Handicrafts with kids

With the longer evenings and colder days of winter drawing near, it’s time to find engaging indoor activities that will captivate children and adults alike. Puzzles, board games, and extra long read-alouds by the fire are all wonderful options, but don’t forget handicrafts! 

Handicrafts naturally build the habits of attention, hand dexterity, gentleness, and perseverance, which are important skills for children (and adults!) to master. They also have the bonus of serving as delightful Christmas presents and ways of connecting as a family over a shared hobby. 

Organization and storage

A struggle with most arts and crafts is the dreaded mess. Most handicraft projects take multiple sessions of work, so curating an assortment of trays and bins for storage ease will keep the potential for mess at bay. Furthermore, having the handicraft easily accessible (but not too accessible to roaming toddlers!) will be more inviting to the crafter than if the supplies are scattered across the house. 

Carving out the time to work consistently on a handicraft project is key to building up attention, hand dexterity, gentleness, and perseverance. Perhaps a few afternoons a week the family listens to an audiobook and works on their handicraft, or every Sunday the family gathers around the fire and works independently on their craft. 

Handicrafts are not just for adults and older children, even young children can be invited into the wonderful world of crafting. Read along for handicraft ideas for every age range and skill level that can be enjoyed with supplies you probably already have around the house or can find easily at your local big box or discount store. 

Preschool handicrafts (also fun for older kids!)

1. Tissue paper mosaics 

Using gift-wrapping tissue paper scraps and watered down glue, children can paint the scraps into whatever design they can imagine. This craft can also work with construction paper, but the tissue paper does give it a special stained glass effect and is especially beautiful. 

To prepare, simply cut up plenty of multi-colored tissue paper. Keep these in a tupperware bin to dish out a small sample size each time the child wants to work on their handicraft. Mix equal parts elmers glue and water in a glass with a tight fitting lid. This mixture should last a few weeks without getting clumpy. You will also need a few paintbrushes and pieces of cardstock. 

Teach the child to put the scrap of tissue paper down on the cardstock and paint with the glue mixture over it. Let them get creative with their placement of the paper and show them the beautiful effect that overlapping the paper can have.  

2. Finger knitting 

With their own fingers and extra chunky yarn, kids can make blankets for their stuffed animals, a scarf, a lasso, or whatever else they can imagine! Follow this detailed YouTube tutorial to learn the art of finger knitting and four finger knitting for older crafters. 

3. Weaving placemats 

Do you need new place settings for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Look no further. Children can weave beautiful placemats out of construction paper for the family table.  

4. Flower pressing bookmarks

Take advantage of the changing seasons. In the summer and early fall, encourage children to collect tiny flowers, blades of grass, and colored leaves. Place the treasures between sheets of parchment paper and leave them to be pressed between the pages of a book. 

After a few days, everything will be pressed and ready to be made into beautiful, natural bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark and tie a pretty piece of jute or raffia to add a special touch.  

Grammar school and above 

1. Paper Sloyd

Working with paper, scissors, and precise measurements, children can make an assortment of nifty objects out of paper. Reference the book Paper Sloyd for Primary Grades or find Youtube videos that give step-by-step instructions for various projects. 

2. Paracord knotting

From paracord compass bracelets to paracord keychains, kids are capable of knotting, tying, and crafting amazing creations! Find a reference guide to get started or work together to follow a Youtube video for instructions.  

3. Plastic lace 

If you went to summer camp growing up, you’re probably familiar with plastic lacing (also known as gimp or boondoggle). This popular handicraft is great for making keychains and lanyards in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. 

Other interesting handicrafts include whittling, raffia straw, metal embossing, clay modeling, and needlepoint. It’s never too early (or too late!) in life to begin a new hobby. Happy handicrafting!