I found the idea of this paper plate wreath for Saint Patrick’s Day on the nontoygifts web site. Instead of using paint, the child in my care just used dot markers and markers to make the wreath. You Will Need: Paper PlateYellow, Black, and Green Cardstock PaperCraft Paint, Crayons, Dot Markers, Pastels, or MarkersCircle PunchScissorWhite […]
After working as a nanny for 31 years I thought I had made every Saint Patrick’s Day craft possible until I found these adorable Saint Patrick’s Day corner bookmarks from Red Ted Art. The kids I care changed the project by using googly eyes for their bookmarks. You Will Need: Cardstock PaperPencilMarkersScissorGoogly EyesWhite Glue What […]
If you care for school-aged children, keep them busy by making inexpensive tin foil sculptures. We made a game out of this project by trying to make sculptures and jewelry without using any tape or glue. The aluminum foil is easy to sculpt with just a little practice. What You Need: Tin FoilScissors What to […]
I prefer when children make their own birthday cards for their friends and family rather than buying cards. A six-year-old I care for wanted to try making birthday cards for her friends’ birthdays. So on a rainy day we experimented making a bunch of cards with sprinkles. We learned not to use liquid glue or […]
This is a free, printable Valentine for kids that they can wear from the Lovely Indeed web site. I printed the template onto card stock paper then traced them onto glitter paper as well. I used orange and pink cellophane sheets for the lenses. You Will Need: Heart Glasses Template Card Stock Glitter Paper (optional) […]
This is the year of the dragon for Chinese New Year, making it the perfect time to read “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” by Virginia Loh-Hagan and make a fire breathing dragon with the kids. “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” explains why people light firecrackers, wear red, and give food offerings to celebrate […]
After reading “The Day it Rained Hearts” by Felicia Bond to children make a craft with raining hearts. In “The Day it Rained Hearts” by Felicia Bond it rains hearts, and the main character, Cornelia Augusta, catches the raining hearts. Cornelia decided the hearts would be perfect to make Valentines for her friends. She began […]
Have the kids paint with bubble wrap to make a snow covered tree after reading “Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber. In “Winter Trees” a boy and his dog stroll through the winter forest discovering seven different types of trees. This book is a fun early introduction to tree identification and a great way to encourage […]
“Winter Dance” by Marion Dane Bauer is a fun winter book about a fox trying to figure out what to do when winter comes. Snow is coming, and it’s time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the […]
I printed out these 3-D winter coloring pages from the krokotak web site and the kids loved decorating them with markers and crayons. The templates show how to make the drawings 3-D by folding the paper and attaching the paper flaps with white glue or a glue stick. You Will Need: Templates from Krokotak Printer […]
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