summer garden magnets

Yesterday was the first full day of summer and the kids and I spent the day outside, at the park and in the yard! Today, we went back to the park, but we did it in between making our craft for the day!

Today we made summer garden magnets. I found these flower and butterfly popsicle stick type things at Walmart, and had to buy them! We used those, a strip of cardboard, paint, and bingo markers. We also used magnets, double sided scrapbooking tape, a clothes pin and the glue gun!

First, the kids painted the strip of cardboard green- for the grass. And then we used the bingo markers on the flowers and butterflies. (while those all dried, we went to the park!)

Once they were dry, we used the double sided tape to put them together- the sticks behind the strip of paper. And then we used the hot glue gun to put on the magnets and the clothes pin. And then started using them on the fridge right away!

Flower baskets

This is another craft where you can use a variety of items to come out with crafts that look different each time.

First I cut circles out of Brown paper. Then cut some flower shapes out of foam sheets. I also cut some circles for the centre of the flowers. Then I got the glue and markers together.


I sat the kids down and asked them how they wanted to decorate their flower basket. They chose to colour them with the markers (you could decorate anyway- even weave with strips of paper!)



After they were all done decorating, we put glue on the top half of the circle (basket). And then glued on the flower shapes, and circles for the centre. (You could also make stems- or many more flowers over lapping depending on the type of material you use)



These are good to make as gifts too, for mothers day, birthday's, anniversaries, get well- etc.

Sunflowers

Today, we made handprint sunflowers! We are trying to bring on Spring- can you tell!? These are pretty easy to make, but definitely need supervision, and help!

First I gathered everything we needed. Paper- plain paper and green paper, paint (and supplies), scissors and tape. I also had a package of wipes to wipe little hands before they leave the table. These come in handy when dealing with smaller children, or multiple children! You don't have to worry about rinsing cloths, or helping one wash while the others get into everything- you are at the table all the time!



Then I painted one of their hands yellow. (I don't have pictures because I didn't trust any of them not to touch anything while I took a picture! I also did one child at a time- just easier!). When their hand was painted, I put it on the paper- then repeat- going in a full circle on the page, palms overlapping each time.

Then, I let them dip their finger in black paint. Then they made the seeds out of their black finger print. (I have a picture of Danika doing it- she wanted to make a face in hers too!)



After that we let them dry. While they were drying myself and the older ones made the stems. We took the green paper (ours was already smaller, but you can make them as long as you want) and rolled them up. You want to use a thicker paper- or even popsicle sticks or something strong so they stay up. We put popsicle sticks in them to hold the flower up straighter.



Then once the flowers were dried we taped them to the stem (the popsicle stick inside!

Flower Vases

Today, again, was not a beautiful Spring day like it should be. So, we made "indoor flowers". We talked about how sometimes we have flowers in the house, and we put them into a vase. We talked about how flowers are different colors, and grow differently. We also talked about how they all have different names too. They all decided that what we were making were "Daisy Flowers"

First I collected the main items for this project- drawing a vase type shape on the bottom half of the paper. The muffin cups are going to be the flowers- you could use colored ones too! I also collected markers in flower type colors, and glue. We also used Spring (Easter) stickers, and sponged on glitter glue!



We decorated the muffin cups first. For this you could use anything, markers, crayons, paint, glitter, etc. Just make sure the muffin cup will be able to still "stand up" right after your item of choice is applied by your child. We went with Markers, because I know what they would look like after a coat of paint by these three!



After they were done coloring the flowers, we moved onto the vase. First they colored it, then we added stickers, then sponged on the glitter glue.




After they were done decorating the vase, we glued the flowers on. Then I had the older two draw lines from the flower to the vase, and put leaves on. I then cut them out, so they looked more vase like.

Growing flowers

Today is the first day all of the kids have been here since "Spring" began! It is definitely NOT a spring type day. But we made it Spring inside the house.

This morning the kids all had a Spring Picnic. They laid out the blanket, and made themselves a picnic with the play food!



Then for Craft we made colorful growing flowers. We started by collecting things we needed. I drew out a flower, and flower pot. Then got all the supplies we needed, markers, stickers, glue, and popsicle sticks (which I glued and taped 2 together so they were longer).



I then let the kids color the flower and pot, and add some bug stickers




Then to the back, we added a strip of paper to hold the popsicle stick in but makes it so the kids can still make their flower "grow". And taped the top of the popsicle stick to the flower





Now they have a flower that can grow- they just have to move the popsicle stick up and down at the back!