Making wreaths is fun at this time of year. I wish I could say this was my own unique idea but it came from my daughter who found some vines outside, twisted them up and started decorating. I helped put on the red and green sequins as you need to use very strong glue. One of those glue guns would be perfect for something like this.
Another friend wrote recently that she was decorating her wreaths with colorful paper clips and tiny glue sticks!
So, with wreaths, I guess you can say that anything goes around them!
17 December 2006
06 November 2006
What to do with those nice pieces of canvas that get cut away from your body tracings?
Have the kids use good-quality fabric paint and make a picture, let it dry well, make a backing with colorful fabric or the reverse of the front image...and turn it into a pillow with old scraps inside (never throw away those scraps!)
This was done by a 6-year old and came out very nicely with a little help using the needle and thread. His sister made a little doll.
Have the kids use good-quality fabric paint and make a picture, let it dry well, make a backing with colorful fabric or the reverse of the front image...and turn it into a pillow with old scraps inside (never throw away those scraps!)
This was done by a 6-year old and came out very nicely with a little help using the needle and thread. His sister made a little doll.
29 October 2006
Body back drops
We need to make a back drop for an alternative school festival being held in Kolkata in November. We traced seven children's bodies with pencil, perfected the line with a black paint outline and then had the children fill in the bodies with seven different bright colors. THese are going to be cut out and stitched onto jute panels that will be hung behind our stage.
A friend who saw these tracings had the wonderful idea of doing this to various family members who come for what they called a "sister fest." They plan to do the tracings on old sheets and then drape them around the backyard. People could even take home a sister this way!
One time I did these on big sheets of paper with my own children, colored them in with clothing their grandmother had sent them, folded them up and posted them. She hung them on her wall at home and said, "I really feel their presence!"
The children loved getting into different silly jumping, dancing, throwing poses on the canvas; and loved even more painting the big spaces inside the black lines.
A friend who saw these tracings had the wonderful idea of doing this to various family members who come for what they called a "sister fest." They plan to do the tracings on old sheets and then drape them around the backyard. People could even take home a sister this way!
One time I did these on big sheets of paper with my own children, colored them in with clothing their grandmother had sent them, folded them up and posted them. She hung them on her wall at home and said, "I really feel their presence!"
The children loved getting into different silly jumping, dancing, throwing poses on the canvas; and loved even more painting the big spaces inside the black lines.
16 October 2006
Up, Up, and Away!
It's a bird, it's a boomerang, no -- it's Pizza Plane!
More corrugated fun with two simple parts: the body and the wings. Cut these out, add windows and a company logo on the tail, let your little one color it in (while you drink your coffee...), make the slit and assemble.
Show the motions for taking off and departing!
Make a huge one to hang from the ceiling of the nursery!
Paint or use crayons!
More corrugated fun with two simple parts: the body and the wings. Cut these out, add windows and a company logo on the tail, let your little one color it in (while you drink your coffee...), make the slit and assemble.
Show the motions for taking off and departing!
Make a huge one to hang from the ceiling of the nursery!
Paint or use crayons!
09 October 2006
Cardboard kitchen
Not much of an explanation is needed here...if you have boxes, kids love to invent things from them. This was actually another stay-at-home-with-a-cold project. We used bottle caps for knobs, made toast from cardboard, added shelves and hooks, as we played and found we needed things. plastic microwave meal containers made perfect baking pans, etc...
29 September 2006
Homemade Clay Day
This is a very simple recipe I got from my friend Shara oh-so long ago for making a play dough that can be saved in an air tight container for quite a few days after. Get out your cookie cutters, rolling pins, wooden boards and blunt knives and let the kiddies knock their socks off.
Dry materials:
2 c. flour
1 c salt
2 Tbsp cream of tartar
Wet materials:
2 c hot water (maybe a bit more)
1 Tbsp oil (mineral or veg)
food coloring
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the wet. Now cook over medium heat in a heavy pot, for just a couple minutes, stirring constantly until it firms up. Keep in covered container or ziploc bag after it cools.
*Food coloring can be added with the wet ingredients or later, after play dough is split into pieces.
Dry materials:
2 c. flour
1 c salt
2 Tbsp cream of tartar
Wet materials:
2 c hot water (maybe a bit more)
1 Tbsp oil (mineral or veg)
food coloring
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the wet. Now cook over medium heat in a heavy pot, for just a couple minutes, stirring constantly until it firms up. Keep in covered container or ziploc bag after it cools.
