childrens crafts - Stuff Parents Need

We’ve talked before about how NOT crafty I am. It just isn’t in my genes, people. But I have a 3 1/2 year old who loves to work on projects and try new things and just spend quality time with mommy and daddy.

Thank goodness for companies like Wummelbox.

wummelbox craft subscription service

See all this? This is everything I need to create some games, do some crafts and engage in some really creative and fun learning with my preschooler. It came with crystal-clear instructions straight to my front door. No anxiety-filled trips to Michael’s for this gal!

Wummelbox offers European-style arts & crafts ideas, with each box containing 3-4 projects that fit within a theme. I received a box all about time travel.

I really appreciate that the materials that came in this box are all made to the highest European and U.S. standards for toys, and eco-friendly materials are given top priority, being used whenever possible. I have no worries about Darah playing with everything in the box, or with Layah getting her little hands on stuff, either!

Darah opted to play the hunter & gatherer game first, which required her to paint a Wooly Mammoth and to cut out some animal tracks!

Darah worked on her motor skills as she cut the fabric (of note: the scissors that were included int he package just weren’t “cut out for” the fabric, sorry to say. Had to go with a more grown up pair and more careful adult supervision). The game also had some great language and movement development opportunities built into it.

I also appreciate the intentionality behind each activity, as I learned that they are each designed by early childhood educators, parents and designers. Later this month we’ll also tackle the other cool activities in this box, including building a time machine and creating a cave painting. The subscription service is available for $34.95/month, but the deal is REALLY good if you go for a year subscription, in which case you only pay $19.95/month! I would order this again now that I have seen it first hand, and would definitely recommend it!

Plenty of use can be had out of the crafts, as they are all designed to be used again and again. So they aren’t just one-time craft projects! You can order a Wummelbox here, and also keep up with the latest news on the Wummelbox Facebook page.

If you aren’t crafty, what have been your “work-arounds” with your young kids? Any tips to share???

I received a complimentary box for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Every person is creative in some way. I fully believe that. I’m creative with my words, and I’m creative with my ability to help others be their absolute best.

But I’m NOT creative when it comes to more traditional outlets of creative expression, like drawing, painting, sewing, etc. This is especially tough to deal with when you have young kids at home and a Pinterest board that mocks you on the daily. I have pinned so many things and promised myself that I can easily get the supplies I need at Michael’s and do something fun and crafty with Darah.

You guys, the few times I have set foot into Michael’s have all been scary experiences. I’m like a frightened, lost puppy in that store. I’m always completely turned around and when someone offers to help me, I can’t even really explain what I’m looking for!

HOT. MESS. That’s me every time I try to get my craft on.

And that is why I am SOOO bonkers about the ItsySparks kit (mom…you remember asking for birthday gift ideas for Darah? Here ya go!!!). This is a monthly craft subscription service that I WILL be purchasing. Each kit comes with 4 fantastic activities that are age appropriate for your child. The crafts are easy enough that those without the crafty gene can actually complete them. They are cute. They are quality. And best of all, they come with A LOT of great ideas for ways that you can enrich the experience of that craft (related book ideas, outdoor activities, recipes, etc.). It is so comprehensive and SO, SO SO worth the $24.95/month (it’s only $20/month if you sign up for 6 months or more!).

Because I don’t have a craft room, or heck, even a craft bin in my house, I would spend more than $20 each month trying to buy all the items I would need. And don’t even get me started on the time it would take to prep each craft. Simply put, I would spend a lot of money and then never do anything. ItsySparks makes it all very doable.

And just in case you aren’t artsy just like me, but you are still trying to convince yourself that you could do this all yourself, let me just show you how much help folks like us need. Even with VERY DETAILED step-by-step instructions, I STILL messed up one of the crafts.

I was supposed to have Darah pour this dirt into a nylon stocking piece that was included so that our grass buddy we were making would have more of a shape. This is my face after I realized what I did:

We are hopeless, folks. But I’m happy to say that our grass friend still turned out really cute. Darah had a blast. It was actually really great bonding time together.

She wanted to do another craft that afternoon, so we worked on making a lei necklace.

Not only did we have an adorable final product, but I was impressed to see how much concentration Darah gave to the project, and how much hand-eye coordination she used during the process. Basically, it was an awesome experience. I can’t wait for next month’s kit!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win an ItsySparks kit!

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I received a complimentary kit for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Parenting Tip for the Non-Crafty: Get a Wummelbox Craft Subscription!

Playtime Just Got AMAZING: ItsySparks Craft Subscription