Three reasons why you need to do arts & crafts with your children

The last few years have been tough for all of us, both mentally and physically, and we all need a creative outlet – something that helps us destress and express ourselves. Traditionally, most people view arts and crafts as something that only children do for school and homework when they’re still young, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that people who did regular arts and crafts and creative activities could improve their brain functioning and mood and delay memory loss as they grow older. Arts and crafts are for everyone and at every age – they are a fantastic social activity that gets families away from electronic screens. We’ve even seen it help children help beat the pandemic schooling slump. Wondering what arts and crafts are? Painting, scrapbooking, drawing, creating collages, tie-dye, sculpting, woodworking, ceramics, knitting and sewing and more. There’s a massive variety in which you can find your new favourite pastime. Even colouring-in books for adults have significant health and creative benefits!
Best of all, it’s something you can do with your kids for brilliant family quality time. Here are the three main reasons why you need to start investing in arts and crafts materials. We’re calling it the best kind of creative therapy!    

While this is something that can be brilliant for your children at any age, it’s also vital for you in your day-to-day life. Completing an entire task from start to finish gives you a great sense of accomplishment. Research done by Dr Daisy Fancourt from the University College in London found that even a tiny bit of creative arts and crafts can improve your wellbeing in these three ways:

• • Distraction – lowers stress levels;
  • Contemplation – helps you to unwind and get some perspective;
  • Self-development – builds up self-esteem and confidence.
     

Arts and crafts challenge your brain similarly to how physical training challenges your body. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), craft activities and learning new skills helps to keep your brain active (unlike staring at screens) and even improve how your brain works (your cognitive function). It gives your brain a workout instead of letting it become lazy. Reading, puzzles and learning new cooking skills can also have similar effects. Still, arts and crafts are particularly beneficial because you are exercising several parts of your brain, ones that are responsible for problem-solving, concentration and creativity.

Spending hours with your family at home doesn’t mean it’s quality time, especially if you’re competing for attention with your children’s phones, tablets and TV watching. To improve your quality time, you need to practice communication (just like creativity). If you can put some time aside as a family to do shared creative activities, it opens up the opportunity to talk as a family and concentrate on creative tasks. This is also where your children will listen and learn from your attitudes and behaviour and allow them to express themselves. It will teach them the value of hard work and perseverance and encourage teamwork. Lastly, it also helps to release tensions, de-stress, and calm anxiety as a group activity. The best way to do this is to create a routine: find a time to do arts and crafts with the whole family after school and work.