– Kiran Balimane

Art and craft activities provide a wealth of benefits to children. They stimulate creative thinking and self-expression, improve motor and coordination skills, and develop problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities. Jyothi Dhananjay, a Mysuru-based artist and art teacher, recommends two creative art and crafts activities.

Friendship bracelets

Materials

• Embroidery thread or wool in various colours
• Scissors
• Tape or a clipboard
• Beads (optional)

TO-DO Instructions

• Cut several strands of embroidery thread or wool, each about 24 inches long. Use as many colors as you like.
• Tie a knot at one end of the strands and tape it to a surface or clip it to a clipboard to keep it secure while you work.
• To weave them together, you can try either of these patterns:

Simple braid. Divide strands into three sections and braid them together.

Diagonals stripe. Create diagonal stripes by tying knots at intervals.

Beading. Thread one or two beads and alternate with alphabet cubes. Make interesting patterns with the beads.

• Once the bracelet reaches the desired length, tie a knot at the end to secure it. Trim excess wool.

Nature collage

Materials

• Cardboard or thick paper
• Leaves, flowers, twigs, and other natural materials
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers or paint (optional)
• Photo frame (optional, for display)

TO-DO Instructions

• Walk to a nearby park to collect leaves, flowers, twigs, and other natural materials. Ensure all materials are dry before using them.
• Arrange them on the cardboard to create a design. You can create abstract patterns or depict scenes from nature.
• Once satisfied with the layout, glue the materials. Use enough glue to ensure they are securely pasted.
• Embellish your collage with additional details using stick-ons, markers or paint. You could also draw additional elements or adding backgrounds.
• Frame your nature collage.