From boosting self-esteem to building fine motor skills, there are all sorts of great reasons why crafts are great for your kids. And, when you work on projects together as a family, the perks are even more remarkable. Sharing family time creates a stronger bond between children and their parents, enhances performance in school, and facilitates better communication between household members. Plus, young people who regularly spend quality time with their parents, doing things like crafting, are less likely to have behavioral problems.
If you would like to work on projects with your kids, but are not quite sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place! Because, whether you are new to the hobby world and want to explore diamond painting kits or a seasoned crafting pro in search of something different, there are lots of great options that are suitable for everyone. In this article, we’ll be sharing some wonderful projects you can tackle alongside your children.
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Diamond Painting
The art of painting with diamonds is a relatively new hobby that has taken the world by storm.. Easy to learn and master, it enables anyone to create a stunning work of art without the need for any special skills or prior experience. Even young children can complete this simple project (with a bit of help from Mom or Dad, of course).
When you purchase a diamond painting kit, it comes with a self-adhesive canvas, an assortment of colorful resin “diamonds,” (called drills) and all the diamond painting accessories you need to adhere each drill in place. The canvas is printed with a grid in which each section has a symbol. The symbol coordinates with the specific color of a resin diamond. To complete the project, simply place the drills in their corresponding spots. It is a lot like painting with numbers — but better.
Because it’s so easy to do, diamond painting can give kids a great sense of accomplishment without the heaps of frustration. It can be quite relaxing, too, which makes it an excellent way to help your kids unwind after a long day at school. Diamond art painting improves fine motor skills, teaches patience and eases anxiety. And, with a couple of extra drill placer tools, the entire family can work on a diamond painting together. If you are looking for an uncomplicated and enjoyable project for you and your children to work on at the same time, purchasing a diamond art kit is a great place to start.
Tie-Dyeing Clothing
The art of tie-dye has been around for centuries, and it makes a fashion comeback every few years. If your kids have been begging you to buy every tie-dyed garment they see in stores, why not help them decorate the apparel they already own instead? Tie-dyeing clothing is a really fun project to do as a family. It may get a bit messy — especially with younger kids — but that’s part of the fun!
You’ll need some plain white t-shirts (or other garments) to get started. Clothing made from 100 percent cotton works best and yields the most vibrant results. You will also need a tie-dye kit, disposable gloves, plastic bags and a place to work. Be sure to protect the work surface to avoid stains. Follow the instructions included with the kit for best results, but feel free to put your own spin on it by searching the web for fun tie-dye patterns and techniques.
Jewelry Making
Making jewelry is another hobby that is suitable for people of all ages and can be enjoyed by the entire family. While the little ones in your household can use plastic pony beads or dry pasta and yarn to create necklaces and bracelets, the older kids and you can use gemstones, glass beads, metal findings, and other higher-end supplies to make wearable works of art.
Like diamond painting, beading and jewelry-making improve fine motor skills while providing an opportunity for your child to learn about colors. This type of project also boosts cognitive skills by encouraging children to decide what to make and to come up with their own patterns for their designs. Older kids can even learn valuable business and financial skills by making jewelry to sell. And, of course, working on jewelry together is a satisfying hobby any family can enjoy.
Baking
Not all family-oriented projects are crafts. Spending some time in the kitchen baking up tasty treats together is an excellent option, too. In fact, the kitchen is a wonderful place to foster strong relationships across generations and build memories together. Whether you whip up a batch of your child’s favorite chocolate chip cookies or work together to make something completely new, you’re sure to have a blast.
Keep in mind that baking is part science and part art. Some “fails” could turn out to be delicious new creations! And, if you follow recipes that have been handed down through your family, it can even be part history lesson. In any case, baking is a fun activity for families that yields tasty results. Even the youngest members of your family can help with pouring ingredients and stirring, while tweens and teens can handle the more complex jobs. If you need some inspiration, there are lots of easy baking recipes for kids online.
Closing Thoughts on Projects You Can Do Alongside Your Children
When it comes to working on projects alongside your kids, it’s all about having fun, building strong, familial bonds, and making memories. The activities you complete do not need to be complex, nor do they need to cost a lot of money. Let’s face it — spending time with your kids is way more beneficial than spending lots of money on them.
Whether your kids are toddlers, teens or fall somewhere in between, the projects listed above are appropriate for the whole family. And those are just a few of the many options. If you are having a hard time deciding what to do, ask your kids if there is anything they have heard about. You may be surprised to learn about a craft or hobby they are interested in but haven’t yet had an opportunity to try. Be open to their ideas and suggestions. They might even help you uncover your own new, favorite hobby.
I think tye dying and jewelry making might be doable with our five-year-old. I’ve tried baking/cooking but it stresses me out too much.
Yeah…it’s also nice to have matching pieces of bracelets. Try baking a little later maybe…it will work.
I think 5D painting is a fun project to do with your kids or your grandparents. You can spend time talking while doing something you can end up with a finished project at the end.
I did these with my own kids, except for the diamond painting, which I would like to do myself!
It is fun, also the paint by numbers one….try them! 🙂
I’d baked with my son many times in the past and it was always fun. Such sweet memories!