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Handicraft. It's not a commonly used word these days. Many homeschoolers know what it is, particularly those using the Charlotte Mason method of education, but for the most part, most people don't use this word.
But let's talk about it.
What Is a Handicraft?
hand·i·craft
/ˈhandēˌkraft/
Noun
- A particular skill of making decorative objects by hand.
- An object made using a skill of this kind.
Charlotte Mason believed that children should be trained in handicrafts - skills they could use for the rest of their lives.
"The children should not be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like.”-Charlotte MasonTheir work should be purposeful. A picture to hang; a rug which decorates and beautifies a wall, a sweater to keep warm; or a bracelet of beads to wear.
Handicrafts Are Beneficial to Children
Passing down your own handicraft skills to your children is great for not only teaching a skill, but spending time together doing something you both enjoy. If you have an activity you enjoy, such as crocheting, knitting, sewing, you can share these with your child. You can also take the opportunity to learn a skill with your child!
Handicrafts are also a great alternative to screens. They're fun and educational. As well, you're developing fond memories and skills your children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
List of Handicraft Ideas
Applique
Cake decorating
Calligraphy
Candle-making
Carving
Ceramics
Chalk art
Charcoal sketching
Clay sculpturing
Cooking
Crocheting
Cross-stitching
Drawing
Embroidery
Fiber preparation: spinning, carding, dying
Handicrafts are also a great alternative to screens. They're fun and educational. As well, you're developing fond memories and skills your children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
List of Handicraft Ideas
Here's a helpful list of handicraft ideas to get your started.
Applique
Cake decorating
Calligraphy
Candle-making
Carving
Ceramics
Chalk art
Charcoal sketching
Clay sculpturing
Cooking
Crocheting
Cross-stitching
Drawing
Embroidery
Fiber preparation: spinning, carding, dying
Flower arranging
Gardening
Iron sculpturing
Jewelry-making
Knitting and Loom Knitting
Latch-hooking
Leather crafting
Loom weaving
Macrame
Nature crafts (wreaths, dried arrangements, sachets)
Needlepoint
Painting
Papercrafts
Photography
Picture framing
Pottery
Quilting
Rubber stamping
Scrapbooking
Sewing
Soap Making
Soft metal tooling
Spool-knitting
Videography
Watercolor painting
Weaving (rugs, blankets, baskets, placemats, etc)
Weaving pot holders
Whittling
Woodworking
What would you add to this list?
You know, I never thought I would want to do crafty things when I was younger, but now I quilt, knit, crochet, sew, and I'm teaching myself tatting. My teen has tried a few and thinks it's far too much work for what she gets out of it. :P
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to learn to sew and crochet, but Grandma didn't have the patience to teach me. As an adult, I've found my enjoyment in gardening and scrapbooking.
DeleteI do quite a few on this list, but the one that takes over the house is crochet. I've taught my husband and father in law, and now my children are interested in learning too.
ReplyDeleteNice! My 24-year-old crochets. I need to find out what exactly my kids want to do this year.
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