Crafts

My 2-year-old son loves arts and crafts; the more tactile, the better. So it should come as no surprise that playdough is his favorite. His interest with the modeling material and fervor for making unique sculptures is a treat to watch. The only con is keeping a steady supply of playdough on hand, a costly endeavor — until I decided to create my own playdough recipe.

It's just all the cuteness.

“Cloffices” aren’t just for adults.

Definitely worth the $26.

Because no one has time to do these in December.

If it's not your thing, it's not your thing.

3D blank canvases for your kids, right in your recycle bin.

I love Valentine’s Day because it is all about love and romance for my husband and me, but what can I do with my children? LucielDear Luciel, I am glad that you find Valentine’s Day loving and romantic! So many get overwhelmed by the commercial messaging that it can dampen the spirits, but I’m with YOU! It’s an odd “Hallmark” holiday and one that you really can make anything you want, so why not make it great? Children LOVE their parents.

It contains the clutter AND saves space — win-win.

From coloring rolls you can store in your bag all the way to Star Wars characters with a twist.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. Join us over on Instagram for more! Another birthday means another party theme, and *cue deep thought* — figuring out how to entertain a bunch of kids! Even if the theme is as specific as “Doll and Donut Dance” of all things, do not panic — I got you.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. Join us over on Instagram for more! Summer is in full swing, and it’s too hot to think straight, let alone come up with creative activities for the kids. Allow me to introduce you to the easiest, most open-ended and sustainable activity in my toy closet: The Tinker Box.

For the pun-loving father-figures in our lives, we made this deliciously fun coloring card. Let your soup-er star know just how much you love him! Just download, print, color, and fold it up.

This piece was created for Cubby, our weekly newsletter for families at home. Want more? Sign up here for a weekly splash of fun and good ideas for families with kids. My family is notorious for holding onto sentimental objects, but no one is a more avid, let’s say, collector than my mother. Her sewing room is stacked with bins of my artwork from childhood: cards with sloppy handwriting, a slightly alarming sketch of Pongo from “101 Dalmations.

To celebrate Earth Day, we created a coloring page just for the littles. Take the crayons outdoors for some extra sunshine.

This year won’t be the one I finally get to see the Natural History Museum’s origami tree, but I was still eager to read about this year’s theme. The museum is calling the 2020 tree ‘Cranes and Colors,” and it features 1,000 paper cranes as a symbol of peace and good wishes as the city continues to face the COVID-19 crisis.When I reached out to the museum to request photos of this year’s tree, I learned a little more about the origami tree tradition.

Handmade Charlotte is one of the OG craft blogs. Founder Rachel Faucett started blogging in 2009 when she launched an Etsy shop selling handmade kids clothing. “I wanted to connect with other creatives and showcase thoughtful design for children,” says Rachel. A decade later, the Etsy shop is long gone, but her blog is the destination for kid fun.

Earlier this summer when it became clear that Halloween would look a lot different this year, crafty parents began to brainstorm a way to save the annual trick-or-treat tradition—and the socially-distant candy chute was born. We first spotted the idea through YouTubers Jaimie and Jay of The Wicked Makers, but quickly the concept exploded with dozens of DIY ideas across the country (Google “candy chute” and you will be amazed at the creativity).

Got marshmallows?