Arts, Crafts And Entertainment

We turn to our hobbies to relax and to escape life's many stresses. Thus, it's ironic to learn that our source of comfort can also be a source of danger. Like many activities that are relaxing and therapeutic on the surface, arts and crafts carry their own dangers.
Too often, toxic materials are included in art supplies. For instance, a Canadian art student fell down a stairway after he accidentally inhaled vapors from a freshly opened bottle of turpentine.
Before You Start
* Read the label. Be sure it states conformity to ASTM D-4236, the labeling standard of ASTM International.
* If the label does not satisfy you, or if you intend to use a product in ways other than normal uses, contact the manufacturer for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).
* For information on specific products, contact Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety (ACTS) at (212) 777-0062, or their website.
* Do not use products past their expiration date.
* Use all protective equipment specified on the label. Use a mask or gloves that are impermeable to whatever product you are using. Protect cuts or open wounds from exposure.
* Install a ventilation system that removes old air and brings in new air. To test, blow soap bubbles. If they fall to the ground, the system isn't working.
* Be sure you have good lighting and comfortable seating. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
The Creative Process
* Do not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics in your work area.
* Take breaks and stretches often.
* Never use products for skin painting or food preparation unless they are labeled for that use.
* Do not transfer art materials to other containers. You will lose valuable safety information listed on the product package.
* Wear a face mask and goggles when spraying paint or fixative. Do the spraying outdoors.
* When possible, use water based paints and inks, and products that don't create dust or mist.
* Hobbyists with allergies or who are pregnant should consult a doctor before engaging in projects.
* Do not keep art materials on your skin, even nontoxic materials.
* Toxic solvents such as turpentine and paint thinner should never be used to cleanse the skin. Use baby oil (mineral oil) followed by soap and water.
* When you clean, use a wet mop or sponge rather than a duster. Dusts can damage lungs.
* Find substitute art materials for those which might be hazardous. For example, water-based adhesives can be used instead of flammable rubber cement.
* Take extreme care when using materials not sold as art materials since they may not have been reviewed for safety. Get MSDSs.
* When they are not in use, keep all materials covered, stored in a safe place, and out of reach of children. Use unbreakable containers.
* Carefully follow suggested disposal methods.
* Do not store a flammable product near heat, sparks or flame. Also, do not heat above the temperature specified on the label.
* After finishing the project, wash yourself and the work surface, and clean your supplies. Leave your work clothes in the work area.
Junior Picassos
Kids love the arts, too. Unfortunately, that fun can be dampened if they come in contact with materials that are toxic and dangerous. (And don't be reluctant to ask the teacher if she is aware of these concerns.)
* Make certain the product is clearly marked for children.
* Use products that have no hazard statements and no precautionary statements for children grade six and under. The word "nontoxic" should be on the label, but follow the same hygiene practices you would if the product were toxic.
* Older children must be supervised when using products labeled with warnings.
* Get MSDSs if you intend to use a product in creative ways, e.g., melting crayons.
* Young children should use only water-based marking pens, not permanent markers.
* No product containing lead should be used by children.
* Teach children to use cutting tools safely, and to not place anything in their mouths.

John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, Live Safely in a Dangerous World, and the publisher of the Safety Times Reproducible Articles..
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Art is one of the most important aspects of growing up. Art should be experience and enjoyed by people of all ages not just when we are little kids. For small children there are a huge amount of arts and crafts options where a parent should begin looking. Depending on whether your child is a boy or girl will make a slight difference in what type of art projects they will be interested in. For more details www.greateducationonline.com Art combines many aspects of life, technical abilities, hand eye coordination, imagination, problem solving, patience (art projects may take awhile to complete), fun, sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and even create a passion within some people who truly love it.One arts and crafts projects both boys and girls will enjoy is origami. Origami is one of the oldest and most fun filled activities that can be done by children as well as adults. It teaches hand eye coordination and patience, which is something everyone can use. Origami can come in many forms such as planes, birds, sea life, insects, faces, dinosaurs, and animals.Water colors are also a very inexpensive source to bring your child's creativity to life. Some water color kits come with pre drawn pictures so the kids can fill them in. Some pictures may be very simple or complicated, it depends on your child's skill level.Girls will find jewelry making very appealing. Making jewelry out of beads in an effective way to ensure to keep your special little girl busy for hours, and afterward they can show off what they made.Coloring books are very common and can come in nearly anything you can think of. Coloring books are a goo way for young children practicing concentration. More interesting and intriguing coloring books may have illusions, mosaics, and elaborate patterns. Coloring books mat be a stepping stone to a child drawing their own characters, people, and animals themselves.We can't forget the classic Etch a sketch can we? Doodles are a good way to create interesting patterns. For more details www.greatindustrialguide.com If you are looking for an all-in-one set would be ideal for any future artist. Typically a good art set would include crayons, color pencils, markers, paintbrushes, paper, erasers, artist palette, and a variety of different size rulers. As y Ur child become older you can spend more money on their art supplies but there are many options available for under $50.

