C is for Crafts: Themed Activities

C is for Crafts

Why do them? What kind of skills do you gain from craft time? It is an important question to ask because crafts are a common part of the learning curriculum and so there must be a purpose to it. Some people just think it is a break from the academics and yet if you are someone who is artistically challenged OR artistically gifted, you know there is more to it than that.

Crafts teach fine motor skills.

They teach about a variety of materials and textures that exist in the surrounding world.

Crafts help you figure out how pieces come together.

They help you see the world in a different way…that it is made of up parts and that different people see things differently.

Crafts teach you that we are unique and have many ways of representing one concept.

Crafts often serve as a calming and regulating activity which is helpful to reduce mental stress.

Crafts bring people together, allowing them to work on their own project (often) yet in the same space as others. Some projects, like a quilt or a movie backdrop, can bring many people together to each contribute a piece of their talent to the whole.

Crafts can set people up for success and even present a way to earn cash, sometimes enough to live quite luxuriously if they become well known or their idea becomes very popular.

Crafts also bring together generations as the outcome may vary based on age and skill level but the enjoyment of participation in something together remains. Consider a painting activity. It can be done from younger than one to over one hundred!

Crafts can transcend cultures and ages and are traditionally universally treasured when done well.

Crafts can also be inexpensive gifts. Who doesn’t appreciate a beaded bracelet from their child or a handmade card on their birthday? They are deeply personal and unique which makes them special.

Crafts brighten a space and add vitality and textures to a room.

They often serve as a topic of conversation as well.

Here are several benefits of crafts. I think crafts are something meant to keep you productive in a meaningful yet enjoyable activity so they are worth your time. Which crafts you do depends on you. Some are painters or knitters or sewers or woodworkers. There is great diversity in the field so keep trying until you find something that fits your skills and interests. For the child(ren) in your life, expose them to a variety of styles of crafts. Let them explore different mediums and have great fun in the process!