You don't need to spend a lot of money on craft equipment for your kids. Sure, you can if
you wish go to the toy store and buy those overpackaged, overpriced kits.
However, a little bit of thought and you can not only do crafts on the cheap,
but you and your kids can have a lot of fun doing them as well.
Think before you throw out things. Pictures from old magazines can be cut out
and used for projects such as collage. Greetings cards can also be used in this
way, or the cut-outs used to make new cards. Newspapers can be turned into
papier mâché.
Raid your sewing box for old buttons, pieces of wool or scrap material. Again,
these can be used for collage or cards, and for making bangles, necklaces, or
even dolls clothes.
A store cupboard item you can use for crafting with young children is dried
pasta such as penne. Help them thread it onto string to make a long necklace.
Make your own playdough. Put 1 cup water, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons
cooking oil and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar in a pan. Add a little food coloring
and cook gently for a few minutes until the mixture forms a ball. Store in a
plastic container.
Lolly or popsicle sticks, washed and dried, can be made into many interesting
objects such as doll's furniture.
Paper plates make great masks. Cut out holes for the eyes and attach a piece of
elastic once the plates are painted or drawn on. Halve the plates to make
carnival eye masks and attach a popsicle stick as a handle.
A great place to find free craft materials is outdoors. Nature provides us with
a wealth of ideas. In the woods, gather leaves, twigs or bark. An imaginative
child will find plenty to do with them. While you're there, give your kids paper
and crayons to make tree bark rubbings. See what patterns different trees make.
Flowers can be picked for pressing. You don't need an expensive flower press,
just gently wrap the blooms in kitchen roll and place between the pages of an
old book. Put it in a warm place such as an airing cupboard, weighted down if
it's a paperback, and wait a few days until the flowers are completely dry.
The beach is another good place to gather materials. Small shells can be glued
onto plain trinket boxes or picture frames to make highly individual gifts.
Collect large stones and paint them. Make an interesting texture on paper by
spreading glue over and sprinkling on sand.
Explore charity shops. Buy cheap glassware and crockery to paint on. Old
wallpaper rolls are great for scrap paper and cutting out. You may even find
books on crafts.
I'm sure that you'll come up with even more ideas for inexpensive craft ideas
for your kids. Remember to be safety conscious with materials. And don't forget,
have fun!
About The Author
Kirsty is a work-from-home mother.
For an amazing 365 easy, inexpensive, new and different kid crafts, go to
http://tinyurl.com/hfet5
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