Introducing Green Art Products
Children and crafts go hand-in-hand, and as a parent, other relative, or teacher you want to encourage the growth of imagination as often as possible. So, crafts are absolutely worthwhile and something that should be supported. That being said, there are many aspects of childhood crafting that raise concerns for people. The products that are used and the waste that accumulates are at the top of the list. However, there are many ways that you can help cut down on waste and you can even make your own crafting products so you are ensured that they are environmentally safe.
Crayons They are the ultimate when it comes to children’s craft supplies. No child can be without a box of multi-colored drawing tools and no parents would ask that his or her child were, but many of the most common brands of crayons are made with paraffin wax. While this product is touted as non-toxic, the truth is that paraffin wax is a derivative of petroleum. It is highly unlikely that the kid that sits in the corner of the classroom munching on cornflower and goldenrod colored wax is going to see any medical effects from it, but those waxy leftovers that get dumped in the trash bin will leave a lasting impact elsewhere. Millions upon millions of crayons make their way to the landfills each year and there they sit for a long, long time because petroleum takes a very long time to break down.
However, there are a couple of ways to let the kids have their crayons and reduce their global impact. The first option is to buy crayons made of renewable products that break down more easily once tossed in the trash. There are crayons on the market today made of beeswax or soy wax, which are both green in color and green from an environmental standpoint. Another option is to keep the box of Crayolas, but make sure that they aren’t sent to the bin quite so often. Recycling crayons is a fun and friendly activity for youngsters (with the help of an adult, of course). There is a product on the market that is meant specifically for this purpose, or you can melt down and form your own crayons in molds bought at craft supply stores.
Finger paint It’s fun, it’s messy, and it calls for a large amount of creativity. These are the reasons why finger paint is such a great addition to any child’s craft kit. There is no definite ruling on the environmental friendliness of commercial finger paints, but when one stops to consider the small plastic containers that are tossed aside before the paint is used up, he or she can see how even something as innocent as finger painting can paint an ugly glow on the environment.
Nevertheless, kids can continue to enjoy the fun that comes with pushing color around the paper with only their hands and they can also enjoy the fun smells and textures when you make your own finger paint. There are many DIY recipes online, but one of the quickest and eco-friendliest uses only cornstarch, sugar, salt, water, and natural food coloring. Mix the ingredients in a small pan and heat for fifteen minutes and you have an excellent, extra green finger paint. Kept in small, reusable containers, this paint is nothing but fun.
Paper When thinking of child’s crafts, one cannot overlook the use of paper. Yet, this is one of the most wasted products in any elementary school art room. The scraps pile up in never ending mounds at landfills and while it breaks down fairly quickly with more coming in everyday, it is difficult for nature to keep up. Aside from making recycled paper, which can be a great deal of fun, there are several ways that you can put those scraps to good use.
At the very least, encourage kids to keep larger scraps for later use and employ a box or bin to collect the rest for commercial recycling. However, even the smaller scraps can be ripped or cut up and used as confetti in birthday cards or you could use a paper punch to create different shapes to adorn all sorts of different projects in the future. There are several ways the small bits of paper can be used if you are a little creative yourself. You might, for instance, even consider decorating small boxes in the bits of paper, which could be used to store crayons, pencils, and other craft supplies.
With a little imagination, your kids can keep creating and you can feel better about the way craft time is impacting the world. After all, it is those little crafters who will inherit the world from us. So, make sure that green is more than just a color the next time you pull out the art supplies.