Snow Family Plaque

It has been a VERY long time since I posted any crafts. We got very busy, and then had a computer issue! Now that things have calmed down, and the computer is fixed, we are back! I am happy about this, because we are getting to my favourite time of year- for many reasons, and one is because of the crafts that we do together! 

Today and this coming week, we are focusing on Snow people. Then we will move into our Christmas crafts! I don't want to rush the holidays, but there are so many things to do, and so much fun to be had! So, we will be starting out holiday fun on Monday November 26th. We decorate our house on the weekend closest to the 26th, and that will be when the fun crafts and activities begin. 

As I mentioned, today we made a snow people plaque. The kids love this and it is a great addition to the decorations around the house. We needed one circle made from paper, and one from cardboard- we used cereal boxes. Then, I traced their fingers for the snow family. To make sure this fit on the circle, I traced half circles with the same plate I used for the big circles. Then I traced their fingers in the middle of the circle, and made a "hill" connecting them to the half circle. Then we cut those out. 

You will also need some markers, glue and something to hang the plaque- like ribbon! 

The kids first glued the snow family to the paper circle, and then they decorated their snow family. After that they did the "winter sky"- with snow flakes.

Once they are done decorating, we glued that circle onto the cardboard circle. Then we wrote "There is SNOW place like HOME" on it, and added the ribbon to hang them with! 

The kids thought it was very cool that their fingers made the snow family! Each child has 4 people in their family, so we only did 4- but of course you could trace as many fingers as you needed to make your own family! 

Fall painting fun

Today, I just felt like it was time to make a mess! Getting dirty is fun for kids! And of course, what a great sensory experience! Today, our choice was finger paint- and LOTS of it (I have no idea when these will be dry!)

When you are going to use a ton of paint in one project, make sure you have thick enough paper! We used finger paint paper! 

This is fun, easy and makes a beautiful picture- you can do it for any season/holiday with those certain colours. Because it is fall, and we are enjoying watching the leaves change on the trees, and fall to the ground- we made our final project into a tree! 

Like I said- EASY! I gave each child a piece of finger paint paper, and some fall coloured finger paints! Then they went to work! 

While they worked, I cut out the tree trunk. (you can do this with their hand prints- but, we were already messy, so we just did cut outs!)

Once the kids were done painting all over the sheet, we folded the paper in half and pressed down- giving it a bit of "layers" with the colours, and also a neat "texture".  Then, wait until they are dry enough to cut out. 

We cut these into tree shapes and then glued the trunk on the front of the painting! (and then again, wait until they are completely dry!)

Fabulous Fall Fun! 

The other day, we also made these Halloween Decorations- with our feet and hands! 

Fall trees

With Fall right around the corner, our community is very golden, and full of falling leaves. The kids are so excited, because with fall comes things like Thanksgiving, and Halloween! (and of course, closer to Christmas). So, today we did something that I try to do each year- just so I have them all to keep! We made hand/finger print trees. The kids love doing this, because they get to get messy!

Early this morning, I painted their hands, and down their arms a bit- in brown. Then we pressed them onto the paper. While we let those dry, we read some fall books and sang some fall songs. We talked about all the exciting things that fall brings!

Once the tree trunks and branches (their hands) were dry, we set to work to make it look more like fall!

While we put the paint out, we talked about fall colours. And then, once each child had their "pallet" they started putting their finger prints on their trees!

They all have a great time watching their hand print become a tree, and also getting very messy!

More apples

I didn't get time to post yesterdays craft, so I will add it to todays!

We are still talking about apples this week. Yesterday we read some stories about apples, and apple pie! (gave me a craving for sure!)

For yesterdays apple core craft, we needed the cut out apple core pieces (top and bottom with red and core with white!), glue, paper, crayons and a stamp pad (you could use finger paint if you don't have a stamp pad).

First, the kids coloured on their paper. We were talking about other fruits, and of course apples, so they could draw/colour something "fruit" related on their paper.

After we were done with our colouring, we glued the apple core to the paper. And then the top and bottom of the "eaten" apple!

Once the apple core was on the paper- we needed seeds! That is where the stamp pad and the kids finger prints come in! Press one finger into the stamp pad (or black/brown finger paint), and press them onto the core!

Then today we did apple stamping! This was fun, and will be a nice picture to hang on the wall for fall! First thing this morning, I cut 2 apples. 1 of them I just cut in half, and the other into quarters- just to give some different shape! I left them on the counter just to dry out a little bit before we needed them!

At Craft time, I put some finger paint on our paint trays (we use ziplock container lids- they are great!). Just a small amount! So it is stampable, and not a glob of paint on their paper! And I put one apple per colour. We did fall colours!

Then, I just let the kids go to work. We switched colours fairly often, and they often went back for another colour!

Apples!

This week, we are talking about apples. It is back to school, and outside is starting to look like fall. So, bring it all on- apple pies, falling leaves, beautiful colours etc. I have to admit, I think Fall is my favourite season.

Today we made some apple sun catchers. I have been looking for clear sticky type paper for a long time. I ended up finding clear book cover type stuff- or shelf liner at walmart. So, I bought this huge roll!

For our craft, I cut out apple "frames" with red construction paper. And then 2 squares of the sticky paper- big enough to cover the apple frame. I also had small brown pipe cleaners for the stems, and red and yellow paint!



