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• It’s okay to be a little messy – A drop of paint, a splash of water or some spilled glue shouldn’t dampen your spirits. Forget about making a mess for a change and just enjoy the moment. Of course, nobody wants spoiled carpets or furniture, so it’s better to plan ahead. You can minimize the mess by covering the work area with old newspapers or plastic sheets. Parents can also use this opportunity to kids about responsibility by showing them the importance of putting their toys away and cleaning up after themselves.

• Join in on the fun – Don’t just watch kids as they play with their craft toys or give them instructions. Arts and crafts toys for kids can also be fun for adults!  Go ahead, sit on the floor and create art projects with your children. This can turn into an exciting bonding activity that you can plan to do regularly.

• Stay positive – Always praise your children and give positive feedback. Doing so can help boost their self-esteem. The more you say affirmative statements, the more likely for your kids to want to create arts and crafts projects. Say things like, “I like what you did to this” or “This is beautiful.” Even a simple “very good” or “nice job” can already make a big difference.

• Interact during play time – Completing arts and crafts activities with kids can be a good venue for communication. Take the chance to get to know them more as they open up about their interests. Start a conversation, ask questions and tell stories. More importantly, don’t forget to have fun.

If you don’t know where to start, here are Toy Guru’s top recommendations for arts and crafts toys that most parents and teachers prefer:

• Hama Beads

• Play-Doh

• ALEX arts and crafts for kids

• Fashion Angels Sketchpads and Portfolios

• Stationery Central