The Best Needlepoint Kits For Kids: That’s “Sew” COOL!
Do you have a child, or know one via friends or family, that enjoys needlepoint crafting? This post is for you!
Well, when I was a kid I was kinda apprehensive about sewing – after all, it involves using a sewing machine, which contained needles, and things I couldn’t make sense of like bobbins, presser feet and winding up thread.
When I was about 6 or 7 I unexpectedly received something really different one Christmas – a needlepoint kit. Boy that was fun! Not having to worry about all those scary “grown up” tools! Or getting accidentally pricked with a needle…📍
==>>In a hurry or just curious? See the best needlepoint kits for kids
After I finished my first kit I wanted more like it 🙂
Why Learning Needlepoint is Great For Kids?
Let’s face it, learning to sew takes patience; even I haven’t mastered it fully. (You can read up on some of my snafus here. ) There are all these little intricacies that may be a little too advanced, even if you have a child who shows interest in it.
Needlepoint is a great gateway craft to sewing for youngsters for that reason. None of that stress that comes from things like threading needles correctly (I was actually very fearful of needles) and I could make the yarn equivalent of a horse, a unicorn, or something else cute that I got to hang up later!
It was great to have on road trips…I wanted to draw but that was hard to do on bumpy roads, with paper and implements. Enter a square of mesh, some yarn, and a cute plastic needle that I had no danger of getting stuck by – Voila, I had it made in the shade:)
What to Look For in a Kit?
Our cross-stitch kits are more elaborate and would be too tedious for youngsters – they usually involve little needles, skinny threads and intricate looking designs. It’s always best to start with a needlepoint craft that’s a little less labor-intensive and easier to handle so your child will not have to struggle too much and get frustrated with the above factors.
After all, you want to encourage your child to have fun with a new craft, and not feel like it’s a chore or something 🙂
Great needlepoint kits for kids should have these characteristics:
- Simple designs – nothing too elaborate when your youngster is trying to master the learning curve.
- Cute designs – Cute child-friendly pictures will be a great incentive to work on this skill.
- The design color-coded onto the mesh – it will help them know where to tie off the last color and begin with the next one.
- Plastic needles – A non-threatening needle that’s a little larger, easier to handle, and stick-proof is a must!
This kits here by Alex and Sew Cute are your best choices and fit the bill for everything in the list above. I had one just like these once with a unicorn on a blue background that I got to hang up when it had been completed. It probably took me a couple of days to do, a relaxing activity that is great for rainy days and boredom-busters.
Sew Cute! Learn To Sew Needlepoint Kit, 6-Inch by 6-Inch
ALEX Toys Craft Simply Needlepoint FlowerSew Cute! Learn To Sew Needlepoint Kit-Butterfly
It had a special frame included just like this, so it was the whole package. there are many other design offered, such as rainbows, hearts, animal faces and flowers. This one includes a 6 by 6 inch mesh canvas piece, yarn, needle and instruction sheet and is recommended for kids age 5 and up.
In other words, they’ll have everything they need to get started – all the designs are preprinted onto the mesh canvas, making it easier to start stitching in the right places and knowing when to change colors. The size is smaller so it won’t be a long drawn-out project so much, and the yarn colors are bold and attention getting.
The first cross-stitch project I had was a doorknob hanger…it had a cute picture of a cat, a rabbit and two heart shapes on it. At first I probably grappled with the act of getting the design part straight next to the background color, but then I did get the hang of it thanks to it being preprinted with the right colors
What Needlepoint Kits are Best For Older Kids?
If your child is a little older, like somewhere between 8 – 12, there are some kits that are a little bit more advanced than the ones above, but still child-friendly with their simplicity and choice of design. I went browsing a little further and found these which I think would be great choices.
The fox on the left is bright and colorful and only a small color range to contend with, the middle kit will let your child craft a bookmark and two wall hangings, and the right – a cross-stitch Star Wars bookmark; young fans of the franchise will love that one 😊!
Joy Sunday Cross Stitch Kits 11CT Stamped Seven Color Fox 11
Harrisville Designs First Needlepoint Kit, MulticolorEmbroidery Kit ‘Star Wars: Darth Vader’ – Cross Stitch Bookmark
The kits above are recommended for ages 8+ and include everything to make the projects, including instructions, needle and yarn. A little more skill and attention to detail is needed, but the designs are fairly simple (and cute too!)
Summary
These needlepoint kits for kids make great gifts too! Perfect for road trips, rainy days and teaching an appreciation of crafting from the get-go. And who knows…maybe it won’t be just a way to beat boredom, they may develop a hobby out of it too and learn to sew like a boss! (Not to mention the pretty artwork you’ll be seeing…)
Best of all when they get the hang of it more and more, they may be anxious to try more advanced techniques one day and will have developed the dexterity and skill to do so, and maybe want to learn to sew with the machine and it won’t seem daunting anymore because your kids will have developed some mastery of the foundation, too!
Happy Cross-Stitching!
Post Updated: June 22nd, 2019
I got my daughter a few simple ones last year, but it was too soon. She couldn’t get the hang of the concept. Maybe this year.
True – your mileage may vary. Some youngsters are more dexterous than others and may pick it up easier.
Ah, I can see this being a really fun activity for kids to get into. The kits should be really helpful!
What a great idea! I remember doing these when I was a kid and I loved it. Might have to give a few of these as gifts this year.
Awwww what a cute needle point kit!!!! That cat looks just like my furbaby!!!! I need this kit for my daughter
I really like this! It would make a great gift. I may even need to use this simple kit.
Yep, there’s no age limit – it would be a good gateway to taking up the craft!
Thread and needle are definitely not good friends with me. I tried, really. However, I love seeing cross stitched items. I think these will be a good craft for me too. A mom and daughter holiday project ?
Needlepoint is fun at any age. I have one a friend and her daughter made me about 20 years ago. It’s still as lovely as the day I got it. 🙂
This one is cool, I like it for myself since I want to learn some crafts. And this one will work for me because its so easy to follow.