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Finding an activity that doesn't involve a screen to keep your kid busy can be a huge challenge — especially when they're already beyond bored. Maybe that's why paint-by-number kits for kidsare having a major moment, as Etsy's annual Kids Trend Guide revealed. In fact, searches for these kits are up 2,575% (that's a whole lot of kids with "nothing to do").
This sudden surge in popularity is wild, but it makes total sense. For one thing, Etsy reported an upswing in searches for all things related to "quiet time" (journals and puzzles are also hot items for kids at the moment). And if you've never had the pleasure of completing your own paint-by-number masterpiece, it's actually super fun. The usually-inexpensive craft kits include a pre-drawn picture divided into smaller shapes, each with an assigned number; every number corresponds with a certain color, and as you follow the guide, your painting is revealed. The results will make your kid feel like an artist, but the process is surprisingly easy — not to mention relaxing and (best of all for parents) time-consuming. With any luck, your little one will be so focused and quiet that you'll have time to respond to an email, pay a bill, or maybe even do your own paint-by-number kit because, look, they really are soothing.
Even Taylor Swift gave a nod to the classic craft in her new song "The 1," where she sings: "We never painted by the numbers, baby." Fortunately you and your kiddo (unlike Tay, apparently) have plenty of options for getting your craft on with these with these 11 paint-by-number kits.
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