Just because it is a “kid’s craft” doesn’t mean it has to be a throw away time waster…Doing crafts with your kids is  a lot of fun — especially when your kids can create real art (and amazing memories) that will last a lifetime. Here are a few tips to make making artistic crafts with your children really fun.

1. Create To Save

When selecting a crafty project to do with your little ones, think ahead of time about how you can store or display the projects. I don’t know about you, but too many of my kids art projects have gotten lost, destroyed on the kitchen table, or totally smooooshed in a move because there was no good way to store them safely.  Relatively flat art pieces that are 8 and a half by 11 are easily stored in an album or three ring binder with plastic sleeves.  Little Popsicle stick turkeys can be displayed in shadow boxes and wake up a sleepy spot on your hallway wall. We are creating art, not junk, right? Let’s showcase their little finger paintings! (Tip: Don’t forget to date your child’s artwork…trust me, ten years from now you will be glad you did!)

2. It’s A Craft Party!

Make your time doing art and crafting with your children an event – like a mini creativity party! It can be hard to keep the attention of the under 5 set, but setting the ambiance can help. Try putting on fun music that you like (doesn’t have to be Barney’s greatest hits – I promise they will get into it) and set the table with snacks and drinks. Wear crazy hats – heck, it’s your fiesta!

Encourage kids to take their time with their projects. Show them what the process of making an artistic decision looks like: “We could put it here, it would look like this…is that what you think looks best? Or how about if you place it here? What does that look like?” I know, sounds like work, right? I have definitely been there…sometimes you throw art supplies on the table and let the kids go crazy just to get a 15 minute sanity break. But making creativity an event is surprisingly relaxing too. Yes, it takes more of your attention, but if you relax and go with it, you may find yourself really enjoying hanging out with your children. Even if they have spent the entire day acting out “Where The Wild Things Are” you will be surprised at how calm and focused they can be when everyone is feeling creative, and engaged.

3. Keep Tools Simple

This might be an “only me” thing, but sharp tools around the kids causes me so much anxiety I forget about everything else. “Ah!! Danger!! Fingers! Sharp!!!” – total Mommy mental meltdown…

Choose projects that use tools and materials that don’t give you visions of spending all Saturday in the ER: non-toxic paint and glue, big foam stickers, beads (if kids are over 3 years old,) rounded sticks, glitter, fabric strips, even paper mache are all excellent tools for your budding art buff and won’t make you go crazy.

4. Make A Mess!

I think trying to control kids in a creative situation is like raking leaves in a wind storm – don’t bother! Here’s the deal: your kids will make a mess, but being ok with that ahead of time will make this a lot more fun than chasing after them with a paper towel.  Do put down newspapers or a plastic tablecloth before you get started (you will find glue and paint smudges for days if you don’t) and do remove anything that can’t be easily cleaned from the area, but after that, just have fun.

Making a mess is good for people. It reminds you that things don’t always have to be perfect…happiness is your kids remembering you laughing hysterically with glitter glue in your hair.

5. Picture This

Take pictures! Some of my favorite photos of my little guys are of them painting or drawing. Digital cameras make this so easy. And the photos give you everything you need to create another artistic project the family can do together – a Craft Day scrapbook! Have Fun!!