Let’s Get Crafty

Crafts, kids love them.  However, mention the word “crafts” to a parent and it can send the most seasoned into a downward adult beverage drinking spiral. Do I have time for this and how much of a mess will I have to clean up?   Relax we want to make it easy. These crafts are for the parent who could purchase these items from a big box store on the way home from work with a rotisserie chicken for dinner to the uber-organized mom who has them in a closet or even gasp a craft bin.

• Sensory tubs – Fill a medium tub with rice, dry pasta, sand or whatever else you can find. Food grains are generally a good option, and you can save them for another time. You will want to label them for crafts. Bury small objects for your child to find. It may take them a bit to be willing to dig for the items, but the surprise of what they’ll find usually wins out! Give your child tools to use in the tub to move around the objects and the grains. It’s best to start with one tactile substance in the tub at a time. As your child is more willing to touch different things, you can start mixing what you put in the tub.
• Model Magic Clay – Model Magic Clay can be found at any craft store or big box store. It will provide a non-messy clay experience for children. It is light-weight and easy to manipulate for children of all ages and it dries in about 24 hours for those little ones that can’t wait to play with their creations. Once dry you can paint your creation if you’d like!
• Color Wonder – Color Wonder provides art experiences for children without the mess. The markers or finger paints will only show up on the special Color Wonder paper, which means that they are clear and won’t show up on your child’s skin as they are creating their masterpiece.

Keep in mind that the sensory experience with your child is important. Research has shown people with autism may show intense interest in Art because it gives a voice to feelings in a different way. “The way to unlock any child’s brain, autism or no autism, is through using creative expression of some form,” says therapist Maude Leroux. “The child’s job is to play in whatever medium is available.” Give yourselves space so that your child can feel the joy of making something with you.

Dwayne Szot, is an artist who has committed his career to inventing tools that enable kids with disabilities to paint, draw, blow bubbles –- pretty much do anything any typical child gets to do. See how his amazing vision has allowed children to express their creativity in the most unexpected ways.  Artist Invents Tools That Enable Kids With Disabilities To Paint  https://youtu.be/9iMM2PKGIRU

So get in touch with your inner Picasso.  Feed the kids with the rotisserie chicken and microwave-steamed veggies from a bag. Unleash your little crafters to the delights of finger-painting, sculpting, and creating! And remember Mom Fact #482 – If you combine wine and dinner, the new word is winner!