We spent a wonderful weekend at the cabin with some special friends. It was so nice to spend time together with no time constraints. While we were there, I presented all the kids with a simple Pipe Cleaner Challenge. My kiddos are like me and always up for a challenge. Everyone quickly divided into 3 teams. 
I handed each of the teams 2 basic items…the same amount of tin foil and pipe cleaners. Their only instructions were to come up with something creative, and work together. I love challenges that evoke both thinking and working together. I told them to get creative with their minimal supplies and sent them off to separate rooms.
Crafts don’t need to be extravagant or even use every supply in our cupboard. I can easily get caught up with Pinterest and all the beautiful crafts that I forget that kids have wonderful imaginations and we need to be fostering their creativity. By limiting what supplies are available and presenting this activity as a challenge, it got kids thinking in a new way. I love that!
Tinfoil is a fun creative tool for kids to play with. Encourage them to twist it, mold it and shape it into anything they want. You may be surprised at how sculptable it is. With the addition of Pipe Cleaners your kids are set to build anything they can dream up!
This beautiful castle was created from our youngest team. I love that the King and Queen are sitting on their thrones in front of the entrance. This group felt a little rushed, but I love the results!
Nothing like a pretty spring flower garden to cheer you up:) The flowers are adorable but I think my favorite is the bug. The perfect garden for the King and Queen to take a stroll through.
It can be hard to find crafts that suit a wide range of interests. However, by presenting this activity as a challenge and not a craft, encouraged even the non-crafty kiddos to have fun. Our 10 year old boys even got into it, and that is saying something:) All they needed was a little imagination. Now the the King and Queens castle will be protected with a quiver full of arrows and bows! Nice work boys!
Have you ever presented your kids with a crafting challenge? I would love to hear your experience. This will be something that we will be trying again really soon!
Disclaimer: Not too long ago we received a delightful package from CraftProjectIdeas.com. It was packed full of craft supplies. One of the things we received was a ginormous package of Fuzzy Sticks or pipe cleaners. They were perfect for this challenge.
Oooh this is so cool!
All my kids, from the toddler to the nine year old will enjoy this! Thanks for sharing!
uhuu! this looks so fun for my preschoolers!. thanks.
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This would be a lot of fun for my daughter, but it would also be a great filler activity for the first day of school. The kids would enjoy it and have a chance to interact with their neighbors while the teacher deals with everyone’s supplies and paperwork.
✿April✿
✿Grade School Giggles✿
I am using this as a beginning of the year team building activity! Thanks for the idea!
I love this idea! I just found it on Pinterest. I think this would be perfect for the first week of first grade. It will give my kids a chance to work together and also allow me to get to know their personalities a little better.
This could rully be a fun to my junior sisters and brothers,a lovely fun…
Really great activity. I will use it the second day of school. So many cool ideas. Thanks for inspiration and thanks for sharing your ideas.
Just saw this activity on Pinterest and I love this idea. I want to use as a team building activity, but also want to add a win/lose component. Any ideas on how that can be done?