Top 7 Family Friendly DIY Activities
At-home DIY activities and crafts are an important tool in any parent's arsenal and one that has tons of positive consequences! Studies show that creative interaction between children and parents boosts kids' cognitive functioning and provides a unique opportunity to bond and create lasting memories for the whole family. Plus, with fewer opportunities at school for creative expression through art classes, making sure we double down on this at home is crucial. To start you off with some great ideas, we've compiled a list of the top family-friendly DIY activities and crafts to do or make in the comfort of your own home or backyard.
1.) Re-grow Fruits and Veggies
Lemon trees and passion fruit vines can be grown from their seeds. Lemon grass and sweet potato can be re-grown from scraps. You can even re-grow a pineapple from its cut-off top! Bear in mind that it takes a couple of years to fully re-grow a pineapple, but the leaves make a pretty houseplant in the meantime. And, before that, a vase filled with water makes a lovely base in which to grow your first little pineapple roots.
2.) Make Painted Rock Art
Decorate rocks using either acrylic paint or even by painting a rock portrait for each member of the family. The best part is that your artist's medium here is free and renewable, so this is one of our favorite paint-related activities.
3.) Sharpie Art on Mugs and Bowls
Looking to add a little color to your cupboard and give your kids a bit of ownership over a corner of the kitchen while you're at it? Using Sharpies is a fun method of allowing your kids to get creative with ceramic, no kiln required.
4.) Create a Wreath with Leaves and Cardboard
First, cut a circle out of cardboard that's about a foot in diameter and then cut another circle about three inches inside of that one. Next, go on a nature hike! As you walk, pick up anything that strikes your fancy and have the rest of the family do the same. Then, at home, use a hot glue gun to attach your nature finds to the cardboard cutout. Voila, you have a simple and cost-effective homemade wreath. Plus, this one scores double memory-making points, since you get to cherish the memories of the hike and the follow- up art session!
5.) Pour Custom Candles
This one is a show-stopper in the world of at-home DIY activities for one simple reason--scent! A family candle-pouring session incorporates that additional layer of sensation that really makes the experience stand out in our memories. Studies show that we most vividly recall memories we associate with fragrances, so this is the perfect activity for anyone who wants to turn an ordinary afternoon into an aromatic adventure no one will forget.
6.) Make a Time Capsule
Kids have a blast with this activity during every part--building the capsule itself, filling it, decorating the outside, and then deciding on where to bury it. The entire process is fun for everyone. Plastic is readily-available and non-biodegradable, so find a positive re-purposing for it by building your capsule out of old PVC pipe.
7.) Craft with Popsicle Sticks
An oldie but a goodie, popsicle sticks are still one of the most versatile mediums out there for DIY at-home crafters. Use these multi-functional marvels to build everything from pop-up bird feeders to multi-level plant stands!
Whatever activity or craft you choose, time spent at home with those we love is invaluable. <3
