Blog of the Month: 101 things to do with kids

To celebrate the inspiration and creativity out there in the blogosphere, each month at Poles Direct we are sharing one of our favourite blogs. We hope the series will leave you with endless ideas for bringing crafts and DIY into your own home. You may remember November’s blog of the month with gorgeous crafts and a behind the scenes interview and this month we are excited to introduce another fantastic blog.

101thingstodowithkids is run by Lindsey, a busy 30-something year old married mum of 2 who makes sure that she always finds time and ways to get her kids crafting. Lindsey’s blog is filled with ideas of fun activities for kids, including arts and crafts, child-friendly recipes, indoor and outdoor games, and great places for families to visit. The easy-to-follow tutorials are designed to help motivate the least artistic, creative or energetic parent to get crafty with their kids.

What motivated you to start your blog?

I started my blog back in April of this year. The idea behind the blog was to show other friends, and fellow parents, the activities that I have done together with my family, in the hope that they would be inspired to do similar activities with their families. I am the least creative or artistic person that I know, so if I can do it, then anyone can give it a go! I also hoped that it would help me to become a better parent, by spending more time, properly focusing on my family, instead of just meandering through parenthood.

Who inspires you?

I think that the person who has inspired me the most, would have to be my mum. She was so creative and always had a project on the go. She made some beautiful handmade cards, as well as turning her hand to knitting, sewing, making dollhouses and so much more. She was such a wonderful granny to my daughter when she was a baby, always trying to engage with her and I hope that she would be proud of me and what we are doing with 101thingstodowithkids.

Which project are you most proud of?

The project that I am most proud of, that I did myself, would have to be my hallway and in particular the up-cycled pine chest that I turned into a bench seat. It was not, by any means, perfect, but I enjoyed doing it and I think that it looks great, in a shabby chic/French way!

My favourite project completed with the assistance of the children would probably be a handmade tepee we made using a plain white tablecloth and potato printing a simple pattern onto it. We tied it around some bamboo canes and voila!

Which craft project has been the most popular with your children?

My children love painting, and some of the fab ideas that I have come across and tried out with them, have really inspired them. They loved painting with marbles, and footprint painting, but perhaps their favourite activity was creating these canvas prints using a potato masher and bubble wrap. It was fun and looks great on the wall!

Why do you think crafting is important for kids?

I think crafting is really important for children for so many reasons. Firstly, it gives you a chance, in these modern times, to turn off the TV and spend some time creating wonderful pieces of work together with them. It helps to inspire and develop their minds, and encourages them to have a go and be creative! As well as this, it also helps to develop their motor skills and co-ordination. And well, it’s just fun!

What would your top tip be to any rookie DIY’ers?

Give it a go! Some things work and some things don’t but you are probably more capable than you think you are. Also take your time for a better finish. I have always been a bit hasty, and never paid attention to the old adage “more speed, less haste”

You can keep up to date with all the Lindsey’s projects on the 101thingstodowithkids blog.

Come back next month for our latest DIY Blog of the Month!

Want to see your blog featured here? Contact us if you would like to be considered for January’s Blog of the Month!