Mom'sGreenGuide: Keeping Kids Busy...

the green way

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Judy, and I have been a crafter of sorts all of my life. As a mother, grandmother, and aide with students, I have come up with quite a few recycling crafts, both to use what I had on hand and to cut some costs. Lena has invited me to publish some of my crafty stuff on her blog.

Crafts for kids don't have to cost a lot (sometimes nothing), and crafting helps kids with a lot of life skills they will need to help them in school, and in life. Kids who craft tend to do better in school because they have better problem solving skills, better spatial relation skills, and think "outside of the box." I'll be sharing some of my ideas periodically.

The first step is to get a box, any box or container will do. If it's plain cardboard (shoebox, for example), Let the kids decorate it. Cut colorful scraps of paper (magazines, construction paper, wrapping paper, even leftover wallpaper) and decorate the box. Fill with basics: cheap white glue, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, glue gun (be sure to SUPERVISE!!!), and scissors.

Then the fun begins..."shop" around the house for anything that could be used in a craft project - buttons, beads, sequins, yarn, trims, scraps of cloth, paper, pinecones, cardboard tubes, shells, bottle caps...let your imagination be your guide.

The next time the kids are bored, bring out the box. You may want to have a themed project, a card for a birthday or a colorful spring project. Spread out newspapers to protect your table, and let the kids create. You can even have a specific craft night...find kid friendly recipes, have the kids make the meal, and craft away. Themed nights are fun...Mexican meal, craft "maracas" out of cardboard tubes filled with beans, pebbles, or rice.

Don't worry if you don't have a specific idea...kids are full of them! The possibilities are endless, and I'll be adding some ideas and projects to spark your creativity.
Happy crafting, more ideas soon!

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