Children often tend to mimic their parents, not just their gestures and behaviourisms, but also their hobbies and styles. If you’re a fashion-conscious mama, chances are your kiddos are already following in your footsteps and are in the process of developing their very own sense of what they deem stylish – even if their look is made up of unicorn prints and Pokémon graphics. If you happen to be a fashion designer with your own home-studio, your children may even have established an interest in sewing and other technical sides of garment creation. Nurture this curiosity and you might be raising the next big fashion designer of the future. Here are 3 fun projects you can do with your children to encourage their fashion designing skills!

Pillowcase Skirts

Turn your daughter’s next slumber party into a live episode of Project Runway by providing them with old, clean pillowcases, a set of fabric markers, acrylic paints and eye droppers. The markers are used to draw the outlines and the acrylics to fill in the drawings; once the children’s artworks are completed, the pillowcases are washed in a hot mix of vinegar water which will help the paint set. Once dried, help the kids string elastic through one opening of the pillowcase cover and they’re ready to be worn as skirts or dresses! This is a fun activity for budding fashion designers as it encourages the imagination needed to realize their own flair for style.

Customized Canvas Sneakers

They’re called canvas shoes, so let your kiddos treat them like the empty canvasses they are! This is a great weekend project and works a charm as a birthday party theme as well. White canvas shoes can be found anywhere at a cheap price. All you need for your children to live out their creative fantasies is permanent markers, fabric paint, fabric glue and anything that can be used as embellishments such as sequins, gemstones, rhinestones, etc. Let the kids go nuts designing their own shoes – who knows, their crazy ideas might inspire you to take on shoe designing next!

Upcycle Old T-Shirts

When it comes to upcycling old clothes, t-shirts are your best friends – it seems there’s nothing you can’t do using old t-shirts. Upcycling is a practise you should teach children early in life as it contributes to a sustainable and fashionable future, and t-shirts are the best items to start with. You can help your kids create an entirely new top using just a pair of scissors and twisting methods, prepare their fall wardrobe by making ruffle scarves or even make a new hoodie.