The 12 Days of Christmas: Day 1, A New Craft for Your Kids

The Paranoid Dad and I have been brainstorming ideas for having a richer holiday experience with the kids without a huge emphasis on gifts and getting.  My son, in particular, needs to learn more about the joy of giving and the joy of this beautiful season.  We’ve come up with a list of twelve family activities to incorporate into the next three weeks or so.  Not surprisingly, some of these have a “preparedness” theme, but others are just for fun.  I’ll be posting one each day for the next twelve days.  Hope they inspire you and your family!

Day 1, A new craft for your kids

Make the most of your kids’ Christmas vacation …or Winter Holiday or Solstice Observation Days or whatever term your local school district is using these days!  Your kids have about fourteen uninterrupted days at home, and no doubt you’ll start hearing complaints about boredom and how there’s nothing to do.  Start planning ahead right now to teach them at least one new craft skill that might also help them create gifts for family members or friends.  Don’t worry about being an expert yourself.  It’s even more fun when parents and kids learn something new together!

image by shaletann

Some of the practical skills you might consider are sewing, knitting, macrame, leathercraft, woodworking, and string art.  I’ve seen beautiful works of art by kids of stained glass, mosaics, and punched tin, and many kids enjoy making their own silk flower arrangements.  Quilting, crochet, and calligraphy are worthwhile skills that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

For supplies, check out eBay and Craigslist and watch for craft store coupons.  Before your young’uns even say the words, “I’m bored!”, be ready with craft supplies to keep them busy and productive! 

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