Teacher and art therapist Anna Reyner joins Carol Duvall to discuss the importance of age-appropriate crafts. Reyner explains that this type of juvenile activity is just as important to the development of a child's mind as is a math book. She reviews several engaging kits that encourage kids to become involved in crafting.
Materials (For 24 Boxes)
24 craft-board boxes with lids
assorted seashells
acrylic paint
brushes
sand
glue
optional - craft sticks
Shell Treasure box kit - discontinued
Steps:
- Staple or glue together craft board boxes and lids.
- Paint each box with your own unique design.
- While paint is drying, mix sand/glue solution to consistency of thick cake frosting.
- Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the sand "frosting" directly on top of each child's box. Have children spread around the sand with their fingertips (or a craft stick) to cover the box top.
- Distribute seashells and have children select and place their favorite shells directly onto the "sand mush" or "frosting." The shells will adhere to this sand/glue mixture as it dries.
Advice from Reyner:
- This project can be easily adapted to preschoolers if you construct the boxes beforehand. With a mini-stapler, you can construct all of the boxes in about ten minutes.
- Distribute shells, paint, and brushes on paper plates. Have Ziplock bags handy for easy clean-up and for saving leftover materials.
- Let older kids do their own stapling and have them help distribute the materials. Pre-teens can be delegated to read the instruction sheet and figure out how to make the sand "frosting."
- For older school-age children and pre-teens, add variety to the project by having additional collage materials on hand, including buttons, old lace, glitter, and extra colors of acrylic paint.
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