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Crafts with a 3 and 1 year old

15 replies

ivelostmytrousers · 08/02/2021 16:17

I'm at home with my 3 and 1 year old, and my 3 year old loves crafts but my 1 year old puts everything in his mouth- sand, crayons, paints, play doh you get the idea! It makes it quite tense and hard work. Is there anything out there that I'm missing that would satisfy both of them?

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Fantail86 · 08/02/2021 19:40

Could you make a paint sensory bag for your 1 year old, you basically put paper and paint in a zip lock bag and cellotape it to the table then they create a picture by moving the paint around. I doubt your 3 year old would be satisfied with this but it may keep your 1 year old distracted but still involved?

ivelostmytrousers · 08/02/2021 20:06

@Fantail86 thank you that's a great idea! Hadn't heard of that before. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

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FudgeSundae · 08/02/2021 20:26

We heard a great parenting hack - get a box of Cheerios and put them in the blender. It’s a lot like sand and is safe (obviously) for little ones to eat, sugar rush aside!

We also did the paint in a bag thing but taped it to the window and she loved it.

My little one is 18 months and JUST realising that crayons/paints/markers are more fun to draw with than eat.

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Mustardbay · 08/02/2021 20:46

What about a magnadoodle or the magic water colouring books?

Lisyloo725 · 08/02/2021 20:53

I’m thinking about weaving?? We recently had a kit from baker Ross that had ribbon pieces in it. Not terrible if popped in the mouth.
Playdoh maybe? It’s supposed to taste nasty so they don’t eat it. Get the proper stuff. Fake stuff might not be the same.
Painting? Too gross in mouth?

SquigglePigs · 08/02/2021 20:56

Dried pasta would be fun for the little one to play with but be relatively safe if they ended up in his mouth.

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 08/02/2021 21:07

There’s lots of edible paint ideas online e.g. yoghurt with food colouring in.

bananabread2000 · 08/02/2021 21:19

there are lots of recipes online for making your own playdough which is safe if it ends up in the little ones mouth. It's also a fun extension for the 3 year old - making the dough before playing with it

candlemasbells · 08/02/2021 21:31

Make your own play dough, it’s really easy. Salt dough and then bake it.
Honey sticks are expensive but sage to eat crayons, we’ve got some and they are great.
Look on Pinterest loads of craft ideas

popgoesperfection · 08/02/2021 21:31

I'm in the same boat op, 5 year old that loves anything arty and a 1 year old that eats anything and everything. It's hard work isn't it when they want to eat everything in sight, I can't wait for him to outgrow this stage !!

ivelostmytrousers · 08/02/2021 22:49

This is all gold thank you everyone! I've written down all these ideas. It's something I'm struggling with at the moment and it's hard as it adds to the guilt of feeling like I'm neglecting both children simultaneously! New start tomorrow!

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Bringallthebiscuits · 08/02/2021 23:14

Ice cubes frozen with food colouring mixed in? You can paint with them as they melt (maybe in the bath? Very messy!)

AnnaSW1 · 08/02/2021 23:19

Make gingerbread men? I get the mix you just add a couple of ingredients to so my three Yr olds can do it and there's no real mess or prep. They stick it in their mouths before during and after but it's all part of the fun!

Bringallthebiscuits · 08/02/2021 23:39

Also, not crafts exactly but I’ve done jelly play with cutters and cups with my two who have a similar age gap.

ivelostmytrousers · 09/02/2021 10:39

Thank you @Bringallthebiscuits and @AnnaSW1 jelly and gingerbread men are great suggestions and will be very popular here I'm sure, especially with the 3 year old (and me!)

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