MAKE A leaves fall card or puppet
Supplies:
Colored paper
white paper
brown paper bag
glue stick
scissor
pencil
tape
craft sticks
black marker
Circle templates
Fold the color paper so that it can open as a card with a split in the middle or in half for a puppet. Measure the brown paper bag and mark an area so that the tree will fill the color paper. You can draw a tree or free hand cut one out. Make sure that the brown paper is doubled up, so you get two identical trees. Glue the trees on the color paper. If making a middle open card cut the tree down the middle of the opening. Trace circles on yellow and orange paper. Cut out two circles of each color. Fold the circles in 8ths. Cut out a long oval leaf shape. You will have 16 leaves of each color. Glue 8 leaves of each color onto the trees. On one tree, glue the leaves up high on the limbs. On the other tree, glue the leaves on the ground around the tree base. Cut out small white circles for eyes. I used a small glue stick for my circle template. Glue eyes on both trees. Use a black marker to color pupils and draw a smile or surprise face. If you made this a two-sided creation, you could tape a craft stick in the middle. Happy Fall.
Colored paper
white paper
brown paper bag
glue stick
scissor
pencil
tape
craft sticks
black marker
Circle templates
Fold the color paper so that it can open as a card with a split in the middle or in half for a puppet. Measure the brown paper bag and mark an area so that the tree will fill the color paper. You can draw a tree or free hand cut one out. Make sure that the brown paper is doubled up, so you get two identical trees. Glue the trees on the color paper. If making a middle open card cut the tree down the middle of the opening. Trace circles on yellow and orange paper. Cut out two circles of each color. Fold the circles in 8ths. Cut out a long oval leaf shape. You will have 16 leaves of each color. Glue 8 leaves of each color onto the trees. On one tree, glue the leaves up high on the limbs. On the other tree, glue the leaves on the ground around the tree base. Cut out small white circles for eyes. I used a small glue stick for my circle template. Glue eyes on both trees. Use a black marker to color pupils and draw a smile or surprise face. If you made this a two-sided creation, you could tape a craft stick in the middle. Happy Fall.
make a frankenstein puppet
Supplies:
Green paper
black paper
white paper
scissors
black marker
glue stick
pencil
craft sticks
tape
Fold the green paper in half long ways. Cut along the dividing line. Fold the green rectangle in half again to make a smaller rectangle. This is the head. Do the same process with the black paper. You will have a rectangle the same size as your green head. Cut a zig zag in the middle of the folded black rectangle along the widest part of the rectangle. This is your hair. Now the fun part is making the face. You can draw a face or cut out paper to make eyes and mouth. I really feel like eyebrows make a big impact. Glue on all the face parts. Glue on the hair. Tape on a craft stick and go have some Frankenstein Halloween fun!
Green paper
black paper
white paper
scissors
black marker
glue stick
pencil
craft sticks
tape
Fold the green paper in half long ways. Cut along the dividing line. Fold the green rectangle in half again to make a smaller rectangle. This is the head. Do the same process with the black paper. You will have a rectangle the same size as your green head. Cut a zig zag in the middle of the folded black rectangle along the widest part of the rectangle. This is your hair. Now the fun part is making the face. You can draw a face or cut out paper to make eyes and mouth. I really feel like eyebrows make a big impact. Glue on all the face parts. Glue on the hair. Tape on a craft stick and go have some Frankenstein Halloween fun!
Make a dancing flower
Supplies:
Card stock of white and different colors. You can use thin cardboard like a cereal box and glue white paper on it.
glue stick
washable markers
pencil
scissor
Tracible circle shapes
warm water
paint brush
Trace a large circle on the white card stock. Cut it out. Trace a smaller circle on a colored paper. Cut it out. Fold the large white circle in half. Measure the length of the smaller circle on middle of the fold. Cut a slim sliver out of the middle of the larger circle while folded in half. Glue smaller colored circle in the fold through the slit of the fold. Draw petals on white folded circle area. I like to use all warm colors or all cold colors. The more colors the better. Use your paint brush and warm water to get the markers watery and let the colors blend. Draw a face on the smaller circle. If you are fancy, you could cut out a dancer silhouette instead of the smaller circle. Let the whole project dry. Once dried, prop up the flower on the curve and give it a gentle tap. It will rock and dance for you.
