In an era where digital screens dominate, finding a balance for children’s activities is more crucial than ever. Art and crafts offer a timeless alternative, nurturing creativity, fine motor skills, and the capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving. These hands-on activities are vital for child development, fostering imagination and coordination far beyond what digital entertainment can offer. For those seeking to engage young minds in creative play, the National Geographic Kids Screen Printing Kit stands out. This comprehensive arts and crafts set not only introduces the basics of silk screen printing with its array of fabric paints, frame, stencils, and squeegee but also includes additional materials like a drawstring bag for projects. It’s our top pick for inspiring creativity, and offering a fun and educational experience. For more engaging craft ideas, explore our curated selection designed to spark the imagination of budding artists.
Kids are attracted to animals and flowers full of color, which is why we chose this National Geographic Screen Printing Craft for Kids. This product has a very kid-friendly design. The kit has an easily understandable instruction list that specifies each step clearly in simple language. This kit includes a silkscreen frame, stencils, tube fabric paint, tube puff paint, roll tape, a squeegee, and a paintbrush. It also includes a booklet with loads of information on screenprinting methodologies and techniques. All products, paints, and fabric have a quality construction with smooth textures. This product gets the top spot on this list because the elements are replaceable and reusable, so it lasts longer than many competitors.
No childhood is complete without paper planes, and this origami book by Stefania Luca takes it to another level! It’s crafted for kids that are 6 to 9 years of age, and there are tons of folding and flying fun packed inside. It has straightforward, child-friendly instructions and detailed diagrams that are perfect for leveling up your paper plane skills as a kid. The crafts are smartly organized by their difficulty level and airplane type, so whether you’re looking for something simple or super advanced, the book has it all. You name it, from dart planes, fighter jets, and exciting stunt planes to those wide-winged glider planes!
Want to start empowering your girl at a very young age? This crafts for kids book by Nicole Duggans might be just what you’re looking for. It encourages little girls to create, explore, imagine, and use their creativity to its maximum potential! It allows the reader lots of opportunities to be innovative, curious, and bold — even at ages 6 to 12. Many activities are designed to be parent-assisted for a safe exploration journey including animal tracking, stargazing, building pinhole cameras, and even a shadow theater! It also encourages exploring and playing in the backyard for activities like scavenger hunts and building a rope swing or shelter outside.
Sewing projects are one of the most fun activities you can get your kid involved in between ages 6 to 9, and that’s what this book by Alexa Ward is all about! It teaches your little one(s) the beginner techniques for both hand sewing and machine sewing. With 30 different projects to work on, it takes the reader stitch by stitch from absolute basics like threading a needle, to advanced exercises like making a pair of fingerless gloves. It all happens so smoothly that your kid wouldn’t even realize when he or she became a pro!
The solar system is the center of imagination for kids, especially young boys. This is why the National Geographic Stained Glass Craft for Kids is among our favorites. The kit makes window hangings, introducing the kids to DIY projects. It has many accessories, including glow-in-the-dark paints, acrylic paints, and nine suction cups for hanging the eight planets and one sun disc. You can also hang the planets on a mobile hanger included in the package. Since the paints are in tube form, you don’t need a paintbrush or palette to color, but the kit does include one. An easy-to-read instruction manual also comes in the kit, allowing kids to create art independently. Although this kit is a one-time project, it is packed with color, fun, and learning.
If your kid has a wild obsession with dinosaurs, bring them to life with the National Geographic Terrarium Craft for Kids. This product is our go-to mainly because of the aesthetic design that makes it suitable for home decor. The USB-powered bulb on the lid is the wow factor of this terrarium that lights up the world inside the glass. This kit includes all-natural products like peat pellets, colored pebbles, fake fossils, and even ryegrass and chia seeds which you can use to grow tiny greens. It also has a reversible backdrop for day and night backgrounds and tiny dinosaur figures for that realistic dino-age touch. The booklet that brings information disguised in colored-packed graphics and fun fonts is not to forget.
Toys can’t beat the fun that comes from DIY projects, which is the main purpose of the Home Composer Craft for Kids. Children enjoy constructing crafts that are not too technical and require moderate effort, just like this product. These wood chimes and houses come in separate parts, and you must assemble them using a thread. You can leave the house as is or add the chime to it as you like. The wood cutouts are blank, and the kids can paint them following their imagination. Although it is a birdhouse plus wound chime, you can use it as a decoration piece or as a giftable. The smooth surface of the wood is easy to paint and dries quickly too. They’re also extremely lightweight, so you can hang them anywhere.
Kids love puppet shows, and the WATINC Craft for Kids is not only engaging but affordable as well. The kit includes six vibrant gloves that easily fit a ten-year-old with soft fabric cutouts as decorative elements. It also has googly eyes and colorful pom poms that add life to the hand puppets. The project involves no sharp objects like scissors, as everything is already in shape. You can use the glue in the kit to stick cutouts, and your hand puppet is done. These puppets turn out super cute because of the bright colors that pop the eyes and give a slightly realistic yet silly look. The kit is packaged to perfection and is safe for kids. Although this craft is for young kids, toddlers can also enjoy it.
Buying crafts for kids is tricky whether you’re a new parent or an inexperienced relative. If you’re also stuck, follow our buying guide, which leads you straight to the ideal crafts for kids.
Screen printing kits usually don’t have any major factors to look for. Therefore make sure the kit has all the necessary elements and accessories. Extra elements or fabric can be a plus point.
A window art kit requires color, so make sure there are various paints, specifically glass paints, that stay on. Also, search for kits with mobile hangers or extra accessories.
Terrarium kits for kids are usually made of plastic, but you should go for glass terrariums as they maintain transparency. The plants also matter a lot, so search the product for the type of plant and accessories like a spray water bottle.
Wind chimes should be able to make noise, however, glass is not suitable for kids. For this reason, we recommend wood as the base material for DIY wind chimes. It is easy and safe to handle, plus it creates a soothing aura with its mild clattering.
The main factor of consideration while choosing a puppet-making kit is the fabric. Since your little one is wearing the puppet glove, make sure it is made of soft fabric like velvet or felt. Bright colors are also recommended, as they light up your kids’ creativity.
Crafts for kids are not just for peacefully killing time with the kids but are quite meaningful. Head below to know why crafts are so significant for kids.
When kids are involved in crafts, they use their brains, eyes, and hands simultaneously. This simultaneous motion develops children’s motor skills. It also helps them to focus on a task without getting distracted every other minute.
Art and crafts for kids require adult supervision, especially for the first attempt. The craft session exposes the parent and child to teamwork and combined efforts, which adds to their bonding. It is also a great way to spend quality time without becoming tired or bored.
Creativity and confidence are interlinked with each other and crafts for kids. Creating something on their own gives the kids the confidence and independence they need to experiment. It also helps them express their emotions, think, and explore new ideas.
Crafts are the same thing as long as at-home crafts captivate your child. However, store-bought crafts for kids have a surprise-like charm that attracts kids and grabs their attention from the first second.
Crafts for kids are not necessarily educational. You can opt for educational crafts as they contribute to children's brain development, but non-educational crafts are also fun for kids.
It depends on your kid. Some kids might find it interesting until the point of construction, and then they lose interest when it's time to play with the puppets.
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