Primary socialization is the early period in an individual’s life where they learn and develop themselves through interactions and experiences around them. In this article, we shall discuss the socialization process in detail. 

Why Primary Socialization is Critical for Children

Primary socialisation for children lays down the foundation for all future socialization. The process of socialization takes place when a child learns factors that are ideal for people from a particular culture. These factors include:

• Cultural practices
• Attitudes 
• Social norms
• Values
• Actions

Usually, the immediate family members and friends influence primary socialization. 

·       An Example of Primary Socialization

Let us assume a child hears his parents saying nasty words about older persons. The child will grow up knowing that the act is acceptable in society. As a result, they will start bad-mouthing older persons. 

·       Other Forms of Socialization

Apart from the primary socialization process, there are four other socializing agents types, as we shall discuss below. 

Secondary Socialization 

Secondary socialization takes place when human beings learn appropriate behavior that they should exhibit in a small group. In this case, this small group represents the larger society. Changes in attitudes, values and individual beliefs are usually less critical than those that he makes while engaging in the larger society. 

·       An Example of Secondary Socialization

A middle school graduate picks a career in Business Administration after participating in a small career group conference. 

Developmental Socialization

This form of socialization comprises a learning process that focuses on enhancing a person’s social skills. Case in point: a reserved middle school student starts teaching English to new students in a bid to build their verbal communication skills. 

·       Anticipatory Socialization

Anticipatory socialization is the process where an individual prepares for future social interactions. Case in point: a child looks forward to parenthood as he watches his parents execute their daily functions.

 

Resocialization

Resocialization involves renouncing former behavioral patterns and adopting new ones. By so doing, individuals can switch from one side of their life to another. Experts opine that resocialization occurs all through the human life cycle.

What are the Components of Personality Development?

Sigmund Freud, the creator, and physician behind psychoanalysis designed a personality development theory. The theory declares that: societal influences and biological instincts define what an individual grows into as an adult.

According to Freud, the mind comprises three components. That is the superego, id, and ego. These three components must collaborate to facilitate successful interaction with and become a part of society. When one of these components becomes dominant or surpasses the others, the person may experience personal and social problems. 

·       Identity Manifests First

Freud says that out of the three components, the identity is not only the most important, but it also manifests first. It is the identity that triggers an individual to develop self-concept and strictly behave for their pleasure.

The mind of a newborn only comprises the identity because the only things they need are physical desires. The superego evolves while a person transitions into adulthood. It is called the evolution of conscience. At this point, the person understands the various societal norms available and follows them. 

·       The Ego Progresses into Late Teenage

The ego grows into late teenage and adulthood. It is the section of the mind that settles conflicts between the superego and the id. Ego enables an individual to make reasonable decisions that obey societal rules.  

What Other Experts Say

The primary socialization theory is a diverse concept. Many experts have covered it, as we shall see below. 

·       Jean Piaget on Cognitive Development

In his 1936’s theory of cognitive development, Jean Piaget illustrates how a child fabricates a mental design of the world. He opposed the concept that intelligence was a predetermined trait. Jean considered cognitive development to be a process that results from interacting with the environment and biological maturity. 

·       Kohlberg’s Stages on Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg’s moral developmental stages comprise a modification of a psychological approach that Jean Piaget devised. Kohlberg established three key terms and levels of moral reasoning. They are:

• Pre-conventional
• Conventional, and
• Post-conventional

Each level features two sub-stages, and people can only transition through them as they are in the above order. Every new stage replaces the reasoning displayed in the previous phase. 

How does Primary Socialization Help Children Become Social Beings?

Socialization is critical for children who start the process from home, surrounded by family members, and continue with it at school. Children understand the expectations of the social class as they develop and become mature members of society.

Socialization is also critical for adults who associate with new social situations. It is crucial to understand that primary and secondary socialization factors may indirectly influence deviance and drug use. They may also encourage other substance use and this may trigger mental health problems.

What are the Objectives of Socialization?

Jeffrey J. Arnett interpreted the three fundamental objectives of socialization as follows. 

On the first objective, socialization helps people grow a conscience and instills impulse control. People acquire this objective as they develop in a specific society. They inherit the expectations of the people around them and rely on them to grow a conscience and restrain their impulses. 

The second socialization concept teaches people how to formulate and execute particular occupational, social, and gender roles. It also educates the functions of institutions like parenthood and marriage.

The third objective develops shared authorities of value and meaning. Primary socialization helps children to establish what is critical and valuable in a particular culture. 

Importance of Socialization 

Socialization with other children and adults outside the family lays the foundation where various aspects of childhood socialization development are ingrained. Exposing children to the outside world from an early age is crucial as it instills in them self-confidence. This approach also helps them to overcome shyness.

For children to live in society successfully, they need to interact with other people healthily and positively. It is crucial to watch over and encourage children, and instill in them productive methods of interacting with adults and their peers.

Parents should develop these skills over time, through teachings, strengthening, and practice. A childcare center provides a supportive and safe space for children to understand different cultures.

Why Children Should Learn a Second Language at an Early Age

One of the reasons why children should learn a second language at an early age is; they understand easily and fast. Again, they have more time to learn, and minimal distractions. Their brain is also structured for learning languages with ease. By enrolling your child in a second language class you save them from struggling to learn a new language as adults.

