Need art and crafts gift ideas

[Sweetpea972]

I notice when my kids are home from school (weekends, holidays) that the only thing that truly keeps them occupied are arts and crafts. I'd like to focus on this this Xmas instead of adding more toys they will most likely not play with. Please recommend something for a 6 yo girl and 3.5 yo boy. I need ideas. Thank you!!

[Cuckoomamma]

You could probably introduce your dd to scrapbooking. My girls have gotten little scrapbooking kits and love doing it. I don't know if all those first sewing kits are too basic for your dd, but mine loved doing those, too.

I loved making hook rug pillows when I was young, but my older dd has no interest. Thinking of giving a kit to my younger who is 5.5. Not sure when they're able to manage the hooking part :-)

She could probably manage finger knitting as well. My girls make hairbands for their dolls by finger knitting.

You could try getting a book like Usborne's 365 Crafts (something like that) and just provide them with the supplies to do the crafts.

At 3.5 I think we were pretty much doing playdoh and beads.

Hope something rings a bell for you and your little ones!

[kristac]

Ed Emberly Books
Usborne Doodle Cards http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Doodles-Usborne-Activity-Cards/dp/0794527957/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1GO9M8P11XI4C&colid=2KY1H4HD3NTBU
M&D Textured Stencils http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-4589-Textured-Stencils/dp/B003AHE20E/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3EJ2AD9W8MX9U&colid=2KY1H4HD3NTBU
M&D Stained Glass Frames http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Stained-Glass-Frame/dp/B003AHE1PU/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2MKCYKB3HRRB2&colid=2KY1H4HD3NTBU
Klutz Window Art- http://www.amazon.com/Window-Art-editors-Klutz/dp/1591748321/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I29SRCJIQ230X8&colid=2KY1H4HD3NTBU
Sticky Mosaics
Alex has alot of cool craft kits http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_11?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=alex+crafts&sprefix=alex+crafts

ETA- my 3.5 year old loves scissors, tissue paper and glue.