Are my kids the ONLY kids ever to hate making cards?

[hipumpkins]

I try to make it fun. Draw whatever you want. I am met with frustration and the pictures are one color and quickly dashed off.
*sigh*
Anyone else have kids who hate making cards for people?

[Starflower]

Don't feel too badly about it. My DD does this too. She actually likes making cards - but not for grandparents for anything. Sometimes she'll make a whole bunch of cards for a friend, not even when it's near a holiday or birthday, but if I ask her to make one? It would probably be just thrown together.

If we sat down together and we both made some, then she might get into it. Have you tried that?

[reezley]

I wouldn't say my kids (3 and 5) LOVE making cards, but when I ask them to and set it up, they come over and spend a minute on it, gets the job done.
I think it's ok if it's a collaborative effort - they do some of it, you do some. If they just want to use one color - fine. If you think it needs more, maybe give them some stickers to stick on it, or you can draw a quick colorful border around it and be done with it. If they REALLY can draw anything they want ... I think you should let them and try to be satisfied with that.

[childsplay]

Mine aren't really big on it either. But then, I'm kind of anti-card. (If there is such a thing)

However, my kids are very artsy and will paint a picture for the person in question on anything they can find (old wood, canvases, old bottles) they sign that and give it to the person.

Could you pick up some cheapy canvases at the $ store and have them paint a picture? That way the person will have it and display it rather than stick it away in a drawer.

Plus, painting is fun and you don't have to stick to a theme : )

[JayGee]

Stamps, stencils, and special card-making supplies make card-making more fun at my house. About 6 years ago I was really into card making myself, a la Stampin' Up, and my kids are now the proud users of $$$ worth of card-making supplies .

[Artichokie]

My DD enjoys it if I direct her, but not if she is left to her own devices. For instance, yesterday we needed to make one, so I got out construction paper and glue and crayons. I had her rip up little pieces of construction paper on her own and then I helped her glue the pieces into a design on the folded paper. then I sat there and admired her coloring of the inside as she narrated what she was drawing and writing.

Although she can do all those things herself, she would not have. She enjoys the collaborative effort, though.

[LuckyMommaToo]

I keep a separate ziplock that's inaccessible to the kids (above the fridge) with cardstock, "special" stickers and some different markers. I tend to cut the cardstock into four pieces, so the card isn't that big. A few stickers, write a "to" and "from" and we're done. Of course, if they're in the mood for a big production, that's fine, too, but if we only have ten minutes, they can do something quick that still looks decent.
-e

[bobandjess99]

I'm...not at all understanding why on earth my kids would "have" to make cards at any point?

[LuckyMommaToo]

I'm...not at all understanding why on earth my kids would "have" to make cards at any point?

I'm not the OP, but I know it really means a lot to the grandparents to get a handmade card for their birthdays. I've tried to find ways to make it pretty painless for my kids, and they generally don't mind. In our family we value homemade, and I guess I am trying to model that for my kids.

[hipumpkins]

Thank you to just about everyone for such great ideas. I didn't even really expect suggestions but those are great. My kids love stickers and I'm sure stencils would great fun! Those things never even occurred to me b/c I give them the paper and just ask them to draw a picture (not even themed) but I guess since they are not being inspired to draw they just don't feel like it. I always liked drawing pictures as a kid (Although I was not any good at it) and most kids I know make fine cads for people.
I will keep all the ideas in mind for the next holiday!

[jeteaa]

yep mind do. I save all of their art work then when its time to make a card I cut it out of them. It makes for great cards....

[Lilypie32]

My son hates all crafts. I hate them too. The thought of making someone a card makes me cringe. I rather spend 10 bucks on one than make one.

Not all kids like that kind of stuff.

[bestjob]

"In our family we value homemade, and I guess I am trying to model that for my kids. "

I can see the modelling, but not necessarily the enforcement.

A dashed off card doesn't mean the friend isn't valued... it could mean the friend is at the door, the park is calling, and expressing the sentiments can wait until the end of the Greatest Nerf Gun Battle Ever to Rock the Planet.

Showing friendship and love doesn't need to always follow traditional formats.

[Paeta16]

My 3 y.o. really isn't into colouring or crafty things at all...and that includes card-making. I'm hoping she'll develop a little bit more of an interest in it in the years to come but I'm not holding my breath! I'm like you and give her the freedom to colour and draw whatever she wants but she just is not into it so I usually let it go.