As summer comes and school holidays drag on, many families are faced with a common question: how to keep children entertained without resorting to screens all the time? Finding activities that are fun, safe and educational can be a real challenge. That’s why knowing what are the best summer crafts for kids is a great solution.
THE RISK OF A SEDENTARY AND DISCONNECTED SUMMER
High temperatures, lack of routines and unstructured free time can lead to long days in front of the TV, tablet or mobile phone. This not only limits creativity. It can also affect children’s emotional, social and motor development.
According to many experts in early childhood education, active play and sensory experimentation are key to learning during the first years of life. In this context, knowing which are the best summer crafts for children is one of the best alternatives.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SUMMER CRAFTS FOR CHILDREN?
The answer to the question “what are the best summer crafts for children” depends on their age, interests and developmental level. Even so, there are proposals that never fail because of their ability to entertain, stimulate fine motor skills, encourage concentration and, above all, foster creativity.
Here are some simple, safe and fun ideas to do at home during the summer.
1. COLOURED ICE PAINT
Freeze ice cube trays with coloured water (using food colouring or diluted watercolours) and give them icy paintbrushes. A perfect sensory activity for hot afternoons.
2. MARINE ANIMALS WITH CARDBOARD PLATES
With disposable plates, scissors, coloured paper and glue, children can create fish, jellyfish or turtles. A creative way to talk about the sea and nature.
3. BRACELETS WITH RECYCLED BEADS
Use buttons, cut-up straws, fabric scraps or painted macaroni for children to create their own bracelets or necklaces. Ideal for developing fine motor skills.
4. SALT DOUGH FIGURES
By mixing flour, salt and water, a dough can be formed which is then moulded and left to dry in the sun. A tactile, natural and very entertaining craft.
5. SOCK PUPPETS
The mismatched socks become characters with eyes, threads and buttons. Then the children can set up their own puppet theatre.
6. CARDBOARD CAMERA
With recycled cereal boxes and lids, you can create a toy camera that motivates you to observe your surroundings and create stories.
These activities not only entertain, but also help to reinforce fundamental skills at an early age.l This is the case with hand-eye coordination, patience, creative thinking and problem solving.
AT CASVI VILLAVICIOSA, FOSTERING CREATIVITY IS PART OF LEARNING
At Eurocolegio Casvi International Private School in Villaviciosa de Odón, we understand creativity as an essential skill for the 21st century. That is why, from the earliest stages of education, we incorporate artistic workshops, manipulative games and plastic expression activities as part of the daily classroom routine.
Our IB methodology, based on the International Baccalaureate, encourages exploration, curiosity and active learning. Because we know that a creative child is a child capable of imagining, communicating, adapting and building his or her own path.
In addition, the school offers the Casvi Art School as an extracurricular activity, a space where pupils can continue to explore and develop their artistic talent beyond school hours. Through this proposal, the children work on a variety of plastic arts techniques, develop their visual expression and reinforce their creative self-esteem in a motivating and personalised environment.
