by Dr. M

Created on: September 30, 2007   Last Updated: March 09, 2011

Creating crafted projects with a group of children broadens the spectrum of activities that can be enjoyed. Groups of children allow for creativity to flourish because many minds are working together to create endless hours of fun.

When you have the privilege of hanging out with a group of children, help them to allow their creative imaginations to flow by participating within the following projects:

THEMED PARTIES

Have the group brainstorm three or four themes they like. Then conduct a democratic election to find the most popular theme. When that theme has been chosen, you are ready to begin the fun.

Together make a list of supplies you will need to create costumes and decorate the room to make the theme come to life. For example, let's pretend we are going to have a pirate-themed party. You will need to gather any crafts you wish to create: hats, costumes, swords, eye-patches, hooks, black teeth, a pirate chest and gather supplies to paint, color, pin, glue, cut, paste, and hang.

Have the children use their talents to do what they are best at while having fun. For example, you may have a natural designer who likes to work on the customs. And you may have a good artist who likes to draw pictures. Let the children create, decorate, and costume up.

COSTUMES AND SCENES FOR PLAYS

This activity can follow Themed Party activity or can be played alone at anytime. However, if Themed Party has been completed, your group can transition into creating scenes and acting out a play about pirates.

If you begin Costumes and Scenes for Plays as the first craft project, follow Themed Parties' steps: brainstorm the theme for a play; write out a list of supplies needed; gather materials; have each child participate in writing out the scenes, create the scenery for the play; and constructing costumes and props.

Reenact a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean or any play the children have imagined. The hours of participating in this project will be entertaining and remembered for a lifetime.

CANVAS SURPRISE

Canvas Surprise can be included within Themed Parties and Costumes and Scenes for Plays. Because Canvas Surprise is a method of creating works of art to be hung on walls, these masterpieces can be included within the other activities. Or they can be created as their own unique craft project.

Have children gather usable crafty odds-and-ends i.e. toothpicks, straws, paper plates, buttons, jewels, glitter, beans, noodles, paint, crayons...the list is endless. Other necessary supplies include: any type of canvas and school glue. Liberally pour glue onto the canvas and creatively place the crafts on the glue. Splash on paint, shade with crayons, sprinkle glitter...let the children's imaginations flow. You will have a Picasso-like masterpiece to share and hang in delight.

SUMMARY

Play and have many hours of fun. These are only a few suggestions for fun and games; however, a group of children is a mastermind of creative individuals. Let the children brainstorm craft projects they would like to engage in, and join in their fun.

With each group craft activity - Themed Parties, Costumes and Scenes for Play, and Canvas Surprise - let each child do what he/she wishes while honing their unique talents and collaborating, compromising, communicating and learning life-long social skills.

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