Help with kids crafts!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Love, the marble in a pringle can idea 5 little monkeys! thanks!

I do the same, I used to do the more elabroate crafts, but I found it is too much for kids under 2 1/2 -3 and therefoe was just hand over hand for me.

The other suggestion I have is cutting with scissors. When my son was younger he was in OT for fine motor skills (he was born at 24 weeks, and had lots of therapy, mostly to prevent delays) anyways, I was told that by 2yrs they should start handling child scissors ( I was surprised, I thought that was too young). I have only had one parent in my nine years get their child cutting with scissors before me, in fact I have kids that only ever use scissors with me until they go to school. Anyways, get some childrens scissors, and give them some scrape paper and they will have a blast. It is important to teach them the proper way to hold the scissors, so some hand over hand is needed. as they get better, draw lines on the paper and see if they can follow....it is great motor skill work, and you can call it craft (there just isn't much to show for it in the end)

Another good mess free painting idea is to place a piece of paper in a large ziplock bag with a paint filled sponge. The child can squeeze the sponge and keep hands clean! Great for the 14 month-ish and younger crew!