{"id":3700,"date":"2017-07-20T16:13:08","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T06:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/?p=3700"},"modified":"2017-07-20T16:13:08","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T06:13:08","slug":"craft-for-toddlers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canvasfactory.co.nz\/blog\/craft-for-toddlers\/","title":{"rendered":"Craft For Toddlers: 21 Super Cute, Colourful Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Craft<\/p>\n

It often takes a while for parents to accept that their little Josephine or Johnny isn’t going to suddenly present rare artistic genius at age 3. Of course, the key is understanding that’s not what craft for toddlers is about – by any stretch of the imagination!<\/p>\n

It’s about honing fine motor skills, cultivating sensory skills and learning through play. While that sounds fancy in writing, that doesn’t mean we’re talking about craft activities that are dull, boring and basic. Far from it. The complete opposite in fact!<\/p>\n

It actually means craft that is engaging, colourful, cute and fun for your toddler and for you. All of it requires supervision, but some of it requires less and some of it requires more. It’s often wonderful to watch how something that was once challenging (e.g. holding a paintbrush) becomes much easier over time, with practice.<\/p>\n

These 21 super cute craft ideas for toddlers include activities that hone their fine motor skills; build their sensory skills; give them the opportunity to play with paint and colour; create craft using found and recycled objects; and have fun creating different animals.<\/p>\n

Ready to get a bit messy for the greater good?<\/p>\n

Honing Fine Motor Skills<\/h2>\n

Honing fine motor skills isn’t simply about your child getting better at crafting. According to Parents<\/a> magazine “fine motor abilities allow for increasing independence in smaller but equally significant matters: opening doors, zipping zippers, brushing teeth, washing hands, and so on.” They also open doors to “exploration, learning, and creative expression.”<\/p>\n

Crafting a colourful button chain gives kids the opportunity to practice buttoning and unbuttoning without the pressure of having to do it quickly (in order to leave the house!) while threading a groovy pasta necklace means they learn hand eye coordination. Using tools, appropriate for their age and under close supervision, like safety scissors and hole punchers give kids skills but also a sense of achievement – something the ‘big kids’ know how to do.<\/p>\n

1. Rainbow Pasta Necklace<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0The Imagination Tree<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

2. Button Chain<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0A Crafty Living<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

3. Painted Eggs<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0No Time For Flash Cards<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

4. Lantern Craft<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0The OT Toolbox<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

Cultivating Sensory Skills<\/h2>\n

While sensory play also involves building fine motor skills, it also offers toddlers other key benefits to their development. According to The Spruce<\/a>, it helps your child learn.<\/p>\n

Often, when we talk about sensory play, we focus on touch – and we’ve certainly done that in these craft activities below. However, smell and taste are also key factors.<\/p>\n

These ideas below focus on touch and involve a number of different textures – sticky paint and squishy play dough. It’s all about feeling the different textures and getting your hands and your feet dirty – in a good way!<\/p>\n

5. Tummy Time Painting<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Mama.Papa.Bubba<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

6. Earth Day Handprint<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Teach Me Mommy<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

7. Eyeball Monster<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Puppy And Dog Tails<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

8. Baby Play Dough<\/strong><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Mama.Papa.Bubba<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Craft<\/p>\n

Playing With Colour<\/h2>\n

These activities are fun for the whole family (as they say). Revel in a fantastical world of rainbow and multi-coloured delights.<\/p>\n

The butterfly craft is so simple yet so effective. It means a child can easily craft something that looks like a real animal.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the raised salt painting is glorious in its lack of defined structure. It features some complexity, but nothing Mums and Dads can’t handle! You and your little ones can let your creativity run wild and the result is extraordinary.<\/p>\n

9. Raised Salt Painting<\/strong><\/p>\n

By The Artful Parent<\/a><\/p>\n