Make a Hay PUppet
Supplies:
Yellow paper
craft sticks
crayons
round template
scissor
sticky tape
glue stick
This craft is really easy. You can take your own creative ideas and make it your own. Take a piece of yellow paper fold it into fourths. Trace a circle shape. Cut out circle shape. It is helpful if you leave the fold attached. Now use all the fall-colored crayons and make your hay lines. Draw a happy face. Cut strips on the around the face. Then glue the middle down at the bottom and push it up to make the face bump out a little. Tape on your stick. And there you have a hay puppet. It's a great way to ask someone "Hay" how are you doing?
Yellow paper
craft sticks
crayons
round template
scissor
sticky tape
glue stick
This craft is really easy. You can take your own creative ideas and make it your own. Take a piece of yellow paper fold it into fourths. Trace a circle shape. Cut out circle shape. It is helpful if you leave the fold attached. Now use all the fall-colored crayons and make your hay lines. Draw a happy face. Cut strips on the around the face. Then glue the middle down at the bottom and push it up to make the face bump out a little. Tape on your stick. And there you have a hay puppet. It's a great way to ask someone "Hay" how are you doing?
make a cuddles the penguin
Supplies:
Colored construction paper
glue stick
scissor
paper bag
pencil
Use a purple paper and turn the rectangle into a square. Cut off the long edge. Fold the square to make 4 smaller squares. Do the same process to make two white squares. Cut small rectangles of purple and yellow for the arms and feet. Make a scarf with the yellow and blue paper. Assemble your cute Cuddles Penguin. You can glue your Cuddles onto a paper bag for puppet play and a book read along.
Colored construction paper
glue stick
scissor
paper bag
pencil
Use a purple paper and turn the rectangle into a square. Cut off the long edge. Fold the square to make 4 smaller squares. Do the same process to make two white squares. Cut small rectangles of purple and yellow for the arms and feet. Make a scarf with the yellow and blue paper. Assemble your cute Cuddles Penguin. You can glue your Cuddles onto a paper bag for puppet play and a book read along.
Make a happy puppy puppet
Supplies:
Colored paper or white paper that you have colored
glue stick
craft stick
marker
scissor
tape
circle shape for tracing
Trace a circle or just draw it yourself. Cut out shape. Trace small circles for white eyes. Cut out eye circles. Cut out a nose circle and a tongue shape. This is a great time to get out all those paper scraps. Cut out long rectangles and curve one end. Use any color or many different colors. Fold large circle in half. Now assemble your puppy's face. Glue the ears on the back. Fold down the ears if you want. Tape a craft stick on the back. You have put on a puppet show for your family.
Colored paper or white paper that you have colored
glue stick
craft stick
marker
scissor
tape
circle shape for tracing
Trace a circle or just draw it yourself. Cut out shape. Trace small circles for white eyes. Cut out eye circles. Cut out a nose circle and a tongue shape. This is a great time to get out all those paper scraps. Cut out long rectangles and curve one end. Use any color or many different colors. Fold large circle in half. Now assemble your puppy's face. Glue the ears on the back. Fold down the ears if you want. Tape a craft stick on the back. You have put on a puppet show for your family.
Make a buzzy bee puppet
Supplies:
Yellow, black and white paper
scissor
glue stick
craft sticks
sticky tape
markers or crayons
Circle shaped item for tracing
Trace your circle shape and cut out three circles. One black, one yellow and one white circle. Use a craft stick to draw straight lines on the black circle. Cut out the strips of black. Glue on some black stripes to the yellow circle. Cut out a small heart shape with the white paper and a small triangle shape out of the black paper scraps for the stinger. Glue on your heart wings and stinger. Use your crayons or makers to make a happy face. Tape a craft stick on the back. You can read with your bee. Or just go outside and fly around some flowers.
