Kids can start doing crafts as early as under 12 months old, focusing on sensory-based activities.
Even before a child can properly hold a glue stick or scissors, they can engage in creative art projects that stimulate their senses. The ability to participate in more complex crafts develops as the child grows and refines their motor skills and cognitive abilities.
Here's a breakdown of craft activities by age:
-
Under 12 Months: Sensory-focused art projects are ideal. Examples include:
- Finger painting with edible yogurt or pureed fruits.
- Texture collages using safe, large materials like fabric scraps.
- Edible play dough.
-
Toddlers (1-3 Years): Simple crafts involving large motor skills. Examples include:
- Painting with large brushes or sponges.
- Crayon scribbling on large paper.
- Stacking and building with blocks.
-
Preschoolers (3-5 Years): Crafts with more defined steps and fine motor skills. Examples include:
- Cutting and pasting simple shapes.
- Coloring within lines.
- Making simple collages.
-
School-Aged Children (6+ Years): More complex crafts requiring detailed instructions and advanced fine motor skills. Examples include:
- Origami.
- Beadwork.
- Model building.
The age at which a child can participate in specific crafts depends largely on their developmental stage and fine motor skills. Sensory-focused activities can begin in infancy, while more intricate crafts are suitable for older children.
