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Home » Play Ideas » Gardening

Encourage Creativity to Raise Crafty Kids

Creative kids don't wait for someone to hand them directions. They just grab available items to create their own crafts. Here are some of the SIMPLE AND CHEAP things I always try to have around the house:

  • Loads of recyclables (save those cereal boxes, bottle caps, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and egg cartons)
  • Air Dry Clay - for special projects
  • Construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Kid size scissors
  • Buttons
  • Pipe cleaners in various colors
  • Colored pom-pom's
  • Googly-eyes
  • Yarn
  • Popsicle sticks (or craft sticks)
  • Scotch tape and masking tape
  • Washable paints
  • Felt
  • Hole punch
  • Washable markers and crayons

Here's what they kids came up with COMPLETELY on their own. A clay kitty face:

My daughter has been wanting a hula ensemble - when I didn't deliver - she came up with this idea on her own. I helped with the yarn, but she had all the pieces cut out and ready for me.

 

On a play date at the park with a HUGE group of kids, they all decided to make a ladybug habitat! Yes, they actually called it a "Ladybug Habitat" and spent a lot of time making it cozy for the little bug.

 

Sometimes the kids need a little help with projects. My 9 year old wanted a Zen Rock Garden. So we went to Home Depot and came up with a solution he could help build! He used the saw and the power tools to put it together!

Here's the finished product:

Of course, my daughter wanted one, too. But she made hers into a beach for her Little Humbug dolls:

Decide what's age-appropriate and let your creative kids be crafty kids!

Disclosure: Michele is friends with the creator of the Little Humbugs dolls, Marghanita Hughes, but this photo was too cute not to post.

More Gardening

  • Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa
  • Noguchi Gardens (California Scenario) in Costa Mesa
  • Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar
  • California Botanic Garden in Claremont: Wonderland of Spring Flowers

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

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