Photo by Shimelle Laine
Creativity and craftiness are not my specialty. In fact, I would definitely label myself as creatively-challenged. I don’t have an artsy bone in my body.
BUT, I wish that I did. And now that I have kids, I really want to try to instill at least a little bit of creativity in them. I want to encourage them to make and create without feeling hindered by my own lack of creativity.
I have a few concerns about doing regular craft type activities that keep me from getting started with crafting with my kids – besides lack of craftiness, of course. I don’t know how to handle the materials and supplies needed for crafts, as well as what to do with the crafts once they are created. So I’m wondering…
How do you do “frugally green” crafts with your kids?
How do you feel about using supplies or materials one time, and then possibly recycling or throwing them away? And if you don’t throw them away, how do you deal with the organization and storage of completed crafts projects?
So, all you creative and crafty mamas (and dads too!) out there, I want, and need, your tips and advice for doing crafts with your children while still being a good steward of your resources!
Also, don’t forget about the giveaway for Herbal Nurturing this week. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment!
I love this site. I keep it around for when I have kids 🙂
http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/
Here’s a fun one:
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/how-to-cook-with-toddlers-painting-toast-home-hacks-108227
and
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/toys-kids/diy-marble-run-113959
and
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/paint-bag-119175
I don’t have kids yet, but I bet you could use cereal boxes (cardboard) for crafts..that way you are re-using something you would recycle and you could go ahead and recycle it later on down the road too.
I bet you’re more creative than you think! Most recyclable items can be used in crafts. Just google image “toilet paper roll crafts” and wait to be amazed. 🙂 Besides my own humble site 😉 a few that often make good use of recyclables are: sillyeaglebooks.com, frugalfamilyfunblog.com, 5orangepotatoes.com.
I bought a frame from Target that hinges open and allows you to display your kids artwork. I also have an accordion file to store favorite (flat) artwork. But since I personally hate having things just lie around, we make lots of edible crafts and crafts from natural materials (leaves, pinecones, etc.)
As far as storage goes, I have two large plastic drawers that I keep under my bed to hold the various ribbons, silk flowers, puffy balls, pipe cleaners, pony beads, egg cartons, scrap paper, and whatever else might one day be useful. I also have a smaller bin where I keep our markers, crayons, playdough, paint, paint brushes, etc.
I didn’t consider myself in the least bit crafty when I started, either, so don’t let that get in the way of having a creative blast with your kids!