Great tips, Sandy. I grew up doing things like that with my grandmother, and you’re right– it teaches a lot, and it also creates great memories. Thanks for sharing!

One of the things I used to have my kids do was make their own cards. I think home made cards are just so much more personal, and gave them an opportunity to use various crafts, and express themselves through what they made and wrote on the cards. I also had them do Thank You cards, which encouraged them to remember to be thankful and courteous.

One can also combine art with learning about plants – i.e. color washing fabric with leaves on the fabric and then set in the sun – one is left with fabric that has the leaves imprinted. One can mix crayon shavings and melt it in between wax paper and make “stained glass”.
Working with dyes and other fabric techniques can be incorporated with chemistry lessons and cause and effect studies.
Quilting is a great way to combine geometry with art. Measuring fabric helps kids understand math better.
Reading sewing pattern instructions assists with reading technical info, following instructions, and completing the pattern is great for their self-esteem, not to mention how much one can save when sewing for oneself (budgeting lesson?).

Well, can you tell I’m partial to the crafts? lol