Yellow, black and white paper
scissor
glue stick
craft sticks
sticky tape
markers or crayons
Circle shaped item for tracing
Trace your circle shape and cut out three circles. One black, one yellow and one white circle. Use a craft stick to draw straight lines on the black circle. Cut out the strips of black. Glue on some black stripes to the yellow circle. Cut out a small heart shape with the white paper and a small triangle shape out of the black paper scraps for the stinger. Glue on your heart wings and stinger. Use your crayons or makers to make a happy face. Tape a craft stick on the back. You can read with your bee. Or just go outside and fly around some flowers.
Make a joyful world puppet
Supplies:
White paper card stock works well
yellow paper
scissor
glue stick
pencil
washable markers
craft sticks
sticky tape
water
paint brushes
Use your washable markers and make swirls with the green and yellow markers. This will be your land. Take the blue, purple and other cool colored markers to make swirls of the ocean. You can talk about what the land looks like on our world. With warm water use your paint brush to wet the marker and make it a watercolor paint. Let paper and worlds dry. Take another white paper and cut out round circles for eyes. Cut out a mouth shape. Cut out some clouds. Cut out a sun with a yellow paper. Or a moon with a gray paper. When your swirly world colored paper is dry cut out a circle shape. Glue your face, cloud and sun on to your world. Decorate as you want. Tape a craft stick on the back. Now you have your Joyful World Puppet. Let's celebrate how great our world is!
White paper card stock works well
yellow paper
scissor
glue stick
pencil
washable markers
craft sticks
sticky tape
water
paint brushes
Use your washable markers and make swirls with the green and yellow markers. This will be your land. Take the blue, purple and other cool colored markers to make swirls of the ocean. You can talk about what the land looks like on our world. With warm water use your paint brush to wet the marker and make it a watercolor paint. Let paper and worlds dry. Take another white paper and cut out round circles for eyes. Cut out a mouth shape. Cut out some clouds. Cut out a sun with a yellow paper. Or a moon with a gray paper. When your swirly world colored paper is dry cut out a circle shape. Glue your face, cloud and sun on to your world. Decorate as you want. Tape a craft stick on the back. Now you have your Joyful World Puppet. Let's celebrate how great our world is!
MAKE BOUNCy BUNNIES
Supplies:
Colored paper
sticky tape
scissor
glue stick
pencil
markers
quarter
penny
Card stock works best for this project. Cut the color paper of your choice in half long ways. Roll each strip on a maker to make a rolled tube. Let the tube relax and tape together so it does not unroll. Cut another color paper in quarters. Cut out a heart and ears. Use a quarter and a penny to trace circles for eyes on any color paper you wish. Cut out a cute triangle nose. Then assemble your Bouncing Bunny. The heart is the feet. Then two tubes. Glue on the ears. Then glue on your eyes and nose. Use a marker to draw whiskers and a mouth. You can enjoy this bunny and decorations or use as a puppet for a read-a-long.
Colored paper
sticky tape
scissor
glue stick
pencil
markers
quarter
penny
Card stock works best for this project. Cut the color paper of your choice in half long ways. Roll each strip on a maker to make a rolled tube. Let the tube relax and tape together so it does not unroll. Cut another color paper in quarters. Cut out a heart and ears. Use a quarter and a penny to trace circles for eyes on any color paper you wish. Cut out a cute triangle nose. Then assemble your Bouncing Bunny. The heart is the feet. Then two tubes. Glue on the ears. Then glue on your eyes and nose. Use a marker to draw whiskers and a mouth. You can enjoy this bunny and decorations or use as a puppet for a read-a-long.
Make Happy Hearts
Supplies:
White paper and colored paper
pipe cleaners
scissor
glue stick
crayons or makers
hole punch
Decorate your paper as you want with Valentine colors. Or leave it blank if you want. Fold the paper in half on the short side. Use a template and trace a heart shape. Include the top fold at the top of your heart. Cut out your heart leaving the fold. Draw a lovely face. Punch holes on either side. Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes. Glue the heart sides together to trap in the pipe cleaner. You can make more Happy Hearts and string them together for decoration. You can put a special message on the back and give it to your Valentine.
