This would be more fun if you stopped calling it crafts.

By Alissa Marquess Zorn on June 20, 2012 (updated October 24, 2016)

Did you know that what you call your craft project can make a huge difference in whether your kids get excited to create with you?

Here’s the deal- my kids don’t like to do crafts. If I present an activity by asking if they want to do a craft, I’ll get a resounding NO. (Maybe I made a few too many of these mistakes when we’ve done “crafts” in the past…)

If I ask in a different way they’ll be thrilled to do a project, play a drawing game or make creations.

When I asked James (7) some questions about this here was our conversation:

Mama: James, do you like doing crafts?
James: No.
How about making inventions?
Yes.
Do you like doing art?
No.
Do you like doing projects?
What sort of projects?
Creative projects.
Umm, sort of, yes.
Do you like to draw?
No.
Do you like playing drawing games?
Yes.

Each of these descriptions frames the activity in a little different way. Of course, each kid is different, but if you pay attention, you’ll start to notice which language appeals most to your child, and then when you introduce an activity, you can tailor your words to suit their interests. It can certainly be a lot easier to enjoy creating with kids when you don’t have to get over that initial wall of rejection!

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