Handicrafts by Age for a Charlotte Mason Homeschool

The Charlotte Mason method includes handicraft in the weekly work, but not just as a side hobby. Do you know that she recommends even adjusting the weekly reading requirements in order to include “one to two hours weekly for physical training and handicrafts”? 

I admit, sometimes it’s easy for us to let handicraft slide, thinking that it’s not “as important” as all the other book learning! I stand corrected. Miss Mason believes in the value of handicraft, as you can see in the following quote: 

Again, we know that the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We begin to understand this and make some efforts to train the young in the deft handling of tools and the practice of handicrafts. Some day, perhaps, we shall see apprenticeship to trades revived, and good and beautiful work enforced. In so far, we are laying ourselves out to secure that each shall “live his life”; and that, not at his neighbour’s expense; because, so wonderful is the economy of the world that when a man really lives his life he benefits his neighbour as well as himself; we all thrive in the well-being of each. (Vol 6 page 328) 

Indeed, the CM method emphasizes excellent execution, not just in written or academic work, but also for handicrafts. (You can read more in our post on the principles of Charlotte Mason handicraft.) Because of that, we as the parents need to be mindful of what kind of work our children are able to do with their hands, so that we can avoid unnecessary frustration and stress!

Suggested Handicrafts by Age for a Charlotte Mason Homeschool 

In this post, we hope to give some ideas for handicraft, roughly divided by age, but we believe the parents still have the best sense of which kinds of craftwork your child is able to do at which age. Every child is born a person, and each one develops at a different pace, so please take the suggestions with a grain of salt and match them with your child’s skills! 

Miss Mason suggests this: 

The Handicrafts best fitted for children under nine seem to me to be chair-caning, carton-work, basket-work, Smyrna rugs, Japanese curtains, carving in cork, samplers on coarse canvas showing a variety of stitches, easy needlework, knitting (big needles and wool), etc. (From Vol 1 page 315) 

Handicraft Ideas for Form 1 (First to Third Grades) 

(Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which do not entail added cost to the buyer.) 

Here are some recommended handicrafts for Form 1. Bear in mind that we put the suggested handicrafts in the youngest age that they may be introduced, but they can definitely be continued into the higher grades as the child progresses in skill! 

Paper crafts like origami and paper sloyd 

Although Miss Mason discourages cut-and-glue activities, paper folding is an exception, because it allows children to create items that are both beautiful and useful. In fact, paper sloyd is one handicraft that she recommends for younger children! 

Take a look at this excerpt from The Parents’ Review:

Paper folding enables children to design and execute their own models, raffia work provides them with Christmas and birthday presents, and affords such excellent opportunities for independent and original work.

(From Suggestions for Holiday Amusements by E. A. Parish, The Parents’ Review Volume 14, 1903, pgs. 366-373)

To help you get started with paper craft, here are some recommended resources: 

Clay modeling 

Children from a young age love playing with clay. Miss Mason’s suggestion is to have them work with a real three-dimensional object in front of them to serve as a model to follow. This hones children’s observation skills. 

Pottery

One variation of clay modeling is pottery, but it’s difficult to make nice pieces by hand. If you want to pursue pottery, you may want to invest in a pottery wheel. But if your child takes to it, it will be well worth the investment!

Yarn crafts like crochet, knitting, and weaving 

Finger-knitting 

A good introduction to yarn-based crafts is finger-knitting. It helps the child learn the importance of doing things in a pattern, and working with his fingers helps strengthen them for the eventual necessity of using a tool like a crochet hook or knitting needles. 

Spool-knitting 

Then, you can progress to spool knitting or actual knitting with needles. 

Loom knitting 

Loom knitting usually uses a larger sized circle, making it possible to create hats and bags! 

Knitting 

We recommend starting with large, chunky yarn for easier handling for smaller fingers. That means you may also start with larger knitting needles like these, which also comes with a free knitting for beginners ebook! 

Crochet 

These crochet hooks with ergonomic handles make it easier for little fingers to grip and work with. 

Weaving 

Weaving is also a manageable handicraft, particularly if you have a weaving loom, such as this one for weaving potholders. Note that you can use the output and sew them on the sides to create more things than just potholders, too!  

Sewing 

Children in Form 1 may be able to learn sewing. Some families start by using dull-ended plastic embroidery needles and making stitches on styrofoam or sack-like materials instead of cloth. Then, as they gain greater control of the thread, you can proceed to cloth. 

Soap carving 

Soap carving can be a fun handicraft for young children, and they can even gift their creations to loved ones and relatives for birthdays and holidays! This is also a critical step towards learning how to carve on wood. 

If you need help getting started, this kit might work: 

Papier mache 

Papier mache uses paper, soaked in glue-infused liquid, and is a great craft to work on together. You and your child can make piñatas or any other kind of container. 

Rug making 

Young children can learn different ways of making rugs. You can start by making your own T-shirt yarn. 

You can make rugs using the following different techniques: 

Braided rugs 

For braided rugs, you simply need to teach your child how to do a braid using three strands. Then, you will roll the braids and sew them together. 

Latch hook or Punch needle rugs 

Punch needle craft is relatively easy, but because it uses a sharp tool to punch the yarn into the base material, you might want to check whether you want to use it for a Form 1 or wait for Form 2 instead. Also, it may be a good way to start with a pattern like the one in this kit below: 

Carton work 

After your child has done paper sloyd with cardboard, he or she may be inspired to create objects using cardboard. The challenge here is to make sure these are not “disposable” projects! Ideas include making pencil holders, picture frames, doll houses.

