Crafts for Kids and Grandparents

Crafts for kids are as diverse as children themselves. For the youngest children, simple styrofoam cups can be made into people, cats, puppies and other animals using marker pens, some paper, scissors and glue. With some help from Gran to draw the faces and whiskers,cut out the ears and assist to stick them on, you can make quite a menagerie together on a rainy afternoon.

Potato art is another favourite with the younger set.You will need a nice firm potato, a sharp knife (that will be Granny's part), a pencil, some poster or tempera paint in a tinfoil dish and paper to print on.

Cut the potato in half and dry it with paper towel. Then draw a simple shape on it. Hearts, Xs, and circles work well. Use the knife to cut away the potato around the drawing, so that you are left with a 1/3 inch raised design. Blot the potato with paper towel again, then dip the raised design into your paint and stamp it onto the paper. The stamps can be arranged to form a pattern, or a flower , or made into a picture by adding a drawing. For instance, two stamped circles could become two balloons, just by drawing in the strings.

This can be a great way to get younger children to have fun making little cards after Christmas or birthdays and teach them how to say thank-you to friends and family who have sent presents.

If you have old beads in the house, broken necklaces or bracelets, un-string them and fill an old jam jar with them. For an easy project, let the children have some fine fishing line and a pair of scissors and they can make up their own "jewelery". Some dress-up clothes, maybe even a little make-up and who knows - you might have the Duchess of Timbuctoo visiting for tea!

Don't forget to take some photos....

Don't have much time? Not artistic? Here are some downloadable printable craft CDs that will keep your grandchildren busy having fun.
They are available as a set, or you can buy each CD separately. You will find activities, finger puppets, masks and more...

Teach your grandchildren to needlepoint.
If you don't already know how to needlepoint, you can both learn together! Needlepoint is a craft that has been around for centuries. It is not only fun to do, but it helps children develop their math and fine motor skills. Six or seven years old is a good age to learn how to needlepoint. Click through to our link partner Needlepoint-For-Fun.com. for beginner needlepoint instructions and kits.

OK, I know I mentioned Origami Cranes on a previous page and I do have a video for you below...but first here is a nice simple puppy for the smaller folk.

• Take a square of origami or other paper.
• Fold it in half, corner to corner.
• Fold in half again, making a small triangle with the point towards you.
• Fold down the two top points to form ears.
• Fold back the top point to make the top of his head and fold back the tip of the bottom point.
• Draw in his eyes and nose and Voila! a Puppy.

Now, if you can follow that without a diagram, you are brilliant. However you can understand why a crane was out of the question!

And here, for the more advanced origami fan is how to make a Peace Crane

If anyone can help out with really clear diagrams and instructions, PLEASE use the form below. Also, as you can see, I have barely touched on all the different crafts that you can teach and enjoy with your grandchildren. Your contributions will make this section more interesting for everyone. I KNOW there are some really GREAT crafters out there - please share your skills with us. Even better, add a picture to show us.

Do you have some great craft ideas for GPs to share with their Grandkids?

Please share your skills with us here. Let's make this section a true resource! Remember, this is not ONLY for small grandchildren - there are some very skilled teenage crafters too.

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...