Crafts for children

Starting with crafts

• Threading beads (or pasta shapes or cardboard rolls).
  Easy to do and a good starting point.
• Finger knitting. This is also the start of learning to crochet, and very quick and easy to do.
• Maxi hama beads. Count them, sort them, stack them, thread them. Then you can make patterns with them too.
• Paper weaving is a great way to start weaving, and if you laminate the finished result it makes a lovely present of a place mat for an admiring relative.
• Sewing on plastic canvas is a great way to get started with sewing - my daughter spent ages decorating six pieces with different stitches to make a money box. Highly recommended (and you can use a nice blunt needle as well!)
• Making bracelets always goes down well - start with a simple beaded one, move on to knotted bracelets and advance to friendship bands.
• Circular looming. If you did french knitting as a child you can do this. A circular loom just has more points than a french knitting dolly, and you can make more useful tube sizes from it. My daughter is making purses, I've made hats, you can make slippers.
• Felt making. It's possible to start wet felting by building up your picture on top of a sandwich or other foodbag, then transfer it inside and add warm soapy water before rubbing and manipulating it until it felts.