Valentine’s Day is coming up in less than two weeks. It’s a fun time to do crafts with the grandchildren when they are over. Here’s a practical idea to help you get prepared to do just that, along with other fun crafts through the years.

Assuming your grandkids come over fairly often and you have the space available, how about setting up a craft project area? It could be a desk or table you aren’t using, a kids picnic table set, or even a folding table that hides in the closet when not needed. Add to that a little dresser, a kids shelf unit, or even several medium to small size plastic storage totes stacked. Fill these drawers or totes with a variety of interesting craft supplies such as:

• construction paper
• white computer paper
• card-weight paper
• crayons – I suggest washable
• markers – I highly recommend washable
• paint – if you’re braver than me or if you’re using the really cool Crayola ones that don’t show up on anything but the specially treated paper
• glue – washable
• glitter glue – washable
• adhesive tape
• double-sided adhesive tape
• doilies
• buttons
• ric rac
• stickers
• yarn
• shells
• beads
• old costume jewelry pieces that can be taken apart and used to decorate projects
• anything else interesting that kids can use to glue onto paper and projects

(Two caveats – I would avoid glitter at all costs. The mess it can make doesn’t justify it’s coolness. The glitter glue does help make up for it.

If there are babies visiting who still put things into their mouths, be careful on the size of the beads, shells, etc. Also, keep a close eye on the wee ones to be sure they don’t go into mouths, noses, etc.)

Now when your grandkids show up to visit, and you’re tired from playing Hide n Seek, Dinosaur Tag, and Dodgeball, you’ll have a great place all ready for them and you to have some creative fun. You can now easily enjoy creating pictures, cards, paper airplanes, and more. By having its own area, you’ll also be able to keep it neat and tidy much easier.