Crafts – Simple & Feasible
October 26, 2009 by Ruthanne
Are you intimidated by crafts? Do you struggle for ideas? Hate the mess? Feel like you can’t justify the added expense?
Incorporating craft time into your school day does not have to be frustrating or break the bank. In fact, it can be fun with just a few simple tips!
(1) Google is your friend.
If the curriculum you’re using does not include suggestions for crafts and the thought of coming up with crafts on your own scares the daylight out of you, then use Google for some ideas. I took this route frequently last year because I wasn’t thrilled with a lot of the suggestions in the curriculum we were using. The internet has a treasure trove of ideas just waiting to be found.
(2) Print out instructions.
After you’ve picked the craft you would like to do, print out the list of supplies and instructions. It’s much easier to print it out than to go back and try to find the same site later if you’re unsure of something. Believe me – I’ve learned from experience!
(3) Schedule multiple crafts together
If you’re curriculum suggests several crafts during the week and/or month, then schedule all of them for one day. That way you only have to clean up craft mess once and can devote a greater chunk of time to creating your masterpiece instead of hurrying on to the next thing.
(4) Be Selective
Just because your curriculum gives you a list of ten crafts does not mean you need to make all of them. Choose the ones that will give you the most bang for the buck – those that will reinforce what you’re studying and will be the most fun! Only you know what will excite and interest your children.
(5) Table Cover
You’re going to want a cover on your table. Crafts will be much more fun if you’re not worried about the inevitable paint and hot glue spills (plus the cleanup will be quicker and easier)! Keep a plastic tablecloth stored away with all your craft supplies. That way you know exactly where it is when it’s time for crafts and you don’t have to tear your house up looking for it.
(6) Old T-Shirts
Instead of using dad’s old t-shirts for rags, hold onto them for craft time. They’re perfect for painting and more economical than purchasing a smock! Keep them stored away with your table cover and other craft supplies.
(7) Stock up
Keep an eye on the sales fliers for your local craft stores. Be sure to stock up when key items go on sale, such as paint, sketch paper, foam, ribbon, sponge brushes, jumbo craft sticks, etc.
(8) Reuse/Recycle
Don’t throw away those toilet paper or wrapping paper rolls, coffee cans, or oatmeal boxes. They can be used for all sorts of creations: castles, drums, kaleidoscopes, horns, etc.
(9) Have fun!
Doing crafts with your children is not about perfection, but about giving them an opportunity to express themselves through the hands-on medium of art. So get your paint brushes, roll up your sleeves, and prepare for some creative fun with your children!
Ruthanne has been homeschooling for just over a decade. She’s passionate about many things ~ the Lord, her principal and students (mother to four boys and a girl), photography, baking and really good coffee. You can find her blogging at www.eclecticwhatnot.com where she shares a few random thoughts and loads of pictures.
Related posts:
- October Unit Study Helper: Apples & Autumn I am very excited to bring you a specific unit extender here at Heart of...
- Holiday Sweets: Gumdrop Ornaments What a sweet treat to add to your tree or your faux gingerbread men! What...
- Narration: Simple, Easy, and Exciting If you follow a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling, you already know what narration is....
- Simple Clicking It is a wonderful time of the year for homeschoolers as conventions and curriculum fairs...
Carol on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 9:31 am
Thanks for the tips!
I am one who cringes at any craft so this was very helpful!
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I would love to hear how it goes! Good luck.
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
Marsha on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 9:53 am
You’re right, I really should print them out! I have so many things bookmarked and file foldered that I don’t even want to look at it.
Marsha´s last blog ..This scares me
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Now that I’ve given you a helpful idea, you must do something for me. Bwahahahaha. It involves the words Grande and Coffee. ;D
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
Michelle on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 12:45 pm
Great article
I love the crafting that comes along with homeschoolong…as long I don’t have to “draw” lol Printing out my favs right away along with instructions is a good idea, much better than favoriting them all for later! I see a nice big binder of craft ideas in my future ;b
Michelle´s last blog ..Long Overdue
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I bet your drawing would be considered a masterpiece by your children.
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
melissa~afamiliarapath on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 2:20 pm
i have tons of craft stuff. how do i keep my house from becoming a dumping ground for craft supplies and homemade items that my kids can’t part with? that’s the downside of homeschooling no one ever talks about. i need therapy for it.
melissa~afamiliarapath´s last blog ..I can’t handle the fun
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Ha ha! Good question! ;D
I think you just gave me my next article topic.
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
Tracy on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 4:08 pm
Great tips!!
Tracy´s last blog ..Free Snuggie!
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Thanks, Tracy! ;D
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
Deb on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 5:54 pm
Oy, the crafts! I WANT to like doing crafts with the kids, I really do….
Anyway, here is a tip for you: My kids are little and tend to pull the protective tablecloth or newpapers off the table. One day as I was muttering under my breath “if only this thing had elastic on it” EUREKA! And old crib sheet works perfectly to cover my kitchen table! The elastic pops right onto the table and no one pulls it off or sits on it! It’s perfect! If you have a bigger table, just use a bigger fitted sheet, or even a fitted plastic sheet.
Pretty Awesome for someone who doesn’t even like doing crafts, huh?
[Reply]
Ruthanne Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Oh my goodness!
That tip is awesome ~ thanks so much for sharing.
Ruthanne´s last blog ..Crafts ~ Simple & Feasible
[Reply]
Friday Favorites October 30, 2009 — Daily Dwelling on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 10:36 am
[...] Crafts: Simple and Feasible by Heart of the Matter Online [...]
Shannon on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 12:07 pm
I love the idea of just having all of your curriculum’s craft projects combined onto one day. Then you only have to clean up the mess once – BRILLIANT!
Melissa, have you thought about taking pictures of your kids craft projects and keeping them in a photo album? You might could get away with displaying the art project in a special place {a.k.a. refrigerator
} for a week and then tossing those that will take up a lot of space. Coloring pages or other flat pieces of “art” could go into the photo album with the photos of the other craft projects.
Just an idea….
Shannon´s last blog ..On a Recipe for Caramel Apple Dip
[Reply]
Melissa on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 3:36 pm
I love the idea of doing all the crafts on one day. Or at least the idea in theory sounds good to me ; ) I struggle with feeling like this isn’t ‘real work’ and just skipping the fun, hands-on stuff. But when I look back on my schooldays, its the hands-on stuff that sticks out in my mind. Hmmmmmmm……need to get some glue out today, I think.
Melissa´s last blog ..A Contest
[Reply]