DIY – Summer Crafting With Kids

Yesterday I did something I’ve never done before. It’s the middle of summer, but I went out and bought things for . . . Christmas. WAIT, don’t go! I swear I’m not one of those people, I just need things to do with my kids for the next four weeks and thought why not get them to do craft projects now that they can give as gifts later. Plus, if the kids want to paint or make things covered in glitter, they can do it outside. Add to that the fact that they actually have the time to enjoy making things without the responsibilities of homework and extra curriculars vying for their attention and you have a recipe for summertime/festive success. I don’t want to pat my own back or anything, but this is a pretty good idea.

Over the next weeks, any store that carries seasonal items will be selling off their summer stock. I’m looking out for little lanterns, plain bird houses, and clay flower pots because I think these would be fun for the kids to paint and decorate and they would be happy to wrap them up to give as gifts. Not everything will be a sale item, but I’ll be buying craft supplies one way or another, why not do it now while the kids can truly enjoy them?

This is also the perfect time for older kids to make friendship bracelets or hemp necklaces for their friends. I’m always caught off guard when my girls start adding their copious numbers of friends to our gift list. Not this year – they can make a whole boatload of them and figure out who is getting what in December.

If you are having a bit of cabin fever this summer, take the kids to one of those pottery painting places. I’m doing this with my kids in a few weeks. I’m going to have them pick out something they want to give to me. What? I love pottery and my children’s art – it’s perfect. While we are there, I’ll probably paint something for my own mother. Two birds, one stone.

I have a big bin just waiting to hold all of our creations. I plan on putting it with my Christmas decorations so I’ll not be searching the house in a couple of months. Losing a gift that you have taken the time to make for someone is the worst, and I promised the kids that I would not let that happen; they’ve witnessed frantic December 24th gift searches before apparently.

I’m looking forward to the crafting with kids extravaganza that is about to go down at my house. The kids will be busy and having fun which means I’ll get to take a break from refereeing. If we do end up painting or glittering bombing outside, I’ll just turn on the sprinkler when we are through and let them have the first pass of cleaning themselves up. This idea is getting better and better. Happy summer festivus!

Image source: Make It Do, imgarcade.com