The Benefits Of Arts And Crafts For Kids

There are lots of reasons why you should encourage children to start arts and crafts for kids as early as possible.

The projects are fun to do for both kids and parents, and you can also end up with a collection of adorable gifts to give friends and relatives throughout the year.

Kids love to get involved in arts and crafts, and we love to see their creations.

Are your teens bored? Give them a ton of ideas to keep them busy all day long.

Below you will find a big selection of fun projects to inspire the whole family to get crafty!

There are plenty of great reasons to get your kids involved in arty activities – here are 4 big ones:

1) Kids Arts and Crafts Improve Their Coordination

Arts and crafts usually involve children working with both hands, and involve them moving their hands in a particular manner.

This helps them develop their bilateral coordination and fine motor skills, which will help them learn and get used to a variety of other daily activities such as dressing, showering, tying their shoes, and so on.

It may also help them in sports when they are old enough to play.

2) Arts and Crafts Teach Them to Express Themselves

Arts and crafts are a great way to allow children to express themselves, as children tend to be very visual about the things that happen around them and in their heads.

For children who are shy and reserved, parents should have even more reason to encourage them to carry out arts and crafts activities as this will give the parents some insight into what their child is feeling, thinking, or experiencing.

3) Arts and Crafts Encourage Creativity

A child’s imagination has no limits, and arts and crafts are a great way for kids to explore their imagination and turn it into something productive.

Arts and crafts encourage kids to be creative and innovative, which could further nurture other artistic talents down the line.

4) Arts and Crafts are a Flexible Activity

Arts and crafts are an activity that can be done both alone and with company, so kids can do it whenever they feel like it.

It can be a great bonding activity between your kids and their friends or even your kids and you, and also be a hobby which your kids can pursue when they need to entertain themselves when they are on their own. 

On this page I'll be loading more arts and crafts for kids projects with instruction guides.

I also have a great selection of coloring books that I'll publish so that you can download them and print up for the kids to color in.

Craft Ideas for Toddlers

In the summer, kids are out of school and looking for something to do. If you have a young child, then you will have your hands full.

Here are some ideas for summer crafts to keep them busy.

Summer is about having fun.  And, kids love to do just that. Crafts allow kids to learn skills while they have fun.

If your toddler is getting ready for school in a year or two, your ideas could teach them spatial recognition, how to identify colors, how to identify shapes, and how to work independently.

You may be surprised at how much your child’s identity comes through their work.

Chalk Drawings

We are not talking about the chalkboard in a classroom.

This is sidewalk chalk. It comes in a variety of colors and can lead to hours of fun for a child.

Begin by having them stand in the light to create a shadow.

You can make a tracing of their shadow on the ground.

Then let your child use the chalk to draw hair, facial features and clothing on their chalk self.

You can also let them draw designs of their own making using the different colors.

Crayola 48 Count Sidewalk Chalk

ToySmith Jumbo Sidewalk Chalk - 20 chalks

Melissa & Doug 10 Jumbo Triangular Chalk Sticks

POOF-Slinky - Colored Sidewalk Drawing Chalk Pack with Portable Storage Case and Handle, 20-Piece Set, 0C8907BL

Crayola Special Effects Sidewalk Chalk

Bucket Of Mini Sidewalk Chalk 60/Pkg-Assorted Colors

Paper Flowers

Flowers in bloom are beautiful.

Introduce your child to their brilliance by making paper flowers. Use tissue paper, pipe cleaners and Styrofoam blocks.

Kids can create different flower colors and shapes based on flowers they have seen or ones they want to create.

Wind a pipe cleaner around the center of the tissue paper to secure it. Then separate and shape petals and leaves.

Finally, stick the pipe cleaner stems through a Styrofoam block to display them.

You may need a plastic stake to prop up heavier flowers.

Party Streamer, 81-Feet, Lime Green

Party Streamer, 81-Feet, Purple

FR Festive Crepe Streamer (canary) Party Accessory (1 count) (1/Pkg)

Martha Stewart Crafts Modern Festive Paper Flowers

Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Girl Tissue Paper Flowers

Martha Stewart Crafts Pom Poms, Pink, 2 Sizes

Wind Chimes

The sound of clanging objects in the breeze makes kids happy.

It sounds like music.

Help toddlers create their own wind chimes using metal washers, bells and other metal pieces that have a hole in them.

The children can use string to suspend the pieces from a central object. You can use an empty plastic bottle or a container.

Turn it over and place pairs of holes through the bottom.

Tie the string through the pair of holes to secure the chimes.

When you hang it, the breeze will delight the children.

Finger Painting

There is something about kids and getting messy that they enjoy. Clear a wide space and put paper down on the floor.

Give each child a large sheet of poster board and the colors they choose to paint their picture.

If they’ve never used paints before, you may have to show them first.

Summertime can be a time of learning and fun for toddlers.

Use the above ideas for crafts to help teach and spend quality time with your child.

Crayola Fingerpaints Bold and Secondary Colors, 4 fl oz, 8-Count.

Crayola 4ct Washable Fingerpaints Primary (Bold, primary colors in red, blue, yellow, and green) 4 oz.

Crayola Giant Fingerpaint Paper, (99-3405)

RoseArt Washable Finger Paints Set, Includes Paint, Paper, Sponges and Wood Spatula, Packaging May Vary (11533VA-4)

Melissa & Doug Finger Paint Paper Pad (12"x18")

Crayola Washable Kids Paint set of 10 Bottles (2 fl oz/59mL)

ALEX? Toys - Alex Jr. Tots First Finger Paint (6) Set - Art Supplies 1807

Crayola My First Crayola No Mess Finger-Painting Set

Crayola Art Smock-

Craft Ideas for Teens

Have you ever heard your teen say that he or she is bored? During the summer you may hear more of the same.