*Food coloring can be added with the wet ingredients or later, after play dough is split into pieces.
26 September 2006
Remember magazine beads?
I remember making these with Mrs. Salerno at our Bluebird meetings! If you cut the magazine triangles fairly precisely, work carefully with the paste, and get your roll down well, these necklaces can really come out looking quite stunning.
Prepare:
White glue mixed with a bit of water in a shallow pan
Toothpicks or matchsticks for rolling
Small triangles of diamond shape magazine cut-outs in various colors and patterns
string
needle
The key to a successful bead is to cover the entire magazine strip, and start rolling at the wide end and --> to the point. Cover it all with glue again, and let your beads dry well somewhere safe before stringing. Ceiling fans worked to our advantage here.
This is a nice craft even for pretty small hands; a good coordination practice and even if a bit ratty-batty, looks nice when a litte one proudly puts on his/her masterpiece.
* You can look up magazine beads on google for more precise instructions but I sort of played it by ear and had good results.
Prepare:
White glue mixed with a bit of water in a shallow pan
Toothpicks or matchsticks for rolling
Small triangles of diamond shape magazine cut-outs in various colors and patterns
string
needle
The key to a successful bead is to cover the entire magazine strip, and start rolling at the wide end and --> to the point. Cover it all with glue again, and let your beads dry well somewhere safe before stringing. Ceiling fans worked to our advantage here.
This is a nice craft even for pretty small hands; a good coordination practice and even if a bit ratty-batty, looks nice when a litte one proudly puts on his/her masterpiece.
* You can look up magazine beads on google for more precise instructions but I sort of played it by ear and had good results.
12 September 2006
Doll Clothes
If your child is home with a cold, it's a nice chance to make some good crafts together!
The hat on this doll is made from an old shirt sleeve. Just cut off the sleeve about 6 inches above the cuff and sew together, and fold over the cuff to fit (put some stitches in to keep the foldover in place). You can use this same style to make a cool hat for yourself too! We decorated it by sewing on sequins.
We made the pants the same day by copying from another pair that fit the doll.
The vest is one piece of felt in the back and two in the front, sewn together so that the stitching shows up as a design.
Later on we knit a tiny scarf for Bea, the doll, too!
The hat on this doll is made from an old shirt sleeve. Just cut off the sleeve about 6 inches above the cuff and sew together, and fold over the cuff to fit (put some stitches in to keep the foldover in place). You can use this same style to make a cool hat for yourself too! We decorated it by sewing on sequins.
We made the pants the same day by copying from another pair that fit the doll.
The vest is one piece of felt in the back and two in the front, sewn together so that the stitching shows up as a design.
Later on we knit a tiny scarf for Bea, the doll, too!
09 September 2006
Manhole Rubbings
Kids enjoy making rubbings. Manhole covers can be really interesting subjects, but a bit dangerous depending on traffic. And graveyards offer the perfect environment (especially the family crests, "mon," in Japan)!
Get various kinds of paper to experiment and use fat crayola crayons (doesn't work too well on very hot days).
Don't go over the cover only once, hold the paper on and use several colors. You can also put several rubbings on one sheet to make mandalas or scrolls.
Bring your rubbing inside and work it in using colored pencils and magic markers, like the one shown here!
Get various kinds of paper to experiment and use fat crayola crayons (doesn't work too well on very hot days).
Don't go over the cover only once, hold the paper on and use several colors. You can also put several rubbings on one sheet to make mandalas or scrolls.
Bring your rubbing inside and work it in using colored pencils and magic markers, like the one shown here!
03 September 2006
Reinventing the Pizza Box
Pizza boxes get turned into all sorts of things at our house. For a toddler, different masks can really raise a giggle! Try rabbits, lions, puppy dogs. A few whiskers with face paints and a black nose can really dress it up.
These are easy props to use for class skits and such too!
These are easy props to use for class skits and such too!
30 August 2006
Dress yourself up dolls!
Prepare:
Old fabric scraps
Beads/Sequins
cardboard
black markers
shiny paper
oil pastels or paints
This is a nice project for an entry way into a school or library (in my case) to let everyone involved greet people who come.
For small classes where you can help all the children handle the materials, use a gigantic sheet of paper and do a body tracing. For larger, unruly groups, even an A4 size of paper that they draw themselves on will work fine (or something bigger that they draw free form).