First, we stuck the apple frame to one square of sticky paper. Then we painted the sticky side, don't worry about staying in the frame- you cut the excess off!







After they were done finger painting, we added the stem. And then topped it off with another sticky paper square. Then did the trimming.



Unless you have paint gushing out the sides (try to use paint sparingly), you can hang them in the window right away!

Address and phone number

This week we were learning about our address and phone numbers. Having the kids have a visual, as well as a craft was a great idea. I also had some other "learning" hidden within! 

First we did our address. The kids got to colour all the SHAPES it takes to make a house. So, we were doing a shapes theme as well! 

I drew out all of the shapes onto a piece of paper. Got some glue, scissors and crayons for everyone to use. 

Then the kids coloured all of their shapes. After they were done colouring they wrote their address on the house. The older kids cut their shapes out, and I helped the younger ones. After the shapes were cut out, we glued them together on another piece of paper. 

After that we talked about our house, and our address throughout the day! 

Today we talked about our phone numbers. What kid doesn't like pretending to be on the phone. So, I decided that we should make our own phones. 

First I drew out the phones (we have iphones, so we used that!). I drew a front and back for each child. Then cut out a piece of cardboard the same size as the papers. (yes, these ones are to scale!). 

Then, as the kids sat at the table, I asked them to read out their phone number, while looking at their "phone". 

After that we coloured both pieces of paper. 

And then glued them to the cardboard. 

And now, they have their own phones to play with and practice their phone numbers! (numbers are written on the paper, just taken out for the blog!)

My Letter

The kids are going back to school next week. And the oldest are going into kindergarten. Although they know the letters in their name, it always makes a fun craft. The younger ones are going to go into a preschool type program at the rec centre, so we are working on their letters, numbers and name.

Today, we are having our end of summer holidays party. We made a cake- which didn't quite turn out- so we are doing "cake sundaes" where they will get some broken up cake, icing and sprinkles and can make their own in a bowl! We are also going out for lunch- McDonalds of course, so we can play too! And for our craft, what a nice addition to a party- FINGER PAINT!

This craft really didn't take any time at all to set up. And, if you don't have finger paint, then you can just paint! I would NOT recommend using construction paper though, because it might rip.

First, I taped out each child's letter (that begins their name). Don't squish it down to the paper, just lightly put it on- but make sure it is on- does that make sense!?

Then, get them their finger paint!

 

Once they have painted all over the whole paper, you can slowly peel off the tape. (I have done this before, a long time ago- and found the sooner you take the tape off, the better.)

Then let it dry!

Travelling

I can't believe I completely forgot to post about this! This summer, we have done a few road trips. With a couple more to come. For the first one- which wasn't too far, but far enough to need stuff in the car for the kids, I was packing things and putting things near the door to throw into the van, when I was wishing I had something to make it all easier!

Then it hit me- use a bin! We have fabric bins from IKEA that we put toys in- and we have a few extra's lying around the house. So, I grabbed the bin and put the stuff in- YAY!

It gets better. This bin fits right in between their car seats. And, they can reach their own stuff. So, for the trip- I am not constantly reaching in the back to get things to them! It also doubles as a tv stand for the portable DVD player! (which we only take on long trips!)

In the bin, I have everything they might need. Colour wonder colouring stuff- we have the "desk" type things, that hold the markers and pages! (stow and go). We also have some books- they each get to pick their own- usually 2-4 each depending on how long the trip is! We have head phones, and their ipods (they only have these because family members got new ones and these were lying around- but they make trips WAY easier!). Then the movies and portable DVD player. We also bought pirate telescopes when we were in Disneyland this year- so they are in there so they can look out the windows with them!

That stuff keeps them busy! They also have their water bottles in there (I keep a thing of juice and a big bottle of water in the cooler to refill!), and some snacks that they can have whenever- fruit snacks, granola bars- healthy stuff- I keep the junk with me to hand out when I feel like it!

The kids love this bin. Now, it has become a permanent fixture by our front door- just incase we have impromptu trips anywhere, it stays sort of packed- the colour wonder, headphones, and some books and toys are always in there- so we can just grab and go!

This bin has saved us many times since I started using it. I wish I had one in the front for us!

Liquid sidewalk chalk

Today was a beautiful day. We all just returned from holidays, so we have been organizing, and getting back in the swing of things. With that, comes fights and a feeling of confinement with the kids- so we had to get out! I had some of the kids bugging me for a craft, and some bugging me to go outside- SO...we combined them!

How much fun is sidewalk chalk? TONS! And how much fun is painting? TONS! So, why not mix them! I pulled out the painting supplies, a bowl, measuring cup, corn starch, and food colouring! Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of corn starch. You can make more- just make the amount you want with equal amounts of water and corn starch. This amount made enough to keep the 4 kids busy for over an hour. That was with 4 colours too, so if you want/need more you might need to make more.

After you mix the water and corn starch, pour into separate containers or paint pots- one for each colour. Then add FOOD COLOURING. I used the neon type and it was GREAT. Then we headed outside!

The kids each got one "canvas"- which was a sidewalk block! This was their paper. (Note- the paint did all of our blocks- 6 and a bit, plus some of the path, on a tree, drain spout, and part of our wagon! Just to give you an idea of how much it makes.)

 (they had to stop to check on the neighbours cat who was "stuck" in the tree)

They had a great time painting the sidewalk! They stayed for a long time, then played, and came back, and then even took the paint to other area's in front of the house!