It is worth mentioning that competing on a global scale today is critical for a successful career. In many occupations currently, speaking at least one foreign language increases your value and makes you marketable to any organization. Teaching your children foreign languages from an early age prepares them for a successful future. Read on for more reasons on why your child should learn a new language. 

·       Cognitive Advancement

Learning a foreign language comes with various cognitive benefits. According to experts, bilingual children have better critical thinking and problem-solving skills than their monolingual counterparts. They also have better memory, more creativity, a flexible mind, and better multi-tasking skills. Teaching children a new language early life offers them a chance to develop excellent cognitive benefits. These developments help them excel both academically and in their careers in the future. 

·       Linguistic Skills

Many people opine that learning a new language confuses or hinders a child’s linguistic development in their native language. However, research shows that children who learn a different language post better results in their native language compared to their peers who speak only one language. Studying grammatical structures in other languages helps children enhance their grammar in their indigenous language. 

·       Improvement of Empathy

Studying a foreign language introduces children to new grammatical structures and vocabulary. It can also help them understand different cultures. Studies indicate that bilingual children do better on tests that demand an individual’s point of view to figure out their meaning.

The cultural knowledge and empathy that children acquire from studying a different language helps them in various aspects of their life. These vary from understanding their associates within the workplace, to playing at school. 

Secondary Socialization Occurs Between Childhood to Adulthood

In socialization, family members, peer groups, mass media, and educational institutions in the United States influence an individual. Secondary socialization, on the other hand, takes place from childhood to adulthood where a person comes across new groups. In this case, they have to assume new functions to engage in society successfully.

However, this process comprises smaller changes compared to those involved in primary socialization. Further, it is related to adolescents and adults. In secondary socialization, a person starts to engage in larger societies or smaller groups. Due to this, they should be in a position to behave suitably.  

Primary Socialization is a Lifelong Process

Primary socialization occurs between infancy, childhood, and all through to early teens, where someone develops their personality and key principal identity. All along this process, an individual structures their self-awareness and self-image through social experience. Join us now to learn more comprehensive details on primary socialization.

Art ideas allow young to explore the world of science, texture, crayons, and color. Further, children who engage in DIY art projects improve their hand strength, creativity, fine motor, and sensory skills. Read on to figure out different art activities to keep your kids engaged. 

Back-and-forth Drawing Art Ideas

These back and forth doodles games are ideal for both adults and kids. They allow participants to sketch after each other’s drawings. It is a low key but interactive creative art idea. You can use the back and forth drawing game to entertain preschoolers.

Zentangle Art Ideas for Kids

Zentangles are designs that include repeating non-representative patterns. You can choose a zentangle design for your wall art or even combine them to form a defined outline. For these beautiful DIY projects, you will need:

• Fine point permanent marker. You can buy this on Amazon
• Watercolors
• Watercolor paper
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

• Begin from the horizontal part of your paper and draw three hearts in different sizes using your permanent marker pen. Ensure your hearts are big enough to split up so that your drawing ideas can fit. Let the kids sketch the heart shapes with a pencil first. Doing so makes it easy correct any mistakes as they occur. 

• Add crisscrossing lines inside each heart. Remember, large heart shapes will have more lines than the smaller ones. You want to create different spaces where a design shall occupy. The lines should be a combination of straight and curvy. 

• You can allow the kids to draw their desired patterns or even use this zentangle pattern download. Remember, there are no defined rules when it comes to zentangle art ideas. Let the kids experiment with different patterns. You can even showcase the beautiful pieces on social media.

Fun String Art Ideas for Kids

Did you know that you can remodel art into geometry? You will need push pins and a string to develop colorful shapes. Young learners, with the help of their art teacher, can practice making squares and triangles.

Teachers will need comprehensive lesson plans to teach older kids and ensure they can create parabolic curves. This activity also falls under the easy crafts category, and it can be a perfect outdoor activity.

Materials you Need

• Push pins or nails and toothpicks. Cut the toothpicks in half
• Wood, foam core board, or cork
• Colorful yarn, string, pipe cleaners, or embroidery thread
• Hammer
• Hot glue, but you can also use office glue

Instructions 

• Show your kids how to push toothpicks or push pins in the foam core or cork safely to ensure they remain straight

• Help children draw their favorite shapes on a sheet of paper and ask them to place marks on the corners. The pins on the foam core will lie at the corners while the string will create the lines

• Let the kids make a geometry shape such as a triangle by placing pins in the foam or cork and wrapping a pipe cleaner or string around the pins. If your art class has older children, they can measure with a ruler to achieve uniform distance between the points. The measuring process is perfect, especially for complicated designs, such as parabolic curves.

• Kids can also create repeating patterns by enveloping string around one pin and connecting it to other pins. 

• Let your kids experiment with different designs and shapes

Once this crafting exercise is complete, kids can either secure the string or demolish it and create a new layout. 

Crayon Painting

Melted crayons can be ideal for your painting ideas. Let us discuss how to complete easy art projects using crayons.

You will Need

• Old crayons
• Cheap paintbrushes
• A silicone pop or muffin pan
• Small paper or canvas panels
• Eye droppers
• Oven

Method

• Preheat the oven to around 270 degrees
• Peel off the paper on your old crayons, sort them according to their colors and break them into small pieces.
• Put your sorted crayon pieces in the sections of your muffin pan.
• Put your muffin pan with the crayons in the oven for approximately 20 minutes. 
• Once the crayons are well melted, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a table in a safe place. 

