This afternoon, I thought it would be fun for the girls to try out an arts and crafts project at the library. The library often hosts these creative sessions, and today’s project was called a “Paper Plate Submarine.” As someone who loves seeing the girls dive into new activities, I was excited to see what they’d come up with!
We arrived at the library, where the staff greeted us warmly and set out all the supplies. The project was simple but imaginative: we would cut out a paper plate in a specific way to create the shape of a submarine. From there, the girls were free to color and decorate it however they wanted. It was the perfect blend of structured guidance and creative freedom.
Marwa, my three-year-old, started off with enthusiasm, eagerly picking out bright colors for her submarine. She loved the idea of a colorful underwater vessel, and for a moment, I thought we were in for a masterpiece.
as with many three-year-olds, her interest started to wane about halfway through. The allure of exploring the library’s book aisles with her little sister Safa and finding new picture books to flip through became much more tempting.
With her attention drifting to other things, I decided to take over her project and help finish it up.
Meanwhile, Maria and I continued with our creations. It was a wonderful bonding moment as we sat side by side, focusing on our submarines. Maria, always up for a creative challenge, decided to add assorted colors and paper color strips all over her plate.
I chose the color crayons I wanted to use, with help from Mria, as she told me which color I was holding and just created something simple.
Working together, we managed to complete both Maria’s and my submarines, each with its own unique flair.
Here they are, our little works of art—two paper plate submarines, bursting with color and imagination! The girls had a blast, and while Marwa may have decided she preferred exploring the library’s bookshelves today, Maria and I had a lovely time crafting together.
Our little library adventure reminded me of the importance of letting kids explore their interests, even if it means switching gears halfway through a project. Not every activity will capture their attention, but that’s okay. What matters most is creating memories and giving them the freedom to discover what brings them joy. Whether it’s crafting a paper plate submarine or discovering a new favorite book, every moment is a chance for creativity and connection.
In the end, we left the library with two completed submarines, a pile of new books, and plenty of stories to share. It was a simple but fulfilling afternoon, filled with creativity, exploration, and, of course, a little bit of spontaneity—just the way we like it.
The Dappled Odysseys 