Why I Kissed Kid Crafts Goodbye!

I recently shared with you my list of top ten things to do with your Catholic preschooler.  Did you notice crafts did not make the cut?  Well it isn’t because I didn’t have space for it on my list.  Oh, no.  Kid crafts fall to the very bottom of my homeschooling to-do list.  Let me share with you why.

Why I Abhor Kid Crafts…

• The Mess
• The Time from Mom
• Lack of real learning
• It isn’t real art

The Mess of Kid Crafts

There are always so many materials involved in even simple children’s craft projects:  sheets of paper, cut paper, glue sticks, pencils, crayons, scissors, and glitter (oh, the glitter!).  While young children can help with picking up, Mom is often the one stuck with cleanup duty (oh, the glitter!).  I just don’t have time or the patience for that!  (And, of course, there is always the occasional child who eats the art materials!)

The Time for Kid Crafts

Crafts almost always entail prep work and assistance from mom.  Whether purchasing or gathering materials, doing pre-cutting/assembly, searching for particular projects, or assisting at the actual crafting, it is just one more thing that this busy homeschool mama refuses to put on her to-do list.  I find there to be more valuable ways to spend my time.

Real learning?

For me, this is the biggy.  If I felt a task was truly valuable, I would do it no matter the mess or time involved.  Crafting is not something I see as a valuable part of my children’s education. I have rarely completed a craft that enhanced my child’s understanding of a particular topic.  That is not to say that kid crafts never enhance learning, but I find that case to be the exception to the rule.

Is it real art? 

Many times, kid crafts are described as artistic pursuits, but I rarely see real artistic skills acquired during craft time.  I always try to imagine little Picassos, Monets, and Tissots, cutting and pasting a predefined craft.  Somehow I can’t quite manage that picture.  Sure, kid crafts help your child develop their fine motor skills, but those skills can be developed in simpler ways.

Case Study of an Extreme Kid Craft

Let’s take an extreme example of crafting.  Let’s say it’s the Feast of the Ascension and we have decided our children will create a life-size diorama of the scene out of paper mache, complete with a Jesus that ascends into the clouds of the scene.

Mother spends the entire night before preparing for the crafting event by gathering paper, printing images to copy, and learning about paper mache techniques. Next morning, she sets the task before the children and converses with them about the Assumption as they cut and paste the day away.  When the project is finished, what have the children gained by the experience?

Have any truths of the faith been conveyed?  Have real artistic skills been fostered?  Yes, yes, I know, the children have developed their fine motor abilities, but could these skills be more easily developed as they play freely with the art supplies?

This case study, of course, is an exaggeration, but do you see my point?  There will be crafts that are an exception to my views, but the majority of crafting projects I come across are nothing but fluffy busywork for little hands.

Ditch the Kid Crafts Guilt

So, are you willing to buck the crafting trend?  Expect to feel a little crafting guilt at first.  You will see beautiful crafts on Pinterest.  If one really strikes your fancy, by all means, do it, but never feel compelled to do it just because you feel you must craft the day away with your young children to qualify for the Mother of the Year award.

I’ve long since gotten over my mommy crafting-guilt.  Do we still do crafts in our family?  Yes.  When I find a finished product that I will actually treasure, can be given as a gift, looks simple, requires only things I have on hand, looks fun, or actually teaches something, I’m all for it!

I’m not saying you have to throw out all kid crafts, or if they are something you truly enjoy that you should totally pitch them from your preschool curriculum.  I am saying if crafts are not your thing, ditch them, and let go of the guilt.

How do I teach my children real art skills?

Just because I despise kid crafts doesn’t mean I totally skip art all together.  We’ve come across some art technique books and activities that we actually find worthwhile.  I’m always looking to get more art in our homeschool, although, I will admit, it is a real struggle at times.

Drawing with Children  We’ve had this text for 6 years and it has vastly improved my own drawing skills.  We’ve never made it all the way through, but even a few lessons are helpful.  You and your children will learn how to break apart a drawing into its components and make the drawing process much more accessible.

Drawing Textbook  This is a new to us book suggested by Mother of Divine Grace (MODG) in 4th Grade.  I love how clearly the lessons of the text are laid out, which gives it a real advantage over Drawing with Children.  The directions can be somewhat vague, but I’m hoping by working through the text we will slowly develop our artistic hand.

Studying and Copying the masters  Charlotte Mason picture study and copying is another great and affordable way to get some art instruction into our homeschools.  Mother of Divine Grace has lots of picture study within its suggested curriculum (using Mommy, it’s a Renoir), which is just another reason I love it!

But how do I reinforce learning?

If not kid crafts, then how do we reinforce the things our children are learning?  It is so simple and really the most beautiful thing you can do for your child.  Snuggle up together and read a beautifully written book! 

If you are wanting to live the liturgical year in a meaningful way, a great place to start is with a monthly bookbasket and feast table.  This relaxed method of dancing the liturgical rhythm has been such a gift to our family.

Do you kid craft?

Other posts you may like:

10 Must Dos in Your {Catholic} Preschool

Preschool at Home Your Way

Activities for your Preschooler’s Quiet Time

Must Reads for Young Catholics