Sunday, March 24, 2013

It's a woman's world!: Saving money on family crafts

One activity that almost all children love is making craft projects. Unfortunately the cost of these projects can really add up, especially for moms who are buying and making crafts for whole classrooms or scout groups. Savvy moms know that doing crafts with kids does not have to break the bank, and can even be a good way to teach kids reusing and recycling materials. Here are some tips for doing craft projects with kids that will not only teach them to be artistic, but also how to stretch their supply budget.

Recycle

Not all craft materials require spending money, in fact using items from your recycling bin can lead to a wealth of free crafting fun. If you wipe a plastic margarine tub with nail polish remover it will remove the printing, giving you a clean plastic surface to decorate with paint or permanent markers. Old clothing can find a new life as the raw material for doll clothes. When you begin to look at everything with a creative eye it is easy to see the potential in what might otherwise have been trash.

Found Objects

Kids love being outside in nature, and even in the most urban public parks there are lots of materials that can make fun family craft projects. Rocks can be painted to look like animals or given funny faces. A leaf dipped in paint makes a natural stamp for a beautiful pattern. Sticks, seeds, and pinecones all make the basis for different natural ornaments and projects that kids will enjoy creating.

Buy in Bulk

No matter how creative and frugal a mom is, there usually comes a time when she will have to break down and buy traditional craft supplies. Before spending a fortune at the local craft store, look online for options. Oriental Trading Company is a great place to buy craft supplies in bulk, and Oriental Trading coupons are easy to find with a quick search. Because they sell in bulk, individual projects are very cheap at this site. Paper and foam projects are just a few cents a person, and ceramics and more elaborate beaded projects are just a few dollars a child. Taking the time to search the Internet for coupon codes for Oriental Trading Company will normally pay off with free shipping or a discount on the entire purchase.

Take it to the Next Level

If you find that your kids are good at crafting, why not take their crafting to the next level and make a money-making project out of it? If you find a creative and useful item that your kids can make see if it is possible to sell it at a local craft fair, or online. What a great way to teach your kids about money management, in a very hands on way.

Source: http://www.petulaw.com/2013/03/saving-money-on-family-crafts.html

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