Craft Project #1

It’s been TOO hot to do much out side these days. Temps reaching 100 degrees, heat index of 110+, humidity is suffocating! Not mention the heat advisory means I am not suppose to take my two boys outside in this crazy mess, they are both in the ‘at-risk’ category. (Especially the baby)

So, I am finally slowly getting my energy back and we are getting into a schedule (sort of). So yesterday I attempted to do some crafts with my big boy. He loves to watch movies, which is nice when Momma needs to get something done without him under foot. But I know he needs more interaction and play time. Mark is a typical boy who prefers to do physical activity, but with this weather, I must find other means of entertainment.

I have made more lego houses than I care to count.

Mark was very proud of this house. We used every single lego piece we own!

I searched the internet for idea of craft projects we could do. I quickly realized two things.

#1: I need to beef up my craft supplies. I can’t believe a mommy of a toddler doesn’t have yarn, paper plates, paint, tape, glitter, child safety scissors and some Elmers glue! I did have construction paper, crayons, markers, pasta and foam shapes.

#2: Mark has been very fortunate to have been surrounded by some crafty ladies! He had already done a lot of the craft ideas I found on the web. Between Sunday School, Mother’s Day Out and our current childcare, he has done lots of creative, cute crafty projects! (just not that many with me!)

This picture was taken on our way home from church. Very fun mask!

and he STILL loves these binoculars!!!

I decided to go the simple round and work on the basic colors and shapes. He LOVED it! I thought I would post this in case any other families are looking for indoor activities to do with their kiddos.

I learned a few things.

#1. The project can’t be too simple for his age. I thought this was too easy and I needed to do more (I guess because I taught 1st-3rd graders.) but I was wrong. He had fun and he learned something. Mission accomplished.

#2. He has a very short attention span. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen him sit and color a Thomas Coloring Book for a good 20 minutes. But for this activity, he was ready to get down from the table before all the gluing and coloring was finished. No hard feelings….I just realized what I was dealing with a three year old!

Here is what we did.

I scrambled up all the shapes and we first sorted them into groups of colors. I also worked on him saying those color words. His new speech therapist would have been proud!

Then I scrambled the shapes up again and we sorted them into groups of shapes. Again, working on saying those shape words. All of the new words difficult for him but he did at least attempt to say them.)

Then we glued the foam shapes onto the corresponding colored paper shapes. Then I let him color those shapes with the matching color marker. I found these markers on sale for $1. I am not a big fan of Mark and markers. But for $1, I can afford to let him use these.

The finished product. He enjoyed making some of the shapes into people.( I made the people, Mark did the decorations!) On his own gave the people names. The names he gave the people: Ashton, Momma, Makray and Lana! I guess some of his favorite people! It was too cute. We will be keeping these around the house to keep working on saying the colors and shapes.

Results: We had a very quick, fun activity. Worked on sorting, fine motor skills, colors and shapes. Mark caught on very quickly and had no problem sorting things into the appropriate category.

Stay tuned! More indoor craft ideas to come!