The kids need an activity. It’s time to bring out the crafts!
Here are some of our favorite crafts for kids! All of these projects are self-contained–there’s no other supplies needed. One kit and your activity for the afternoon is set!
We continually update this post to include the tried-and-true crafts that our own children have loved! They’re perfect for those lazy Sundays, vacation days, or the week your child is home sick.
We also love stocking up on creative components, Fun Craft Supplies – that kids can use according to their imagination.
These are great!! I’m really excited to try the foil art and string art -those are new for us!
Wanted to mention you can order a large 3D Bais Hamikdosh puzzle on amazon for just $30, so appropriate for the day.
Kinetic sand and tools are another option that can keep kids busy for hours, off brands give you much more sand for your buck. (With a disposable tablecloth and each kid playing in a bin or disposable pan the mess is easily contained.)
Also a really fun option -they sell science kits or boxes on amazon with everything you need for multiple experiments. Just read through options carefully to make sure its age appropriate & not too messy for your taste!
Also the following sites have many of the typical crafts but Jewish themed. Diamond art, dot art books, those painting coloring books u just need water for, reusable sticker scenes, sticker puzzles, learn to draw books and more! Chazakkinder and kinderblast. I don’t have any stakes in these sites just love bringing Jewish themed crafts into the house! (Some of kinderblast items can only be ordered in bulk, but plenty can be ordered alone. Chazak kinder doesn’t have this limit at all.)
Have fun!!!
May we celebrate Tisha B’av this year in the Beis Hamikdosh with the coming of Moshiach speedily!
thanks so much for this awesome post!! pro tip, if you ever visit israel, head into one of the shekel stores (there’s one on every corner in the geula/romema area) and stock up on sticker puzzles! and prizes for the matter! can’t be beat at 1 shekel apiece…
also, moms who let painting, and black magic, and other not-as-neat stuff, you’re awesome!! can you tell me how you handle the mess? I find myself always gravitating toward ‘clean’ projects (they can make the messy stuff in school *Hiding face emoji*) but I feel like i’m depriving my kids. Tips???
Put out a plastic tablecloth and everyone wears a smock. Cleanup is quick and easy.
BUT: they need constant adult supervision, as in mommy sits at the table with them the whole time. It’s a special activity. I think of it like a trip– we don’t do it every day, but when we do it’s special time and I’m there doing it with them. I would not attempt to walk away for a minute while they are painting or making slime, but since we do it together it makes it much more exciting.
An easy hack for making Shrinky dinks: use the plastic cover for foil pans. Color with permanent marker, cut out and bake for 2 min.
Thanks for this post!
I got the plaster painting shapes a while ago. They are pretty small and hard for kids to paint with brushes. I ended up getting paint markers and it works really well.
Loom bands/rubber band jewelry-making kits are also great.
https://amzn.to/3PIpGRa
And if you live in E”Y, you can buy small packages for a shekel. (Or 2 shekel if you buy a bigger package or multi-colored bands.)
Thank you for the amazing ideas!
You didn’t mention this amazing options for kids ages 8+
paper quilling activity set
My kids are hooked! I thought you guys would like it too!
Loved this post! So many clever, hands-on ideas that really do save the day when the energy is high and attention spans are low. One tiny thing I was surprised not to see: paint by numbers! It’s such an underrated gem. There’s something quietly magical about how it draws kids in, calms the room, builds focus, and gives that little rush of pride when the picture starts to come together. It’s like mindfulness in disguise, with a paintbrush. Definitely one of our go-tos when we need a breather but still want to feel creative.