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Handicraft ideas for boys
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I really like the idea of handicrafts as opposed to the construction/tissue paper stuff my son came home with nearly every day in public kindergarten. (Since my son LOVES the cutting and gluing and coloring though, I guess we’ll do some of that as well.
) What are some good things I can teach him at this age that might spark his interest and will be within his skill level? I know “life skills” are considered a handicraft (making beds, doing dishes, helping wash the car, etc.)..but I’m thinking more along the lines of actual crafts such as modeling, woodworking, etc. I’ve thought about woodworking but was worried he’s too young for it. I know that they can make things with clay but again, worried he’s too young to make anything worthwhile and will become discouraged.
I’d love any ideas! Thanks.
My 2 little ones will be making Christmas ornaments this fall as their handicraft. I have different types of clay, one that smells of lovely cinnamon, salt dough, sculpy, etc. I will let them experiment with it, hoping to have some decent products to give as gifts at Christmas.
You could get those little building kits from Lowe’s/Home Depot if you want to look at woodworking. It’s mostly just nailing, but that’s an important skill! They do the little workshops on weekends for free or you can just purchase the kits. There are some cute ones.
I have a 7yo DS. We’ve done/are planning:
wooden birdhouse kit
wooden fort model (from craft store)
paracord bracelet
modeling clay–I just picked up some Crayola Model Magic and it looks very easy to use (it’s lightweight)!
taking pictures/making movies–he got his own digital camera last Christmas and loves it!
sewing–we’ve done some boyish projects like pillowcase and stuffed animal monsters. He sews by hand just fine, but I help him guide the fabric on the machine.
origami
paper mache
painting
yardwork–our older three have mini-shovels for scooping snow. They don’t get much done, but it keeps them busy and they love it!
I found a couple of these a few weeks ago at JoAnn’s in the summer clearance section.
http://www.joann.com/loom-kit-loops/prd2127/
My 7YO DS and 6YO DD like it so far. We plan to make some Christmas gifts with it.
I agree that woodworking and ornaments are great too. I’m into repurposing lately, and I’m hopeful to make these for Christmas gifts and/or just to tie onto our packages for grandparents and sisters’ family gifts.
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/snowflakes/a/ToiletPaperRollSnowflake.htm
OR
http://www.ehow.com/how_4500448_make-toilet-paper-tube-snowflakes.html
The weaved potholders, or sew them for gifts. Men styles to sell would be good. Most men’s kitchens don’t have wood themes or animal prints. Big hit up here. Card making, they can sell mens cards with woods and water themes. Wood carving, Maybe a duck decoy. Then wood burn the wings and face. It is a project to do together.
He is a boy so when you start with the little things it will give his hands and fingers more dexterity to work larger projects. He might get into making a fort or bow and arrows, gun smith for guns,maybe he will work as a blacksmith.(a homeschooler I know does this and he was 16 when he learned.) Target practice for knife throwing The trouble with most boys handicrafts is there is a little danger involved in almost all of them. Mostly look for the life skills that he may need for survival someday. Making his own cabin because he made his own fort. It may start out as a carving project and may end up his job someday. It may seem like to much but he may surprise you. I was only 5 when I learned how to crochet. My neighbor and her sister were only 4 and 5 when they did their trendle sewing machine together to get it to work. On the prairie little girls learned how to sew at the young age of 5. So, it might seem like he is too young but he just needs more supervisation There are many good homeschooling videos out by Little Bear Wheeler that could give you a good start on teaching him these skills.
Warning– There may be some risk due to advice taken from a homeschool mom. 🙂 These are just the opinion of one mom not to reflect those who are timid and wouldn’t try this at home. Nor may it be the opinion of those running this site, linked to this site, or bugged by those writing opinions on this site. Veiwer discretion is advised!
Good luck and Have a blessed day!
These are taken from our County Fair Youth Exhibit categories, so take them FWIW:
Leaf Collection
Nature craft (pinecone crafts, items from driftwood, etc.)
Craft from recycled materials
Squirrel feeder
Squirrel or duck box (or other wildlife, such as bats)
Fishing lures
Bookends
Key holder or keyring
Mosaic
Collage (my ds8 made a “pizza” using cardboard for the crust, red paper for the sauce, and paper and felt for the toppings. He got a blue ribbon for it, too.)
Model airplane, rocket, car
Arrowhead, Sports card, coin, rock, shell, stamp collections
Seasonal and holiday crafts (for fall, there are all sorts of pinecone crafts, apple prints, potato printing, leaf crafts)
Bookmarks (would make good gifts)–boys might like to make them from paper or fun foam
Homemade soap
Leather crafts
Metal crafts
Rock or seed art (find interesting rocks and paint them; use seeds to create a picture)
Sand art
Stepping stone
Make a terrarium
If he would rather glue than use nails (or if it would make you feel better), I saw these kits at Wal-Mart:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Value-Craft-Paint-Your-Own-Wood-Airplane/20934834
There are other similar kits, too.
HTH,
Karen
My ds6 has really liked making potholders on a loom and giving them as gifts. I will teach him hand sewing and knitting this year, and he will be working on planning and building a treehouse with his papa.
Another craft we’ve really enjoyed, and makes a beautiful gift, are translucent window stars – basically origami with specially coated tissue paper that looks way more difficult than it is. Barnes & Noble has a kit for these with good directions, but real kite paper makes prettier stars.
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