Each child will draw an outline of themself doing something they like and then clothe and decorate themself with flare!
23 August 2006
Little Box Photographer
This is just one idea for what you can piece together by saving things like small boxes, box tops, strings from packages and loo rolls.
This little toy was one of my child's favorites for quite a while. It seems to mean more if they make it together with a parent. The string made a big difference - great for taking photos outside on walks!
Try making things like little cars, airplanes, computers, and ovens too!
This little toy was one of my child's favorites for quite a while. It seems to mean more if they make it together with a parent. The string made a big difference - great for taking photos outside on walks!
Try making things like little cars, airplanes, computers, and ovens too!
15 August 2006
Market place
Kids love playing store. Save lots of old boxes and put little price tags on them for the older kids so that they can actually practice their math skills at the check out counter. You can make a little basket for collecting the items you want to buy in and if you have a toy cash register, this makes a nice combination. I found this plastic display case in the garbage at a shopping mall in Japan and knew it could be used for something fun.
07 August 2006
Bird Magnets
Materials:
Cut-out parts from old corrugated cardboard box
Magnet strips or old magnets that can be glued to the back (cut into large squares)
Crazy glue or strong craft glue
Paint and paintbrushes
Children will paint their two pieces in any way they want. Remind them to put in an eye. When the paint has dried, glue the wing onto the body so that it is either flying or sitting.
Let the wing dry on and then glue the magnet on the back. It's ready to take home and show mama!
=========
This is a nice craft for Spring themes and even very small children can do it and enjoy it.
You can make other simple cut-outs like a flower with a middle or a face.
Cut-out parts from old corrugated cardboard box
Magnet strips or old magnets that can be glued to the back (cut into large squares)
Crazy glue or strong craft glue
Paint and paintbrushes
Children will paint their two pieces in any way they want. Remind them to put in an eye. When the paint has dried, glue the wing onto the body so that it is either flying or sitting.
Let the wing dry on and then glue the magnet on the back. It's ready to take home and show mama!
=========
This is a nice craft for Spring themes and even very small children can do it and enjoy it.
You can make other simple cut-outs like a flower with a middle or a face.
04 August 2006
Crazy quilt
Crazy quilts are a nice way to teach little fingers the basics about sewing. You can collect fabric from clothes that have worn out. Start by making a small quilt for a doll bed and work up to something bigger. I hope I can post the crazy quilt I've been working on for my self -- in its finished form -- at some point in the not too distant future...though I have taken major breaks. It contains many of the children's old clothes or fabrics I have known, and grew to love the feel and color of.
31 July 2006
Step right up, take a photo!
This is a fun project if you are having a small festival. Children love to peek through the holes and parents like taking photos! This was made for a Spring Fest at an English school in Japan.
The main point to remember is that the three holes (or however many the big board you score will fit) should be the right height for toddlers.
The scene can be painted or just pastels.
Great for birthday parties, classrooms, and anti-war rallies too!
The main point to remember is that the three holes (or however many the big board you score will fit) should be the right height for toddlers.
The scene can be painted or just pastels.
Great for birthday parties, classrooms, and anti-war rallies too!
A-B-C Bottle Cap Game
This is a good way to recycle bottle caps while teaching your child how to match up the ABCs.
Laminate a sheet with capital letters on the front and small letters on the back all in their own circles. You can put this on sturdy cardboard too...just something durable so that it can be used over and over.
Get round labels that will fit onto tops of your bottle caps. Put A-Z on these.
Children can try matching up their cap letters with those on the board. They enjoy picking up the caps in their little fingers. Someone should sit and play with them so that they can hear the letters being said as they match up the shapes.
Level two is flipping the board over and matching capitals with their small letters.
I've put a small picture next to some of the letters on the board so that toddlers can associate a picture with its first letter.
Laminate a sheet with capital letters on the front and small letters on the back all in their own circles. You can put this on sturdy cardboard too...just something durable so that it can be used over and over.
Get round labels that will fit onto tops of your bottle caps. Put A-Z on these.
Children can try matching up their cap letters with those on the board. They enjoy picking up the caps in their little fingers. Someone should sit and play with them so that they can hear the letters being said as they match up the shapes.
Level two is flipping the board over and matching capitals with their small letters.
I've put a small picture next to some of the letters on the board so that toddlers can associate a picture with its first letter.