You can start your painting project immediately. Remember, your silicone muffin pan will cool down within a short time, making it safe to hold. However, do not allow the kids to touch the pan. They should also understand that the melted crayons will be hot, and handling them would be dangerous. 

Use your melted wax to complete kids’ art just as you would paint. While you can use paintbrushes, you may want to use eye droppers when the wax is hot. Eye droppers are ideal for older kids because younger children have no fine motor control to prevent wax from their skin. You can continue using your melted crayons for up to 15 minutes before they cool down and harden. 

Allow your creative arts paintings to dry completely.

Protecting Young Kids from Hot Wax

This project can be complicated, especially for younger kids. However, they can still do it under adult supervision. Here are some safety and cleaning tips for this project.

• Let the kids wear long-sleeved clothes to keep hot wax from their arms

• To clean dried wax from your paintbrushes, put them in a container of boiling water. Move them around to remove the wax and wipe with paper towels.  

• Allow them to dry well. If any wax remains, you can remove it by rubbing the bristles using your fingers. 

• To clean your eye droppers, soak them in boiling water and push the warm crayon out with the wooden part of a paintbrush. 

Raised Salt Painting 

Raised salt painting techniques are popular among crafty kids of all ages. Further, you only need readily available materials like salt, glue, and food coloring or watercolor paint. You can even use acrylic paint. 

Oil Pastel Painting

Oil pastel is also known as wax oil crayon. It is a drawing and painting technique that comes with similar features to wax crayons and pastels. Oil pastels comprise pigment blended with a wax binder and non-drying oil. There are different oil pastel techniques that you and the kids can practice. 

Magnetic Sculptures

There are diverse magnet sculptures that you and the kids can create in summer. Magnets are some of the popular kidscrafts in the art class. We shall discuss a step by step guide on how to make a magnetic sculpture. For this project, you will need:

• Bolts and nuts. Choose both medium and large nuts, and flat-head bolts. 
• Large metal lids
• Ceramic magnets. These are readily available in hardware stores. You can also place an order on Amazon. 
• Spray paint and primer.

Method

·       Step One

If you plan to paint your bolts and nuts, then you should start by priming and painting your pieces. Prime and paint your metal lids as well. 

·       Step Two

Place two ceramic magnets below a large metal lid. Turn the cover and add bolts and nuts above it to create a structure.

·       Step Three

Place an additional ceramic magnet when you feel the magnetism disappearing and continue building your structure.

·       Step Four

Expand the structure along the sides to test how far the magnetism can continue holding the metal parts.

·       Step Five

Demolish your structure and start all over again.

Safety Tips for Magnetic Sculpture Craft Ideas

Kids can easily swallow magnets, and when this happens, the kid may require surgery to remove it. This activity may not be ideal for very young kids. If your young kids have to engage in this magnetic sculptrures, then you should supervise them closely. 

Skip the priming and painting steps when dealing with very young kids.

Ceramic magnets may chip, and when they do, a sharp fragment may break off. Watch the kids closely as they play and remove any chipped pieces immediately.

Ceramic magnets can squeeze kids as they draw them together. Keep the magnet separated or stuck together on your working table to avoid accidents.

Large nuts are heavy, and when they fall, they can hurt the players. Perform this craft project on a large table. In this case, the nuts will not fall on your toes and hurt you. 

Stained Glass Art Ideas

Let your kids attend stained glass art lessons where they will learn how to work with bottle lids, paint, and wax paper. This activity is fun and exciting for both preschoolers and toddlers. There are many stained glass art projects that kids can do. 

Folded Paper Icicle Craft 

You will need the following materials to make this folded paper craft. 

Materials

• Colored printer paper, but you can also go for white ones
• Free printable paper icicle craft template
• Glitter twine
• Glitter
• Scissors
• Sticky tape
• Glue

Color Block Rainbow Wall Art

If you have just moved into a new house, you may want to change your walls to give them some form of personality. The best part of DIY wall art is that you can involve your kids. Let them create beautiful craft projects for their rooms.

DIY decor ideas are cost-friendly, and you can also get free art prints online. Use this color block, rainbow wall art to create an excellent piece for your home. 

Stencil Art Ideas

Stenciling is not only fun and easy, but it also helps you experiment with your creativity. With proper care and storage, you can reuse your stencils over and over. Learn how to stencil like a pro by listening to podcasts or watching videos online. For your stencil art projects, you will need:

• An application tool. These can include a dabber, brush, roller, or sponge
• Paint. Some of the options you can use include chalk paint, matte acrylic, or stencil crème
• Adhesive. You can use spray adhesive or painter’s tape
• A paint tray to blend or put the paint and build custom colors
• Tape measure and ruler. These will help you align and measure your work
• Rags or paper towel where you will offload your paint before the stenciling process
• A stabilizer. You can use a pencil or dowel. 

Stenciling Tips

Texture is crucial. While you can stencil on nearly anything, stenciling everything is impossible. For example, you cannot stencil on heavy textured or rough surfaces. Sand down any rough wood or clean, and sand cracked or loose paint before you can begin. You will achieve better results with a smooth surface. Always clean your surface thoroughly.