Carton work also lends itself to original work, and a whole doll’s house can be furnished with carton work by dint of a little thought and patience. It is wonderful what children will produce by themselves if once they are started on the right track. (From Suggestions for Holiday Amusements by E. A. Parish, The Parents’ Review Volume 14, 1903, pgs. 366-373)

Knot-tying or bracelet making 

Learning to tie different kinds of knots can be considered both a life skill and a handicraft. Knowing how to tie a secure knot, for example, is a necessary skill for camping and other outdoor activities. As a handicraft, tying knots in a set pattern can result in beautiful friendship bands that your child can give away to friends and family. These are relatively easy to learn, and you can search basic knots on YouTube. 

If you would prefer a starter kit, take a look at this: 

Handicraft Ideas for Form 2 (Fourth to Sixth Grades) 

By this time, your child’s attention to detail and fine-motor skills will have developed much more. 

Bookbinding 

Take a look at what an article in the Parents’ Review says about bookbinding: 

Then some fresh handicraft may be taken up during the winter holidays. Elementary bookbinding seems to me one of the most delightful, and requires care and patience more than any great skill. Of course, a training in Cardboard Sloyd is an invaluable help towards clean and neat work in bookbinding, and where that is not given in school, it should be given as a preparatory course during some holidays. (From Suggestions for Holiday Amusements by E. A. Parish, The Parents’ Review Volume 14, 1903, pgs. 366-373)

Basket work 

Although weaving is a skill that children in Form 2 can have, forming a basket requires a bit more dexterity. In Miss Mason’s day, the children also learn chair caning! 

Basket work is a delightful occupation either for summer or winter holidays, and this can be varied by chair caning; the boy is proud who can cane his mother’s bedroom chairs, and it is quite possible to do this with perfect neatness. (From Suggestions for Holiday Amusements by E. A. Parish, The Parents’ Review Volume 14, 1903, pgs. 366-373)

Block printing, rubber stamp making 

Rubber stamps may not be as popular now as they used to be, but they are still a fun craft for kids to learn precision and attention to detail. Because these require the use of sharp cutters, we recommend them for Form 2 students onwards. 

Block printing and rubber stamp printing follow the same principle of creating a pattern on a piece of material and then using paint or ink to print the picture on paper, cardboard or cloth. This can include making wallpaper or gift wrapping paper, among others. 

Wood carving 

For wood carving, we recommend starting with soap carving in order to give your child the feel of the craft but with softer material. Once you feel he’s ready, you can move on to wood carving or whittling.

If you need a starter kit, take a look at this:

Amigurumi 

Amigurumi is a branch of crochet that involves tighter stitches in order to create stuffed figures, like dolls or stuffed animals. You can find your own pattern and buy your own yarn, but to save you the trouble, you can also first try out a full kit like this one below:

Macrame 

Macrame is also one step higher than knot-tying, but learning to tie different knots at a younger age is a strong foundation for this very rewarding craft! We intentionally put it in Form 2 simply because macrame projects tend to require more determination, discipline, and patience to finish, which younger children may not yet have! 

Shoe making

Shoe making is a fun handicraft for Form 2 students. You may want to look into leather shoe making or canvas shoe making, both of which require some level of sewing skills.

The following is a ready-to-make moccasin kit. Unfortunately, it seems to come only in adult sizes, so if you want your child to practice shoe making with this kit, it might end up a gift for mom or dad!

Handicraft Ideas for Form 3 onwards (Seventh Grade onwards) 

Needlecraft like Cross-Stitch and Embroidery 

Sewing skills can progress over the years to making intricate embroidery or cross-stitch patterns. You can start with ready-made kits or find programs that can make your own chosen pictures into patterns. 

Leather craft 

Leather craft is a good option for boys! It may take a bit of a learning curve at first but the results can be very rewarding! 

Jewelry making 

Working with metal is a rewarding experience, but it clearly requires some basic skills! Courses like this one on CreativeLive can make it go more smoothly. 

Or, you may opt for beadwork or gemstone jewelry making, like in the kit below:

Silk screen printing 

T-shirt printing may have gone digital, but students can enjoy learning how to print using the traditional silk screen. This is usually one step higher from stencil printing, because it uses the same skill set of cutting out a pattern, but this time, on green film. 

Paper making 

If you’re up to the challenge, you and your child can even learn to recycle your own paper! You can research the materials you will need, such as a blender to turn your used paper into pulp, a sieve, and blotting cloth in which to press your pulp into one sheet at a time. You can even decorate your sheets of paper with things like leaves and flower petals! 

If you are not the do-it-yourself type for preparing the needed materials, you can also buy a ready-made paper-making kit, like this one below: 

Doing Charlotte Mason Handicraft Consistently 

Don’t underestimate the power of handicraft! Even though things seem slow at first, we encourage you to keep it on your weekly schedule. Fine motor skills develop over time, and the necessary motions for most handicraft also improves with practice. 

You may want to focus on one handicraft at a time over several months, depending on the skills needed, or you might want to switch it up sometimes. The key to remember is to keep it consistently on your schedule! Over the years, you will see that it’s worth it!