Felting with Children
This post was last edited/updated in March 2021.
Too often, prior to having children, I heard from other moms (after talking about my art) that they wish they could still make art, but they haven't had the time or space to do with little kids. I'd give a few ideas (which I now know as a mom was likely not all that appreciated), which were quickly turned down. I figured that, kids or no kids, if you really want something, you can make it happen if you put your mind to it. It was just an excuse. "Just wait til you have kids of your own, you'll see."
I couldn't fathom the thought of not being able to continue following my passions once I had children, and children is something I wanted. Plus, I knew artist moms, both personally as well as those I follow online. There aren't many, I'll admit, but they're there.
This post is for those of you who are parents who want to create art, in particular felting. It's a candid look at how felting happens with kids around, especially little kids (because older kids require a bit less hands-on attention).
Of all my artistic interests, I'd say that felting is probably one of the easiest to do around small children. There are no expensive colored pencils to break, no papers or journals to rip up, no fancy markers to destroy (or mark up your house). There are no non-washable paints to track through the house. You have your soft, fuzzy wool, and depending on the type of felting you are doing, you may or may not have a sharp needle. The sharp needle easily and quickly fits in the palm your hand if you need to move it at the last minute, and sure you may stab yourself (I haven't yet, but it can happen), but you've already been doing that anyway, right?
A project I've been working on with my 4 year old; this is entirely her doing.
In fact, you can kill two birds with one stone here and check "sensory play" off your list as well, because you can get all sorts of sensory fun out of felt. Either they're playing with the wool itself, of which there are various degrees of softness (coarse wool, finer wool, exotic fibers, locks), a firm-yet-squishy felting pad or a heavy rice-filled sack, plus whatever item you're working on. Which, I might add, I can guarantee they will steal from you and run off with it. I read somewhere that toddlers show you they love you by trying to engage with you in play, such as making you chase them. Look on the bright side! Your baby stealing your work is both a compliment that they like what you're making and they're showing you they love you by wanting you to play with them. Once they're a bit older you can even start introducing needle felting and work together!
Note: that last bit is obviously at the parent’s discretion (yes, parent’s. Even if you’re a grandparent. If the parent doesn’t feel comfortable with it, just wait until they are - don’t undermine them.) I was revisiting this post several years after writing it, and with two children who are now ages 6 and 8 (the baby in the photo below is 6!) I have to say, while my daughter was a good candidate to practice with felting needles at the age of 4-ish, he still isn’t. He still struggles with impulse control. He did start hand stitching at the age of 5, but that needle is attached to a string and surprisingly less sharp. I may start introducing him to this soon, so we’ll see. This largely depends on the child, and absolutely under adult supervision and parental consent. I don’t want to get into trouble here for recommending children play with sharp objects. I personally consider the child’s temperament and assess risk based off that. There really is no rush, and there are other, safer fiber arts you can introduce them to until they’re old enough to stab some wool. All that being said, he’s been right next to me when I work. They both have. If you watch my Green Man videos on youtube, you might see a glimpse of him sitting in my lap while I work (I want to say it’s in the third video, if not towards the end of the second one). They know not to touch my tools and supplies unless I grant them permission.
Wet felting with toddlers can be fun!
If you're wet felting, there's even more sensory fun to be had. The hot soapy water (the only "messy" part of this art form) is slippery, especially when you're rubbing and squishing the wool. And hey, if they want to spill it all over the place, all you need is a rag, and you're one step away from checking "mopping the floors" off your to-do list. They can join in the fun, or you can try to engage them anyway, at least until they steal your sponge and run off with that too.
He stole my sponge.
If you're thinking that you'll fit in some quiet time to yourself to work on your art... well, good luck with that. If that's what those moms were talking about before, I agree, that is definitely difficult to do with little kids at home. What you can do is put together a little travel felting kit in a tin (which I've done) and take them to a fast-food indoor playground or other secure area. They'll be busy running around playing while you can get something small done. There's also nap time or after bed time (one of the things I remember suggesting), and I certainly do work on art during that time. After all, that's when I film tutorials and/or WIP videos. However, there are so many evenings when I'm just completely wiped out that by the time I get the kids to bed - my husband comes home late so most days during the week I don't get any help - I just don't have the energy. This too shall pass, and depending on the temperament of your child it could be sooner than later (my older one let me work alone around the time she turned 3ish). However, if you adapt and find ways to make art happen despite curious little hands, it's absolutely possible. Cue surprised looks on those moms' faces who thought they knew what my future had in store.
And for a bit of fun, here are some other artist moms I follow online:
Alisa Burke - blogs about creating art with your child
Tamara Laporte - a.k.a. Willowing. I started following her prior to becoming a mom, and despite having two babies, her art business has grown exponentially.
Marjolein Dallinga - This artist got into felting because she had young children at home and didn't have the time/space to devote to painting. She found felting to be easier to do in the presence of young children
Both Artist and Mother - This is a website dedicated to highlighting the works of women who are juggling the roles of both artist and mother.
For dads, I don't know of many artist men who are also devoted fathers. I mean, Picasso had kids, but then again, he was an @$$ so maybe not a great example… Here were some better dudes. When it comes to a contemporary creative dads, Austin Kleon comes to mind, who often writes about his life as a parent.
Either way, regardless of gender, it is possible to balance one’s artistic endeavors with caring for one’s offspring. Just don’t be a Picasso in personality.
