My oldest starts Kindergarten this year and I can assure you he will not let anyone forget it. He has been asking me "when do I get to start Kindergarten?" for at least a year now. Now that we're in the home stretch for the first day of school I thought it would be fun to make a "visual" for him so he could really understand how much longer until that big day. (Well, OK to be completely honest- my mom gave me the idea!) I made an old fashion paper ring counter for him. I found a cute school bus photo online and printed it out. Then I counted off the days until the first day of school and made a paper ring for each day. Starting last night he gets to tear off one ring before bed and when he gets to the school bus he knows it's school time! What fun! My mom even had a great idea to add to the "good ol' fashion paper ring"....mark off special dates along the way with big events so he has even more to look forward to. I added a special ring for "the state fair starts," "back to school … [Read more...]
Hammered Flower Art
Hammered flower art can be both fun and beautiful. I've seen some gorgeous prints in person and online so I decided to try it out with my girls. Here's what you'll need if you want to try it with your kids: variety of flowers and/or leaves paper (plain paper will work but not as well as construction, watercolor, or other more absorbent paper) hammer hard surface to work on such as a cutting board or piece of wood (you are going to be hammering on it) paper towels scissors tape (optional) 1) Find flowers and leaves. Walk around your yard or neighborhood and look for brightly colored flowers and leaves. They need to be fresh but not overly moist. Try a variety of things because some will work better than others. Of note, pale yellow and white flowers do not work! 2) Put your paper on your hard surface. Then put the flower on the paper. Spread the flower out and cut off the mushy/moist part that sticks up in the center. Some flowers you might have to … [Read more...]
Hand Print Sunflowers
Ready for a super easy, super cute, super fun craft? Hand Print Sunflowers! Here is what you will need: a small paper plate yellow construction paper green construction paper brown construction paper (or a brown marker) sunflower seeds glue scissors Have your child trace their hand (or help them if they are too young) on the yellow construction paper and make 5-6 different tracings. Help your child cut each hand out carefully. Glue (or tape) each hand to the back of the plate leaving a little space for the stem. Glue or tape a green strip of construction paper to the base, this will serve as the stem of the sunflower. Next flip the plate over and color in the plate with a brown marker or cut a circle of brown construction paper to fit on the inside of the plate. Smear glue all over the brown part of the plate and sprinkle sunflower seeds all over. And now you have an adorable Sunflower to add to your collection! … [Read more...]
Patriotic Pinwheels
Almost all kids (and adults too) love pinwheels! It's fun to blow on them and watch them twirl or let the wind take them spinning. Today we've got patriotic pinwheels. They're great for entertaining the kids at your Memorial Day party or while waiting for the parade to start! To make your own pinwheels you'll need: Red, white, and blue paper Scissors Glue and other things to decorate with such as glitter and markers A hole punch A Pencil with an eraser A thumb tac/push pin 1) Start by making two of your pieces of paper square. Fold one corner of paper over to the edge and cut off the excess rectangle. 2) Unfold the square and fold it the other direction into another triangle so that the square has been folded into 4 triangles. 3) Using your third piece of paper cut out stripes and stars (or any other shapes) and decorate one side of each square. Use glitter and markers too if you want! This is what my girls' squares looked like when they were … [Read more...]
Tie Dying with Kids
Eeeek! I know, tie dying with kids sends shivers up my spine too! What a mess, and all that work. I have braved tie dying with my kiddos a few times and it was totally worth it. Tie-dyeing came to the United States in 1909. However, it became popular when musicians like Janis Joplin began wearing fabrics that had been dyed using this method. However, tie-dyeing is not a new concept. It has its roots in older methods of dyeing fabric used throughout the world. Many different cultures dye their own fabric using plants extracts. (thank you eHow) Things to try tie dying: pillowcases, hats, t-shirts, night gowns and pajamas, socks, shorts, sweatshirts, purses, swimsuits, scarfs, neck tie, fabric, blankets, and the list goes on. Different techniques: knot tying bunching pleats spirals, rosettes, stripes, diamonds, ovals, squares, bullseye, circles Helpful sites: Fave Crafts Prochemical Rit Craft Information … [Read more...]
10 spring time flower crafts
Today we're bringing you ten awesomely fun spring time flower art crafts... 1. Coffee Filter Daffodils- You can't go wrong with this easy and adorable flower craft! These Daffodils are perfect for spring, mother's day, and to cheer someone up. 2. Make a spring bouquet by purchasing white carnations and adding some food coloring to the water. Watch the flower colors change! What a fun experiment too. 3. Adorable Tissue Paper Carnations. Such an easy craft too! I know just the person these would be perfect for. With Mother's Day coming up this weekend you can make flowers that last forever. 4. Simple Origami Flowers- This video gives you step by step directions on how to make this cute little bud. 5. Glossy Paper Flowers are a great way to reuse and recycle old magazines. Your toddler, preschooler or grade school child will enjoy making these for sure! 6. Paper Cup Flowers- Why not make an entire garden of flowers? I am willing to bet you have all the supplies … [Read more...]
