Craft Ideas for Little Ones

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For under one year of age, you will have to help. Finger painting is fun, or painting on an easel.

The only art activity that I did when my children were under age one was to paint with pudding and different baby foods. I would stick a piece of paper on the highchair tray and drop a little bit of pudding or brightly colored baby food onto the paper. If the 'paint' ended up in their mouths, it was perfectly safe.

We also used to give our children a paintbrush and a bucket of water and let them 'paint' outdoors. Great fun!

Hi Amy,

I'm trying to think of things I used to do in my old life as a pre-school teacher and when my kids were very young.
First, remember that little ones will want to put everything in their mouth. Also remember not not be attached to any certain outcome with little ones, or to expect that a child under one will be that interested in doing a craft project at all! :)
I think finger painting is almost always a hit with little ones. You can even use paint that is ok if eaten...like pudding! Whatever paint you use, make sure it is non-toxic, and you can probably find some really great homemade paint recipes online. Finger painting is good because the little ones are in control of thier own masterpiece.

If you are looking for a very cute project to do that can be used as a gift - or just in their scrapbooks (or even frame it). Make footprints and handprints on some nice cardstock. This is best done one child at a time:)And sometimes little ones don't like thier feet or hands to be in paint and will curl up thier toes and fingers!
Not alot of ideas here....craft projects with little ones can be tricky. If your intention is to have an end product made you might be doing alot of it yourself - depends on the age and the personality of the child. Again, not being attached to any certain outcome will help in the process. Good luck and have fun.

A.
mom of 4

Hi Amy,
You know you may want to try making hand prints and feet prints with washable prints. They are still at the age of still quite not knowing what is going on. But you are exposing them to art and a small fine motor activity and at the end you will have some cute art projects to hang up. Just a thought and have a happy happy new year!!!

Paint with water books are perfect, no mess! Just wet the brushes in the sink instead of a cup of water.

I LOVE the book series called The Toddler Book of Things To Do. They have a Pre-School book also, and probably a bunch of others. I had the one for 3-5 year olds, and just got for Christmas the Siblings book. I use it all the time, and they ideas have worked for all of my kids, from age 2-7. None of them take much, if any, preperation, and they use stuff you've probably got on hand already. It is fabulous. I know the one I have is by someone named Trista Kauffman or something like that. Highly recommended!