3 Easy Kid-Friendly Craft Projects

 

Looking for something to do this weekend that is easy and screen-free? Here are five of my family's go-to ideas for quick (and not too messy) crafting time! 

1. Nature collage Go outside and collect whatever catches their eye — leaves, petals, little sticks, interesting rocks. Then come inside and glue it all onto cardstock or a canvas panel. The collecting part is honestly half the fun — and it gets everyone outside away from their devices. Bonus points if you turn it into a nature walk while hunting for the perfect collage materials! 

2. DIY bookmarks Cut cardstock into strips, grab some markers or fancy pens, and let your imagination take over! The kids and I love making bookmarks that go along with the stories that we are reading (Ahnika made a particularly adorable Harry Potter bookmark, and Vinny made a Magic Treehouse one). For extra durability, seal with a laminator (or you can use packing tape on either side and trim the excess). If you want to get fancy, punch a hole in the top and add a ribbon or yarn tassel! 

3. Painted rocks Smooth rocks, acrylic paint, a little imagination. They always look great, even when a four-year-old is doing the painting. I like to paint these outdoors for less mess, and they are fun to scatter around the garden, or even in the pots of indoor plants.