Every child loves doing crafts with Mom and Dad. Here are five great craft ideas that will teach skills while you and your child enjoy laughing and having fun creating together!

1. Sock Doll

Necessary items: Sock, fiberfill, needle, thread, and decorations such as: lace, yarn, fabric scraps, buttons, markers, sequins, felt.

Have your child stuff the sock with the batting. Using the needle and thread (or yarn) close the bottom of the sock. Decorate the sock using anything you can imagine. Buttons for eyes, yarn for hair, lace for skirt. The possibilities are endless! Children can learn simple sewing skill and have fun at the same time.

2. Denim Hot-pad

Necessary items: Denim fabric (don't be afraid to use fabric from your old jeans!), thread, sewing machine, quilt batting.

Pull-out that old sewing machine Mom handed down to you and finally have a use for it! Cut one piece of 10" X 10" denim (may be made smaller if desired) and one piece each of 8" X 8" denim and quilt batting. Arrange the batting between the pieces of fabric. Using the sewing machine sew a design on the pad. Patterns can range from a simple X pattern to a criss-cross or free-style pattern be creative! To finish, fold the 10x10 piece of denim over 1/2 inch, then one inch again on top of the 8x8 piece; doing this one side at a time, use the sewing machine to carefully finish the edges. Now you have a stylish hot pad!

3. Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Necessary items: 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon, 1 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup white glue, bowl, rolling pin, cookie cutters, ribbon, straw, plastic wrap

Mix the cinnamon, applesauce and glue in the bowl. When thoroughly mixed roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap; be extra careful to not roll any thinner than 1/4 inch. Using fun cookie cutters, cut out your favorite shapes. With the straw poke a hole near the top of each ornament, and lay them on wire racks until thoroughly dry (2-4 days), flipping occasionally; or bake in oven set at 200 F for 2- 2 hours or until dry. When cool, insert the ribbon through the hole. These can be painted with acrylic paint if desired.

4. Decorate a treasure box

Necessary items: a wooden or paper box (can be found at your local craft store), hot glue gun, decorating supplies such as: buttons, sequins, glitter, ribbon, lace, markers

Your child will enjoy decorating their very own treasure box, where they can keep their most precious possessions!

5. Photo collage place-mat

Necessary items: 11X14 construction paper, old photo doubles, glue, clear contact paper or lamination, markers if desired.

Help your child decorate the perfect place to eat dinner! Help them glue pictures of themselves, family members and friends on the construction paper. When the glue has dried, carefully apply the contact paper to both sides. Trim as necessary or have it laminated for an even longer lasting memory!

Resources:
Cinnamon Dough recipe - kaboose.com

Learn more about this author, Kameo Monson.
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