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!

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!

3-D heart pictures

This was a fun, and messy craft! The kids had a great time, but it does take some time to get ready! If you have older kids that can help, that would be great, they would really enjoy making the 3-D hearts.

It took me awhile to get the stuff ready to make this craft. I had to cut strips of paper, then staple the top, flip and staple the bottom- forming hearts. I originally was going to do a few hearts in one, but it was taking awhile! Then, I added some powdered paint to some white glue, and cut the cardboard backing for the pictures! That is pretty much all you need!

Then, I let the kids go crazy with the glue! You will need lots of it, and this craft will take a while to dry! We poured a pile of glue onto each backing (used cardboard! The stronger the better!). Then, they used the glue sticks to spread it around. By the time we were done, there was glue all over the place- but it was fun! (and it all washes off!)

Then, they placed their hearts onto their lake of glue!

These have been sitting in the sun on the table for about 3 hours and they are not dry yet, so plan on leaving them in the same spot for as long as possible! Remember- it is a glue lake, so it could take some time! Don't try to hang it before the glue is dry, or the hearts will just slide off!

Icicles

Today, we welcomed November. And where we are from, there is usually snow! So, we took down our apple tree at the front entry and added some icicles to the tree! They are really easy to make, for any age group and you can use them anywhere! 

First I collected everything we would need, white painting paper, brushes, and 3 different colours of blue paint. Then some clear glue (as long as it dries clear you are good), and sparkles. 

 Then the kids went to work, they started by painting their page with all the different blues. They covered the whole thing (if you use white paper it is fine if they leave some of the white showing). 

 Then we put glue all over the paper. We like to hold the glue bottle up higher and just move our arm around the whole page, so there is no order to it! 

 Then, add the sparkles! 

 After the whole thing dries, we cut them in icicle type triangles. You can make them different lengths, thickness etc. This is a GREAT cutting activity for preschoolers! Then you can hang up your sparkling icicles! 

Ghosts at night

This craft takes a couple steps. But, the kids love doing all of it! I got the idea from a friend of mine, who saw a picture of it on www.pinterest.com I added a couple things to ours, so the kids would have more to glue on. 

First, you will have to paint the kids feet and hand, this will need time to dry before you do the next step. You will need brown paint, white paint, paper (any colour) and paint brushes. I also have wipes handy so I can just wipe their hands and feet clean after! 

 I started with their hands and arm, paint those brown and press onto the paper. Then do each of their feet, one at a time, white! 

 After those dry, you can cut them out and draw a face on each foot (the heel is the head of the ghost). 

Then gather the rest of the stuff you will need for the craft- black paper, glue, sparkles (or glitter glue). We also cut out a paper moon, and an orange pumpkin out of foam. 

 Have the kids glue the ghosts (feet), tree (hand), pumpkin, and moon onto the black paper. 

 Then add more glue and put the sparkles on (stars).

 Then we have ghosts at night! 

stamping

This week we are talking about different ways to do crafts. Today we did some finger painting, and the other day we did stamping. I used regular cookie cutters, and plates with paint on them. We used letters that are in all the kids names, and had them pick the letters in their names. They dipped their cookie cutter in the paint and then stamped their papers!

bubble painting

Today (well yesterday), we did bubble painting. The kids had a great time- but be prepared, it was messy!

First I gathered the things we needed- toilet paper rolls- you can cut them smaller to have more "brushes", paper, and paint. I mixed the powdered tempera paint with some liquid dish soap and water.



Then have the children dip the toilet paper roll into the paint- it will cause the same film as on a bubble wand. Then stamp it onto the paper. When the bubble pops it will leave a lighter print than the rim. (I didn't get pictures of this- because, as I said, it gets messy!)

This is the final product- please note it may take awhile for these to dry!