https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 22:45:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1885728 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:01:46 +0000 sarac 1885728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just say no to pointless kid crafts! I am very opposed to parent led crafting, in general. My daughter is three, and she's just starting to get interested in art on her own. I have the stuff around, and get it out when she asks, and that's it. But that's it - no direction or expectations on my part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1885349 Thu, 02 Oct 2014 08:51:14 +0000 bunnylovesbear 1885349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is the same way. Not big into projects...even when he is at school he typically won't do whatever the daily project is. I guess he's just not into artsy stuff just yet. He'll sometimes color/draw with markers or crayons with me for 10 mins tops, but it just doesn't hold his attention. Even when I break out the paints and easel outside, he'll get really excited about it but then only participate for like 30 seconds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1885051 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:57:25 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1885051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: Yes. Though, unfortunately, we learned about "things not to cut" prior to figuring out "okay things to cut." In true Lorelei fashion. And she is fast. I was watching her, but she managed to snip a hunk of carpet, some of small dog's fur, and (waaah! my favorite!) one of her skirts. Not all on the same day, at least. Now she has a pretty good idea of acceptable behavior with scissors, and knows she will be on break and unable to use them if she isn't compliant. Hopefully your daughter will be more like Ellie was and never have an experimental phase with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1885029 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 21:34:18 +0000 Freckles 1885029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Twine: whatever keeps them occupied, right?? I'm worried that she will realize that these scissors can cut more than paper! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884901 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 19:01:47 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1884901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: Lorelei is obsessed with cutting lengths of Ellie's embroidery thread (Ellie uses it to make bracelets). She will just happily cut away for a long, long time. I have given her that activity before when I needed to get something done. I figure she is improving her fine motor skills. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884896 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:55:36 +0000 Andrea 1884896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't stress about doing them. I'm not really into them so I rarely bother. We do them more in the winter when we are stuck indoors. They do lots of crafts at school so I feel like that's enough. At home it's just basic coloring and drawing, which they love anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884785 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:24:19 +0000 meredithNYC 1884785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Crafts stress me out, so I just don't bother with them. Frankly, life is too short and I figure LO will have years ahead of her to do these things in preschool/kindergarten/the early grades. Shrug. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884768 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:08:11 +0000 looch 1884768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha, I thought the same thing, turns out I wasn't doing the crafts the "kid way" and I was stressing myself out. One thing that really helped me was to back away from Pinterest. I don't have the ability, time or money to create that level of perfection. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884704 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:27:44 +0000 Chillybear 1884704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess i lucked out having an artist for a Dad we always had a dedicated space to do arts and crafts (his studio) and even now in my own home i have a dedicated space in the basement to do messy projects. My dad was always working on a different piece and i loved watching him work and loved it even more when he would let me "try" - When i was a child he was an airbrush artist mostly advertising graphic design, which evolved into computer graphic design and photoshop/illustrator became more prevalent. </p> <p>I cant say how young i was when i started really getting into crafts but it probably 3-4. My brother on the other hand is the complete opposite and wanted nothing to do with art supplies of any kind. </p> <p>I think sensory activities are great at any age but maybe art just isnt your LO's forte maybe its baking. Mixing ingredients, shaping dough, cause and effect of cooking and the best part tasting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884702 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:26:01 +0000 Freckles 1884702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The one thing that annoys me about daycare crafts is that LO's craft always looks perfect. Not all kids are into crafts, so maybe expectations need to be changed - "mess time", not "follow just another impossible pinterest activity." I don't focus on the mess, but LO knows that paint/crayons/markers go on paper, not the table. When LO was younger, i taped a bunch of garbage bags on the floor and let her do whatever. Lately all LO wants to do is cut paper into strips - fine by me!</p> <p>@mrbee: I'm relieved you say that because LO is always asking me to draw things! LO is barely drawing circles, so i don't mind drawing things for her. But when i'm drawing a person, i'll ask what she wants me to see on the person (e.g., eyes, ears, nose, etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884672 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:10:31 +0000 aegie 1884672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if weather permits, I would do chalk art outside or make chalk paint in squeeze bottles so he can have fun and let loose. Make a BIG mess. Touch and just go nuts. Then you can spray it all clean with a hose which is another sensory play. I think key is to remember it's okay to make a big ole mess. Lay out layers of paper shopping bags to protect furniture, but don't stress. Just tell him to touch, play, draw and have fun. If you're having fun .. he'll catch on. </p> <p>For art, I squeeze blobs of paint onto the canvas or into small tupperware containers. I let my LO paint with a brush but she inevitably, dumps the paint in the containers onto the canvas and then paints with huge globs of paint on the canvas. But whatever ... she's having fun touching the paint and doing what she will. I have to take deep breaths and remind myself that it's all washable and she's releasing her inner artist. Haha ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun/page/2#post-1884535 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:50:15 +0000 mrsjyw 1884535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't particularly spend a lot of time doing crafts yet. I imagine we will this winter with a lot of indoor time. DS likes stickers, finger painting, and his color wonder markers from time to time. But more than anything he's a tactile, outdoor-sy kid. I def agree that it depends on the kid and activity as far as what they get really interested in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884520 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:45:20 +0000 immabeetoo 1884520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: Oh sure - I meant for HER to stop doing them, since it was clearly a point of high tension when it wasn't going "right". I didn't mean they were bad for anyone/everyone. We don't really do them at this age at home mostly because I don't enjoy them as much, and he gets exposure to that at library storytimes and events. