Kids love to get messy. I think “messy” is the true definition of a kid. Why not take that love for making messes and turn it into a fun art project? After all, art can really help with hand-eye coordination and dexterity development. This article is going to give you 5 ideas of how to craft with your kids in ways that are easy and fun while keeping the mess-making to a minimum.

1. Finger Painting and Hand Painting

Finger painting is so much fun, especially for the little ones. You can keep the mess to a minimum by using stamp pads instead of paint. Once the ink dries a bit, take a marker to draw on the details. Choose a book or a nursery rhyme as a theme to make it even more special. The possibilities are endless and you may just have to pick another theme and try this one again and again.

2. Pipe Cleaner Flowers

Playing with pipe cleaners is a really fun and clean activity. Little ones can twist them and try to make simple flowers while slightly older children can try to make more detailed designs. The best part is that you can pick up a multi-pack of colored pipe cleaners at your local dollar store and thrift shops tend to carry them as well. It is definitely a great activity for a rainy day.

3. Sock Puppets

I remember making sock puppets as a kid. It was always so much fun to find a new use for those old worn out socks instead of throwing them away. Adding yarn, wiggly eyes, ribbons and embellishments to decorate the puppets really adds to the fun. Another plus side to this activity is that the kids can go on to make a puppet theater and that will keep them busy for hours. This is a great activity to introduce for those long school holidays!

4. Origami Art

What is more fun than folding paper to create awesome animals? You can cut any paper into perfect squares of any size to make it work without true origami paper. Also there are tons of step by step instructions online with varying skill levels. This is probably one of cleanest craft activities out there for kids of all ages and there are just so many things you can make. This is one project that will be sure to keep them busy for quite a while.

5. Friendship Bracelets

There are so many different ways you could go with making friendship bracelets. My favorite way is to cut long lengths of embroidery floss in a few different colors, tie a knot in the top, attach the knot to my jeans with a safety pin and work my way in order, thread by thread, making knots. It finishes with such a lovely, colorful pattern. This method is inexpensive and time consuming. Obviously, the method I used isn’t the only method out there. Kids like to make bracelets out of loom bands too or even beads. Whichever method you choose, kids really enjoy making things for their friends so they would certainly love to make friendship bracelets.

School holidays and breaks can be long and find you grasping at straws to keep your kids busy and Try out these simple crafts. I am sure you will find it to be a lot of fun. Even though kids like to get messy, these five activities will certainly keep that mess to a minimum. Have fun and make sure to find me on Facebook and post your final products!

One more thing: don’t forget to follow me on social media and Like and Subscribe to my newsletter for more crafty tips!