Arts and Crafts ideas please

[keyslover]

I am working on less TV more activities. Arts and crafts are high on my list. In the past we have done kits, but they can be $$$. I like the kits because they offer direction- does that go against the idea of creativity?

Anyway, would I be better off just going to Michaels and getting random stuff? Extra points if you give me ideas.

The girls are 4 years old and 15 months.

Thanks- the long MN winter is closing in on us soon

[Deleted]

Are you on Pinterest? Look for "busy bag" or "quiet book" on there. Loads of ideas.
Like this: www.playcreateexplore.com/p/busy-bags.html

[karinothing]

Have you been to the Play at Home mom website? It can be a bit over the top sometimes but there are some really neat ideas. playathomemom3.blogspot.com/

There are a wide range of activities for all ages on there. Plus specific instructions!

[satama]

Google moon dough or cloud dough. All you need is flour and baby oil. It can be messy, but kept DS busy for like 3 hours! I just put a plastic table cloth under his table.

[satama]

I also like Disney family fun for craft ideas. I am not a fan of play at home mom. Lol.

We also do sponge painting, play dough, finger paints, water colors, coloring and stickers on a regular rotation. It can be fun to make cards for grandparents for special occasions. We also do multiple handprint crafts for the grandparents. Sidewalk chalk and homemade sidewalk paint (corn starch mixed with water and food coloring) are also good for outdoors. We also save all our toilet paper and paper towel tubes for crafts.

Money saving tip- go to walmart, target and the craft store after the holidays and you can often get craft kits for deep discounts. I got a huge kit of pom poms, google eyes, pipe cleaners, etc for like a dollar at walmart after Halloween. It was all in purple, black, orange and green, but we have used them for a ton of stuff (making robots and monsters with tp tubes is a good one). I also check the dollar store and they have a lot of good stuff you can use for crafts, sometimes even little kits. Also check the target dollar spot for kits or supplies.

[satama]

If you don't mind some junk food, edible stuff is always fun. Rice krispie treats have different ideas for each holiday and they can decorate them and then have a treat. If we do these I try to do them on a playdate or when grandparents will be visiting so I can give some away. We also like baking and decorating different themed sugar cookies. I stock up on sprinkles and things after holidays too.

Sorry, I keep coming up with more ideas.

[keyslover]

Thanks for the ideas Sometimes I just get stuck in a rut or am just plain lazy