Unplug and create: Relaxing crafts for teens

1. Seasonal nail art

For many of us, fingernails are like tiny canvases waiting to be decorated. You can create all sorts of designs to match your style or mood. Plus, focusing on the intricate details can help calm your mind. Try this cute winter holiday-themed nail art idea to get started.

What you'll need:

• Base coat

• Light blue nail polish

• White nail polish

• Red nail polish

• Thin brush or toothpick

Step 1: Apply the base coat

Before you start painting, make sure your nails are clean and dry. Then, apply a base coat to protect your natural nails and help your nail polish last longer.

Step 2: Paint your nails light blue

Once the base coat is dry, paint all your nails with the light blue polish. You may need to do two coats for a more vibrant color.

Step 3: Create a red stripe

Dip the thin brush or toothpick into the red nail polish. Carefully draw a straight line across the middle of your nail, creating a stripe.

Step 4: Add white accents

Create small dots along the red stripe using the same tool and white nail polish. These will act as little snowflakes.

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Step 5: Finish with a top coat

To seal in your design and add shine, apply a top coat over all your nails. This will also help your design last longer.

Now you have a cute and festive winter nail art design! Feel free to experiment with different colors and designs. The possibilities are endless. You can also add glitter or other embellishments for a unique look. Have fun and show off your creative side with nail art!

2. String art

This craft is perfect for when you're feeling stressed. First, you get to pound nails into a board (hello, stress relief!). Then, wind the string around the nails to create cool patterns. The repetitive motion can be very calming. To make string art, you'll need:

• Wooden board

• Nails

• Hammer

• Colored string or embroidery floss

• Scissors

Step 1: Prepare your board

Choose a wooden board in the size you want and sand it down if needed. Check your craft store for pre-sanded artboards, or use scrap wood. Then, paint or stain the board in any color you like. This will act as the background for your string art.

Step 2: Hammer in nails

Once the paint is dry, use a hammer to secure nails into the board carefully. You can create any design you want, but a simple outline of a shape or letter is a good place to start.

Step 3: Begin stringing

Tie one end of your string to the first nail and wrap it around the other nails, creating straight lines or curves as you go. Continue until you have filled in the entire design.

Step 4: Tie off and trim

Once you finish stringing, tie off the end of your string on a nail and trim any excess. You can also add extra layers of string or different colors to create more depth and texture in your design.

Hang up your cool string art creation as a reminder to take a break and destress. And remember, the beauty of this craft lies in its unique design, so don't worry too much about making it perfect. Enjoy the process and let your mind unwind. 

3. Bath bombs

Making your own bath bombs can be a blast. Plus, you'll have a relaxing treat for your next bath. The process is simple, and the results are oh-so soothing. To make bath bombs, you'll need:

• Molds: bath-bomb molds, cookie cutters, or ice-cube trays

• 1 cup baking soda

• 1/2 cup citric acid

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 3 tbsp coconut oil

• Essential oils of your choice

• Food coloring (optional)

Step 1: Mix dry ingredients

In a bowl, mix together the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, and cornstarch. This will be the base of your bath bomb.

Step 2: Add wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the coconut oil, essential oils, and food coloring (if using). Slowly pour this mixture into the dry ingredients while continuously mixing. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a little bit of water.

Step 3: Pack into molds

Pack the mixture tightly into your desired molds. You can use traditional bath bomb molds or get creative with silicone ice cube trays or even cookie cutters.

Step 4: Let dry and harden

Leave the bath bombs in the molds for at least a few hours or overnight to dry and harden. Once they are completely hardened, carefully remove them from the molds.

Step 5: Enjoy in the bath

Drop your homemade bath bomb into a warm tub and watch as it fizzes and releases delicious scents and moisturizing oils. Sit back, relax, and soak in the soothing experience.

You can also experiment with different scents and colors to create a unique bath bomb every time. Making your own bath bombs is not only a fun activity, but it also lets you create your personal pampering spa day in a natural and relaxing way. Treat yourself to some self-care with these DIY bath bombs.

4. Knitting

Knitting is a popular hobby with a dual purpose: You get beautiful and practical items and numerous mental health benefits. The repetitive motions of knitting can help calm anxiety and promote relaxation, similar to meditation. It can increase mindfulness by focusing on the present moment and task. Plus, completing a project creates a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem. So grab some needles and yarn and start knitting!

What you'll need

• Knitting needles

• Yarn of your choice

How to knit a basic stitch for beginners:

Step 1: Cast on

To start, you will need to cast stitches onto your needle. This creates the foundation for your knitting project. There are different methods for casting on, but one common method is the "long-tail cast on."

Step 2: Hold your needles

Hold one needle in each hand, with the cast-on stitches on the left needle and the empty right needle in your dominant hand.

Step 3: Insert the right needle

With the yarn positioned at the back, gently insert the tip of your right needle into the initial stitch on your left needle, moving from the front to the back.

Step 4: Wrap yarn around the needle

Wrap the yarn around your right needle counterclockwise. Keep tension on the yarn with your left hand.

Step 5: Pull through

Using your right needle, pull the wrapped yarn through the first stitch and slip it off the left needle. You now have one stitch on your right needle.

Step 6: Repeat

Continue this process until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.

Congratulations, you've just cast on! Now, you can start knitting. Follow tutorials or patterns to create a variety of stitches and designs, and don't be afraid to make mistakes – it's all part of the learning process. Knitting is a fun and creative hobby, but it also has numerous mental health benefits that make it a perfect self-care activity.

5. Duct tape wallet

A popular craft among kids of the ‘90s, duct tape wallets are still a fun and easy project for anyone. You only need duct tape (standard silver or multiple colors), scissors, and a ruler. You can make different designs and patterns by layering colors or cutting out shapes from the tape. To make them:

• Cut out two rectangles of duct tape, each measuring 9 inches by 4 inches.

• Place the two strips on top of each other, sticky sides facing inwards.

• Use a ruler to mark where you will fold the wallet in half and cut off any excess tape.

• Fold the wallet in half and use more tape to seal the edges together. 

• You can also add pockets by cutting and folding smaller pieces of duct tape.

These wallets are not only fun to make but also durable and perfect for carrying around your ID, money, and cards. So grab some tape and get creative with this simple yet practical craft!

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