Crafty things to do with the kids this spring
Spring is the perfect time to encourage the kids to get creative with arts and crafts. Plus, it’s an excellent way to keep them entertained during the school Easter holidays. If you’re wondering what arts and crafts the children could create, read on to discover some spring-themed ideas.
Rock painting
An easy craft to make that also creates wonderful Easter decorations to have around the home or in the local area is rock painting. This activity is recommended by Sarah from the family blog Boo Roo and Tigger Too, “Painting rocks and then hiding them is a great crafting activity for children. Allowing them to let their creative flair flow as well as bringing a smile to the faces of those people who come across them.
“Start the fun by heading out to your local area, woodlands, etc, to see what rocks and large stones you can find. You could also purchase these from a DIY retailer. Utilising pens and paints allows the children to create different designs on the rocks. Once the paint is dry, add a layer of clear varnish to ensure the design says in good condition. Then head back out with the children to hide their rock painting creations. Whether it’s next to benches, by gates or at the foot of trees!”
This is a great way to add something fun to a family walk on a spring day, as the children can collect the perfect pebbles for their paintings. Sarah adds: “Spring usually signals the start of the better weather, so it's a great way to get outside to find rocks. Collecting supplies as well as getting some fresh air and exercise.”
Bubble painting
Bubble painting is a great idea for those who don’t mind creating a bit of mess. All you need is washing up liquid, kid-friendly paint, bowls, paper straws and paper. Mix the washing up liquid with the paint in the bowls, blow into the bowls using the straw (make sure the kids know not the drink through the straw) and then place the paper on top and you’ll have your own unique painting.
Jupiter from the lifestyle blog Life with Jupiter Hadley suggested bubble painting as a great spring arts and crafts idea: “Bubble painting is better in spring as the bubbles can dry quickly outdoors. It does need some parental help, as the child may need help pressing the paper to the bubble bowl or help to lift them off! They make interesting patterns which are quite fun.”
Bubble painting will create come vibrant pieces to hang around your home. Jupiter adds: “Spring is a time of pretty colours happening outside in the form of flowers, so it's nice to get some pretty colours inside too!”
Potato Easter egg stamping
A simple activity that fits perfectly with the Easter egg theme is potato stamping. This can easily be enjoyed outside on a picnic bench, which will not only make the paintings dry quicker, but it will save you some mess inside!
Chantelle from the family lifestyle blog The English Family tells us more: “All you need to do is cut a potato in half and carve some grooves in it. Then dip them in paint and stamp shapes on paper!”
Adults will need to help to create the stamp. Cookie cutters can be a great help, press it into the potato, cut around the edge of the shape, remove the thin layer of potato, and then remove the cooking cutter. Once this is done, the kids can start dunking their potatoes in the paint and pressing them on paper, making some colourful designs.
Easter-themed knitting
Knitting isn’t just for older people, as it can be great for people of all ages. You can find knitting packs for kids online at places such as Amazon and eBay, or in most toy shops. Parents should also join in, as this can be a therapeutic and relaxing activity. If you find yourself short on time, then using an agency for household staff to help free up some of your days will make a huge difference.
We spoke to Samara from Gift Goonie, a blog for gift ideas and inspiration, to find out more about fun spring activities: “There are so many knitting patterns available for a variety of designs that cater to kids. A brilliant example of springtime knitting would be to get an Easter-themed knitting pattern like a chick or an Easter egg.
“Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a beginner, parents can always help with this springtime activity by guiding children when knitting. Parents can also join in and have a little try themselves or have a healthy competition with the kids. Knitting is a great craft idea all year round, but it is especially great during springtime as you can knit indoors and take your knitting with you when you're out and about.”
If you’re spending the day in the garden, having a picnic in the park or even if you’re going on a long car journey to the beach, knitting is a creative activity that’ll keep the kids occupied. Plus, they may even master it enough to make their own cuddly toy bunny or chick.
Grow a cress head
“For indoor craft, you can use plant cress seeds on cotton wool inside an eggshell. Faces can be drawn into the shell and the cress will grow to make ‘hair’ for the egg man,” Natalia from the family blog Adventures in Mummy Chaos suggests.
All you will need is cress seeds, eggs, cotton wool balls, paint and pens. Hard-boiling the eggs beforehand can make it easier to remove the top of the shell and leave three-quarters of the eggshell remaining intact. Remove all the egg and wash the inside of the shell. Next, you can decorate the shell with coloured paint and draw funny faces. Soak the cotton wool ball in water and place it inside the shell, then sprinkle the seeds on top before placing the egg in an egg holder on the windowsill. The cress should start growing in two days, so the little ones can see the results of their hard work in hardly any time at all.
Easter is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids by creating some arts and crafts. If you wish you had more free time, then contact our friendly team to find out how we can help.