Conducting a Craft Worskshop

1. Samples. Make a sample of the craft project(s) several weeks prior to the workshop. If possible, have any helpers also make a sample. This will give participants an end product to visualize and will also highlight any potential difficulties that could arise during the workshop. It will probably take children longer to do a craft than it takes you, but it should not be a lot longer.

2. Prior Preparation. Prepare the materials for the workshop like you would if you intended to sell the project as craft kits. If possible, package the materials individually. Putting a bowl of beads in the middle of the table for all participants to access is asking for chaos. If children do not like particular beads in their kit, they can trade or not trade as the instructor decides.

3. Prepare the Work Area. Cover tables with protective covering. Often end rolls of newsprint paper can be purchased from newspaper offices. Plastic table covers can be purchased from dollar stores. Wax paper at individual workstations is recommended if using glue.

4. Shared Supplies. Have an abundance of materials that are to be shared. If using glue, have at least one bottle of glue for every two persons. One per person is even better. A gallon jug of glue can be purchased and used to fill small containers.
Have four-times more markers than participants and lay them in numerous locations. These supplies can be reused with crafts at a later date.

5. Step-By-Step. Keep everyone together on the same step of the project. Having participants working at the same pace will require less helpers.

6. Unwanted Help. Try to avoid unwanted help. Helpers who do not know how a project goes together can cause a lot of problems. We have tried to keep projects age appropriate. That means adults, especially parents, are not needed to do the project for the child. Often a child can do a better job than an adult!