| While many parents are daunted by the idea of | | | | inks. If you are not the adventurous sort, you might |
| tackling craft projects alone with their kids, with little | | | | look for craft directions that include patterns or |
| effort, even the least creative parent will find crafting | | | | pictures you can cut out for reference.Style and |
| to be an easy, relaxing activity. With a few materials | | | | Blow Dry |
| from around the home and some basic supplies, you | | | | Allowing an item to dry naturally is a perfect time |
| too will be producing quick and easy crafts with your | | | | for taking a break from crafting, but if you are under |
| kids. By keeping these few simple tips in mind, you | | | | time constraints, such as at a birthday party or scout |
| can literally create countless crafts with your children | | | | meeting, use blow dryers to speed up the drying of |
| without having to break a sweat or make a | | | | paint or glue. Craft projects will dry in a fraction of |
| mess.Keep it Simple | | | | the time with applied air and heat, and usually drying |
| Toy and craft stores sell fancy, expensive crafting | | | | to the touch will suffice for moving on to the next |
| materials and kits. While these can be fun and | | | | step of a project.Keep it Clean |
| shouldn't be overlooked, they aren't necessary for | | | | By far one of the most frustrating aspects that |
| creative, fun projects. Construction paper, glue, | | | | keeps parents from crafting is the potential mess. |
| scissors, scrap fabric, non-toxic paints, crayons, and | | | | Mess can be minimized by always remembering to |
| markers are sufficient for thousands of potential | | | | protect your crafting surfaces generously with |
| crafts, especially when combined with discarded | | | | newspaper. When you are done crafting, just pick |
| household items or backyard treasures.Recycle and | | | | up, and toss. Using water-based paints, inks, and |
| Reuse | | | | glues will make washing a snap, and manufacturers |
| Save empty milk jugs, paper towel rolls, bottle caps, | | | | produce plenty of easily washable markers, paints, |
| old wrapping paper and greeting cards, and other | | | | and other materials commercially. And if you are |
| various boxes and containers for crafts. A plastic | | | | following the advice of being selective, you can |
| storage bin or large cardboard box can make a | | | | always reject projects that include mess if clean-up is |
| perfect storage receptacle for these items, which | | | | not in the cards. Origami, pipe-cleaner sculpting, and |
| can be saved for a rainy day craft. Not only are | | | | watercolors are a few examples of low or no-mess |
| these items ideal craft materials, but crafting with | | | | crafts.Have Fun |
| these items will teach your kids about the importance | | | | Remember, crafting with your kids is about exploring |
| of recycling and reuse in a very tangible context. | | | | creativity and having fun. You expect produce the |
| Include in your stash old newspapers to use for | | | | perfect, flawless product. Professional photographs of |
| protecting your craft table and other surfaces.File It | | | | crafts usually are taken in ideal lighting and made |
| You don't need to buy expensive books or | | | | exclusively by adults, with the discarding of several |
| subscribe to magazines to get a constant flow of | | | | less-than-perfect attempts. Don't feel that your |
| ideas for crafting. Web sites, newspapers, library | | | | product has to look like a picture in a magazine - to |
| books, pre-school newsletters and more can provide | | | | your child, it's a special work of art.There is little that |
| you with hundreds of great crafting ideas. Clip, print, | | | | is more rewarding than crafting with your children. |
| or copy to create a file of ideas for a rainy day. You | | | | You are creating not only an opportunity for your |
| can pre-screen for quick and easy craft ideas, and | | | | child to express his creativity, but you giving him |
| also use these articles as a guideline for items to | | | | special time with you [i]you.[/u] You are creating not |
| store and save.Be Selective | | | | only fun and whimsical items, but precious memories |
| If you are looking for something quick and easy, | | | | for your family that you will cherish for the rest of |
| reject craft ideas that are a twelve-step program or | | | | your lives.Jennifer Johnson is a mother of two and a |
| have a materials list longer than your weekly grocery | | | | contributing editor of - a site where parents can find |
| receipt. Don't go out of your way to tackle a craft | | | | plenty of free craft ideas, activities, printable coloring |
| for which you do not already have the necessary | | | | pages and more. |
| materials, and only use non-toxic, washable paints and | | | | |