Crafts have never been something Red has been fond of. He’ll give markers a whirl for less than 5 minutes, stickers for a good 15 minutes, and playdoh managed to catch his attention one time for a hour. That surely was a record, because where paper, scissors, or paint is concerned, Red is not. I find this to be really strange, seeing that I am an artist and have crafty stuff around the house all the time: Sewing, painting, drawing, etc. None of it can capture Red. Maybe he’s too young? Maybe it’s just not his bag?
We found ourselves at the HIGH museum this past week where we stumbled upon a toddler’s craft area for paper flowers. He was drawn in immediately by the other small kids on the fuzzy green rugs and the brightly colored papers on the floor. I had to literally drag him to the front bench to get directions and the kits to begin crafting, but he threw himself on the rug farthest away from me (not seen… mini tantrum prior to crafting…)
Once I showed him how to layer the paper strips on the golf tee, he took charge of choosing his colors, the order in which they were layered, and with no regard for my OCD, started cramming them together. I had to remind myself that this was not a blue ribbon piece for the MET but a child’s experience with paper and crafts. Chill out and let it fly. Doesn’t have to be perfect.
I showed him how to use a glue stick, and while Red was more occupied with making translucent swirls on the paper, I ripped tissue and let him stick it down. I think more glue was wasted than anything else… (maybe I should try a naked kid and finger paints?)
After we were done, the docent glued a pom pom to the top of the golf tee and we were finished! Red was very proud and showed everyone around his masterpiece. I was just happy that we were able to do a little craft together and that Red was able to pay enough attention to it to finish before bailing on it.
Note on the side: Red “loved” his flower to death in the car and peeled the paper off and shredded it. Tangible fun, I suppose… at least it vacuumed up easily… Have you crafted with your kids lately?
Super cute! My two daughter’s could spend all day and night crafting!
My Grandson loves to craft. What a nice flower, I need to try this one with the GS.
What a fun craft – even if it didn’t last long! Now that summer is here we should have lots more time to craft with the nephew!
Aww glad to see how much this craft was enjoyed and the finished flower was really good.My kids love to craft i think they get that from me,My oldest wants to always do stuff with the clay too.
Awww, look what a good job he did! He is so cute and he looks so proud of himself!
He looks so very proud of himself! That looks like a really awesome place. My five-year old loves crafts, and my sweet two-year old tries, but really, he just makes a mess.
He did a great job. Love watching kids get into crafts.
I love it!! He did such a great job! 🙂 We made a gift for Dad just this past week and yes it was super messy but fun!
Hahah, I like how he loved it to death, literally!
My kids love crafts. Sometimes they need a push to get into something new but then they are all for it. 🙂
How fun! Sweet T loves to craft. I have a hard time chilling out though. 😀
Red did a great job on his craft. It’s nice to see kids getting into crafts and having the patience to see it through to the completed project.
I used to do a lot of crafts with the kids, and they really liked the free for all aspect of it. They were never into coloring because it was regimented, just drawing. They’re both great artists now too.
First, let me say your son is adorable and so photogenic! Secondly, my oldest was the very same way – come to find out it was because he’s a perfectionist. He figured if he wasn’t the best, he would no longer do crafts. Thankfully, I persisted! He is now extremely creative – a photographer and blogger who has spoken at a variety of conferences. Keep at it! You never know what seeds you are planting.
I do a lot of crafts with my kids, but they are girls and are naturally drawn to them. Red it so cute, and so was his craft, even if it did get shredded!
We just did some today! So important to keep at it with crafts, even if they’re not that interested! You’re doing great
My son LOVES painting. Coloring is hit or miss with him, and I’ve found that he enjoys coloring blank paper with a regular pen, versus using crayons and a coloring book. (A notepad and pen will keep him entertained for an entire grocery shopping trip!)
Aww, my daughter often loves her creations to death, too. Red is too cute with his flower pre-destruction!
Oh my gosh, so cute! He did a great job!
What a fun and cute idea. I love doing crafts with my kiddo.
Crafts like this are so much fun! He looks adorable with the flower!
I have one that “loves” his art to death, too. I don’t get why he tears it all apart, but at least he got to be creative!
I have 2 boys who are now 5 and 7. When they were younger they were not big on crafts either. They are starting to want to participate in them more and more. My 7 year old in particular loves to draw Angry birds!!! I have found if you do a craft that includes something they already love then they are more interested and then you branch out from there. 🙂
My son loves to glue things. That’s about it. He’ll glue layer on layer on layer. 🙂
That turned out super cute! My boys aren’t huge into crafts- I have to find projects that interest them.
My kids love gluing and art! They always love trying new and fun things. This turned out adorable!
Aww, you got some great shots. We actually have not crafted lately.
First, he is just the cutest. I love that he tore it all up!! My sons would do the same!
That last picture is the BEST! He is so proud of his artowrk. The rugs at the museum are too cute. I want to sit down there and craft,
we havent’ crafted in a few weeks. the nice weather pulled them outside but I have grand plans for the summer
So fun! What great pictures. Looks like you and your boy had lots of fun!
We love to craft – I am redoing my spare bedroom and I am framing the kids school art. Isa and I picked out frames for the project.
I’m not crafty, but I still do it with the kids. 🙂 They love it and my daughter has an awesome talent for it!! Glad your flower vacuumed up easily. 😉
I tried to do painting with my son earlier this week and it did not work out well! Haha he doesn’t have the attention span yet.
I love those rugs, I should get one for the playroom. Doing crafts at that age really tests your patience, doesn’t it?! It’s great to see them proud of something they made though.
Aah how cute he got his crafty on 🙂 I use to love creating with my kids when they were little.
Aww, how fun! My little guy likes to do some crafts and other stuff – mehh, not so much. Looks like he ended up having a good time after all.
Sometimes getting suggestions from us on what to do with their time just isn’t fun. I think seeing other children enjoying crafting encouraged him to to the same. Maybe this will “knock something loose” for him on that front.
If it helps, I’m as guilty as you of having to fight my OCD when crafting with my son. (Coloring outside the lines is still hard on me!) J isn’t big into paper crafts either, but he does love to use wooden stamps and paint! I just have to make certain to have a dropcloth underneath him!
It looks like he had a lot of fun! Ours don’t always turn out great, but the kids always enjoy the process.
Oh how fun! Red looks like he is having a great time with this craft project
I had no idea that you were there! We are planning to go to the Dream Cars exhibit this weekend. You know my sister works there, right?
How fun. I wish I could get my kid to sit there and do a craft. It’s not easy.
Red looks like he started having a great time. That’s one awesome looking flower.
I’m the worst crafter ever. I really should do it more often for the kids. Yours looks like fun!
Aww that turned out cute. What a fun way to craft together.
Aw so cute! I love how excited he is over the flower. 🙂
Looks like you had a great time! Love the flower he made.
His flower is awesome! My daughter takes an art class and is more interested in squirting glue all over most days. As you said, it’s not blue ribbon contest. For the kids, it’s really just the experience.
It is a great idea to expose children to arts and crafts at a young age. It helps with so many of the things they will do later in life.
I think his flower looks great! And, at 7 and 5 we still sometimes take crafts apart. I chalk it up to part of the learning process!