents may make use of. Who knows, perhaps the kiddos will even learn a thing or two at the same time.

Since the weather is perfect for getting out and exploring nature, kids can find objects like seeds, leaves, grass, flowers and other items to use in making a nature collage. All they have to do is glue the found craft bits onto a stiff piece of cardboard. They can add any other items they want to make the collage colorful and interesting. Spraying the collage with paint can add color and variety too. How about spraying some glue on and then sprinkling glitter on the collage? Another idea for using the nature items they collect is to arrange dried flowers into special arrangements for mom.

Naturally, if kids collect wild flowers they’ll need a wonderful homemade vase to arrange them in. Making a simple vase is a great summer craft idea. Kids can make a nice, simple vase from a recycled tin can. Soup cans and small coffee cans work well for homemade vases. The best tin cans have smooth outsides and aren’t too wide. Make sure you trim off any sharp points or edges that may still be on the can opening. Kids can cut a piece of colorful construction paper to fit around the outside of the can and then glue it to the can after they’ve decorated it in anyway they wish. Stickers, markers, crayons, paint, glue and glitter…the list goes on. A great idea for decorating the vase is by drawing a wonderful summer scene on the construction paper. They can also add their name, glue dried pasta, beans or seeds on the paper. Let it all dry well before gluing to the can. However they may want to decorate their vase is up to them. All that’s left is adding some water and flowers or their dried wildflowers.

Kids can make containers and vases from empty jars as well. Canning jars make great vases, but any old recycled jar works well. Make sure to clean it really well. Let the kiddos get their hands wet by cleaning the jars themselves. After the jar is dry, add pretty ribbon around the mouth. Kids will love painting on the glass jar and maybe adding glitter, beads and buttons too.

Tin can and glass jar vases have multiple uses other than containers for flowers. Kids can put in pencils, pens and markers or any small item they want to put add.

These are just a few basic and simple craft ideas that you can help your kids make this summer. There are literally boundless ideas for summer kid crafting. You can spend some fun time with your children while preventing the boredom monster from showing itself too soon. Not only will you and your kids have fun, but you’ll have some adorable items to display in your home or give as gifts to family and friends. Your kids can learn some new crafting skills and have the satisfaction of accomplishment at the same time. Stay cool and happy crafting this summer!



Julie