Crafts for kids – taking it outdoors

Four weeks into the school summer holidays and I have already heard the dreaded “I’m bored” whimper emerge from my children, which is terrifying when we still have over two weeks to go! The fabulous summer holiday to Greece has already been forgotten, and as their tan fades so does their enthusiasm for the rest of the school holidays. So rather, than sit them in front of the TV, I am going to get them outside into the fresh air with a great selection of outdoor crafts for kids. It is amazing what you can do if you just use your imagination, and crafts for kids are far cheaper than a new DVD or Video game. Gardening tools and equipment are widely available for children of all ages, and mine enjoy nothing better than grabbing their shovel, spade and watering can, and heading out into the garden to create their own piece of art. Painting sets are another cost effective craft for kids that can be taken outdoors quite easily, and it does not need to be restricted to paper or books. Brighten up your plant pots, garden ornaments and even your gardening tools, by letting your children paint them. A great way to spend an afternoon, painting gives kids the opportunity to use their imagination and be creative, while spending time outdoors in the fresh air. Then of course, there is modelling clay – it has been around forever and generations of children have enjoyed modelling their own creations from this great material. Setting your kids up outside with a couple of pots of modelling clay, and bucket of water can turn a “boring” afternoon into a fun one, and they get to create something that they can play with awards. Crafts for kids come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so I have armed myself up for the next two weeks and am ready to spring into action next time I hear those dreaded words!