Get crafty with craft kits and avoid the expense and hassle that comes from investing in a craft only to find out you don’t like it.

I’m crafty as the next person, which means I dabble a little in various crafts, but I’m not serious about any of them. I enjoy spending quiet time creating something and having something to show afterwards, but I just don’t have the discipline or the time to devote to learning a craft well enough to become accomplished at it. Short crafty chunks of time are ideal for my attention span–like when I’m waiting in the doctor’s office, when watching a movie on the couch or spending a peaceful afternoon.

If you, like me, are crafty but want to get in out and quick, consider purchasing craft kits instead of starting your own projects from scratch. Craft kits are great because you get everything that you need at once time, without multiple trips to the craft store, and they allow you to try new crafts without having to invest a lot of money initially.

Sounds like fun, right? Then jump right in with one of these fun craft kits!

1. Owl Kit – Here’s a cute, simple sewing project that’s great for beginner’s and children. From bespoke fabric, a sewing kit and instructions this kit contains everything you will need to make 3 adorable stuffed owls.

2. Ultimate embroidery Kit – From embroidery queen, Jenny Hart, this kit contains everything you need to get started with embroidery, including the floss, hoop, patterns and more. Choose from 5 different fun patterns and combos.

3. Fuzzy Sheep Needle Felting Kit – Get started with needle felted with this adorable kit. Needle felting is the process of felting one piece of wool to another using barbed needles. It’s possible to make sculptural felted objects using this process.

4. Learn to Knit Kit – Purl Soho has put together a basic learn to knit kit for newbie knitters? Every wanted to be able to spend your winters knitting blankets and throws, it’s starts with the first stitch.

5. Letterpress Paper House Kit – This kit is a super, easy way to get initiated into the art of paper crafts.

6. Kitten Toy –  Make this adorable felt kitten toy with this kit.

7. Rabbit Rug Hook Kit – Everything you need to make your own hooked rug.

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Top Image: Hey Paul Studios

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The lazy days of summer are ripe with opportunities to engage kids in new and inspiring activities that teach them novel skills in a fun manner. Artterro “Art of the Earth” craft kits, designed for kids ages seven and up, are a collection of 12 open-ended mixed media projects that will encourage and inspire children to unleash their inner artist while slowing down, unplugging, and relaxing to create a unique masterpiece. Kits range from bookmaking and wire and bead art to collage, needle-felting, decoupage and doll-making.

Artterro kits are made by Goodwill Industries in Milwaukee, WI by disable people and by those in need of job training skills. Two moms, Forrest and Jen, are the owners and founders of Arterro, and they started this company to fill a void in the kids crafting market, which lacked sustainably made art kits that produced meaningful, well-made products that could be given as gifts and enjoyed for years to come.

I like that these kits feature minimal packaging, and that all packaging inserts are printed on “100 percent post-consumer waste paper using green printing methods with energy use offset by wind power.” In addition to their commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, Arterro has also partnered with Project Kids in Cambodia by donating kits to an art program serving orphanages in Cambodia.

As a writer who has a daughter with a brilliant and vivid imagination and amazing storytelling skills, my favorite of the Arterro kits line-up is the Bookmaking Kit. It gives you the opportunity to construct four small books and includes colorful and extravagant 100 percent post-consumer recycled handmade papers, beads, sequins, craft thread, needles and an idea sheet.

Sitting down with a child of any age to capture their thoughts in one of these books, whether in the form of a fantastical story, the recounting of a special event, or as an extended letter to a loved one – or using one of these books to teach an older child how to journal their thoughts, dreams and gratitude, would be a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Artterro art kits cost $17 each.

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