Creative Fun for Little Ones
Creative Hands, Happy Hearts
Discover the pure joy of child activity through messy fingers and bright imaginations. We focus on the playful process of creation over perfection, letting little ones explore their world through tactile arts and crafts.
Jumbo Craft/Butcher Paper Ideas
There is something magical about a giant canvas, so sometimes just adding a few markers or crayons to a large piece of craft paper or butcher paper is enough. However, here a few other ideas to use it:
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Put it on the floor and draw streets/roads for toy cars & trucks. Add some block buildings for houses, schools, fire houses, etc.
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Put it on the floor and make a human-sized board game. Color or number squares and roll the dice to move around the game.
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Put it on a wall with categories listed at the top (i.e. colors, letters, numbers). Then hide post-it notes that have those items around the house. Challenge the kiddos to find all of the post -its and stick them to the right category.
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Let your kiddo lay on the paper while you trace around them with a marker. Then let them 'dress' their new friend with markers, stickers, etc. Help them cut it out and display it proudly!
Learn and Grow
Have you heard of Wikki Stix? I had not until they were given to my grandson at a restaurant instead of the usual crayons. It is hard to explain them, but they remind me of waxy pipe cleaners. He was fascinated by them (as was I) and it kept him entertained longer than most table activities. After just twisting, curling, rolling into a ball, etc., he then began to make bracelets & rings for everyone at the table. Since then, I have found that most play doh printables also work well with Wikki Stix, so grab those shape, alphabet and number flash cards or this Tracing Printable as templates and encourage your kids to mold away! This is one of my FAVORITE items to keep in my on-the-go bag. There is also a Wikki Stix Activity Book and multi packs, so a great idea for classroom gifts, favor bags, or even Halloween treats.
Fun With Wikki Stix
Directed Drawing
Directed drawing is a step-by-step illustration of how to draw something. Download this free printable and laminate if you want to reuse them. There are also seasonal Directed Drawing printables on the Seasonal/Holiday pages. Direct your child to try to follow the numbered directions to replicate the drawing. You can do with with paper and markers, but it is easiest to use a dry erase board and dry erase markers, as there are some lines that need to be erased as you create. It also makes it less wasteful for your paper supply. This is a great activity for your on-the-go bag!
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I have never been artistic, but I remember loving to trace as a kid. I guess because it was the only way anyone recognized what I had drawn. :) I think a lot of kids still love creating something cool - even if it was copied. This is a great and simple way to develop those fine motor skills, using just tracing paper and some markers or a pencil. Start with simple things, like tracing alphabet flash cards, number flash cards, or use this free printable that includes basic traceable pictures. There is also a dedicated page for each season. If you have a light table, this would be a great activity for that, too!
Tracing Practice
Stencil Practice
Am I the only one that enjoyed using stencils as a kid? Time to pass on that love the kiddos. Grab a large piece of craft paper or butcher paper or take them outdoors with sidewalk chalk or just a spray bottle or paint brush & water.  This is great for motor skills, as it takes two hands to master it.Â
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