This post is not sponsored, just sharing the love on some products that have saved me time and sanity the past few months!
‘Art and craft time?’ Right now, this is Hannah’s favourite thing to ask me. Painting, collages, drawing, clay, play dough, stickers – she’s obsessed. And now that she’s closing in on 5, there’s a chance she’ll actually sit still to complete the project.
We’re always on the lookout for easy, fun, and (hopefully) not TOO messy art and craft we can do in an hour or two. Better still if they’re somewhat educational or have an end result we can use or display.
Now, I love art and craft, but the clean up is what always kills my vibe – but I find if I set up a mat (or, a cheap plastic table cloth) underneath the table we are using, I can just fold it all up and shake any excess into the bin. And, art ponchos or smocks are a must!
Ideally I’d love to sit down and work out projects and source the items and what-not, but in reality I do not have the time and with a two year old as well, it’s hard to find the actual man-hours to set up art and craft activities. So, if it’s easy and quick to set up I am IN.
A few months ago Officeworks asked me to check out their ‘learn and grow’ range and I was quite impressed with the products they had on offer. They held an event where bloggers were invited to check out the range with their children and then take some of the kits and supplies home to try out.
We loved them, and have since been back to repurchase quite a few of the items. Here’s our favourite art and craft activities right now. This isn’t sponsored – we were gifted some of the items however we have repurchased some over and over – just thought I’d share the love – especially since they can be ordered online! (Check out the full range here.)
1. Kadink dough bucket pastels $7.48
This is a great idea – my kids always mix up the colours but who cares, I just roll it all up and stick it back into the big bucket!
We also have feathers and potato head body parts which we stick into it. I just open the dough, add some plastic kid’s play knives, spoons and a rolling pin or two and they will happily play for a good 30 minutes. Once again, lay out the plastic mat underneath and you’re good to go! Here’s some accessories to go with the dough, too.
2. Melissa and Doug hero masks set $9.99 and Tiaras set $9.99
My kids LOVEEEE these. And so do I – it results in a really great product that they are proud in and love to wear. And they can decorate them however they like. Great to throw in a pack if they’re staying over at the grandparents or the like, too.
These are so much fun, we have the pet store but there are so many great ones to play with. The kids can be creative with the placement or you can tell a story as you put the items on. Or, get them to create a scene then tell you a story about it. So cute.
Guys, if you’re new to the art and craft world – say hello to plasticine – it’s a bit like play dough but it doesn’t DRY OUT. So they can play with it, model it, leave it lying around (:|) and it won’t dry out. I tend to take it easy with the plasticine as it does smell a bit different but the kids love it all the same.
5. Poster paints (we like the Kadink range $3.78 each)
I love this paint – it is bright, mixes easily but most of all it is non-toxic and washable. I just throw out some paper, a cup-full of paintbrushes and off they go. Sometimes I’ll suggest something like trees or patterns but usually I just let them use their imaginations. Don’t forget the art smocks!!
Do you have a favourite super easy art or craft activity to play with kids (specifically 2-4 year olds – hah!)?? Let me know!