Pablo Picasso Projects for Kids

Pablo Picasso was a famous Spanish sculptor, painter, ceramicist, printmaker, and stage designer. He is among the most influential and great artists who ever lived in the 20th century. There are many Picasso themed art ideas that you and the kids can try. 

Mixed Media Canvases Art Ideas

Mixed media canvas techniques provide an adaptable art system that can include one of your art preferences or even more. To start and work on your mixed media artwork, you need the ideal materials and resources.

Children will Benefit from Practicing Art

Art education is critical as it allows students to think broadly and express themselves better. Further, art instills in kids excellent collaboration skills and encourages teamwork. 

Register today and learn these and more art ideas. 

DIY projects do not have to be time-consuming, challenging, or costly. There are numerous creative DIY and cost-friendly crafting options you can execute with readily available materials. In this article, we shall discuss some of the easy craft ideas you can do with your kids. 

Birdseed Wreath

If you love birds, you can use this easy DIY birdseed wreath to feed them, especially during winter. Read the step guide below on how to make it. 

Ingredients

• Suet
• Fine cheesecloth
• Baking dish or saucepan
• A measuring cup
• A Six cup Bundt cup
• Fresh cranberries
• Dried cranberries
• Wild birdseed
• Large plastic spoon
• Roasted unsalted peanuts
• A wide ribbon

Method

• Start by slicing one pound of suet into small cubes and render it in a saucepan until the fat is well melted.  

• Use fine cheesecloth to strain the suet and let it harden at room temperature before melting and filtering it again. Measure one and a half cups of your melted suet and set it aside. 

• Put your fresh cranberries at the bottom of the six cup Bundt pan in your preferred pattern
• Combine one cup each of peanuts and cranberries, and four cups of wild bird seed in a large bowl

• Add the melted suet to your dry ingredients and coat thoroughly with your hands, or using a large spoon

• Transfer your mixture to a pan and press it down one scoop at a time

• Leave the mixture in the fridge overnight to harden. You can also keep it in the freezer

• Once hard, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit for around 10 minutes at room temperature before you unmold

• Use a wide ribbon to hang the wreath out in the garden. Ensure the temperatures are almost at freezing point to avoid spoiling or melting. 

Citrus Fruit Serving Trays DIY Projects

Citrus fruit serving trays are easy DIY projects that you can try to give your coffee table a complete makeover. You can use them to serve hot or cold refreshments during winter and summer days, respectively. These trays are not only bright, but they also give you a chance to experiment your creativity. Read on to understand how to create them.

Materials you will Need

• Acrylic paints
• Large eighteen-inch wood rounds
• A drill
• Screws and handles
• Paintbrushes
• Protective finish

Method

• With a circular saw, divide your 18-inch wood round into two equal parts. Remember, the wood round will be thick and heavy. You may want to use a wood cutting board to ease the cutting process. You can buy wood rounds at your nearest hardware store. 

• Paint along the edge of the wood cutout and around half an inch on the inside. Be sure to paint along the flat borders as well. 

• Paint a two-inch-wide half in the middle and use a pencil to draw lemon sections. Leave around half an inch between each part, the border, and the center.

• Paint across the lemon sections in white spray paint and use a light yellow color to paint inside the lemon segments

• Once the paint dries up, apply or spray a coat of protective finish on the entire tray to protect the painted area. 

• Use an electric drill to fix handles. 

Paper Chinese Money Plant Easy DIY Projects

Paper Chinese Money Plant DIY ideas are ideal for you and your kids. If you are looking for classic crafts to complement your minimalist home decor, this should be your go-to option. What’s more, it is a simple project that beginners can easily complete, and it will easily complement your living space. For this project, you will need:

• Green paper
• Wire
• Wire cutter
• Paintbrush
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• A pot
• A hot glue gun
• Paint
• Pebbles
• Floral foam or Styrofoam 

Method

• Cut circles of different sizes. These should be between one and a half to two inches.

• Make a slit in each circle. To achieve this, use your stick glue to build a hollow basin by gluing and overlapping one side of your ring to the other. 

• Paint light green lines starting from the middle part of the leaf to set up the veins

• Bend a small curve on one side of the wire and use your glue gun to fix it at the back part of the leaf 

• Fill your pot with Styrofoam or floral foam and arrange the stems inside. 

• Once you have enough leaves cover the foam with Peebles

Yarn-wrapped Painted Jars

Yarn-wrapped Painted Jars are beautiful pieces that you can place on a countertop or along the entryway in your home. Here is how to create these simple DIY projects.

Materials you will Need

• Clean jars. Make sure they do not have any tags on them
• A tin of white spray but you can still use your preferred color
• String or yarn
• A cloth to cover your working surface

Method

• Wrap your string tightly around the jars in an overlapping and crisscrossing pattern and tie a knot. 
• Place your jars upside down on a covered surface. Spray-paint them uniformly with two or more coats. Allow them to dry for around ten minutes in between the coats. 
• Once they dry well, cut the string and unwrap. 
• Put a tea light inside and use it as a decoration for your front door area. 

Homemade Whiteboards

Whiteboards are ideal to use in offices, homes, and classrooms. You can use your whiteboard in different ways. For example, you can write down business plans, your daily schedule, school lessons, or even menu.

Your kids will enjoy scribbling and drawing on the whiteboard. While you can purchase an excellent whiteboard from Ikea, they can be quite costly, especially if you are looking for a large one. There are various DIY ideas you can use to make a whiteboard from home with just a few materials. 

