Yarn Wrapped Letters {Classic Kids Crafts}

I am inspired by the book Raising a Creative Kid to start a weekly series of very simple crafts (Classic Kids Crafts) that we can do with our kids.  I want them to be simple so we can get right to the DOING of the craft without much fuss, and so they leave room for creativity, problem solving, and for parents to connect with the kids instead of being worried about the details.

These crafts will be good for kids approximately ages 4-7 and I’ll include a way to alter the craft so that you can include younger siblings as well. Often older kids will happily participate, especially when given a chance to take the craft in their own direction.

These craft How-Tos will be photo driven so you can easily look at them on a tablet or phone and just look at the pictures to see what to do.

Yarn Wrapped Letters

Wiggly squiggly yarn wrapped letters are the first in this Classic Kids Crafts series- I think an entire name made of these would look really neat, but they’re a bit futzy to make, so it would take a very patient or very motivated kiddo to do that.

Supplies:

This craft is good for hand eye coordination and can be expanded by adding glitter or sequence, painting on top of the yarn, or making the yarn wrapped letter just a part of a series of “fancy letters.”

Wrapping the letter:

Kids might need a little help getting each piece of yarn going.  Wrapping around corners gets a bit odd, but it’s the perfect time  for encouraging creativity.  Just add more glue, more yarn and some encouragement and let them figure it out.

Each problem you solve gives you more confidence to tackle the next problem that comes along. ~Jillian Riley, Raising a Creative Kid

Ta-da! Finished letter!

For Toddlers and Preschoolers:

For younger children you can let them make a yarn picture by giving them bits of yarn and a glue covered piece of cardboard.  Of course, being the destructive artist she is, my daughter made a picture and then spent about the same about of time pulling it apart; guess that means it got the toddler mark of approval!

If you like this craft, you might like the book “Games for Writing: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Write,” by Peggy Kaye, which offers some other fun way to get kids interested in words and writing.

This also could make a sweet gift from a child if they wrap the letter of the person’s first name,and perhaps include it with a list of 10 things they love about that person.

More fun activities for preschoolers:

• Playing and learning with board games
• Getting into the kitchen for sensory and cooking play
• Active play with back yard toys here are our top pick for toddlers and here are our favorite outdoor toys for older preschoolers.