Before you start......

Mess is a necessary aspect of creativity, so it shouldn't be discouraged. But you can limit the damage by providing protective clothing (an apron or a parent's old shirt) worn over play clothes that don't matter much. Restrict the activity to one place which can be easily cleaned, and protect your working surface with newspaper or plastic.

Your role:
First demonstrate the activity to the child, then encourage the child to try it himself/ herself. Give him/ her space to experiment and allow to repeat the activity at some other time.
Children need to experience the process - the end result is not so important to them. So don't aim for perfection or try to improve on the child's work to make it look better. Allow your kid to experience the joy of creating. Give them the freedom to make mistakes.
Don't hurry the child. Even if you have only 15 minutes to spare, be fully present during that time. It's more important that your child has fun instead of just completing the activity.

Textured Pictures

Materials:
Paper
Pencil
Coloured tissue or crepe paper
Paste / gum

Method:
Draw or get your child to draw the outline of a simple picture (house, animal, flower, rainbow...)
Cut the coloured paper into small strips and show your child how to roll little balls of paper between thumb, index and middle fingers.
When sufficient balls have been made, glue them close together inside the outline.
You could make a colourful picture to stick on the wall - or use as a greeting card.
The paper balls could also be used in a collage.

Your child may get tired of making too many balls - as with any activity, stop when the child is tired. You could always take it up again the next day.

Coloured Sand, sawdust, wood shavings or matchsticks

Materials:
Sand or other material
Paint
Water
Newspaper

Method:
Mix paint with water - use different colours.
Add sand or other material.
Leave overnight.
Remove and spread evenly over several layers of newspaper.
Leave to dry thoroughly. Pour into containers.

Use this coloured sand or sawdust to make glue pictures or in a collage.

Coloured Rice or Macaroni

Materials:
Uncooked rice, macaroni or other pasta
Paint or food colouring
Water
Oil, plates.

Method:
Mix paints with water.
Add macaroni or rice. Leave briefly and then drain. (Don't soak for long)
Spread macaroni or rice on lightly oiled plates so that each piece is separate.
Leave to dry and harden. Store in containers.

Glue onto paper to form pictures or use in a collage.
Macaroni could be strung as necklaces.

Glue Pictures

Materials:
Paper
Glue /gum
Coloured sand / sawdust (see instructions)

Method:
Cut a shape out of paper.
Paint glue all over the shape and place it on a sheet of paper; pressing firmly.
Peel off shape quickly and sprinkle coloured sawdust or sand over the sticky spot on the paper. Dust off excess.
Variation: paint child's hand with glue. Print according to directions above.

Collage

Materials:
Paper balls ( see instructions for textured pictures)
Chart paper - white or coloured
Glue / gum
Paints, crayons or sketch pens
Scissors
A variety of materials like:
Scraps of fabric
Natural materials like leaves, bark, seeds, sticks
Sawdust, sand (see instructions for colouring)
Shells
Buttons
Paper balls (see instructions)
Cotton wool
String,
Wool

Method:
Plan a simple picture like the house and garden illustrated.
Collect a variety of materials. Use the suggestions above or think of others. Vary the textures - smooth and rough, hard and soft.
Arrange the materials and stick them on the chart paper. Use paints or crayons for the background.
Do this as a family project - even collecting materials can be part of the fun!

Leaf Rubbing

Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes and then place between two sheets of paper, rub gently over with a colour pencil, and watch the shape of the leaf appear like magic.

This can be lovely as a card or letterhead.