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884492 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:29:34 +0000 Boogs 1884492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe your LO would be more into different types of activities. My LO loves to bake and cook, so we do more of that than art because it holds his attention longer. For art, I keep things simple otherwise the prep and clean up take longer than LO actually enjoyed everything. </p> <p>Have you tried chalk paint? We love it because it's simple, but fun and easier to clean compared to regular paint. Mix up water, cornstarch, and food coloring. You can paint on cement and just hose off. You can also use it to paint on paper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884483 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:22:37 +0000 photojane 1884483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: We've done something similar, and Sadie enjoyed it, but it didn't hold her attention as long as regular painting does. It's a nice quick project though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884472 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:15:02 +0000 Mama Bird 1884472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's no right way to do art at this age! He still has to learn what all these things do, even if he is starting to figure out that paint is supposed to go on paper : ) I still have a hard time not grabbing paint away from my 22 month old when he starts making a giant mess, but trying to remind myself that as long as it's safe and washable, it's ok :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884412 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:53:51 +0000 mediagirl 1884412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: I've seen those and thought about them but I also think they may annoy her...she likes to explore and destroy things so I could see her getting angry that she can't get INTO the bag. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884411 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:53:49 +0000 photojane 1884411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: these are my favorite: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Washable-Kids-Paint-Bottles/dp/B00004UBH3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1412185823&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=crayola+paint" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Washable-Kids-Paint-Bottles/dp/B00004UBH3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1412185823&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=crayola+paint</a>. Super washable! I can do clean up quick with just a baby wipe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884404 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:51:23 +0000 MaryM 1884404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: and @photojane: have you tried the paint in bags thing? I saw it on pinterest and thought it was probably "just another pinterest thing"...but one of my friends tried it with her 2 and 4 year old boys and they really liked it! you put the paint in a gallon size ziplock bag and tape it to a table. they can push the paint all around, but their hands never get messy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884399 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:49:08 +0000 photojane 1884399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: We do "structured" art projects/crafts, and Sadie and I both enjoy it. I guess having a teaching background, I realize that it will never go as planned, so I start with no expectations! While I am totally for creative expression, and we do lots of "freestyle" art, I do think there's a lot of benefit in doing some projects that require toddlers to follow directions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884393 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:44:39 +0000 Smurfette 1884393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: What kind of paint do you use? We don't do much crafts at home since she does at school, but with winter coming, I need more inside stuff on the weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884381 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:38:19 +0000 mediagirl 1884381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: I agree - I got stressed out reading this, too!! I figure there are no real "rules" when it comes to art.<br /> @photojane: she's going to get brushes for Christmas so we will try that soon! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884371 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:33:29 +0000 photojane 1884371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Sadie's the same with finger painting! She stressed out until I wipe her hands. We only uses brushes now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884369 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:32:32 +0000 mediagirl 1884369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have done lots of art projects at home and we repeat the successful ones. Finger painting is a BIG FAT PAIN in our house because she wants to do it but then, as soon as her hands are messy, she wants to wash them. And repeat 4,000x. I try to encourage arts and crafts that she enjoys like glue and paper scraps, play doh and coloring. My daughter is 28 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884365 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:31:09 +0000 JerricaBenton 1884365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love crafting and I tend to micromanage lo's crafts at home. I also get stressed out by huge messes. We signed up for an art class once a week and it's great! The stuff is all there, I can kind of relax since it isn't 'my' project, she can get inspiration from the other kids, and perhaps best of all I don't have to clean up lol. We get to do the messy stuff there and we stick to coloring and ripping and gluing at home for now (she's 19 months.) If I want to do a messy craft at home we go outside! That works well, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884354 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:24:55 +0000 photojane 1884354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It definitely depends on the kid. Just like adults, some kids are really into arts/crafts, and some just aren't. Every kid can enjoy arts/crafts though. The key is letting go of your expectations--let your little one explore &amp; learn. There will always be some projects your LO is totally into &amp; some they couldn't care less about. </p> <p>Also, as hard as it sounds, it will be way more enjoyable for both of you if you don't worry so much about the mess. If you're worried about the table, buy a big role of kraft paper to cover it. I also always keep wipes and a hand towel on the table when we're using paint or other messy stuff. I can wipe her hands real quick before we head to the sink. </p> <p>We're working on a letter of the week project right now, so we do an activity every day, which means my house basically gets destroyed every day... </p> [attach=1879/14/ncs0dl.450x600.IMG_4396.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884337 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:16:19 +0000 travelgirl1 1884337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: :grin: I often wish that public places, like restrooms, had places to contain kids, just for five minutes so they didn't, you know, open the door and expose you to the world, empty out a cleaning cupboard, etc. Tape would work fabulously :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884335 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:15:55 +0000 immabeetoo 1884335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading this stressed me out! I would stop doing things that have a "right" way. We just get art supplies out and play; I want him to have a joy for creating. I've never read or heard that it's bad to drAw for your kids; read the Article but don't plan to stop unless it seems to cause stress. </p> <p>We haven't tried using glue yet and usually do paint in the tub or outside. Crayons and dry erase crayons on blank paper are fun for both of us! So are pipe cleaners, poms, and stickers.</p> <p>Bottom line if you're frustrated I'm sure he picks up on that and it makes it less fun for both of you. Maybe seek out an art class or something when he is older so the mess isn't your problem? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884331 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:13:51 +0000 hilsy85 1884331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: That is a great idea! I need to start taping garbage bags to the table. If only I could tape LO to his chair as well :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-crafts-are-not-fun#post-1884328 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:13:01 +0000 autumnlove 1884328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I draw for my LO and It doesn't seem to discourage her or prevent her from drawing her own pics. </p>