Wellbeing craft ideas for kids are usually limited to painting and hand-prints, but in reality there is a lot more that can be done to help your child express themselves through art and craft, as I have found out over recent months doing the Expressive Art for Wellbeing course I’m doing. I’ve listed 7 ideas for you to try here depending on the age of your child, but I’ve kept the most exciting idea until last as it is deal for those of you who want to combine craft with the classroom curriculum to give your child a head start in school.
Creative activities are essential for promoting children’s mental health and overall wellbeing. In this article, we explore how introducing crafts to kids can help them to improve their mental health by expressing themselves in creative ways. Find out how you can provide your little ones with the opportunity to develop their imagination and creativity while also reaping the mental health benefits of crafting!
Creative Expression
Crafts are a great way to encourage kids to be creative and use their imaginations. Not only are crafts fun, but they can also help improve mental health. Studies have shown that crafting can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help improve focus and concentration.
There are many different types of crafts that kids can enjoy. Some popular crafts include painting, drawing, sculpture, origami, and collage. There is no wrong or right way to craft – the important thing is that kids are having fun and being creative.
So why not introduce crafts to your kids today? You may just be surprised at the positive impact it has on their mental health!
5 Benefits of Wellbeing Craft ideas for kids
- It can help them to learn to be patient and get a better outcome with projects that are not rushed in today’s ‘instant gratification’ society.
- It encourages them to develop their fine motor skills at a time when our dexterity is being reduced by the over-reliance on ipads, mobile phones and computers as creative outlets.
- Relieve stress and boost self-esteem by creating something they can be proud of and receive positive feedback for.
- Crafting can also be a great way for kids to express themselves. It can help them to communicate their feelings and thoughts, work through difficult emotions, and build resilience.
Getting Started
There are many different types of crafts that you can either dream up yourself or you can get a monthly subscription to a crafting club that will send different activities out fo ryou. You can see information about one of the best in the UK below!
- Sticking. This is ideal for younger children who are still developing their fine motor skills.
2. Painting: This is a great way for kids to express their creativity. They can use different colors and brushstrokes to create unique masterpieces and also learn about the effects of mixing colours if they have a limited palette.
3. Sculpting: They can use clay or other materials to create three-dimensional objects and explore texture. A fun exercise is to ask a child to describe an emotion based on the sensations from various textures. This can help with expressing emotions and understanding expressisions such as someone being ‘prickly’.
4. Drawing: This is a great way for kids to practice their fine motor skills. They can use pencils, crayons, or markers to create pictures.
5. Collage: This is a great way for kids to experiment with different textures and colors. They can glue together different materials to create interesting designs.
6. Origami : This is a great way for kids to learn about geometry and spatial relationships. They can fold paper into different shapes and figures.
7. Kitchen Table STEAM
I have come across a wonderful British business called Green Kid Crafts, which really resonates with many of my clients who want to get their children off the computer for a while and who also value ‘green’ projects and looking after the planet etc. The business itself was set up by environmentalists and parents who shared these values and wanted to integrate them into the classroom curriculum in a fun way.
STEAM is an abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. These core subjects are recognized in the education system as being pivotal for development, but in this case, the learning is done in a fun and creative way where the children don’t even realize how much they are learning.
Each month, your child aged 3-10 will be sent an exciting parcel with 4-6 craft ideas that can be done at the kitchen table so the whole family can join in and get creative together for some good quality family time.
I hope you enjoy your crafting as much as I do! I’d love to hear how you get on but in the meantime remember to check out in the blog to see my latest craft creations!
