Crafting your way through toddlerhood

Stumped on what to do with your little growing people this afternoon? How about some arts and crafts! Here’s a great list of 25 of the best crafts for little hands

This list is chock-full of some of my all-time favorite ways to give young children the freedom to create while not breaking the bank or creating more of a mess than you are willing to deal with.

Here are my suggestions for making craft time work for everyone:

Figure out what’s age appropriate for your child(ren)  – If your little person is still in the phase of putting everything in his or her mouth then it’s not worth bringing out supplies that are going to evoke a lot of “no’s.” Pick something that is full of “yes yes yes!”
Check in with yourself and see what you are up for  – If you get flustered and resentful when a big mess is made, it’s best to avoid crafts and projects that are messy. Likewise, if you are up for getting down and dirty, go for it. Remember, the boundary lies within you and it’s best for your little ones when you make choices that are going to keep you in balance.
Set up the supplies you need - Sometimes it’s hard for a little person to wait for things to happen. When you are getting them going on a craft or project it may be best to get everything ready the night before or during nap time so you aren’t flustered when your little person is grabbing at things before you are available to help and guide.
Have fun! – Remember, the goal is to have fun. Let your little one explore and try and mess up and enjoy the process. If you feel yourself wanting to jump in and make it “pretty” or “right” it’s best if you go ahead and make your own craft. Your little one will get way more out of the experience of experimenting with the materials then having you jump in to make it look a certain way.

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I’d love to know what kind of crafts you love to do with your toddler. Please share in the comments below.

For much more on being with little growing people, check out my course On Toddlerhood. It’s a game changer and is guaranteed to bring more ease, more joy and way more cooperation to daily life with your little ones.