How do I get my kids to enjoy crafts?
Show your support
@Kaci i do stand my ground, I always have.. the only time I've "given in" for my oldest was when my youngest was born and i was on my own. It's literally a constant battle all day every day, it's like everything I do, doesn't matter the next day. I usually always have the TV on quietly in the background because I'd go crazy otherwise so that barely phases them but it's the other stuff they always want. Even if I hide it, tell them no, tell them to play with their toys, try to engage play, etc,. None of that matters. They're so high needs, I'm exhausted.
i completely removed the tablet from the baby for a few months only allowed an hour or 2 of tv and mostly sat her down with some paints glue and other crafty bits the. she stated to enjoy that more than the screen
As above, just remove the electronics from the equation and they will find other things to do. Craft wise, try not to be too structured, get a load of stuff (make sure there's 2 of everything) and then just watch and see what they make. When I say "stuff" I don't mean expensive, I mean like toilet roll tubes, crunchy leaves, cereal boxes, dry pasta along with paints and glue and paper. Give them free reign and praise whatever they make and say how much you enjoyed doing it with them 😊
You are in charge mama. You have to agree they gonna fight you. But you just take all devices off. No questions asked. They are clearly addicted to the dopamine those games and screens are doing to them. That's definitely not age appropriate and they basically shouldn't even know those at their age. You put everything in a box in a closet with lock and you don't take it out for a few years and you and your baby will be fine. At first they won't find interest in the craft and activities you LL make but it slowly gonna change. Take them out in nature too. They need to move and run at this age.
Also never forget it's also good for them to be bored. It helps then to develop creativity. So don't feel the urge to make them busy all the time.
They crave it before breakfast? They are little screenholics! It's time for a detox. Put the games in the garage for a month and see how you like the difference. They will adapt and adjust, and you will have time for all those extra Christmas crafts. Try simpler crafts so less help is needed with the materials (stickers are great!) and you can focus on mediating conflicts. Also, try doing the crafts one at a time. Try singing a song at the beginning to get everyone in a good mood and do another one if there is a big tiff in the middle. Get books about sharing and if they still get tv, choose episodes that focus on sharing too. Sharing is hard and takes lots of hands-on mom intervention to get it right initially, but hang in there Mama, it will get better as you all practice. I was recently right there with the sharing thing, but we're coming out of it and I'm happy with where we are with sharing most of the time. I still have some hair left, even. 🤪
@Bonny I've never let them use screens before breakfast or first thing in the morning so I don't know why it's a thing all of a sudden. My oldest gets it for roughly 10 minutes after lunch while I'm getting my youngest down, then they're allowed to use them while I'm making dinner, and sometimes my youngest likes to wind down with an educational game before bed but it's not like I let them use it all day everyday. I told them to play with books this morning and that lasted about 10 minutes, I think they might have ADD or ADHD because my husband and I both have it to a degree and they've never been interested in things love even as a babies. I'm constantly trying new things that will try and keep their attention and I'm lucky if I get 10 minutes before they're done with it. This has been an ongoing struggle before my second was even born, they've always required high stimulation and I'm someone that like low stimulation so I struggle with ways to keep them stimulated.
I think at 2 and 4 you might be hoping a bit too much that they will "go and play with books" all toddlers/ young children need stimulating. Yes it's hard work and tiring and by dinner time your house will probably look like a tornado has hit 😂 but that's the fun of them being this age. Try other things than crafts.. hide and seek, tig in the garden or races outside.. Once they've burned some energy they might like reading with you more or doing crafty things
Less screens, more outside! Take the crafts outside if you can. My son was begging to watch tv, begged to go inside as soon as we were out but I got him interested in some big leaves I found and had him help collect them for crafts and helping me dig in the garden 🤷🏼♀️ he forgot about tv and got excited about crafts
Take the screens away 100 percent. Gone. There will be a period of adjustment (screaming) but they will get over it. Best nip it in the bud now
Honestly I just take away their screens. The only time they really get them is when I’m not feeling good at all or we go on road trips. I would start taking them to your local library! They usually have lots of fun events for kids. And I get two of everything cause my 3&2 year old hate sharing too 😂 But that’s honestly all you can really do. Just cut it cold turkey and let them throw their tantrums, ignore it and then start only giving them toys or coloring and taking them to library to help curb it. They usually are ready for that kind of stuff no problem in a few days
Let them have their feelings... be empathetic, and hold the boundary. Do a craft they might be interested in, and do it with them. Get some fun snacks etc.. Maybe start with cookie decorating, make car cookies and let them decorate with icing, sprinkles, etc... It takes a while, and you do have to maintain consistency, otherwise they learn that they can just wear you down lol We've been through similar, and it was horrible for about a week..
Check out the screenfreeparent on instagram. https://www.instagram.com/thescreenfreeparent?igsh=b2tpazRvZXJpbDV4 Only you can be the change.
You have to stand your ground mama! They are still at a young enough age where you can break them from this! As frustrating as it may be, it will be worth it in the long run for you & for them! They have learned that they can get their way with you & that you will give in to screen time so you really need to stand your ground and not give in! Limit screen time to only an hour or so a day! Continue putting out crafts for them, switch out their toys often so that they don’t get bored with the same ones, do centers with them, bundle them & take them outside still! The cold won’t hurt them! Just limit the time you are out for. You can do it mama! 🩷