Imagine a bright, sunny afternoon. Saara, a lively first-grader from Hyland Elementary, sits at her little desk, surrounded by colorful papers, glitter, glue, and a pair of safety scissors. Her face lights up as she carefully folds a piece of paper into a butterfly. She’s not just making a craft—she’s creating a world of her own. This is Saara’s happy place, where her imagination runs free, and her creativity knows no bounds.
But like many children her age, Saara also loves watching cartoons and playing games on her tablet. Her parents noticed that she was spending more and more time on screens, often at the cost of her other hobbies. They wondered: How can we help Saara find a balance between technology and the real world? How can we ensure that her screen time is productive and not just passive?
This is a question many parents are asking today. In a world where screens are everywhere, how do we protect our children from the pitfalls of technology while still preparing them for a digital future? The answer lies in activities like crafting—a simple yet powerful way to nurture creativity, improve mental health, and teach children to use technology wisely.
Let’s face it: screens are here to stay. According to a 2023 report by Common Sense Media, children aged 8–12 spend an average of 5–7 hours a day on screens, while teenagers spend up to 9 hours a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that excessive screen time can lead to:
Poor sleep quality.
Reduced physical activity.
Difficulty in focusing and learning.
Increased anxiety and depression.
For Saara’s parents, these statistics were alarming. They didn’t want to take away her tablet entirely—after all, technology is a big part of the world she’s growing up in. But they also didn’t want her to fall into the trap of mindless scrolling or endless gaming. They wanted her to use technology as a tool, not a crutch.
This is where extracurricular activities come in. Whether it’s sports, music, art, or crafting, these activities play a crucial role in children’s development. Research from the Journal of Youth and Adolescence shows that children who participate in extracurricular activities:
Have better mental health and emotional well-being.
Develop stronger problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
For Saara, crafting became her go-to activity. It wasn’t just about making pretty things—it was about the process. Cutting, gluing, and designing helped her focus, think creatively, and express herself. Best of all, it gave her a break from screens while still allowing her to use technology in a positive way.
Crafting is more than just a hobby—it’s a creative escape. When Saara sits down to make something, she’s fully engaged. She’s not just passively watching a screen; she’s actively creating something with her hands. This kind of hands-on learning has countless benefits:
Boosts Creativity: Crafting encourages children to think outside the box. Whether it’s designing a card or building a model, every project is an opportunity to explore new ideas.
Improves Focus: Unlike fast-paced video games, crafting requires patience and attention to detail. It teaches children to slow down and concentrate on the task at hand.
Builds Confidence: There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finishing a craft project. For Saara, every completed craft is a little victory that boosts her self-esteem.
Reduces Stress: Crafting is a calming activity that helps children unwind and relax. It’s a great way to counter the overstimulation that often comes with screen time.
But here’s the twist: crafting doesn’t have to be completely screen-free. In fact, technology can be a powerful tool to enhance creativity. For Saara, her tablet became a gateway to new crafting ideas. She started watching YouTube tutorials to learn how to make origami animals, paper flowers, and even simple jewelry. She also used her tablet to take pictures of her crafts and share them with her family and friends.
This is the key: instead of blocking children from technology, we can teach them to use it in a way that enhances their creativity and productivity. Here’s how:
Learning New Skills: Platforms like YouTube and Pinterest are treasure troves of crafting ideas and tutorials. Children can use these resources to learn new techniques and expand their creativity.
Sharing Creations: Websites like Saara’s Craft Store allow children to showcase their work and inspire others. It’s a great way to build confidence and connect with like-minded creators.
Connecting with Others: Online crafting communities give children a platform to share ideas, collaborate, and learn from peers around the world.
By integrating technology into crafting, we can help children use screens in a productive and creative way. This approach not only reduces the risk of screen addiction but also empowers children to become creators rather than just consumers.
Saara’s journey with crafting has been nothing short of inspiring. What started as a simple hobby has turned into a passion. She loves experimenting with new materials, learning new techniques, and sharing her creations with others. Her parents have noticed a positive change in her—she’s more focused, more confident, and less dependent on screens for entertainment.
But the best part? Saara’s crafting journey has inspired other kids too. Through her online store, she’s sharing her crafts and showing other children how much fun it can be to create something with their own hands. She’s proving that crafting isn’t just a pastime—it’s a way to grow, learn, and thrive.
In a world where screens dominate our lives, activities like crafting offer a much-needed balance. They remind us that creativity isn’t just about what we see on a screen—it’s about what we can create with our hands and our imagination. By encouraging children to explore activities like crafting, we’re not just helping them develop essential skills; we’re teaching them to use technology as a tool for creativity and productivity.
So, let’s take a page from Saara’s book. Let’s encourage our children to put down their devices, pick up some colored paper and glue, and start creating. Who knows? They might just discover a passion that lights up their world.
Visit Saara’s Craft Store to explore her latest creations and learn how to make them yourself! Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a fellow crafter, we invite you to join us in celebrating the joy of crafting. Together, we can help children use technology to flourish their creativity and build a brighter, more imaginative future.