If you ever want to take a long time to do something, invite a child to help you do it. You will find that every task is time-consuming, between questions, messes, and taking your time to show them each and every step necessary to complete the project. It may be a lot faster to work without a little person by your side, but it won’t be nearly as fun. The beautiful part of crafting with children is that they bring their innocence and wonder to the project. Any time you may lose is gained by the joy and excitement that they show as you teach them how to mix scented oil into wax for candles
, or how to sprinkle glitter onto decorative cards. It isn’t speedy, but the experience is absolutely irreplaceable. The time that you spend with the kids crafting can lay the foundation for a lifelong love affair with creating. Here’s why you should bear the inconvenience and enjoy craft time with the kids:
Creativity
We are always encouraging our children to be creative but we frequently insist that they only use their creativity within our parameters. We tell them not to make messes, we encourage them to speed up, and not to take too long to make decisions about colors and techniques. Let’s stop right there: after all, creativity is not something that can be rushed. Give your little people the space they need to work their way through their own creative process.
Learning experience
There are so many opportunities for learning within the crafting process. You can teach children how to measure, count, draw, paint and make items that they long for but can’t quite find in the store. Crafting is more than a pleasure, it is also a life skill. You can decorate your space, and make items that make your day to day experiences more pleasurable. Show them how making the world more beautiful has far-reaching benefits.
Teamwork
Showing the children crafting will also give them a chance to work as a team with each other and you. Make this craft something simple that you all can enjoy with a piece of each part of the process assigned to a child. They will feel so useful and excited, and to boot, they will have the opportunity to bond with you. What is there not to love about this part of the process?
Unforgettable memories
As a child, my grandmother and mother were my guides into the wonderful world of crafting. I found myself sucked into a world of glue guns, paints, knitting and crochet needles, and the wonderful talks we all had while we worked side by side. There has never been a time where I crafted that I didn’t think of those times, in their kitchens, at their dining room tables or planted on their living room couches, waiting for the opportunity to do my part of the job. These are memories you want your children to share with you as well. They will never forget the things you show them.
Time waits for no man, but time isn’t the only important factor in this world. Time spent crafting with your children, no matter how long it takes, is time well spent. If you haven’t had a chance to share your love of crafting with your children yet, you are certainly missing out. Get yourself into a position to show them as soon as possible why you love crafting so much.