DIY For Kids
As more and more people turn to DIY projects it seems a shame to leave our kids out of the fun. Why wait until they are adults to go through the sometimes frustrating process of learning a new craft or skill. DIY is technology in action. A need is seen and a solution found. Children of all ages are naturally curious and love any hands on activities available to them. As well as letting them help out with your own projects why not consider creating their own DIY area?
I am not suggesting that you let your children loose with skill saws and other power tools. Any tools need to be age appropriate. The golden rule to remember with kids is, the smaller the child the bigger the things they need to work with. In other words little hands have trouble with small, fiddly things so larger, but not heavier 'bits' of anything are easier for them to handle.
If you can, make a storage area for crafty ideas for your kids. Easy access and being able to see is important. Old ice cream containers are ideal for keeping lots of bits of paper and scraps in. Any old squeeze bottle works well for glue. Scissors are a must. Little ones also have a lot of fun learning to use the craft scissors that make different patterns when they cut. Glitter, paints and large marker pens add to the fun. If everything has a place where it belongs your kids will be able to find them easily without always having to hunt. It also teaches them the value of being organized.
Let them help you collect things for the collage area. Old crisp packets, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and bits of tissue all add color and variety. Take a plastic bag on any outings you make to collect seeds, small pebbles, sea shells and feathers. In fact anything that looks interesting. Keep an eye out too for bags of buttons and beads that can sometimes be picked up at second hand stores or even thrown out. Before long you will have a sizeable and growing collection of collage materials for your kids to create with.
Keep a couple of baskets for old off-cuts of wood in a variety of sizes. A lightweight hammer and plenty of nails will be needed. A handsaw is a useful addition too. It really doesn't matter what they are 'building’, even children as young as two enjoy joining bits of wood together. For older children, consider getting a vice to hold things, and some cheap plastic wheels of various sizes. Kids can make some amazing vehicles with a few pieces of wood and some wheels!
Always, always be around to supervise and help. Safety is extremely important, and some of the materials discussed can be very dangerous if a child is left unsupervised. There are choking hazards from small pieces from the collage table. Scissors, nails, saws and hammers all present their own dangers. DIY for kids means an adult always being there!
Of course the fun of being there with your child means you learn together. From as young as two or three your kids can start learning to manipulate the world around them. Whatever your child creates, appreciate it. They are learning to think for themselves and use tools. With time their efforts will improve and they will be well on the way to being the next generation of self-sufficient DIYer's.