Confessions of a Craft-Challenged Mom: Why I'm Embracing the Mess with My Toddler
Let's be honest, mornings with a 2.5-year-old can be...interesting. My little guy, Charlie, is a ball of boundless energy, and sometimes, his idea of "fun" involves activities that make my inner neat freak cringe (think: crayon masterpieces on the raw wood coffee table). But lately, I've realized something important: Charlie's "chaos" might just be his way of expressing himself and exploring the world around him.
The truth is, I haven't exactly been the most "crafty" mom. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing those Pinterest-worthy projects on social media, but the thought of glitter explosions and glue-covered furniture used to send shivers down my spine.
However, a recent meltdown over not being allowed to put the mop on the white couch, made me realize something: Charlie was bored. He craved stimulation, a way to channel his energy, and maybe even a chance to connect with me. That's when it hit me – crafts!
Yes, crafts. The very thing I used to avoid might be the key to unlocking a whole new world of fun (and learning!) for both of us.
Here's the thing, I don't have to become Art-Mom-Of-The-Year overnight. Even simple activities like finger painting, playing with playdough, or decorating construction paper can have a big impact on Charlie's development. From fostering his creativity and imagination to improving his fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, crafts offer a surprising amount of learning disguised as fun.
Plus, let's face it, there's something undeniably heartwarming about seeing your child's messy masterpiece proudly displayed on the fridge. Who cares if the glue isn't perfectly applied or the paint strokes are more abstract than Monet? It's the joy on Charlie's face and the sense of accomplishment in his eyes that truly matter.
So, here's to embracing the mess, the glitter explosions, and the occasional glue-related mishap. Charlie and I are on a new adventure, one filled with construction paper, finger paints, and a whole lot of creativity. Wish us luck (and maybe some stain remover)!
What are some of your favorite crafts to do with your toddlers? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
Crafts We Have Tried At Home
1. Noodle Mouth & Rubber Band Hair
You'll need:
+ String, yarn or rubber bands
+ Construction paper, card stock or just plain paper will work (but it may be too flimsy)
+ White beans, other colored beans, or noodles
+ Hot glue gun
+ Pen or pencil and dry erase marker
+ Tooth brush
+ Comb or hair brush
It's simple! Just draw a face on your paper. Make sure to make the mouth open so you can add the "teeth". Also keep the forehead large enough so the "hair" doesn't cover the face. You'll then use your hot glue gun to glue the teeth onto the paper. The ideal thing to use is white beans. Then you can make the teeth "dirty" by drawing on the white beans with a dry erase marker. It should come off with the tooth brush so your child can feel like they are really cleaning the teeth! I made do with what we had, though. So I use noodle and a marker. (The marker did not come off but it was fine!) Next you'll take your yarn and glue it into the head to look like hair. Again, I made do with what we had, so I used cut up rubber bands. Wah la! That's it. Hand your kiddo the hair brush and tooth brush and let them have fun with it!
You can see a video of how we did it here!
2. Edible Paint
You'll need:
+ Paint brush
+ Paper plate
+ Food dye
+ Sugar
+ Corn Starch
+ Tape
+ Water
+ Cupcake tin or bowls
It's so easy! Just mix together the ingredients in a bowl and transfer equal parts to a cupcake tin (less dishes this way!). Add the individual dyes to make different colors and let them go to town! I always tape down the plate and tape down the cupcake tin so nothing gets thrown on the floor or dumped in Charlie's lap. A paper plate would have been better for this but all we had lying around was some styrofoam plates and Charlie sure didn't mind.
Recipe:
2 C cornstarch
1 C cold water
2-3 cups Boiling Water (approximately). Add 1 cup at a time until the consistency is similar to acrylic paint.
1 tablespoon glycerine (optional but highly recommended)
Liquid food coloring, or gel food coloring for more vibrant colors.