Paint Your Nightstand Using Stencil Texture

Many people overlook the nightstand when giving their bedrooms a makeover. Yet, upgrading your nightstand improves the appearance of your home. You only need a stencil and chalk paint to create this DIY project. 

Artificial Granite Coasters

Coasters shield the surfaces where users are likely to place drinks. Sometimes you may place a coaster on top of your beverage to avoid contamination. Artificial granite coasters are great gift ideas to your loved ones. Read on for a guide on how to complete this DIY project.

Materials and Tools you will Need

• Oven-baked polymer clay
• Marble spray paint
• Granite spray paint
• Parchment paper
• Blue tape
• Acrylic paint
• Cardboard
• Paper plate
• Knife
• Rolling pin
• Baking tray
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Pen

Method

• Cut the parchment paper to create a working area from where you will roll your clay

• Warm your polymer clay in your hands to ease the rolling process

• Put an additional sheet of parchment paper on top of your piece of clay and roll slowly to create an even surface. The width should be approximately a quarter of an inch.

• With your knife, cut the outline of your coasters. Use the blue tape to set up straight edges and safeguard the segment of the coaster that you do not want to paint. 

• Put your taped coasters on cardboard and spray them lightly until you achieve the desired outcome.

Chalkboard Wall Calendar DIY Projects

All you need for these wall calendar DIY projects is chalkboard paint and some tape. When applying the paint, begin at the center of the surface that you are painting and proceed outward. Brushes are ideal for small areas. However, if you are working in a large section, you may want to use a roller.

Maintain a steady stroke while overlapping any brush marks. Always clean drips as they occur to achieve a smooth finish. Remember, your surface should be clean before you can start the painting process.

If you are painting a ceramic or plastic board, wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Spruce up wooden surfaces using sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish. 

Pallet Bench and Coffee Table Home Projects

If you want to create a good quality do it yourself pallet furniture, make sure the pallets you choose are of excellent quality. You can build this pallet bench and coffee table complete with shelving for additional storage space in simple steps. 

Upcycle an old record cabinet

Do you have an old record cabinet sitting in your home and do not know how to upgrade it? You can Google some DIY ideas or use this easy refurbishing guide to give your record cabinet a new look. 

Cassette Tape Wallet DIY Projects

Cassette tapes are no longer in use thanks to modern technology. But this does not stop you from enjoying some retro feel. There are numerous DIY projects you can execute with your old cassettes. 

DIY Floral Board Wall Art

You do not have to break a bank to create beautiful wall art. If you do not like the look of your walls and want to transform them, then this simple flower wall art tutorial will ease the process. 

DIY Chalk Paint Picture Frame

Before you can embark on this project, you want to create a picture frame that complements your home decor. For this DIY project, you will need:

• Old picture frames
• Sealing wax
• Chalky finish paint
• Paintbrush
• A clean rag
• Sanding block

Method

• Remove any artwork or glass from the frame
• Clean your frame thoroughly
• Prepare the paint and then apply the first coat
• Wipe any drips before applying another coat
• Rub off any excess dye with a sanding block
• Finish off with a wax sealant 

Ease Key Identification with Nail Polish

Do you struggle with identifying keys from your bunch? If you do, then this simple DIY project is all you need. It is an easy DIY idea that your young kids can execute with little supervision. All you need for this project is different nail polish colors. Use two coats of polish for each key to complete your project. 

Make Rustic Mason Jar Candle Sconces

If you want to achieve a rustic look in your home, these Mason jar candle sconces are your go-to project. You will need:

• Two pieces of upcycled wood
• A roll of natural twine
• Mason jar
• A votive candle
• Brown rice
• A votive candle holder
• A hanger
• Screw hooks
• Electrical tape

Method

• Tape the ends of one chain on your mason jar and leave approximately four inches of chain hanging from every side

• Use the natural twine to bind the lips of your jar tightly. You want to continue wrapping until you cover the entire tape

• Cut off the excess cord, and tuck at the end

• Pull the chain carefully to ensure it is secure

• On a flat surface, place one wood

• Screw one of the hooks in the wood approximately two inches from the boundary

• Pour your dry rice inside the mason jar before adding the candle and votive holder

• Fix the wood to the wall before hanging your mason jar on the hook

• Repeat the process for your remaining sconces, then light up the candles and enjoy your unique rustic look. You can even share a tweet of your work with your friends.

DIY Macrame Shelf

This macrame shelf is easy to make. It does not involve sewing or require the use of any tools, making it ideal for kids of different ages. For this project, you will need:

• Ten yards of a three by sixteen-inch three-string macrame rope
• A wood ring 
• A 9 by a 15-inch wooden board with holes embossed in each corner

Build a Fire Pit

A fire pit comes in handy during the cold season. You can complete fire pit DIY projects with these easy steps. 

DIY Peel-and-stick Backsplash

Peel and stick backlash wallpaper has become a popular product for DIY enthusiasts. Not only is it easy to install, but it is also affordable and available in various options. Read on to understand how to make it.

Materials you will Need

• Measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Scissors
• Straight edge ruler
• A wallpaper smoother

Method

• Wipe your walls clean to remove any grease or dirt with warm water and soap. Dry the walls well before applying the peel and stick backsplash wallpaper
• Measure your surface to establish the amount of wallpaper you need. Remove switch plates or outlet covers before placing the wallpaper. 
• Go ahead and apply your wallpaper. 

