Crafts are essential for children's development. It gives them an opportunity to express themselves creatively, learn better math by identifying shape, size etc and learn more about colours. It also improves their hand-eye co ordination and motor control.
Apart from this, it makes them think faster and make decisions quicker, making them smarter.
Here are a few craft ideas that you can do with your child:
Finger puppets
You'll need:
- A4 size paper
- Small black and white cartoons
- Scissors
- Glue
- Colours
Method:
- Cut out 5 cartoon characters and give it to your child to colour.
- Cut out a ½-inch wide strip of paper that is long enough to go around the top portion of your child's finger.
- Glue the ends on the strip to form a band.
- Glue this band to the back of the coloured cartoon characters to make finger puppets.
Vase painting
You'll need:
- Mud (terracotta) vase
- Oil paint (2 contrasting colours of your choice)
- A bucket of water
Method:
- Pour few drops of both oil paints in circular motion in the bucket of water.
- Dip the vase in the centre of the bucket. The paint will stick to the vase.
- Allow it to dry.
Semolina painting
You'll need:
- Semolina - 1 cup
- Water colours
- Cardboard sheet
- Pencil
- Glue
Method:
- Draw a design on the cardboard sheet (flower, strawberry etc).
- Based on the design, choose colours to mix with semolina.
- Divide semolina into the number of colours being used.
- Mix water colours with semolina and allow it to dry.
- Apply good amount of glue on the drawing and spread coloured semolina on top of it.
- Allow it to dry.
- Punch holes on top the sheet, attach strings to it and hang it on the wall.
Egg shell collage
You'll need:
- Egg shells
- Cardboard sheets
- Pencil
- Water colours
- Paint brush
- Glue
Method:
- Wash and dry egg shells. Colour each shell with a different colour, let it dry and crush the shells.
- Draw any design on the cardboard sheet.
- Apply glue on the design. Spread and stick the coloured egg shells.
- Allow it to dry.
Hand printed sun
You'll need:
- White cardboard sheet
- Orange cardboard sheet
- Non-toxic paint
- Gold glitter (optional)
- Cellophane tape or glue
- Compass or any other thing to make circles
Method:
- Cut a circle in the white cardboard and paint it yellow. Sprinkle glitter on it and allow it to dry.
- Paint your child's hand yellow and print it on the orange cardboard. Make 5-6 hand prints.
- Cut out the hand prints and stick it behind the yellow circle to make a sun.
- You can draw eyes, nose and mouth on the sun.