Most of the glue presented today is dangerous to the growing bodies of children.
What kind of glue is safe for children to work with?
Most glue releases chemicals into the air during use. But there are some harmless glues that parents should know about.
This is important, since this material is often used to create all kinds of crafts that develop the creative abilities of the child.
What glue to choose for crafts with children
There are three types of glue:
Organic – made on a natural basis. It includes carpenter’s glue or starch glue;
Inorganic – is a solution of potassium and sodium on a water basis;
Synthetic – the well-known “PVA”, “Moment”, “Superglue”.
The last group has a negative impact on the human body. These products contain toxic substances such as gasoline, phenol, acetone and dichloroethane. When glue is used, volatile toxins spread in the air and remain in the air for a long time.
For crafts with children, it is better to avoid “Superglue” and “Moment” at all. The most popular and harmless glue, recommended for children, is made by UHU. It is safe, does not emit odors, easily removed from clothing and washed from the skin.
UHU children’s glue is developed according to RF certification norms, European standards and international quality control system.
Which glue is safe for kids
The company has created several types of safe glue for children, depending on the purpose of its use:
UHU Klebefix Liquid Adhesive. Even if a growing decorator wants to taste it, you don’t have to worry. The glue contains glucose and is the safest for children. Easy to rinse off. Designed to apply evenly to the surface of paper, cardboard, textiles and photos. Does not spoil glued surfaces, even the thinnest ones, and provides a secure hold.
UHU Stic. This glue stick is suitable for gluing different kinds of paper. Contains no toxins, odorless, no problem to wash with a powder, after drying it becomes transparent. Instantly and firmly glues paper to cardboard and textiles. Does not crumple surfaces. The glue is protected from drying out for three years thanks to screw cap. The material is economical because its packaging allows you to apply a thin layer of glue.
UHU Glue’n Style. Has the shape of a pen – there is no more convenient way to apply the glue. With the applicator in any position allows you to glue paper, cardboard and textiles. It does not deform the base, has no unpleasant odors due to the absence of toxins, rinses off with running water.
UHU Twist&Glue. A unique product with a wide range of applications, equipped with a special applicator that helps to apply the glue in lines, wide strips or dots. It reliably glues paper, leather, cardboard, textiles, beads, glass, ceramics and wood. You can even combine these materials in one work.
UHU Padafix. Represents double-sided glue pads. They are resistant to low and high temperatures (from -40 to +60 degrees), have a strong adhesive effect. Pads quickly and firmly fix objects on paper, cardboard, glass, wood, metal and other surfaces. One pad can hold 300 grams of weight. With their help you can fix collages and toys on the wall.
UHU Textil Colors. Suitable for application on fabric. Allow your baby to color a monochrome T-shirt in bright colors. The soft tube with a thin tip will help. The colors can be mixed together and create a three-dimensional effect. The glue stays on the clothes after washing at a temperature no higher than +40 degrees.
It is also worth mentioning PVA glue. This is the only synthetic glue that is approved for use by children two years of age and older for creative purposes.
It is incombustible, does not cause allergies to the skin and does not emit toxins. PVA glue has a wide range of applications. It glues paper, cardboard, foam, wood and many other items.
Organic materials are also not harmful to children, but they require a lot of time to prepare, they smell unpleasant, and the surfaces stick together for a very long time.
Children’s PVA glue
Rules of work with glue for children
Before you let your baby start using glue and create his first crafts, show him by example how to do it.
Don’t use a lot of glue, apply it to the base a little at a time. It is better to use a brush for this.
Then gently take the figure and turn it over, gluing it to the paper by lightly pressing with your hand.
Wipe off the excess glue carefully with a cloth or tissue, pressing it down.
What children should do with glue
To begin, let your child play with glue on double-sided colored paper, let him or her enjoy the new pastime. And when he gets bored, get to work.
When your child will be applying glue, hold the figures.
At first they will be sticky to his fingers, so regularly wipe them with a clean cloth.
If the kid doesn’t like this process, apply the material to the base yourself, and give him the opportunity to put the figures on the surface.
For children, the result is not important. They just need to enjoy the process.
Important! When working with the crafts, you can’t leave your little one alone.
Here is a DIY Project with Beeswax and Mineral Oil
Examples of paper and glue crafts for children
When the child learns how to handle glue, try to teach him simple crafts. Here are the simplest examples.
Useful Pocket
- Draw the outlines of the bear’s muzzle, nose, and eyes on different colors of paper;
- All figures draw in duplicate;
Cut them out; - Glue the two faces together so that they become a pocket;
- Then glue the eyes and nose on both sides of the pocket;
- Near the ears punch two holes on both sides with a puncher;
- Pull the string so that the craft can be hung.
- In such a pocket, you can store small things: pens, hairpins and so on.
Snowman
- Make three balls of large, medium and small volume. For this you will need clean sheets of paper A3 and A4, pre-crumpled;
- In the same way “mold” snowman arms;
From an orange sheet of paper make a nose; - Use glue to fasten all parts. Large ball will act as the basis;
- On the sides of average ball glue hands;
- Glue the nose to the top ball;
- Use marker pen to draw eyes and mouth.