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www.arts-crafts-for-all.com
www.activities-little-fingers.com

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Going on a family trip can be a great adventure but for young children it isn't all fun and games. Most children get bored easily, especially when they are already excited and anxious about reaching a destination. Some parents have started using in-car DVD players and other types of technology to keep their children entertained on these road trips but a better solution does exist: arts and crafts for kids. Why Choose Art Supplies for a Trip Although that Sponge Bob DVD may do the trick and keep your child quiet for a little while, he or she is merely being passively entertained. The show isn't providing any real mental stimulation and isn't contributing to improved physical or intellectual development. It's just a way to keep your little one occupied so you can focus on the road signs. arts and crafts for kids are a better choice because they captivate your child more completely and actually do contribute to real improvements in overall performance. For example, some arts and crafts for kids can improve small motor movements and dexterity. Plus, these activities encourage children to be creative and to have fun during the trip. They can also still carry on conversations with the rest of the family which is a positive method of social bonding that passive television viewing can never replace. Types of Supplies to Consider When you're looking at arts and crafts for kids that would be good choices for travel, there are several that come to mind. One of the most highly recommended are lacing cards. These are item-shaped cards which have small holes around the exterior of the shape. Kids can string colored laces through these holes to creatively embellish the card. There are several benefits to using lacing cards. For one, your children will improve their hand and eye coordination and their small motor skills because getting those laces through the small holes isn't as easy as you might think. Plus, it can be easy to do even over bumpy roads or in airplanes when not much room is available. They are also small and easy to slip into a carry on bag. Other Good Reasons to Use Lacing Cards As arts and crafts for kids, lacing cards have other advantages, too. For example, the cards can be instruments of learning. For example, Smalltime Child offers a set of lacing cards in the shape of insects. As the child works on each of these arts and crafts for kids, you can provide information about the type of bug or encourage your child to read about the bug in an encyclopedia. Easy Travel Entertainment Whether you choose lacing cards or some other type of arts and crafts kids for your next family trip, remember to choose something that has few parts which can be lost in the car or plane. Remember that you should choose arts and crafts for kids that are appropriate. You don't want to have to worry about your child choking on beads while you're focused on the road ahead.

Smalltime Child offers a great selection of arts and crafts for kids in addition to Toddler Toys. Check out our arts and crafts for kids today!
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Choosing birthday and Christmas gifts for children can sometimes be a real challenge. Clothes are a nice choice but most kids don't appreciate them, plus there's the issue of knowing the right size and picking an acceptable style. With toys and books, you have to worry about duplicates or picking something that interests the child. For all these reasons, arts and crafts for kids can be a great alternative. Below are some considerations to keep in mind. Knowing the Age Obviously, you want any gift you give a child to be age appropriate. You definitely want to make sure of that when you're buying arts and crafts for kids. However, if the product isn't listed there are some clues to look for that might mean it is inappropriate. For example, if the arts and crafts for kids have a lot of small pieces then you wouldn't want to put it in the hands of small children. You might also want to check for anything that could be toxic. Most art supplies for children are made with non-toxic materials but it's always better to be safe instead of sorry so check those labels. Shopping Another question you may have is where to find these items. There will be a selection of them at almost any store but if you want a big selection with the most choices your best bet is to browse online at a store specializing in items for children. You could also go to a brick and mortar crafts store but the prices are going to be a bit higher and you may not find many things for young children that are truly examples of arts and crafts for kids. When you're shopping online, you can always drop the company an email or give them a call (most have toll-free numbers) if you have questions about the right age for an item. Some offer free shipping and even free gift wrapping, too. Children Preferences When giving arts and crafts for kids as a gift, you'll also want to think about the preferences of the child. With lacing cards at Smalltime Child, for example, you can choose between three types of pictures: insects, vehicles, and pets. You want to think carefully about the best choice for the gift receiver. The same is true with almost any arts and crafts for kids you choose. One exception might be a sketchbook and some colored pencils. A nice idea is to purchase the colored pencils in a matching tin so the child also has a convenient place to store them after being creative. Parents Preferences Even though this gift of arts and crafts for kids is for the children, the parents should play a small role in your decision making process. For example, some parents may prefer colored pencils over water color paints or oil pastels because they are less likely to make a mess. Think about these factors when you're choosing arts and crafts for kids as gifts.

Smalltime Child offers a great selection of arts and crafts for kids in addition to Toddler Toys. Check out our arts and crafts for kids today!
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