One of the best ways to engage a creative, hands-on child during this social distancing summer are arts and crafts. In between outdoor play time and educational activities, invite your young child to join you in completing a fun and creative craft that will lighten up your afternoon.
Inspiration can come from anywhere – from Pinterest boards to YouTube DIYs. Below are a few simple crafts to get you started wxith a few simple materials that you may even have available right at home. If your child enjoys crafting, schedule time throughout the month to craft projects you and your child choose together.
Paint and Snack
Materials:
Medium-sized poster board or canvas paper
Acrylic paints, assorted colors
Old newspapers or tablecloth
Magazines, picture books, or family photos
Brushes
Optional
Household objects of interesting shapes (kitchen magnets, coins, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, etc.)
Cover a floor or table with old newspapers or a tablecloth, then spread out your poster board or canvas paper on your prepared workspace. With your child, choose a reference photo from your collection of magazines, picture books, and/or family photos to paint using brushes or, if you’re feeling creative, household objects with interesting shapes that can give new depth and add interesting perspective to the paintings.
Origami Letter to My Future Self
Materials:
Multicolored paper, cut into 8.5×11 in squares
Stickers
Optional
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Have your child draw a fun border design along the edges of a paper square of his or her favorite color. Then, ask your child to write a letter “A Letter to My Future Self” on the square. Be sure your child includes the date. Once the letter is complete, follow these instructions to fold an origami letter. Then, close the envelope with a sticker, and keep the letter for your child until the future data your child decides to open the letter.
Rainbow Drip Painting
Materials:
Medium-sized canvas
Old crayons
Hot glue gun
Hair dryer
Old newspapers or tablecloth
Cover a floor or table with old newspapers or a tablecloth beneath your canvas. Help your child glue the crayons across the top of the canvas in the sequence of his or her choice, following the color order of the rainbow or in a sequence of his or her own. Then, with the canvas upright and the hairdryer aiming down at a 45 degree angle, melt the crayons on the dryer’s warm setting.
