O/T-- What to do with my Crazy Crafting Little Man??

[disneyofcourse]

I think you should keep letting him decorate his room and keep being creative. He's using his imagination and creating his own world. I personally don't see it as a hazard of any sort.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I spent a summer doing summer camps for a museum and one of the kids' favorite activities was making murals. We'd buy a huge roll of butcher paper and tape 2 lengths together (so it's 6-8 ft high, and as long as it takes to cover one wall) and then help your son draw out an outline of a scene (beach, city, farm, mountain, etc) in chunky markers. Then tape that monster to one wall in your son's room. He can then draw, color, cut out, and tape on elements to add to the mural whenever he's feeling creative. For example, if it was a mountain scene, he could make a paper waterfall to add, draw and cut out forest animals, skiers, sparkly snow, 3d paper campers and tents, etc.

Then photograph and replace the mural whenever your son needs a change. This way he gets to decorate his room with his paper creations and be creative, but it's a bit more focused than the paper strewn all over the floor.

 

[labdogs42]

I spent a summer doing summer camps for a museum and one of the kids' favorite activities was making murals. We'd buy a huge roll of butcher paper and tape 2 lengths together (so it's 6-8 ft high, and as long as it takes to cover one wall) and then help your son draw out an outline of a scene (beach, city, farm, mountain, etc) in chunky markers. Then tape that monster to one wall in your son's room. He can then draw, color, cut out, and tape on elements to add to the mural whenever he's feeling creative. For example, if it was a mountain scene, he could make a paper waterfall to add, draw and cut out forest animals, skiers, sparkly snow, 3d paper campers and tents, etc.

Then photograph and replace the mural whenever your son needs a change. This way he gets to decorate his room with his paper creations and be creative, but it's a bit more focused than the paper strewn all over the floor.

That is a SUPER COOL idea! Now I just have to find a wall in my house to do that on. Totally have to do this some time!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

What about instead of turning the room into a scene, giving him a box and having him create a diorama of sorts. I'd find a box bigger than a shoebox; maybe a medium or large size moving box that you can buy for a few dollars.

 

[roadtripper]

DD 16 is still into decorating and redecorating her room, and last year we bought the magnetic and chalkboard paints-- a quart of each. I think she did about 6 coats of magnetic for a 4X4 area of her wall before magnetic photo frames would stick to it, even through the layers of chalkboard paint we put on top. She loves to change the pics, change her quotes, have friends sign it when they come over. She still has a million G*dawful posters taped all over the room, but the chalkboard part is the coolest part of her space. As many PPs said, we are lucky to have creative kids. Let's celebrate it!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I spent a summer doing summer camps for a museum and one of the kids' favorite activities was making murals. We'd buy a huge roll of butcher paper and tape 2 lengths together (so it's 6-8 ft high, and as long as it takes to cover one wall) and then help your son draw out an outline of a scene (beach, city, farm, mountain, etc) in chunky markers. Then tape that monster to one wall in your son's room. He can then draw, color, cut out, and tape on elements to add to the mural whenever he's feeling creative. For example, if it was a mountain scene, he could make a paper waterfall to add, draw and cut out forest animals, skiers, sparkly snow, 3d paper campers and tents, etc.

Then photograph and replace the mural whenever your son needs a change. This way he gets to decorate his room with his paper creations and be creative, but it's a bit more focused than the paper strewn all over the floor.

Wow!!! I love this!!!! I just might have to do this myself!! thanks for the idea

 

[RNMOM]

My oldest boy was like this. He made a skeleton out of black construction paper and white chalk. It was bigger than him and he stapled the joints together and they moved. It was pretty accurate but it had a, uh, male part. Didn't have the heart to tell his little 6 yr old self that wasn't a bone.

Let him create. Just put some limits as to locations. Maybe create a safe pathway zone and let him have safe supplies and relax. When you decorate, take into account he will likely want to use tape or stickytac on the walls so use a good durable paint.

I bet every kid wishes they had the permission and supplies to be creative. You are a terrific mom.