Childcare adviceWE KIDS JOURNAL
Creative activity ideas for children
Easy creative activities that can be adapted to children's ages, with useful precautions for small objects and materials.

A successful creative activity is suited to the child’s age, interests and available materials. The adult remains present and checks the instructions for the products used.
Drawing, painting and collage
Offer paper, pencils or age-appropriate paint. For a collage, prepare large shapes that are easy to handle and use glue intended for children. Scissors should remain age-appropriate and be used under supervision.
Puppets and stories
A clean sock, a paper bag or a drawn character can be used to invent a story. The child can choose the characters, setting and ending of the story.
Creations with natural elements
Leaves, twigs and large stones can make up an ephemeral picture. Wash hands after the activity and set aside plants, mushrooms or objects that the adult cannot identify.
Modelling clay and constructions
Use a product suitable for the child’s age and follow its instructions. A homemade preparation is not food: it must be kept out of the mouth and put away after use.
Beware of small objects
Beads, coins, marbles, buttons and small decorative items are not suitable for young children. Health authorities recommend keeping small objects out of their reach, supervising play and following age warnings. See the official recommendations on ingestion risks.
Sources
References cited in this story.

