Easy Kid Craft Round Up

Last week Zuzu asked me to do a craft and immediately visions of a painted rock collection of zoo animals with popsicle stick cages, pipe cleaner flowers and paper mache boulders all bedazzled with gem stones and sequins came to mind. Not really, but I was definitely over complicating it. And the thing is, those over-the-top crafts are usually not what my kids have in mind either. They simply want to explore, create and use their imaginations.

Being an artist I always thought I’d love doing crafts with my kids. And I do. But there are plenty of things about crafting with my kids that hit my type A nerve and keep me from being more spontaneous. The mess, complicated supply lists, too much time and energy for minimal results. I mean don’t you hate it when it takes you 20 minutes to get everything gathered, set up and ready and after 3 minutes your kids are like, OK. I’m done.

I like simplicity and ease, especially in execution and having all the supplies on hand. Naturally, this includes keeping a well stocked craft area, but I also mean using things that are common items we generally keep around the house.

So after Zuzu’s request I got out a bottle of shaving cream, food coloring, and a muffin tin. We made shaving cream paint in about 2 minutes and she was memorized. When I told her she didn’t have to use the brushes, but could use her hands instead it was like sensory Christmas morning. She was in heaven dipping her hands into mounds of colored shaving cream, squishing it between her fingers and rubbing it on the paper.

It was simple, it was easy and she had the best time. If you haven’t yet tried shaving cream paint with your toddlers, give it a try.

I’ve rounded up a few other easy crafts that take almost no time and with supplies you definitely have on hand. (If you don’t have these on hand you can easily add them to your grocery list.)

Microwave Puffy Paint–flour, baking soda, food coloring, salt, baggies

Melted Crayon Stained Glass Art and also here–crayons, wax paper, iron

Paper Plate Dream Catchers–paper plates, yarn, beads

Homemade Sidewalk Paint–cornstarch, water, food coloring

Potato Printing (I spy a certain feather sweet potato print)–potato + paint

Easy Homemade Play Dough or also here–flour, salt, oil, cream of tartar, food coloring

Any other super easy crafts or activities with you and your kids love?

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