The month of March always gets me excited because it’s National Craft Month! My love of crafting started at a young age with toys and kits. I can remember my first sewing introduction with my Sewing Cards, which let me thread a giant plastic needle through thick cards using bright colored yarn.

The Love of Crafts

Of course, once I mastered hand stitching, the next step was getting a sewing machine—and my first one was Cabbage Patch Kids branded. The yellow and green with a little Cabbage Patch girl on it made me feel like a big girl, especially because it had a foot petal. Oh, how I loved making little purses for my dolls using scraps of fabric from my mom. This started my love of sewing and as I graduated from a toy machine and moved on to a real one I felt prepared and excited.

Knitting and Crochet

To this day, I continue to sew and am thankful that I learned while having fun. Growing up in a tech-free age, toys that allowed me to create and craft were my favorite. I mean, who doesn’t want to make a stylish beaded bandana? That’s probably why I enjoy it so much today.

I’m also making a point to give my kids the same crafting play and there are so many great options today. I learned later in life how to crochet, but I think I enjoyed it so much because of potholder looms. I’m pretty sure every family member had a loomed potholder. I would spend hours creating the perfect potholder by mixing together different color patterns, and was often asking for more bands to make more. Now my son will get one for his birthday and I’ll teach him how to make potholders together. If you are looking for one, check out the new Alex DIY Happy Little Loom to help your kids get started. If they want to try their hands at knitting, this Alex Toys Knot-A-Lion (or Knot-A-Mermaid!) is a way to get started and see if they are interested in trying knitting.

Sewing Kits

We recently gave my daughter a knitting and crochet kit because she wanted to learn. I think she sees that I take pride in saying I made a scarf or hat and she thinks that’s cool. She also got her first sewing machine when she was 4, and sewed tons of coasters. Now she’s ready to upgrade to a new one. If your son or daughter wants to try their hands at sewing, take a look at the Cra-Z-Art Shimmer and Sparkle Sew Crazy Sewing Machine.

These toys and crafts are great because not only are kids playing, but they are also learning different skills in a safe way—and who knows when they will come in handy!

Did you grow up playing with crafting toys and projects? What was your favorite?

About the author

Destiny Paquette

Destiny Paquette

Destiny Paquette runs the blog Suburban Wife, City Life. She is mom to two adorable and fun kids, and wife to Mike. Destiny works full-time in the city for Blue Man Group and lives in the suburbs of New Jersey. She writes about toys, do-it-yourself projects, travel, and life.

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