Quick and Easy Toddler Craft Ideas for the Craft-Challenged Mom

Toddlers love to learn new things. However, not all of us moms are craft wizards! I am so tired of seeing moms put together state-of-the-art projects for their kids. I barely passed elementary school art. Thank goodness the art teacher only cared about my effort, not my abilities.

So get over being the Martha Stewart of projects! Crafts do not have to be labor intensive. In fact, I finally ventured into our local crafts store and was shocked to find complete kits already assembled. Could it be this easy? You can also use regular household goods such as crayons, paper and even pasta to encourage your toddler’s creativity.

* Foam containers: There are many projects available at stores such as Michael’s and AC Moore for children that involve foam. Foam is easy to maneuver and does not rip as easily as paper, making it a versatile project for children. Consider making foam masks or even foam characters such as dinosaurs, dogs, etc. Save the building activities for a later age when children are more adept to working with glue.

* Draw and Color: Provide a box of crayons, some paper and watch the children get inspired. Teach your child how to draw new items or simply leave them to doodle on their own. Ask them to describe what they are drawing; it will fuel their imaginations even more! To add another element to the drawing, give your child stickers to play with. (It’s wonderful fine motor practice, too.) Be sure to give your child a variety of stickers so they can choose what they want to use.

* Pasta Creations: There are many things that toddlers can create with pasta. Wheels can be used as tires on cars. Ziti noodles and string can be used to create bracelets and necklaces. Use markers to color the pasta before using the noodles to craft. Your child will come up with a colorful creation for sure.

* Paper Crafts: Let your toddler create a card for someone special. Cards can be made with glitter, with adult supervision of course. Help your toddler spell out what they want the card to say, then have them trace the lines with a glitter marker. Glitter markers are better than actual glitter because the markers already have the glue in them, which means easy cleanup for you!

Using the above ideas is a great way to introduce arts and crafts to your toddler. Since toddlers love to learn and absorb new information, crafts are the perfect idea to spark your child’s creative side. All of the ideas provided are quick and easy and allow for minimal mess as well as quick clean up. So give yourself a break. Just because you aren’t the next Van Gogh doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with your toddler.

To make it even easier, here are some quick links for craft kits you can buy online (affiliate). You don’t even have to leave the house:

• Alex Little Hands, My Collage Farm
• Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box, Alex Little Hands Series
• Faber Castell Creativity For Kids “Big Fun Stamp Art Kit”
•  Alex Toys Paper Plate Bugs, Alex Little Hands Art Series
• 26 pc Plastic Alphabet Stampers ~ one of each letter
• Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Stamp Set
• Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Pets
• Alex Little Hands Button Art
• Alex Toys My Giant Busy Box
• Make Your Own Sock Puppets
• Do A Dot Art Marker Rainbow 6-pack
• ALEX® Little Hands Paper Bag Monsters

EVOLVE: Are you a craft-challenged mom like me? What are some ways you’ve incorporated crafts into your lifestyle for your toddlers?