life in general: yarn bowls Okay, here's how it goes. It's super easy and just a little bit messy. ;) Supplies: yarn + glue + bowl Prep: Cover a bowl with plastic wrap. Or use a balloon as your form. (I think these look pretty.) Method: Dip yarn into glue. *Once the bowls were constructed I considered brushing on some liquid starch (just to help stiffen the yarn) but I didn't get around to it. The kids had a fun time with this project. The other two needed help from time to time. The other one loved the project, repeatedly complimented everyone's "awesome" bowls, and made a good effort until she ran out of steam and I finished the bowl. Bottom line . . . it kept them busy for an hour, yes there was lots of hand-washing and wiping but the mess was contained to 1/2 of the dining table (not too bad), and they all ended with a project they were proud of.
Paper Plate Yarn Weaving - Sewing Hearts This paper plate yarn weaving activity combines an easy Valentines Day craft with a beginner sewing project! It’s great for fine motor development, and the results are so pretty! Not long ago, we did this paper plate yarn art project, and I was amazed by how lovely two simple supplies (yarn and a paper plate) could look. We’ve put the two materials together again today for this paper plate yarn weaving activity, and once more the results are beautiful! Because many people use the words “weaving” and “sewing” interchangeably with a project like this, I’ve use both words in this post. I love that this simple weaving project offers a variety of skill-development. That’s great! The idea for our weaving project came about the other day when I mentioned that my son had ripped his pyjamas, and that I had sewn the hole closed by hand. One of the hooligans asked what I meant, and I explained that I’d used a needle and thread to sew the pyjamas back together. Ahhh, I thought!
Capture the Details: Easter egg craft - suncatchers! The kids and I made some pretty Easter egg decorations for our sliding glass door. They are super easy to make, too! You will need: crayons in pretty colors, a crayon sharpener (usually built in to the larger crayon boxes), wax paper, invisible thread, a small hole punch, an iron and old towels. I chose bright 'girly' colors for my eggs and so did Sarah. Ben chose darker 'boy' colors. Start by peeling the back end of a crayon and sharpening it onto a piece of wax paper that is on top of old towels (the crayon wax can seep through the wax paper). Let the shavings fall evenly. When you are happy with your shavings piles place a second sheet of wax paper over the top and another old towel over that. Let the paper cool - it won't take long - and then hold it up to the light to inspect your work! Create an egg template from heavy cardstock and trace the shape onto the wax paper. Here is my pile - Benny and I held them up to the light... Some close-ups..... Happy Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paper Lanterns (with LED lights) Paper lanterns everywhere. These non-flammable, simply beautiful, versatile, paper lights, have been a staple in our summer entertaining --- scattered on dinner tables, added to picnic blankets, strung across the patio; they're even a excellent kid's craft: the kids have made night lights for their rooms. After making "night lights" for Grayson's camping birthday, I just couldn't stop. My personal current favorite are the ones made of news print. Paper: regular, transparent, news print, etc. HOW TO: 1. 3. Supplies: Sheet metal (craft store) or use recycled metal, as we did. They gave me large metal sheets which are used in 4 color printing. As a final touch, we thread wire through the top of the lights so that these could hang, as well.
MY GREEN SIDE · Photo Friday – Crayon Hearts We spent an afternoon making crayon hearts for Little Greek goddess’s classmates for Valentine’s Day. A friend of mine suggested the craft because she knows how I love to reuse and my aversion of sugar. We were so pleased at how they turned out… they’re adorable! Here’s all the information in case we’ve inspired you to make this cute and practical Valentine’s craft: Materials Crayon pieces (Tip: dip crayon pieces in warm water to make removing the paper a lot easier)Heart-shaped metal cookie or muffin tin Scrap paperDouble-sided foam mounting tapeScissorsColored card stockMarker Instructions Heat the oven to 250°. Fill each mold with crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes (Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips). Once they’re cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper. Suggested messages: You color my world Valentine, you make my heart melt Source: Family Fun
Easy Origami Picture Frames - Micador With only a few simple folds, these origami picture frames are super easy and perfect for displaying your favourite photos or as a gift! You will need: Micador Create It Two Colour Magic Paper Glost Jumbo Paperclips Sizzle Scissors Sticky tape Step 1: Fold one of the top tips of the A4 paper inward to meet the adjacent edge so that it makes a triangle. Step 2: Using the bottom of the folded section as a guide, cut the page to make a square. Step 3: Fold the square piece of paper in half, then half again. Step 4: Fold each corner into the middle. Step 5: Now fold each corner into the fold then fold down. Step 6: Turn the piece of paper around, and fold each corner back. Step 7: Secure the back with sticky tape. Step 8: Grab a Glost Jumbo Paperclip and pull the smaller curved wire up to an angle to create a base.
Tutorial: Homemade Sidewalk Chalk | oh my! handmade goodness by Michelle Vackar, Modern Handmade Child One of our favorite outside activities at our home is drawing with chalk on the driveway. You can play hopscotch, four-square, and of course draw and create silly stories. My daughters and I were talking one day as we played hopscotch about how to make chalk and I thought to myself, let’s try it! What you will need: • Toilet paper or paper towel tubes • Scissors • Duct tape • Wax paper • Small bucket or disposable container to make the recipe • ¾ cup of warm water • 1 ½ cups Plaster of Paris • 2-3 tablespoons of tempera paint • Paper bag or a “mess mat” ** we made six tubes of chalk – we simply doubled the above recipe Step 1: If you are using paper towel tubes, cut each tube in half, so it is roughly the length of a toilet paper roll tube. Step 2: Cover one end of each tube with duct table to hold the contents within. Step 3: Cut as many pieces of wax paper as you have tubes. Step 4: Pour the warm water into your bucket.
Montessori Pin Poking to Develop Concentration, Coordination, and Pincer Grip for Writing {Montessori Monday} - LivingMontessoriNow.com I’ve been wanting to do a literature-based art project with my 2-year-old granddaughter, Zoey. But it requires the use of two very popular Montessori activities, which needed to be introduced. The first practical life activity was eggshell crushing. Montessori Pin Poking to Develop Concentration, Coordination, and Pincer Grip for Writing – Video You’ll see my daughter, Christina, and Zoey (Christina’s niece) in this 1 minute, 53 second video about pin poking: Materials Used in Our Pin Poking Activity Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you). Montessori Pin Poking Tray with Inset Shapes Montessori Pin Poking Activity Pin Poking a Montessori Inset Pentagon Shape The benefits of pin poking can be amazing. I introduced the activity to Zoey, who’s almost 27 months old. Most 2 year olds will probably punch outside or inside the outline, at least some of the time. Eggshell Crushing – Montessori Practical Life Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers Montessori Monday Link-Up