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Handicraft Ideas for 4, 5 and 9 yr old girls?
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Hi!
I want to start my girls out on handicrafts this upcoming school year. I’d love it if they could make things to sell (so they can earn pocket money) or to give as gifts.
Does anyone have some ideas for crafts like that? I know how to sew so I could teach my oldest that, but I’m having trouble coming up with something for the younger two that isn’t twaddlish.
Thanks!
Keri
Keri,
I have 2 girls very similar ages to yours. My almost 9 yo is learning to knit, and she really likes it. My almost 5 yo laces beads to make jewelry. You can get them inexpensively/on clearance at many craft stores.
HTH, Faith 🙂
Keri,
My kids started out with making the loom potholders and those beaded shapes that you iron to make the beads fuse together, as gifts for their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The finished product isn’t all that useful but the kids thought they were great gifts to give. The kids had fun and felt good creating their “masterpieces”.
I would like to teach them how to cross stitch and latch hook. We even bought some kits at a craft store but I haven’t taken them out yet. So thanks for the question…now I am deteremind to get them out and start on them.
HTH,
Shelly
Have you looked at Keepers of the Faith? They have some great kits.
Cindy
My children enjoy the “Love & Money” lap looms when they are very young. My (now) 19 yo daughter raised money for missions when she was about 8 by selling the small hexagonal size. I knit and think knitting is the ideal handwork, but I’m quite biased! 🙂 My children usually knit while I read aloud.
“Lauri Knits” –Where is a good place to look for the Love & Money Lap looms? Are the hexagonal size better to start out with then the rectangular shaped looms? At what age is it good to start teaching children to knit. I would love to learn myself and have my children learn too.
Shelly
Thanks for all the responses!
I do have some knifty knitter looms that I had thought about letting them try. I may also so bracelets for them and have them work on patterns/sequencing at the same time.
🙂
Keri
I bought my loom by advertising for several months on Craig’s List, and purchased the hex kit for $5. My hubby made a square wooden one years ago from wood and headless nails. I think they’re equally easy to learn.
As to your question about the best age to learn to knit, I think it depends upon the child. I know 5 year olds who can knit and other children – including my youngest – who needed to be 9. However, as it was child labor for most of the past 500 years, so I suppose any child can do it! 🙂 A friendly local yarn shop usually has learn-to-knit classes for all ages. There’s nothing quite like having someone to show you the ropes. If you have a Knitting Guild, you may find they welcome beginners or offer beginner’s night. My daughter and I have been guild members for many years, and enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow fiber enthusiasts.
Shanna, I had a friend show me for about 20 minutes. Then I was okay. Well, all I can knit are scarves or squares…
Faith 🙂
My husband has always commented on how he would like for me to knit him some wool socks. I dont know what he would do with wool socks in Texas but it is something I would like to do.
Shanna,
I taught myself to knit a year ago and I love it. It’s really easy once you get the hang of it. If you go to You Tube and type in “learn to knit” there are plenty of tutorials. I also really recommend a book called “How to Knit” by Debbie Bliss, it has everything in it you’ll need to know.
Lyn
There are some really neat plastic canvas needlework projects (bookmarks, pencil holders, picture frames, tissue boxes, ….. lots of ideas. We were actually looking for something for my ds4 and he loves this (he’s currently working on a birthday crown for the family). After seeing some of the project books we borrowed from the library, my dd’s (7 & 10) are anxious to jump into it once they complete their sewing projects.
🙂
The girls and I went to a Sewing Expo yesterday and a very kind lady at one of the exhibits introduced a couple of books that look great for younger children. Thought you might like to know about them: Kids Learn to Crochet and Kids Learn to Knit, both by Lucinda Guy.
My oldest daughter who crochets took a look at the crochet book for me (since I don’t crochet) and said that it looked helpful, breaking down the concepts into good small steps, large illustrations for clarity, and some projects for practice. We didn’t see the knitting book, but we assume it’s along the same lines.
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