DIY Projects Save you Costs

Apart from saving you money, DIY projects involve upcycling, which protects the environment. Again, creating items yourself helps you outline your style, and this gives you a sense of satisfaction. 

Register with us now to learn more DIY ideas.

Crafts for kids are some of the simplest methods you can use to keep your kids busy and engaged. Further, craft projects help children improve their fine motor skills. Day crafts can be cost-effective yet fun. You can even use readily available materials in your home. In this article, we shall discuss easy craft ideas for kids of all ages.

Summer Craft Ideas

Whether you have preschoolers or older kids, these fun summer craft ideas will keep your little ones occupied. 

Homemade Play Dough

Play dough is among the easy crafts that kids will enjoy. Making the dough from home helps you understand the ingredients, and you can even customize it depending on your preferences. For example, you can add sparkles, color, essential oils, or natural flavors.

You can make different items from the play dough, depending on your preferences. You can even help your child in creating Halloween craft. Further, it features a handprint element that makes it more adorable. Read the following step by step guide to understand how to make DIY play dough.

Materials you will need

• Two cups of all-purpose flour 
• Two tablespoons of oil. You can use vegetable, coconut, or baby oil
• Two tablespoons of cream of tartar
• Three quarter cup of salt
• Gel food coloring. You can skip this ingredient
• Between 1 and 2 cups of boiling water
• Some drops of glycerin to give the end product some shine and stretch

Method

• Put your flour, cream of tartar, salt, and oil in a mixing bowl and mix well
• Add your food coloring to the boiling water before pouring it into the flour mixture. Remember, you should add the water little by little until you achieve your desired consistency
• Stir your mixture continuously until you get a sticky consistency
• Add your glycerin and let your dough cool
• Take your dough out of the bowl and place it on a kneading board
• Knead the dough vigorously until it is no longer sticky. The kneading process is the most critical, and you should continue kneading your dough until you get the right consistency.
• If your dough is still sticky, add some flour until you are satisfied with the outcome.

Giraffe Toilet Paper Roll Crafts

Things you will Need

• Two tissue paper rolls in different sizes
• Glue
• Five sheets of A4 paper. You can paint a plain paper using yellow acrylic paint, or use yellow paper
• Scissors
• Brush
• Hot glue
• Pink, brown, and yellowish-orange acrylic paint
• Googly eyes
• White cardstock
• Five brown and two black chenille sticks

Method

• Cut a third of your small toilet paper roll
• Cut two-thirds of your big tissue paper roll into half
• Pick one half and smear some glue on one side before joining the two sides together
• Smear some glue on all the three toilet paper rolls and bundle them together in white cardstock

The Tongue

• Cut out a tongue-shaped piece from your remaining paper rolls
• Paint the tongue with pink acrylic paint
• Color the giraffe parts in yellowish-orange acrylic paint

The Body

Paint your A4 paper with the brown acrylic paint to give your giraffe their marks. Where possible, try to paint before assembling your pieces. Paint along the neck to create brown spots too.

Head

• Paint two dots and a single stripe on your giraffe’s face
• Cut two cardboard rings
• Glue the giraffe’s googly eyes and stick the two cardboard rings to form a nose
• Glue the giraffe’s tongue
• Apply hot glue and fasten the neck on the body
• Apply hot glue on the neck and fix the head

Mane

• Pick two chenille sticks and join them together to create a long zigzag shape
• Join the zigzag structure with hot glue

Tail, Horns, and Legs

Pick one chenille stick and bend it in half. Twist the ends and leave behind a circle on the other end. Attach the end-result to the giraffe’s body to form the tail. Use another chenille stick and fix them on the head to set up the horns. For the legs, you will need to twist together brown and black chenille sticks. Glue them on the body. Your giraffe is now complete. 

Talking Fish Paper Craft

The talking fish paper craft is not the easiest origami to create, which is why it is ideal for older kids. Read on to learn how to make it.

Things you will Need

• Two googly eyes
• An A4 sheet of paper
• Scissors
• A cotton bud and white acrylic color. You will use the cotton bud to make dots on your paper fish
• Glue

Method

• Fold your A4 piece of paper to form a square and trim off the excess paper. Your folded paper should be in the form of a triangle

• Fold your triangle into half and fold it once more into two equal parts. One of these parts should be rectangular while the other should be triangular

• Unfold the bends and fold the rectangular section once more

• Make a triangle out of the rectangular part

• Create a small triangle on the same angle before opening it

• Make a tiny but long triangle

• Form a small triangle at the edge

• Unfold your paper to facilitate the assembling process

• Pick and fold two opposite edges. On each side, you want to form two long triangles

• Create a small triangle at the middle 

• Fold the central part inside and pull to form a tiny triangle

• Wrinkle the square at the center

• Pick two opposite sides that have no folds and thrust them close together, leaving the square structure pressed on the inside. Confirm if everything is well-folded before folding a long triangle

Other Summer Simple Craft Ideas 

Apple Print Craft

Your toddler will need an apple to create this craft. Divide the apple into half and let the kid use it to make stamps on a white paper. You can take this opportunity to teach your child about the different types of apples available. All you need for this recipe is washable paint, white paper, and apples. 

DIY Repurposed Wind Chime

The repurposed wind chime is one of the best day crafts for your preschoolers.

