| Are you tired of hearing these words, "I'm bored," | | | | children; it can become a great way of allowing your |
| from your child? If so, you are not alone. They could | | | | child to explore the garden from a different level. |
| be busy, busy, and busy then for about a few | | | | They can look for the different leaves, twigs, rocks, |
| minutes they are doing nothing and come out with | | | | shells if you are lucky enough to live by a beach or |
| "I'm bored". To be prepared for those famous words | | | | coast or raw wool if you live by a farm. The |
| you could have some handy crafts waiting to | | | | possibilities are endless and once your child sees how |
| entertain them. By having some craft materials | | | | fun it is then they will be even more creative. |
| available could put the "boredom" saying to bed, read | | | | After you have found or brought your crafting |
| on to find some great crafting ideas. | | | | materials, it's time to let the children play. A great and |
| The essential crafts for your children will include | | | | simple craft for any age child is to make a collage. |
| coloured paper, coloured pencils, crayons, safe | | | | Children can glue anything down when making a |
| scissors with different cutting edges, stickers and | | | | collage. It would be best to use some thick card as |
| glue. The paper for your children to craft with can | | | | the background (or the large panel from an empty |
| range from tracing paper, tissue paper, thick card of | | | | cereal box will do), and then let their imagination and |
| different colours and lined paper for writing. There | | | | creativity begin! If you want to focus the collage, |
| are many more available but if you only have 1 or 2 | | | | you could give each child a theme, for e.g.: a food |
| types of paper available this is still a good start. | | | | theme, an animal theme, or a garden theme. This can |
| Without spending any money you can get hold of old | | | | really push your child's creativity. Another idea is if |
| magazines, old newspapers, even junk mail can be | | | | you have just got back from a shopping trip, or from |
| used as part of crafting projects. Depending on the | | | | the local park they could create a college of where |
| age of the children involved with the crafts coloured | | | | they have been. Everything around as we take for |
| pencils and crayons are great for crafting. However | | | | the norm can be turned into a crafting idea for your |
| nowadays the shops are filled with a lot more | | | | children explore, all it needs is a little imagination. While |
| options such as washable markers, pastels, gel pens | | | | they are doing their colleges introduce them you text |
| etc, but bare in mind these cost money and can | | | | via the old magazines, junk mail and newspaper we |
| eventually add up to be a bit expensive. A good idea | | | | discuss earlier. They could create their names, or |
| is to start off with what you already have available | | | | make it a gift for mom or dad by adding their names |
| and build on that after you see the crafting projects | | | | to the piece. By looking at different word types, |
| your children create. Crafting does not have to be | | | | styles and size your child will start to experiment |
| expensive it's all down to your child's imagination. | | | | without thinking. |
| The list of crafting materials does not stop there, by | | | | Don't forget that foods can be included like gluing dry |
| wondering around your home or by doing your daily | | | | pasta to the paper and they can be painted once |
| routines you will find many items that can be used | | | | completed dry. Glitter is another great effect, |
| instead of being throw in the rubbish. Items like | | | | however this can become a bit mess but by placing |
| plastic yogurt pots, empty cereal boxes, toothpaste | | | | old newspaper down on the table first will help, |
| boxes, egg boxes and cardboard from packaging just | | | | especially when it time to start clearing away. |
| to name a few. | | | | All ages enjoy crafting and every piece they create |
| We have used the items in the home; now let's | | | | will be a unique piece of art. No more I'm bored just |
| move outside to see what else we can find to add | | | | "Can I craft now". |
| to our crafting box. Actually you could involve the | | | | |