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!

Day 12 of 25 Christmas crafts

Today is day 12 of 25 Christmas crafts, and today, we used our finger prints to make lights on a Christmas tree!

First I got some white paper, and the paints.

 Then, the kids used their fingers to put "lights" all over the page! 

 We let them dry for awhile, and then cut them into tree shapes, and used markers to "connect the dots", making it look like stringed up Christmas lights! 

Day 9 of 25 Christmas Crafts

Today was another Christmas Tree day! But, today, we used our feet! 

I cut different shapes out of paper, some for ornaments on the tree, and some for gifts under it! Then I got some green paint and paint brush, finger paint paper and glue! 

 First we painted the kids feet. First I put them on the way they would go- left on the left, right on the right (if that makes sense). Then I realized it would look better if I did it the opposites! (like on the two bigger feet papers). 

 After those dried, we started gluing on the shapes. First the star at the top, and then the decorations and the presents! 

 And Merry Christmas! 

Day 8 of 25 Christmas Crafts

Today we made Paper chain Christmas Cards. These did take some adult help, and some improvising along the way, but we did it! 

First, I cut all the strips of paper we needed. Collected those with some tape and markers. (you will also need some glue and a piece of paper- explanation below!)

Then, the kids coloured on each strip of green paper- making "decorations" on them. 

After the colouring was done, we started making the chain. After trying a couple times, this is where I realized we would need a TON of links to make it just hang, so, we decided to glue them to paper too! So, I pulled out the glue and a red sheet of paper for each of the kids. 

After we got the shape right with the links, we put some glue all over the paper and then glued our trees in  position on the paper! 

With this- you could decorate many different ways- stickers, glitter, pom poms etc. Anything really that looks like you could find it on a Christmas tree. Just make sure it isn't too heavy and would weigh down the paper chain. 

Day 7 of 25 Christmas Crafts

Today, I just had the 2 younger kids. So, we made muffin cup Christmas trees. They are really easy, and good for any age.

First I gathered everything we needed- muffin cups (white), glue, markers, a piece of paper and glitter glue. I only collected 6 muffin cups for each of them, but depending on the age of the child, or the size of tree you would like, you can do way more!

 We then glued the muffin cups to the paper, in a tree (triangle) shape. 

 Then they set to work colouring the muffin cups. Like I said, these were the youngest two. I am sure if the older 2 would have been here, we would have had much more colour! So, use you imaginations! 

 After they were done colouring, we added some sparkle, because- well it isn't a Christmas tree without sparkle! We used Glitter glue. You could also take this time to glue on "decorations"- pom poms, bells etc would be great. 

Fingerprint snowmen/snowmen at night

Today, we made fingerprint snowmen. To go along with our craft, we read Snowmen at night- so we made our pictures be, snowmen at night!

First I collected the paint, paper, and brushes.

 Then we painted one hand black- for the tree. And then on the other hand, we only painted the fingers (we just did the 4 fingers, not the thumb, just to make it easier!).

After we pressed our hands onto the paper, we made the rest of the snow, and the trunk of the tree. And then stamped our brushes on to make some snow. 

 After they dried, we drew faces, hats etc on the snowmen. I took the picture before the kids coloured them- but they can colour them too!

AND- tomorrow, I am going to be starting 25 days of Christmas Crafts- type of advent calendar. I picked 25 crafts, because that is how many day home days are left until Christmas (like work days!). So check back Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to see what new Christmas Craft is here!

handprint tree

Every "season" I have 4 picture frames that I change with the kids art work- something that has to do with the season. 

Today, I was trying to clean the house, so, I got a craft ready for the kids to do, so it could go in the frames for the next couple of months. We decided to make a handprint tree, and connect all of the frames. Since Christmas is coming (48 days), we made it a Christmas tree! 

First, I taped 4 papers together, on the back- us painters tape or masking tape, so it will come off easily. I got the brown and green finger paint ready, and the kids! 

 Then, since I have 2 kids and want to use all 4 frames together, I alternated who's hand I was using to do the handprint down the paper. I started with one on the top, and got down to 5. Then I painted their hands brown and did the truck of the tree. 

 After that was dry, I let them colour the star, and other things on the tree.

Once they were done adding their special touches, we put them up in the frames (we had to adjust them a bit so they were closer together. And we have them on a wall with our thermostat, so that is there- we will decorate it when we "deck the halls"!)

Apple Tree

Today we were talking about apples, and apple trees. We talked about all the different colours of apples, and that they are all called different things. The kids thought that was crazy! After finding out that apples grow on trees, we decided to make an apple tree.

First I drew out a bunch of apples on paper. Then I got some paints and sponges ready.

Then I let the kids go crazy with their sponges and the paint.

While the apples were drying, I made a tree out of brown paper, and Danika made some leaves and a pumpkin for around the tree. (she did apples too, I just didn't get a picture of her for some reason). After the apples were dry, we cut them out. And then we taped them to the wall on the tree.

Letter Trees

Today, I was flying by the seat of my pants with a craft. I hadn't really thought of one. So, I looked outside for inspiration. I actually saw leaves turning yellow, and falling to the ground. So, I thought, with school going back in, and leaves changing colours that it was time to change the art frames that I have up on the walls. So, I combined the changing colours with back to school, and came up with Letter trees. We also read chicka chicka boom boom after we did this! First I drew out a tree for each kid. I drew a big letter in the middle (the first letter of their name), with little ones around it. Then I made the "owl hole" with the letter as well! Then I got the paints ready- the kids really wanted to fingerpaint today, so that is what we did!

Then, I just let them go for it!

After they were done, I put them on a green paper background- I have a few frames in my house that I put the kids art work in for a few months and then change it, so my kids trees will go in those for awhile- that I why they are on the green background!