Galaxy Slime

If you are looking for a sensory activity for your kids, then the galaxy slime should be in your to-do list. To achieve this product, add glitter to an ordinary borax-free slime. You can use a simple yet customizable recipe for kids of all ages. The kids will be happy to watch their galaxy slime glitter in the night under the moon. The salad spinner fireworks craft is also an ideal night time activity for kids. 

Wooden Whistle

A wooden whistle is a woodcarving sensory activity that requires adult supervision. It is a fun kid’s activity that beginners will enjoy. 

Paracord Bracelets 

Paracord is a lightweight but durable rope used for camping and survivalist activities. There are many different paracord colors that kids can use for arts and crafts projects like paracord bracelets. 

Airplane Clothespin 

To make the airplane clothespin, you need the following:

• A pair of scissors
• Glue
• Foam craft ticks
• clothespins

Pom Pom Rainbow Collage

To make a pom pom collage you will need to cut out rainbow shapes in a cardboard tube to form the bottom of your collage. Arrange all your materials in color groups and start the gluing process. If you are working with younger kids, draw the rainbow parts on the cardboard to provide an outline of where they will glue. 

Popsicle Stick Vases

The Popsicle stick vase is an ideal 4th of July craft for older kids. Try this simple technique to create a colorful piece that your loved ones will love.

Coffee Filter Butterfly 

For the coffee filter butterfly, kids can use different colors to create a kaleidoscope of butterflies to display. To make coffee filter butterfly crafts, you will need a pipe cleaner, food coloring or round coffee filters, wax paper, droppers or spoons, and a spray bottle. 

Simple Easter Craft Ideas 

Easter is an exciting season for both kids and adults. You can use this season to bond with your kids as you create and learn different art ideas. Let us discuss some of the easy Easter craft ideas that you can help the kids do. These easy DIY art projects can also be ideal for a birthday party. 

The Paper Plate Easter Chick

This craft idea complements the Easter season. Read on to understand how to go about creating it.

What You Will Need

• Gluestick
• Googly eyes
• Feathers
• Orange construction paper or card stock
• Yellow dessert plate
• Yellow paper plate

Method

• From your construction paper or card stock, cut two long strips that will become the chick legs. You will also need to form two tiny chick feet and a beak. Choose a small pearl or diamond for its beak. 

• Begin creating the chick’s legs using the accordion style. Be sure to fold each orange paper strip. Now smear glue on the feet up to the bottom part of each leg.

• Fix the legs to the bottom part of the paper plate. To create the chick’s beak, you need to fold the section where you fixed the orange pearl or diamond into half. Make the beak, and attach it to the middle of the plate. 

• Add the googly eyes and fasten some feathers at the back of your plate. Doing so gives your chicks with fluffy wings.

Printable Easter Bunny Box

The free printable Easter bunny box can be an ideal decor addition to any Easter basket. You can use it in other events such as a spring celebration party. Here is how to make it.

Materials

• An Easter bunny box template
• Printer and computer
• Scissors
• Cardstock
• Halos mandarins
• Double stick tape

Method

• Download the Easter bunny box template and print it on cardstock

• Trim along the solid lines before creasing the box within the dotted lines

• Put a Halo at the center of the box. Fold the vertical lapels inside and the horizontal ones along the top to form a carton structure. Drive the two intertwined pieces together to form a bunny shape

• Use double-stick at the back of each earpiece to join it to each ear. Use different colors for the ears to achieve fun colors. 

DIY Brown Sack Easter Masks

Brown sack Easter masks are easy to make and your kids will enjoy creating them. You can find free printable options online, but creating them is an easy kids crafting idea to keep your kids engaged. Kids can either use colored paper or exercise their creativity with different crayon colors. 

Egg Shell Seed Pots

Eggshell seed pots can be a fun way of instilling gardening skills in your kids. Further, it is a cost-effective craft for kids seeing that all you need is save eggshells every time you eat eggs. Here is an easy guide to help you and the kids achieve your dream seed pots. 

Salt Dough Easter Egg Garland

Salt dough Easter egg garlands can be the perfect crafts for your preschoolers. Read on to find out how to make them. 

·       Materials you will Need

Salt dough. For the dough, you need to mix one cup of water, a cup of salt, and two cups of flour. Remember, you will have to bake the dough, which means your kids need strict adult supervision. 

• Paint brushes and acrylic paint
• A Ribbon that you will use to hang your garlands
• Mod podge
• An Egg-shaped cookie cutter

Method

Roll your salt dough to around a quarter of an inch thickness before cutting out the egg shapes

Prick the top of each egg shape to create holes. You can use a non-pointed pen for the best results

Line your shapes on parchment paper, place it on a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees until they are dry and hard

Allow to cool down well before painting them with fun craft colors and pretty patterns. Kids can even create handprint patterns on the egg shapes depending on their size. 

Allow the paint to dry before sealing with a coat of mod podge

Strap a loop through the top of your egg shapes using ribbon. Use a longer ribbon to suspend he shapes and make the garland

Hang your garland to complete this keepsake craft

DIY Father’s Day Crafts for Kids

Choosing a father’s day gift can be a difficult task, but a homemade craft can make any father feel special. There are many crafts for kids ideas that are not only simple, but they will also improve your child’s sensory skills. Here are some craft ideas that you and your kids can try for father’s day.