30 July 2006
Diary Covers
Each child will need a hard cover notebook.
The adult facilitator should ready glue, fabric scraps and scissors. Books can be covered just like covering school books by folding over length-wise and gluing to be the exact height of the book; then folding around the front and back of the book. Quite a bit of glue should be used to keep the cover on for a long time.
The adult facilitator should ready glue, fabric scraps and scissors. Books can be covered just like covering school books by folding over length-wise and gluing to be the exact height of the book; then folding around the front and back of the book. Quite a bit of glue should be used to keep the cover on for a long time.
26 July 2006
Stand-up Figurine Fun
These figurines were made by a woman who trains teachers on how to make their own teaching materials. They can be used in classrooms or for play with toddlers at home. They will certainly bring a wooden train-box village alive.
Use stiff paper and attach figurines to match boxes, toothpaste boxes, toilet rolls, or other cartons to make them stand up.
For all sorts of English lessons:
"These two people are bigger than these two people."
Use stiff paper and attach figurines to match boxes, toothpaste boxes, toilet rolls, or other cartons to make them stand up.
For all sorts of English lessons:
"These two people are bigger than these two people."
25 July 2006
Art Switch Game
You will need to prepare many sheets of paper that are exactly the same size; a perfect square, your choice of size. Each edge needs to have a little marking to show the exact center.
Have children (also fun for adults though) sit in a circle with a variety of art supplies in the middle. First, each person connects the top marking with the bottom marking, and the two side marks with any sort of line they want. Then they began to "make art" on the square.
When the leader says, "SWITCH," every person has to hand their square to the person sitting to their left. It continues on til (ideally) each person has "made art upon" each square.
The leader then keeps all the squares and puts them together like a quilt, matching up the middle markings to make the lines all connect. Finally, it is best to go over the black lines to bring the whole piece together.
This is truly a group project and no square becomes any one person's. The project is the work of the entire group.
Have children (also fun for adults though) sit in a circle with a variety of art supplies in the middle. First, each person connects the top marking with the bottom marking, and the two side marks with any sort of line they want. Then they began to "make art" on the square.
When the leader says, "SWITCH," every person has to hand their square to the person sitting to their left. It continues on til (ideally) each person has "made art upon" each square.
The leader then keeps all the squares and puts them together like a quilt, matching up the middle markings to make the lines all connect. Finally, it is best to go over the black lines to bring the whole piece together.
This is truly a group project and no square becomes any one person's. The project is the work of the entire group.
24 July 2006
Bored with your cupboard?
If you have some old piece of furniture you aren't all that crazy about anyhow, you can always let the kids have a go at it! They might help you make it last just a bit longer. You may need to guide them a bit. We de-glued a lot of old stamps to do one side and the kids tried their own designs on the other.
01 July 2006
Boxville
These village structures are a great addition to train tracks, dollhouses and car sets. Collect a bunch of boxes, turn them inside out or cover them with paper and build your own community.
MORE...
• Cut windows and make curtains
• Design awnings with matchsticks
• Incorporate other toys
• Make a copy of your own stomping grounds
• Make trees and gardens too
MORE...
• Cut windows and make curtains
• Design awnings with matchsticks
• Incorporate other toys
• Make a copy of your own stomping grounds
• Make trees and gardens too
17 May 2006
WHAT TO SAVE FOR MAKING CRAFTS WITH CHILDREN?
Well, me (THE EARTH) of course!
Save almost anything...but especially Picture postcards, pizza boxes, cereal boxes, plastic containers, caps, toilet paper rolls, stamps, children's drawings, paper used on one side, old erasers. greeting cards, old calendars, ribbons, wrapping paper... please send in your ideas too!
I recommend creating a space where kids can freely get at all this stuff but the younger kids should always be supervised and work along with an adult when working with scissors and glue.
This blog will be a list of projects that kids can easily do and moms and teachers can easily use to make a day more fun!
Well, me (THE EARTH) of course!
Save almost anything...but especially Picture postcards, pizza boxes, cereal boxes, plastic containers, caps, toilet paper rolls, stamps, children's drawings, paper used on one side, old erasers. greeting cards, old calendars, ribbons, wrapping paper... please send in your ideas too!
I recommend creating a space where kids can freely get at all this stuff but the younger kids should always be supervised and work along with an adult when working with scissors and glue.
This blog will be a list of projects that kids can easily do and moms and teachers can easily use to make a day more fun!
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