DIY Hacks for Kids Crafts With A Cricut (And Should You Invest In One?)
If you are a crafter, which if you are reading this you likely are, then of course you are familiar with cutting machines like the Cricut. I personally live outside the United States, where craft cutting machines and the supplies to use with them are either not available, would have to be shipped to me, or are costly. So a cutting machine is not in the cards at the moment for my family, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider one, because I have to say, one can do so many amazing things with them!
One reason you might consider investing in a Cricut machine, or a Cricut Maker bundle, is to give your kids more options for crafting projects, and the ability to plan projects ahead of time that they can do on their own, which in itself is a great thing. In this article, you’ll find a list of ideas for the busy parent who wants to quickly supply their child with the necessary elements for a successful project. These ideas are great to have up your sleeve when weather or circumstances require a child to be inside and when screen time is just not the most beneficial activity. And if you are a night owl like me, you can put together a great project in the wee hours of the morning, when of course no craft supply stores are open!
The Cricut machine has so many options for nurturing creativity, so if you have the time, the space and the desire for making a wide range of custom projects, maybe a Cricut is for you! Okay, lets learn about some of the fun possibilities……
Poured Canvas Art With Vinyl Cut Images
Producing poured paint canvases is a fun project to do with your kids, and it’s all the rage in the craftng world. To make your poured paint canvases truly unique, consider adding some vinyl elements cut using the Cricut. The results will be somewhat of a surprise (after you peel off the shapes) which make the project that much more special, and maybe the start of a whole new art direction for your child. (I can guess you’ll also want to join in on the fun.)
Colored Bookmarks
You can make amazing bookmarks using some very simple elements. Using colored pencils, glue, white card stock, and some Cricut elements, get those creative gears turning! This is also a great project to teach kids about composition, scale, and juxtaposition of color, so make a bunch!
Sun Catchers
A sun catcher is a perfect craft for kids of any age. You will use your cricut to cut out different images from colored tissue paper, and then you carefully lay the cut tissue paper shapes on the sticky side of clear contact paper. Add some glitter or anything that is flat, or even draw on the tissue paper! Then lay a second piece of clear contact paper over the tissue paper layer, and voila, after you refine the shape with some scissors, a lovely sun catcher is born!
Stitched String Art
String art is always an enjoyable project for both adults and kids. You can use the cricut to curate different images. Then pick some embroidery thread to stitch up some colorful artwork. With this art, you can decide to make anything that is simple using the images that are stitched. It is also very easy to do it since you are following the outline and shapes of the existing image.
Printable Sticker Paper
Make your own fun stickers by using the Cricut to print out animal shapes for example, and if you use sticker paper, your stickers are ready to be put to fun use. These could make great custom party favors for a birthday party, or use them to make cupcake toppers, so many options!
Craft Foam Elements
Delight your kids with amazing pre-cut craft foam elements for a play dining table. This is one of the kid’s crafts ideas that comes with the cricut machine, and kids can craft plates, silverware and even food. Now let that tea party begin!
Printable Magnet Sheet Paper Dolls
Make magnet paper dolls with your kids, an especially amazing way to use the Cricut machine with printable magnet sheets. Use the refrigerator as your play board, or even a metal tray. Add more dolls and clothing over time and you will have created a great toy to pull out on a rainy day, or on a long car trip (just make sure to bring a surface for the magnets.)
Custom Canvas Banner
Use a product called Iron-On Lite and your iron to transfer custom imagery to the canvas banner of your choice. Then use fabric markers to add color to the shapes and letters on your canvas banner. You would make a vertical banner, a horizontal banner or event a bunting banner which is a series of triangles on a cord.
Essentials Supplies For Getting The Best From Your Cricut
As if just deciding which Cricut machine to buy wasn’t enough, there are many many supplies that one can purchase to make the project of your dreams!
Cricut Maker: Meaning the machine itself. Every crafter needs a cricut or similar cutting machine. Many folks like the Circut Maker, but you may also decide to purchase a Cricut Explore Air 2, or another option. Cutting Machine Reviews has a list of various cutting machines, including Cricut as well as their competitors, so check them out.
Vinyl. It is a very essential element for a crafter. Be sure to always have some on hand since you never know when you might need it!
Cricut Transfer Tape: There is no way to place vinyl on materials such as glasses, mugs or wood without using this tape, as the vinyl will not stick on its own.
Iron-on Vinyl: Every crafter needs to have this to assist in making T-shirts and any other fun custom projects like tote bags, napkins, pillow cases, you name it.
Adhesive Cutting Mat for Cricut: This lightweight cutting mat is useful for cutting paper and cardstock.
Cricut Scissors: Because every crafter working with materials such as paper and fabrics needs a quality pair of scissors.
Cricut Weeder Tools: This tool is very vital to those using the Cricut to cut lettering or anything with fine details. The weeder allows one to easily remove the cut pieces from their backing or base paper, quickly and easily.
