17 Mar Easter Craft Hacks for Busy Parents
If the thought of getting the craft supplies out to make a beautiful creation for the upcoming Easter Bonnet parade has you running for the hills, then you’re not alone!
“Many parents feel overwhelmed by the mess and time spent cleaning up caused by paints, glue and glitter at Easter time,” says craft expert, Shannon Wong-Nizic, from Oh Creative Day.
Shannon says that by taking a simpler approach, it’s possible to reduce the headache and still have some fun crafting with the kids this Easter:
- Low-prep projects
Ever spent 30 minutes prepping a creative experience only for your child to declare, “I’m done!” after 30 seconds? Projects that take a lot of prep time can lead to grandiose expectations of what the project will produce. Take the pressure off by looking for simple, open-ended projects with minimal supplies.
- Rely on those staple items
You do not need to own the entire craft aisle to be a crafty parent. It is easy to become overwhelmed by all that is on offer – for adults and children alike! Have a well-kept supply of the staples so that you can easily pull them out and pack them away. We have a small tub filled with Pilot Pintor paint markers. Whenever we need to add a splash of colour to a project, we pull the tub out – easy peasy.
- Reuse and recycle
How can you use what you have around the house to get creative this Easter? Easter Bonnet Parade? Use an old cap or sunhat as the base for your bonnet. Need to make an Easter basket? Hit the pantry and decorate a cereal box.
- Don’t put all the supplies out all at once
If mess is your number one reason for finding Easter crafting a chore, this tip is for you! When all the supplies are out from the beginning, this heightens the chance of crafty things flying everywhere! Think of the project in layers and do a staggered release of materials. This helps to keep the workspace tidier and organised.
- Use one project, many ways
There is nothing sweeter than when a mini-maker hits creative flow. Their hands are busy, they’re relaxed and engaged with whatever it is that they are making. It is a win when one project can lead to a variety projects, keeping children happy and enjoying the moment. Make it easy for them by keeping it simple with one straightforward project they can use in many different ways.
Shannon has created a free, quick and easy ‘Hoppy Easter’ project featuring a cute Easter Bunny that can be transformed into Easter cards, bunting, decorations for bonnets or baskets, and signs for Easter egg hunts.
“The Hoppy Easter project can be stopped and started over many creative sessions, it is low mess and features one simple craft template that can be used across many projects, making it perfect for mess-averse, time-poor parents and guaranteed to put a smile on the kids’ faces this Easter!” said Shannon.
Shannon Wong is a teacher, mum of three and avid crafter. An enthusiastic fan of pom poms, PVA and paint, she runs popular blog and online parenting resource dedicated to all things creative, https://ohcreativeday.com/ and has 39,400 followers on Instagram.
Pilot Pintor Paint Markers are available from Big W, Officeworks and independent retailers, RRP $5.45-$6.55 each.
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