Expressing through art and craft activities is one of the best things any parent could encourage their child to do. They help develop and enhance several skills, which is why they are often deemed essential for development in babies. Some of the world’s geniuses happen to be artists, like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. If your little one pursues arts and crafts, they are likely to become balanced and confident as they will develop the following skills in the early stages of their life:
- Eye-hand coordination
- Fine motor skills
- Body control and balance
- Sensory skills
- Spatial sense
- Self-expression
- Imagination
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Creative thinking
- Problem-solving skills
- Focus
- Patience
- Planning and organisational skills
But where should you, the parents, begin? We’ve got you covered! Here are a few very simple arts and crafts projects your baby can start with.
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10 Very Simple Art and Craft Ideas For Babies
These projects don’t need a lot of material and can be a great last-minute activity for kids of any age.
1. Finger And Hand Painting
Painting with your hands and fingers is the simplest form of sensory play that aids development in babies. All you need is a drawing sheet and some paint, and your little one can go tracing and printing to create a masterpiece!
To add variety to the same old activity, let your baby use their arms and palms to print different patterns and then fingerprint around them to create beautiful images, as in the image above. Here, the child has created a tree trunk and branches using their hand and is seen fingerprinting leaves around the branches.
2. Vegetable Printing
This one is a favourite among parents. You can use vegetables like potatoes, lady’s fingers, bell peppers, carrots, etc. Cut just a little of any of these vegetables, such that you get enough to hold on to and a proper shape on the side that has been cut (you can also carve out a shape if needed). Then, pour some paint on a plate and let your little one get creative printing designs and patterns on a plain sheet of paper. Then leave the paper to dry.
3. Feet Printing
This activity will need you to be extra careful, but your child is sure to have so much fun doing it. Spread a large sheet of paper on a bed of grass, if you prefer the outdoors, or on an old fluffy blanket indoors to avoid accidents due to slippages. Then, pour some paint on a paper plate and let your baby dip their feet in it and create patterns by stepping or walking on the paper. Again, we strongly advise your supervision and attention at all times to avoid accidents.
4. Painting Using Unusual Tools
By now, you must have realised that the beauty of art is that there’s no need to stick to the norms. Let’s say you cannot find the paintbrush. Your child can use their hands and fingers instead! But if they aren’t comfortable dipping their fingers in the paint, use other tools like earbuds, crumpled newspaper, an old toothbrush, ink dropper, disposable bottles, sticks, straws, etc. and encourage them to create a variety of textures and patterns.
5. Clay On Paper
Clay is a very useful material for kids to improve their skills. Hand them a plain sheet of paper, let them segregate the clay by colour, and apply it by pressing it on the paper to create art. Some babies may even enjoy carving clay on paper with a spoon or an ice cream stick.
6. Torn Paper Craft
Babies are generally curious about their surroundings. Give them anything, and they will grab it, move it from one hand to another, drop and pick it up several times, put it in their mouth, and even try to tear it. This activity is sure to keep them engaged and provide a way to express their creativity too. Draw a simple image (just the outline) on a plain sheet of paper and apply some glue to a small section of the drawing. Give that paper to your little one along with a bunch of coloured paper. You’ll need to supervise the child depending on how young they are. Then, instruct the child to tear the coloured paper into small pieces, work their pincer grip, and stick the torn pieces inside the outline on the glued areas.
7. Sponge Dab Painting
This dabbing art is extremely easy and so enjoyable! Pour some paint on a paper plate and hand your child a piece of sponge. Then, guide them to dip the sponge in the paint and dab it on a piece of paper to create their very first sponge dab art.
8. Painting With Ice
Add a few drops of paint to a bowl of water and mix it well. Then, pour the water into an ice tray, drop one toothpick or an ice cream stick in each section of the ice tray and let it freeze for a few hours. Once the ice has set, remove the cubes and let the child create patterns and designs on a plain sheet of paper. You can set ice cubes in as many colours as you want. Isn’t it a cool way to stimulate your baby’s senses and creativity?
9. Drawing In The Sand
This one is a fun activity to develop sensory and pre-writing skills! Take a tray and fill it halfway with some sand. Then, let your child trace patterns, dig holes, or make mountains in their own portable sand pit. If you’re worried that your child might put the sand in their mouth, make some edible sand by crumbling crackers or cookies in a ziplock bag using a rolling pin or blending them at high speed for about 60 seconds.
10. Colourful Ribbon Ring
Babies are often intrigued by colourful satin ribbons. Here’s a quick craft you can make and use to meet your baby’s other developmental milestones too. Get a bunch of colourful satin ribbons and a decently large ring (an embroidery ring will just be fine). Then, cut long strands of ribbons, fold them in halves and tie cow hitch knots all along the ring. Let the child touch and observe each ribbon and move around with it. You could also use it as a mobile if your little one is just an infant.
Aren’t these projects really simple? As your child grows, they will use their imagination and carry out the same activities in different ways and enjoy them along the way. Encourage them to reuse their art, too, for making other decorative items or wrapping gifts. Which one did your child enjoy the most? Comment and let us know!