Personalized Grill Spatula Materials

Many dads enjoy grilling with their children, especially in the afternoons during the weekend. What a better way to make their grilling sessions even more fun than a personalized spatula? To make this craft, you will need:

• A wooden-handled spatula. You can find these in your local store
• A pair of scissors
• Medium to fine sandpaper
• Foam brush
• Mod podge
• Paint pens

Method

Sand the entire wooden handle using a fine to medium sandpaper. Doing so creates the perfect background for the paint to hold fast on the handle

Use a paint pen to write your personalized message to your dad on the wooden handle. Paint pens are a good option for both kids and adults because they are not messy. Further, they are versatile, and you can use them to paint on different materials like metal, ceramic, wood, fabric, and even plastic. 

Leave the paint to dry completely before adding a coat of mod podge to safeguard it.

Your personalized father’s day gift is now complete. 

Tackle Box Candy or Fish Father’s Day Craft

Excite your dad with this simple and easy to make tackle box. You will need:

• A Tacklebox organizer which you can buy from the local store
• Sour gummy worms
• Sour octopus candy
• Gummy worms
• Swedish fish candy
• Free Printable tag

Method

Fill the different compartments of your box with your fish-shaped candy

Print the tag and glue it on the outer part of your tackle box. You can include a personalized message to your dad. 

Tie and Dye Bookmark

Does your dad love to read? If they do, then this tie and dye bookmark will come in handy. You can even use it as a mother’s day gift. Kids will have fun experimenting with the fun and easy technique of making these accessories. 

Picture Frame 

Did any of your family members hit a milestone recently? It could be a graduation, a job promotion, or even a new baby. Documenting memories is one way of keeping the events fresh, and this picture frame is an ideal way of doing it. You will not need many items to create it. 

DIY Tie Rack

Storing ties can be a difficult task, which is why this DIY tie rack will come in handy to keep them neat and organized. This project is easy, and your kids can do it on their own but with your supervision.

Mother’s Day Easy Crafts for Kids

If you are planning to surprise your mom with a DIY craft during mother’s day, there are some options you can choose.

DIY Crayon Candle

To make a DIY crayon candle, you will need the following.

• Old Crayons
• Containers
• Wicks
• Wax

Method

• Melt the wax. The perfect way to melt your wax is to create a double boiler. You can use a pot and a coffee can. Fill your pot, up to between one to two inches with water, and simmer it. Put your wax in the coffee can and let it melt until it is clear. Use an old spatula to stir the wax. 

• Reduce the heat on your burner once you achieve your desired consistency. Do not turn off the burner. You need to ensure the wax remains warm and in liquid form. Remember, creating the layers will take some time, but this craft idea will teach your kids how to be patient.

• Working with one color at a time, pour hot wax in the container with the broken crayon. You want to crush your crayons into small pieces for the best results. Stir using a craft stick and let the crayon melt. If you want a scented candle, you can add essential oils at this point. 

• Put a wick inside your jar before pouring the wax inside. You do not need anything to secure your wick. Allow the wax to hold it in place. Still, you can twist it around a pencil or wooden skewer to keep it straight.

• Refrigerate your jar to set the wax. The setting process may take longer, depending on the type of wax you use. Once the layer is firm, and cool start the process, this time with a different color set of crayons. Repeat the process for all your crayon colors. When the final layer sets, your candle is ready for gifting. 

Mason Jar Picture Frame Vases

Mason jar picture frame vase is an ideal way for the kids to exercise their creativity, and a perfect mother’s day gift. The method is simple, and kids of all ages can easily do it with adult supervision. You can even make it an exciting indoor activity on a rainy day. 

DIY Dots and Dashes Floral Mug

Does your mom love her coffee or tea? How about decorating her favorite cup with dots, dashes, and flowers? You can even add a personalized message to make her feel special. This dots and dashes floral mug is an ideal back to school activity and a perfect way of exercising your artistry skills. 

Balsa Wood Planters

Many moms love their indoor plants. To make them feel appreciated during mother’s day, you can give them a gift that complements their passion. Making basal wood planters is an easy process that you can complete with readily available items. 

Mother’s Day Paper Plate Craft

Use a paper plate as your canvas material and paint it with your mom’s favorite watercolors. You can laminate it with a clear paper bag to prolong its lifespan, and your mom can use it as a keepsake for many years. 

Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

Often, Valentine’s Day is all about chocolates, flowers, and romance. But this does not eliminate kids from the fun. You can spend a few hours during the day helping your kids create interesting craft pieces.

There are numerous Valentine’s Day crafts for kids you can try. You can even use these ideas to make Christmas crafts. Some of the items that kids can create include; a suncatcher, pinecone mouse, and colorful sheep made of craft sticks.

Nature Crafts for Older Kids

Did you know that there are many things you and the kids can make with nature? From the hanging flower garland to the twig vase and leaf prints, nature provides ideal materials for your crafting.

All you need to create fun nature crafts for kids is natural materials like flowers, tree bark, leaves, rocks, twigs, and seashells. Many nature crafts are ideal for older children, but younger kids can also create them with adult supervision.  

 Arts and Crafts come with Numerous Benefits for Your Kids

The benefits of crafting extend to different aspects of life and equip kids with excellent problem-solving skills. Leverage this guide to learn various craft ideas that your kids can learn and love.