7 Crafts to Get Kids' Hands Dirty and Minds Engaged

We love this quote around here at Kindermusik: “We didn’t realize we were making memories – we just knew we were having fun.”
crafts to get kids hands dirty and minds engagedThis perfectly summarizes what happens in a Kindermusik class and at home whenever families engage in musical activities together. This quote also rings true around the November and December holiday season, too. As you gather together with family at home—or at school for special holiday open houses—consider adding a few of these hands-on crafts for kids into the mix. Of course, we would also suggest adding in some music, too!
TIP:  Whip up any of these ahead of time so that it’s easy to give your child something new to explore while you wrap gifts or cook dinner.
#1:  Puffy Paint
1 part white glue
1 part shaving cream
glitter or food coloring
squeeze bottles
Mix equal parts of the shaving cream and glue in a bowl. Now you can add food coloring or glitter. The surprising texture after it has dried is fun, too.
#2:  Bubble Bath Finger Paints
2 cups flour
water
1 teaspoon salt
food coloring
bubble bath (not the foamy type)
Mix water with the flour until you get a paste. Add food coloring and bubble bath until you get the thickness you like. This works well in the bath tub. They can paint themselves or the walls and it washes right off. It may turn the water the color of the food coloring but it won’t stain the child. If you want to make different colors, try putting them in a muffin tin!
#3:  Bubbles
1 cup water
1/3 cup dish soap (Joy, Sunlight, etc.)
2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
Combine ingredients and enjoy. Try using different objects from your utensil drawer as a bubble wand.
Bubble Blowing Tools
Use a plastic straw, or make lots of little bubbles by wrapping colored masking tape around five or six plastic straws.
Berry baskets
Fly-swatters
Plastic rings from soda six-packs
Wands made from pipe cleaners
#4:  Flubber!
In a large container combine:
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups white glue
Food coloring
In second, smaller container, combine:
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 tsp. Borax
Mix ingredients in each container thoroughly.  Pour contents of smaller container in to large container.  Gently lift and turn mixture until only about a tablespoon of liquid is left. FLUBBER will be sticky for a moment or two. Let excess liquid drip off then FLUBBER will be ready!  Next, play!  You’ll be amazed at how your Flubber will stretch, bounce, and roll!
Store in an airtight container for about three weeks of use.
#5:  Silly Putty
1 part Sta-Flo Liquid Starch
1 part Elmer’s White Glue*
Food coloring (optional)
Mix glue and starch together until it feels like a putty. If desired, add food coloring and mix thoroughly. When not in use, Silly Putty may be stored in an airtight container.
*Important Note: Be sure to use Elmer’s White Glue, NOT Elmer’s “Washable” or “School Glue.”
#6:  Edible Peanut Butter Playdough
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 cup powdered milk
Knead until smooth, then shape and enjoy!
#7:  Slime
Corn starch
Water
Food coloring (optional)
Put cornstarch in bowl. Add enough water to make a paste. If desired, you may also add food coloring. This makes a messy slime that goes from liquid to solid.
Did you know??  Children rely on sensory input to learn about their environment.  Sensory play builds neural connections that support thought, learning, and creativity.
Learn more about music classes for kids at www.Kindermusik.com.

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