When I was a kid I had one friend whose mom was so on the ball with crafts. I have many memories of being at Tim’s house and having his mom suddenly pull out a crate of something-or-other with an idea of something we could make. I loved it! I’ve always wanted to be that kind of mom, but sometimes even pulling out the playdough feels like a feat!

I have a binder of craft and activity ideas that I have collected over the years from Family Fun, Wondertime, Martha Stewart Kids, and other magazines and websites. The thing is, unless I actually pull out my binder, I forget about them. Then on the days that I find myself with motivation to do something special, I haven’t planned ahead enough to prepare and have the materials on hand.

For the last month or so I’ve been using a little craft and activity planner that I made for myself, which I modeled after my menu planner. It’s just five self-adhesive library pockets stuck on some pretty scrapbook paper that I covered with contact paper. I went through my binder and wrote the different ideas on blank 3×5 cards.

Now, each week when I plan out my menus, I pull out my activity cards and find good ideas to plan to do. Then when I do my grocery shopping, I am prepared to shop for any special crafts or things that we’re going to do! It’s great! Even though I don’t do something every day, we much more consistently are doing special crafts together.

Have some fun craft and activity ideas you like to do with your kids (or other kids)? I’d love to have you join in with Free Fun Fridays! While you’re here, make sure you enter to win my most favorite kids’ Bible storybook of all time, The Jesus Storybook Bible!

For more hints and tips, head over to the Works for Me Wednesday post over at We Are That Family!