Crafting isn’t just a fun way to keep little hands busy—it’s a powerful tool for teaching children about the world. From building fine motor skills to sparking creativity, crafts offer a hands-on way to explore new cultures.
In Ecuador, crafting is more than just an activity; it’s a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. Weaving, ceramics, jewelry-making, and embroidery all tell a story about Ecuador’s Indigenous roots, vibrant communities, and artistic heritage.
If you want to introduce your child to Ecuadorian crafts, here are 10 fun and meaningful projects to try. Each one offers a chance to celebrate Ecuador’s culture while creating lasting family memories.
1. Try Weaving
Ecuador is famous for its handwoven textiles and baskets, particularly from the Otavalo region. Indigenous artisans create beautiful ponchos, belts, and blankets using traditional looms, while weavers along the coast craft intricate baskets from toquilla straw—the same material used to make Panama hats.
Introduce your child to Ecuadorian weaving with a simple loom made from cardboard and colorful yarn. Teach them basic over-under patterns, or help them create a mini basket using paper or fabric strips. This craft builds fine motor skills and offers insight into Ecuador’s artistic traditions.
2. Color a Map of Ecuador
Help your child visualize Ecuador’s geography by creating a decorated map. Start with a blank outline of the country and have them:
- Color each region (Andes, Amazon, and coastal areas)
- Mark key landmarks, like Quito, the Galápagos Islands, and Cotopaxi Volcano
- Draw Ecuador’s national animals, such as the Andean condor or Galápagos tortoise
This craft is a fun, visual way to introduce kids to Ecuador’s diverse landscapes while improving geography skills.
3. Make a Rainforest Model
Ecuador is home to part of the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Bring the rainforest to life by helping your child build a 3D model using:
- Green construction paper for trees and vines
- Clay or play dough for frogs, toucans, and jaguars
- Blue tissue paper for rivers and waterfalls
This activity helps children learn about Ecuador’s unique ecosystems while sparking creativity.
4. Experiment with Hand Embroidery
You can’t complete a list of Ecuador crafts without mentioning embroidery—it’s a practice deeply tied to the country’s culture and history. Indigenous communities, especially in the Andes, use these intricate designs to tell stories about nature, spirituality, and their ancestors.
You can pick up kid-friendly embroidery kits online or at your local craft store. This craft helps your child build patience, focus, and appreciation for Ecuador’s textile artistry.
5. Make Jewelry from Tagua
Tagua, scientifically known as Phytelephas (or “plant elephant”), gets its name because its dried and polished nuts resemble elephant ivory with their smooth, creamy white texture. (This is why people often refer to it as “vegetable ivory.”) In Ecuador, people have used tagua to create beautiful jewelry pieces for hundreds of years.
How about hosting an Ecuadorian crafts day and creating your own nut jewelry? No worries if you can’t find actual Tagua—other natural materials like acai seeds, pine nuts, or even feathers make great substitutes.
6. Get Creative with Ceramics
In Ecuador, ceramic making is a cherished tradition, and many artisans make beautiful vases, decorative figures, plates, and bowls from natural clay harvested from the rainforests. The Canelos Quichua women of Ecuador, specifically, shape each clay item by hand—adding intricate designs that represent their community’s connection to nature, spirituality, and daily life.
You can bring your little ones to your local ceramics studio to paint their own pottery masterpieces. For your own bit of Ecuadorian flair, bring each piece to life with detailed linework, unique patterns, and captivating images.
7. Give Oil Painting a Go
Rounding out our list of Ecuador crafts is an art form you’ve probably tried before (oil painting)—just now with a vibrant Ecuadorian touch! As a country with a thriving arts scene, Ecuador has developed a signature style inspired by famous local painters like Oswaldo Guayasamín and Miguel Betancourt—with vibrant compositions and bold, geometric forms.
Tap into Ecuador’s essence with your own art, using vibrant colors, unique shapes, and natural elements. You’ll just need non-toxic oil paints, soft brushes, a sturdy canvas or thick paper, a plastic palette, palette knives, a child-friendly solvent like odorless mineral spirits, rags or paper towels, and a smock to keep their clothes clean.
Bring Ecuadorian Traditions Home with Go Au Pair
Crafting is a fun and engaging way to introduce children to Ecuadorian traditions, history, and artistic expression. Each activity offers a glimpse into Ecuador’s rich culture, encouraging kids to explore the world through art, language, and storytelling.
Looking for even more ways to broaden your child’s horizons? Hosting an Au Pair brings cultural learning into your home every day.
With Go Au Pair, you can:
- Welcome a trusted, background-checked Au Pair who shares their language and traditions
- Provide your child with a global perspective through daily interactions
- Enjoy affordable, flexible childcare that adapts to your family’s needs
An Au Pair offers so much more than childcare—they introduce your child to new cultures, languages, and traditions through everyday experiences.
Find your perfect Au Pair and start your journey today.