Devise craft ideas to help stop the boredom and even create a new hobby for your teens.

You may feel that summer crafts are only for little kids, but teens can benefit from activities that engage their hands as well as their minds.

During the summer, all that information they learned at school the previous year seems to leak out little by little until they are starting again when the new educational year rolls around.

Summer crafts can help put that brain to work. Here are some ideas that you can use. Maybe your kids will think of a few of their own.

Teens are older so they can handle more complex activities.

Creating things from your hands give your teen a sense of pride and confidence in their abilities.

Start by asking your teen about their interests. You can create or search for craft ideas on that topic.

Jewelry

This can work for girls and guys. Remember when you made bead jewelry at summer camp?

Craft stores like Michael’s and A.C. Moore sell jewelry kits that can get you started.

If your child likes the jewelry making, they can create their own set of beads, wooden balls, glass beads and semi-precious stones to create their own unique products.

Jewelry can be given as presents for birthdays and Christmas.

Jewelry Basics Class In A Box Kit, Bright Glass

Jewelry Basics Class In A Box Kit, Naturals Glass

Jewelry Basics Class In A Box Kit, Gold and Copper Earrings

Class in a Box by Cousin Casual Collection Jewelry Making Kit

Jewelry Basics Class In A Box Kit, Silver Tone Earrings

Darice 1972-08 Nickel Free Silver Finding Starter Kit in Clear Box

Lanyards

This is also a throwback from summer camp.

Teens can create key chains, bracelets and other designs to keep for themselves or give to friends.

Crorey Creations My Lanyard Maker, Red/Yellow

550 Paracord Survival Bracelet Kit Type III 7 Strand with 140 Feet and 14 3/8" Buckles ~ 14 Colors At 10 Feet Each ~ Made in USA

Choose Friendship My Lanyard Maker Refill Kit

Shirt designs

Tie dyeing is back in fashion.

Teach your teen to create their own cool t-shirts using different colors and patterns reminiscent of the 60s.

Another shirt design is iron-on.

They can create a shirt design and turn it into an iron-on patch.

Jacquard Tie Dye Kit

Tulip One-Step 12 Color Tie-Dye Kit Super Big

Jacquard Funky Groovy Tie Dye Kit

Jacquard Tie Dye Kit

Tulip One-Step Large Tie Dye Kit, Ultimate

I Love To Create 29374 Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit, Large, Neon

Tulip One-Step Super Big Tie Dye Kit, 12 Colors

Jacquard Jewel Tones Tie-Dye Kit (Amethyst)

Tie Dye Kit by Jacquard with Free DVD Included Dyes up to 15 Shirts for 100% Cotton, Linen Rayon & Hemp

Pottery

That lump of clay can become a pot, saucer, vase or anything they want it to be.

Buy a pottery kit with a small potter’s wheel so they can try it out for themselves.

With some designs, you don’t need a kiln.

The pottery can sit and dry on its own.

Sculpey Keepsake Clay Frame Set, Blue

Paint Your Own Porcelain Bowls

RoseArt Pottery Wheel with Clay, Tools and Paint, Packaging May Vary

Candle making

This was a family activity in colonial days.

Use molds and candle kits to create taper, round and three-wick candles.

Teens can create designs in the wax or on the outside of the candle to represent different special occasions.

Learn more about how to make all kinds of candles using wax, or gel, including the very simple and decorative soy container candles, in our section here:  How to make candles

Wood-working crafts

Teach your teen to use their hands and imagination.

Build a bird house; craft a clock; build a simple desk or stool.

There are thousands of items they can choose from.

If they need to use a saw, teach proper use and always supervise.

Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit

Woodstock D4063 Professional Woodworking Kit, 5-Piece

Xacto X5175 Deluxe Woodcarving Set

Real Construction Deluxe Tool Workshop

Walnut Hollow Deluxe Woodburning Kit

Classic Wood Crafts

Grip 9 pc Children's Tool Kit

The Kids' Building Workshop: 15 Woodworking Projects for Kids and Parents to Build Together

TS Build A Birdhouse

Continue to Research for More Arts and Crafts for Kids

All these benefits should have convinced you by now that it is worth it to encourage your kids to pursue arts and crafts as a hobby.

So, go ahead and get your kids some material they can use for their art projects, and do the projects together with them if you can.

Art materials can be extremely affordable, and they are well worth the investment.

You never know, you may have a Picasso in the making right in your home!

More Resources

I'll be loading plenty of free project ideas and craft instructions here . Just check the links to the art & craft project pages listed below.

And you can get some great ideas too from the types of arts and crafts for kids products and materials that you can get online.

Make sure you always have some fresh and novel projects stocked away in the cupboards for rainy days, and also to use for rewards when their behaviour charts show they have earned a very special treat.

Here are some products you can buy online that I think look very useful:

Crafty Kids Fun & Activity Gift BoxCHECK PRICE

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker PadCHECK PRICE

Melissa & Doug Drawing PadCHECK PRICE

12 Foam Animal MasksCHECK PRICE

Assorted Pom Poms, 300CHECK PRICE

Glitter Pens Rainbow Colors 10CHECK PRICE

Big Fun CraftsCHECK PRICE

Alex Eco CraftCHECK PRICE

Alex Giant Art JarCHECK PRICE

Below here I'm featuring more pages with   how-to-do-it kids arts and craft projects. 

Feel free to submit your own story or article about it, and I will create your own page here with your contribution for the community to read.

Back to HOME PAGE of this arts and crafts for kids section of the site.