Tips for easy crafting for kids

What puts you off crafting at home with the children? We speak to expert crafter Maggy Woodley and she shares her top tips. Tune in to BritMums on Google + on Monday when we are holding a Hangout with Maggy as we talk Easter crafts and more with her, come join us.

Crafts is my passion. So of course I am going to be a little biased about crafting with kids. On average we probably do something crafty or arty at least 1-2 times per week. Some weeks not at all, other weeks lots and lots. It really varies.

So in many ways I am all set up for getting crafty with kids.

In many ways, I am not.

Like all mums, I have my good and my bad days. Days when things come easily and days when they require a significant bit of effort. And yes, it is not uncommon for me to shout in panic “do not move” as a child is about to touch an acrylic smeared hand over the kitchen wall (why did I let them use the acrylics?!) or tell them off when they break the Angry Bird Easter Egg (why did I let them handle an egg shell?!).

So, I have some tips for you to make crafting with kids easier:

1) What works for you.

Figure out what works for you and what doesn’t – if paint stresses you out, then don’t paint. Or do paint, but on VERY RARE occasions when you feel up to it. There are so many things you can do – sewing, sticking, cutting, assembling. Many people equate crafting with “messy”. I guess often it is, but it really doesn’t have to be.

2) Prepare.

Some of the “stress of crafting” come from the kids wanting to do everything straight away and you not being able to keep up in getting things ready. Or one child may want help with cutting, whilst the other wants some more bits and pieces from the art box. Prepare where you are going to work – clear surface of the table. Get everything out before you call the kids over. And should you have a specific project in mind, prep anything that helps making the crafting smoother.

3) If you can’t prepare, do use kits.

Though personally I am not a massive fan of kits (I always feel, I have all the bits and pieces already and can create my own), kits do have their place – they are quite easy to get ready and set up (i.e. you don’t have to plan or think about anything) and usually contain everything you need – no dashing out to the shops to get bits and pieces. So, though not usually my cup of tea, they are a great way for some relatively stress free crafting (usually!).

4) Step back.

This can be a really tricky part of your joint crafting – stepping back. You have a pretty craft idea in your head that you really want to make and the kids have something totally different in mind. Well, step back. Let them create. And you know what, I bet they will surprise you with some of their ideas and creativity. Yes, not all projects will come out as you imagined, but many, I am sure will delight you none the less. Embrace your child’s childlike art, don’t resist it.

5) Managing different ages.

This is a question I often get asked – how can I craft with the 6yrs old when the toddler wants to have a go to. Or I have 3 kids how do I manage them all? Clearly it isn’t easy managing several children at once. Again, preparation is key. I also find I simplify projects/ choose simpler projects depending on the ages and number of kids. So if we have a playdate of 5 kids and they all want to craft, we do different crafty activities. If they are little ones around, with older kids, I give them their own project to play with and keep them busy – maybe a little play dough with lids and sequins to play with, or a pieces of paper with a glue stick and shapes to add. It is about planning, prepping and thinking about what the different kids can and can’t do. Also, believe in them – they may be better at cutting a shape out than you think.

I hope that these tips have come in useful and that they will inspire to get crafty a little more!

Maggy Woodley is a mum of two (5yrs old boy and 2yrs old girl) and writes at Red Ted Art – she has also just had her first Craft Book for kids published: Red Ted Art, Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids. Be sure to get your copy – it would make a great gift too! Maggy also writes about family life at Life At The Zoo and for those who are interested about Theatre, Books and Movies.

About Marianne Weekes

BLOGS AT: Mari's World; TWITTER: @maris_world. Mother of four and nana to three, Marianne Weekes has spent half her life in the UK and the other half in Italy. Blogging since Jan 2010, she finds it hard to drag herself away from her laptop and writes about food, travel and lifestyle. Always on the lookout for the next thing which takes her down many surprising lanes.