When I shop for kids’ gifts, I look for things that will keep their hands busy. Arts and craft kits are perfect for this. They’re colorful, engaging, multisensory and come with directions! Doing arts and craft kits is a great way to boost creativity and explore different interest areas.
To help with your shopping I’ve curated a few shopping lists, based by age. This list is for your older elementary and middle school aged kids. Remember, older kids are good reading and following directions, but may still need a little help deciphering them. Get these kits and join in on the fun!
Rainbow Loom has been popular for years and it’s no surprise why. From bracelets to animals and superheroes, the possibilities for what kids can create are endless. This kit comes with everything kids will need to get started. And…it promotes fine motor skills, social interaction, problem solving and creativity.
With 12 different colors of clay, the kids will love creating their own handprints to share with others. The tactile experience can be so calming for our anxious kids. Their creativity isn’t limited to handprints though. Once they understand how to make them, they can begin to create other shapes and designs.
Give your kids a way to have their art all over any metal surface. This set includes tiles, magnets, a paint strip and brush so your kids can get started creating. Looking for inspiration on what to draw, check out ArtKidsRock for on demand drawing lessons.
Build your own mobile pet adoption center and help these clay critters find their “furever” homes. Learn to make a variety of dog breeds, plus cats, birds, bunnies, and guinea pigs. Kids can decide which animals they want to make with colorful clay and premade eyes to help make each creation picture-purrfect.
Your child can create three enchanted seascapes to display their underwater friends. This kit includes all the necessary tools and different colored clay to help your child make fish, coral, seaweed, or whatever else their imagination comes up with. And, the directions are simple enough for even younger kids to participate.
Girls love wearing things that show off their own creativity. This jewelry kit is simple to use and gives your children hours of fun. There are supplies for making bracelets and necklaces using glass and metal beads and charms. Jewelry making is a great activity to do with friends too.
The next step up from drawing is turning those 2D drawings into a 3D sculpture. This kit comes with everything your child will need to get started creating those 3D art projects. It comes with an idea book but there are also tons of ideas and stencil on their website as well.
Needle felting takes focus, patience and perseverance to get a finished project. This kit comes with everything they will need including, photo instructions to guide the kids through every step. And, there are a few different animals that you can choose to buy for them.
If you are looking for a focused, fine-motor activity that gets amazing results, diamond painting is it! It’s kind of like paint by number but with tiny little gems that get glued onto the paper instead of messy paint. This cute kit comes with everything they will need to get started.
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I’ve gathered an assortment of fun activities to keep your kids busy. There are activities you can do In the House and activities that are Out of the House. And within each category, there are things kids can do independently and things to do as a family. You could even get a bit of mom time in!
