Crafting is more popular than ever, and it’s a great way to bond with your children. Creating something together that you can look at with pride – or give as a gift – can teach valuable life lessons about patience, following instructions and self-expression. Here are some ideas for craft projects that adults can share with kids.

-          Freezer paper stencils are easy and fun. Cut the designs out of the paper and then iron the paper onto the shirt. Paint within the negative space to create cool shapes and designs, and then peel off the freezer paper when you're done.

-          Make your own board game. Several retailers sell blank board game templates – draw a board with crayons and markers, use index cards to make events, get a pair of dice and play!

-          One fun craft that kids love is melting down old crayon stubs and molding them into new creations. Adult supervision is required for the melting process, but once you’ve liquefied the wax you can use ice cube trays, cookie molds and more to make new art supplies.

-          Potato stamping is a fun way to decorate paper, fabric and more. Cut stencil shapes from firm, fresh potatoes, dip them in ink or paint, and go to town to create funky, home-made designs.

-          Making musical instruments can be a fun activity that can lead into more creative play. Put beans in cardboard boxes, tape tightly-stretched paper over the top, make shoebox banjos with rubber bands – the possibilities are endless.