National Children’s Craft Day
National Children’s Craft Day is celebrated on March 14 every year. This holiday, part of the larger National Craft Month, was tailored to introduce children to the vibrant world of crafting and to encourage them to try their hand at it. Crafting is an incredibly useful hobby to have. Not only is it a fun way for kids to occupy their time, but it also aids in their cognitive and motor development. For younger children, crafting can help develop critical thinking. For older tweens and teens, it supports the development of creativity, patience, and even self-esteem.
History of National Children’s Craft Day
The word ‘craft’ has its etymological roots in the Old High German word ‘kraft’ (strength) and means “an occupation or trade requiring skill.” Crafts, therefore, are the products of utilizing a skill. Crafting has been a staple of every society to date — every cradle of civilization, every empire, every colony, and every nation. The crafts of Ancient Mesopotamia came in the form of pottery embellished with semi-precious stones and beautifully-crafted statues. Copper was soon incorporated when the Anatolians began smelting it. Ancient Egypt is now known for its marvelous pyramids and ornate tombs, and Ancient Greece is synonymous with masterfully carved sculptures.
Today, crafting is done for various purposes — for aesthetic pleasure, cognitive development, social messages, commemorating history, and sometimes, purely for fun. The craftworks produced during each stage of human social and cultural development can tell us a great deal about it — what the people of that era believed in, what they valued, what gave them joy, and what brought them pain. Crafting need not be as complicated as life-like effigies. It can be simpler activities like clay modeling, paper quilling, knitting, and sewing, among many others.
Crafting has a wide range of benefits, too. Research has established that, regardless of what medium is used, it can reduce stress and uplift a person’s mood. It’s been shown to have antidepressant effects, helping to reduce symptoms experienced by people living with P.T.S.D., anxiety disorders, insomnia, and chronic pain.
National Children’s Craft Day Activities
1.Create a craft project with a child
Spending time with a kid on March 14? Use the day to work on a craft project with them. Bonus points if you make something out of reusable waste!
2.Give away unwanted art supplies
If you have unwanted craft supplies lying around, consider donating them to an organization near you. There are many non-profit child centers, schools, and orphanages to choose from.
3.Donate to craft-focused foundations
Also, consider donating to a foundation to make a difference one craft at a time. Cash or kind donations are always welcome at most institutions.
Why We Love National Children’s Craft Day?
A. It celebrates a wonderful practice
Crafting has a range of benefits, but more than that, it’s a fun activity! We love crafting for the creativity it brings out in us.
B. It promotes child development
Crafting does wonders for the development of children, along with improving their mental health. That’s reason enough to love the holiday in our books.
C. It’s fun, quality time with children
The holiday is a great day to spend quality time with your kids. Plan a fun craft project and enjoy the bonding time.
References:
“National Children’s Craft Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-childrens-craft-day/