One way that I keep my kids from getting bored from fighting with each other busy over the summer is with crafts. You don’t have to be a camp counselor to come up with a summer craft that your kids will enjoy. You also don’t need to spend a fortune on supplies. My motto is “keep it simple, easy, cheap, and fun”!
The dollar section of stores like Target, JoAnn Fabrics, and Mitchaels are filled to the brim with crafting ideas on a budget. I picked up 6 miniature bird houses from the dollar section at JoAnn Fabrics. Then because I knew I wanted to hang them in the tree in our backyard I picked up 4 bottles of patio paint by deco art. They were just over a dollar each. Patio paint is great to use on outdoor projects. I think when you’re crafting with small kids keeping the color choices to a minimum works out best so you really don’t need to overdue it by purchasing every color under the sun. Especially when you’re working on a small project.
In my opinion, summer crafts are best when you’re working outside (and a whole lot easier to set up and clean up). I use a paint drop cloth to cover the table so we don’t have to worry about any painting mishaps. My kids also have “painting clothes” which are just old clothes. Kids like to make messes – I say let them!
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| That’s my almost 13 yr. old niece joining in the fun! Oh and that’s my watch dog over in the corner. 🙂 |
As far as my supplies go I make use of what I have before buying. Plastic cups work well to hold the water for cleaning the brushes, and paper plates make great paint palettes.
Then I sit back or join in the fun and watch the creativity flow!
I like crafting things with the kids that will be displayed or used in some way. It makes them feel so proud to see something they made on display in our home! I also love the whimsy it adds!
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| You have to look at this pic closely, but you can see them from the patio. Pay no attention to the unfinished stain on the stairs. I ran out of stain last fall and still haven’t finished! Oh yeah and the patchy grass is getting help, so hopefully it will be lush soon. |
The most important thing is just having fun and spending time together! These are the moments I thank God that I’m alive! These are the moments I’ll remember all my life. I’ve found all I’ve waited for, and I could not ask for more. A million points to whoever knows the song title to those lyrics!
So, do you have any simple, easy, cheap and fun craft projects that you’d like to share? If so, add a link so we can all learn some great ideas!
*Linking up at Ten June
so cute and fun! it is so great to get the kinds involved with things like this because they love to be creative, help in the yard, and then see what comes to live in the home they painted!