Okay, it’s time to get your toddler introduced to arts and crafts. But it’s a big, big world of possibilities, so where do you start? Already, you’re nervous at the thought of mess and cleaning up. What if your toddler isn’t good at drawing? What if they eat the paint? How can we set up these activities to get maximum engagement from your little one?

For toddlers, arts and crafts isn’t about creating masterpieces or even setting them up to become technically brilliant artists. Rather, it’s about self-expression, movement, and experiencing different materials. The process of making art is more important than the finished product.

First, we want to share with you some ideas for arts and crafts activities.

So, what are some good arts and crafts activities?

Here are some great ideas for arts and crafts:

For young toddlers, the best place to start is drawing. Crayons and pencils are your best friend here. You can buy chunky pencils, which offer easier grip and produce more colour than a regular pencil. Crayons made of natural materials like beeswax and soy can provide your little one with a lovely sensory experience whilst drawing.

Watercolour activities can then be introduced, as they’re more advanced than drawing. It’s good to start off with only two colours, and if more colours are added, everything tends to turn brown. Put everything on a tray, to minimise mess. Add a small jar of water, a watercolour brush, and a dish with the watercolour tablets. A mat on the table protects it from mess, and a cloth should be at the ready for spills.

At around 18 months, we can start to use scissors. Your child must always be supervised when using them. Use scissors with rounded edges, and show the child how to cut with them, as well as teaching them to only touch the handles, not the blades. Offer them small strips of paper, which are easier to snip.

You can also introduce a glueing activity - using a small glue brush with a pot of glue helps them refine their fine motor skills.

It’s also a good idea to consider paint and chalk activities, to provide different sensory experiences for your little one. If they’re young, consider constant supervision whilst they use them.

Clay, play-dough and sand are lovely sensory mediums for toddlers. Add a rolling pin, cookie cutters and a blunt knife, so they can manipulate the materials in many ways.

At around 2 and a half years, we can introduce sewing activities. A child’s sewing box can contain a blunt darning needle, some thread, and a 10cm x 10cm cardboard square with holes punched out. Show your child how to use this, and watch their creativity soar.

Developing your toddler’s artistic curiosity isn’t just about being the creator! Museum visits are a fantastic way to bond with your child whilst boosting their appreciation of the arts. Many museums have exhibitions tailored for young children, and your toddler will love interacting with them.

Are there any tips for arts and crafts?

Here are some tips whilst your little one is playing with arts and crafts:

Try not to be prescriptive. Rather than showing a child what to make with the materials, show them how to use them and leave the experimentation up to them. They can be creative in their choices. Remember, it’s about the process, not the finished product.

Feedback is important. Instead of simply saying their artwork is good, try to leave it up to the child to decide if they like what they’ve made. This encourages self-evaluation and independence. Describe what you see, rather than just giving blanket statements.

Use good-quality materials. Do your research and source good-quality materials, rather than ones that will break or wear down after a few uses.

Show by example. When showing your child how to use art materials, it’s better to do squiggles and loose lines rather than draw a picture. If you draw a perfect-looking flower, and your child can only scribble, they may become frustrated and not try again.

If you’re drawing alongside your child, use your own separate piece of paper. After all, how would you feel if your toddler drew on your artwork?!

Afterwards, hang your child’s artwork around your house for the whole family to appreciate. This can help your child build confidence in their abilities.

What arts and crafts activities can my toddler do?

Get arty with your toddler before taking Unii's Toddler Health & Development Journey.