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Crafts for Older Kids

Older children, those that are in grades one through four, are still young enough to be interested in doing crafts but old enough to be bored by crafts that are too simple or childish. For these children, you need to come up with craft ideas that will hold their interest, excite their imagination and hopefully teach them something in the process.

Each of the following craft ideas can be modified depending on the age of your child. For a younger child, such as a first grader, just omit steps that are too hard for him, For an older child, such as a fourth grader, add in more steps if necessary or create a game or a use for the craft to share with them.

• Jewelry making. Every young child has made a necklace for mom out of elbow macaroni or plastic straws and strings. Now that your child is a little older, they can make jewelry out of beads and twine or wire. For younger children, choose chunkier beads with bigger holes. For older children, it is ok to let them pick some beads based on how they look and what they like. Try not to get beads with too small of holes because threading the wire or twine may frustrate your child.

After you have your supplies ready, tie a knot at the end of the twine or bend the wire and let your children get creative. If they are having fun, suggest that they make a matching set of jewelry instead of just one item.

• Play museum. Buy your child the biggest canvas you can afford, or a lot of smaller ones and a simple set of paints and paintbrushes. Set them up on top of a sheet to cut down on paint spills and let them stretch their imaginations. After they have finished their masterpiece, show them how to sign it. Once the painting or paintings are done, display them throughout your home and have your child lead you through the gallery explaining each piece and the artist that did it.

• Have a costume party. Decide on a theme for a costume party and let your children make their own costumes. Materials that work best for this project include scraps of material, glue, beads, old socks and t-shirts, old towels, string and ribbon. Have your child be as elaborate as he or she wants to be. While your child makes his or her costume, you can be busy in the kitchen preparing the snacks for the party. Just be sure to keep a close on your children. As soon as the costumes are done and the snacks are ready, have your child "knock" at the kitchen door to announce their arrival at the party. Remember to be a gracious host and compliment all of your guests on their great costumes.

• Ask your children for ideas. Kids this age are great at inventing things. Next time you are searching for something to make with your child, ask them what they would love to make. Even if the idea seems impossible, brains storm ways to make it or at least a variation of it happen.
Remember to have fun. Sometimes it matters more how you made something than what you actually made.


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