Guest post: How to prevent a mess when crafting with kids

Allowing your kids to do craft work is rewarding in many ways. It keeps them entertained for a long time, it gives them the freedom to express themselves and you get to see how their faces light up and how big their smiles are when they do something interesting.

That being said, we cannot leave out the other important aspect of kids’ crafting – the mess. Crafting is all fun and games until it comes time to clean the aftermath of it. Sure some kids know to be very careful and not make a mess but then crafting loses half of its fun and appeal.

Instead of forbidding your kids to use some crafting supplies because they leave a mess or if you teach them to be super careful when they create their masterpieces what you can do is just prepare for the mess. It’s as simple as that.

If your kids really love crafting there is a number of things that you can do to prepare the space which they will use in a way that it will be easier to clean up. And also, to make sure they use art and craft supplies that can be cleaned – such as paints and markers that are washable.

Here are some ideas about how to prepare the crafting area for a lot of use and for easier cleaning.

1. Set limits and boundaries – limit the craft area to only one room or even better outdoors. If you have an outdoor space – yard, garden, lawn, patio, etc. If it is a good and sunny day set their crafting zone somewhere outside to prevent the mess inside of your home. Just the coffee table, their room or any other room is fine. Limit the mess in as small place as possible for a quick cleaning.

2. Use cling wrap to prevent stains and splashes of paint and markers on your furniture. Put the wrap on the table and whatever mess your kids make will be easier to clean and you will have protected your table. When the craft time is over simply remove the wrap and have your table untouched.

3. Lint roller – this is a great tool to use if your kids love using a lot of glitter, which we all know ends up all over the house. When your kids are done crafting before letting them run around the house use a ling roller to remove all glitter from their clothes or hands and then from the area they have been working at.

4. Old clothes – as we know kids tend to get themselves dirty paint, glue and all other messes can then be found on their clothes. That is why you should find some old shirts and pants and call them their ‘creative costumes’ and only allow them to do crafts when in them so you will not have to worry about not being able to get the watercolour stains off their new clothes.

5. Limit the supplies – give them one or two sets of markers, crayons, pencils and paint. Give them one or two types at a time, or when their paint is finished give them more. This way they will have fewer things around them to make a mess with.

But as a whole, try to not take it too strongly and think only about the mess and the cleaning. Worrying about this will only take the fun out of crafting and enjoying your kids’ crafts.

Crafting is the best way of letting your kids’ minds work creatively and express themselves. It is also very therapeutic and is a great way to keep them entertained for a long time. Just make sure you prepare the crafting area well.

Guest post by Demi Giles

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