You are probably wondering what I did that I feel deserves an entire blog post. Did I create a chandelier out of vintage pieces and renewable resources? No.
Did I build my children a mini stage to put on plays and play dress up, complete with hand made costumes and backdrops that I designed and painted myself? Nope.
Did I pull a Leslie Knope, and create a mosaic of my best gal pal out from crushed bottles of her favorite diet soda? I most certainly did not.
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| Thanks, NBC and Parks and Recreation |
So what did I do? I'll tell you! I made.... (drumroll, please).... HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH!
Oh let me guess, you're not impressed. But let me tell you, this is by far the craftiest thing I have ever done. My poor children were not blessed with a very creative mommy. I think the last "craft" I did with my children (besides coloring or water color painting) was making snow flakes out of coffee filters around Christmas time.
I have never been someone who enjoys arts and crafts. As a child, I would dread craft time. I hated it when an "artist in residence" would come to our class for one week a year. They would show up and literally ruin my life for one week straight. I have never felt any sort of rest or relaxation from trying to do an art project. I usually just feel a sense inadequacy and nausea.
So why did I attempt something that was sure to make me perspire more than a four mile run through the world's longest sauna? Two reasons:
1. I really love my kids, and they really wanted some play dough
2. My mom and the website convinced me that even a small child could make it.
So I got a play dough recipe off this website: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/ and I got to work.
It really was easy! I mean, It was literally just warming up a dough mixture over the stove. I didn't have any food coloring, so my little ones just used plain white play dough to make their little creations. Thank goodness they appear to be more creative than me.
After I had finished my task, I called my mother, brother, and husband. I realize that is absolutely ridiculous, but hey, it was a pretty big deal to me!
I am now realizing that it you allow the dough to dry, it becomes cement. Currently, I am chipping dried play dough off every surface in my home. What was I thinking?
What are your easy go-to crafts?
Chyan
Tip: there are multiple no-cook playdough recipes, and yes kids can make it themselves ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd. I love you.
Also. The great thing about crafts for kids is that it should be all about them and the process, not the product, so it's perfectly fine (and actually desirable) to let them do all the crafting. Just put out supplies, paint or glue and recyclables, or some fuzzy sticks and beads and let them do whatever they're inspired to do. YOU don't have to be crafty, you just have to put stuff out for them. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood point, Cyndi! Thinking of it that way actually takes a lot of the pressure off! Even if I did try to be crafty with them, they wouldn't care about the difference between a good looking craft or a bad one :)
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