Simple Kids Crafts Using Household Items
There are a lot of fun and simple kids craft projects that you can enjoy with your child using household items. When kids want to craft, they want to craft. The creative urge often strikes them suddenly, and there may not be time to run to the craft store for special supplies. These are projects for those moments, when all you have are everyday household items and your ingenuity to pull together a project for your inspired little creative genius.
Popsicle Stick Picture Frames
Supplies
Four popsicle sticks, one 11.5 cm square of stiff paper, one wallet sized photo, glue, mod podge or other decoupage glue
Directions
Have your child collect popsicle sticks in anticipation for this project. Make sure he washes them to prevent stickiness and staining of the wood after eating his popsicle. Meanwhile, save envelopes that have interesting patterns inside or collect scraps of wallpaper and have some wallet sized photos of the family, of your child, or of family pets on hand.
Set up a work space for your child where it will be all right if he spills a little glue. To make the picture frame, help your child to carefully align two popsicle sticks parallel to each other, using a third popsicle stick to ensure that they are about a popsicle stick length apart. These form the sides of the frame. Let him put a drop of glue on the each end of the two popsicle sticks. Lay the third and fourth popsicle sticks across the first and second, forming the top and bottom of the frame. He should then put glue on the top and bottom popsicle sticks and glue the stiff paper face down. When the glue dries, have him glue a photograph to patterned side of the paper. These make lovely gifts for family friends. You could even glue a loop of string or yarn to the top of the frame to create Christmas ornaments.
Collaged Treasure Box
Supplies
A shoe box, old magazines or catalogues, scissors, glue
Directions
Children love a special place to keep their treasures. So do their parents because it means your child's bedroom is that much tidier. Not only that, covering the box in pictures cut from magazines will take your child at least an hour. That's an hour of happy engagement for her and an hour for you to do chores, catch up on work, or just put your feet up.
First let your child cut out pictures she likes from magazines or catalogues. If your child is a bit younger, you may prefer to complete this step yourself ahead of time. Give your child free range to glue these pictures on as she chooses covering the surface of the box. When she's done, let the glue dry. Then help her put a layer of mod podge over the entire thing to create a finished surface. Let this dry, and the box is complete.
Other Ideas
Cover a baking power can with paper. Let your child draw on the paper or glue on beads, buttons, etc. If you don't have the lid, this can be a pencil jar. Or cut a slit in the lid and it becomes a piggy bank.
Give your child your flower pots to decorate before you repot your house plants. Spread newspaper over the dining room table and let him use acrylic paint to paint pictures or designs or abstract colors on the pot. Or help an older child to use a glue gun to glue small objects like beads, angels' tears, or coins to the flower pot.
