Before motherhood I totally enjoyed Pinterest-inspired projects from time to time, but now that my life is messier, busier, and basically involves me trying to create tiny pockets of time where my kids are entertained enough for me to be productive, I have significantly changed the requirements that a potential craft project must meet before I decide to give it a shot. I ask myself this:
Can we round up the required supplies without leaving the house?
This is especially important during the winter, because I’m not about to take my babies out in a #polarvortex! Plus, it’s a good task to assign to your kid(s) as part of the overall project. Voila–you just got 10 more minutes of entertainment out of this little art adventure!
Can my child complete at least 50% of the project on her own?
This is KEY because her attention span is short and her abilities as a preschooler are still developing, but ensuring we choose projects she can really take ownership for is mutually beneficial. I’m happy to help when needed, but if she can independently execute the majority of the project, then I can cross an item off my own to-do list and she masters new skills. Win-win!
Will it produce something we actually want to have, display, or use?
I’m channeling my inner Marie Kondo here and attempting to only keep things that bring me JOY–that’s not an easy feat when your child apparently thinks that every single thing she’s ever created should be kept FOR LIFE. So choose carefully, my friends, or you’ll have a bedroom decorated with those giant PJ Masks coloring sheets that are forbidden to be thrown away. *eye roll*
Is it going to make a mess that can be cleaned up in 5 minutes or less?
Bonus if the kid(s) can do all of the cleanup!
This one passed the test, and it’s a fun and festive craft to enjoy with Valentine’s Day around the corner!
Melted Crayon Stained Glass Hearts
Here’s what you need to make Melted Crayon Stained Glass Hearts:
Supplies:
Wax Paper
Crayons (we used red, pink, purple, white for Valentine’s Day)
Pencil Sharpener (or cheese grater)
Scissors
Flat Cookie Sheet (or ironing board/towel)
Iron
Sharpie
How To:
Step 1: Tear a sheet of wax paper and lay it over the flat cookie sheet (or any surface you are ok ironing on).
Step 2: Let the kids go crazy creating crayon shavings using the pencil sharpener! This might seem like a lot of work, but they love it and it’s actually really fast. You could also use a cheese grater if you’d rather. Sprinkle the crayon shavings evenly over the wax paper, avoiding the edges.
Step 3: Place another sheet of wax paper on top of the crayon shavings. Use the low setting (such as silk) on your iron, slowly and gently run your iron over the wax paper to melt the crayon shavings.
Step 4: Use the sharpie to draw hearts on your stained glass creation. Cut them out and TA-DA! Hang them in a window. (We just used tape, but you could string them on fishing line for a pretty garland!).
This is a fun Valentine’s craft for any age! My daughter is four and really enjoyed it and worked independently on every step accept the ironing. It could also easily be changed up for other holidays or season! Green clovers for St. Patrick’s Day, clouds and sunshine for summer, raindrops for spring… so much fun!
If you and your kids create Melted Crayon Stained Glass projects, we’d love to see them! Tag @icmomsblog on Facebook or Instagram to show us your masterpieces.