White paper and colored paper
pipe cleaners
scissor
glue stick
crayons or makers
hole punch
Decorate your paper as you want with Valentine colors. Or leave it blank if you want. Fold the paper in half on the short side. Use a template and trace a heart shape. Include the top fold at the top of your heart. Cut out your heart leaving the fold. Draw a lovely face. Punch holes on either side. Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes. Glue the heart sides together to trap in the pipe cleaner. You can make more Happy Hearts and string them together for decoration. You can put a special message on the back and give it to your Valentine.
make a beary nice puppet
make a dancing snowman
Supplies:
Heavy White paper or cardstock (you can use regular white paper just double it)
construction paper black and red (or any colors)
scissor
stapler
glue stick
crayons or markers
Cut 1 1/2-inch strips from the white card stock. Cut these strips along the long edge of the paper. The strips do not have to be a specific width just as long as you have two that are close to the same dimensions. Put two ends together in a right angle. Staple this junction. Then start folding. First fold goes from the bottom strip of paper over the top strip of paper. Then take the next bottom strip and fold it over the new top strip. Keep this folding process going until you end up with an accordion body and about a 2-inch tab (this is your head). Take the extra and tuck in under your last fold. Cut out a hat and scarf from your colored construction paper. Glue on your accessories. Use your markers or crayons to draw a face. Push on the Snowman and watch him bounce and dance.
Heavy White paper or cardstock (you can use regular white paper just double it)
construction paper black and red (or any colors)
scissor
stapler
glue stick
crayons or markers
Cut 1 1/2-inch strips from the white card stock. Cut these strips along the long edge of the paper. The strips do not have to be a specific width just as long as you have two that are close to the same dimensions. Put two ends together in a right angle. Staple this junction. Then start folding. First fold goes from the bottom strip of paper over the top strip of paper. Then take the next bottom strip and fold it over the new top strip. Keep this folding process going until you end up with an accordion body and about a 2-inch tab (this is your head). Take the extra and tuck in under your last fold. Cut out a hat and scarf from your colored construction paper. Glue on your accessories. Use your markers or crayons to draw a face. Push on the Snowman and watch him bounce and dance.
Make a leafy friend
Supplies:
Leaves
paper
colored paper or cardstock
pencil
crayons
scissor
glue stick
craft sticks
tape
cup or other round item for tracing circles
Go for a walk and collect interesting leaves. Be careful not to get leaves that could be harmful to your skin.
Lay leaves on a paper. You can tape them down if they want to move too much. Use the side of a peeled crayon to make a leaf rubbing. I love watching the details appear. Make a lot in different colors. Cut out the crayon leaves. Trace a circle onto a colored paper. Or make the face any shape you want. Cut it out. Cut out eyes and a mouth from any colored paper you want. Now assemble your Leaf Friend. This is when you can really get your imagination going and create a character. If you want, tape a craft stick on the back to make a puppet. I love puppets!!!
Leaves
paper
colored paper or cardstock
pencil
crayons
scissor
glue stick
craft sticks
tape
cup or other round item for tracing circles
Go for a walk and collect interesting leaves. Be careful not to get leaves that could be harmful to your skin.
Lay leaves on a paper. You can tape them down if they want to move too much. Use the side of a peeled crayon to make a leaf rubbing. I love watching the details appear. Make a lot in different colors. Cut out the crayon leaves. Trace a circle onto a colored paper. Or make the face any shape you want. Cut it out. Cut out eyes and a mouth from any colored paper you want. Now assemble your Leaf Friend. This is when you can really get your imagination going and create a character. If you want, tape a craft stick on the back to make a puppet. I love puppets!!!
make ghost garland
Supplies:
Card stock or cardboard
pipe cleaners
markers
scissor
hole punch
glue stick
crayon
These are so fun to make, you might find yourself with a bunch of ghost garland to decorate your whole house.
Fold your card stock in half short sides matched. Take a crayon and scribble a blob. It does not have to be anything perfect. Just have fun with it. I like to do two on the same paper. Cut out your crayon blob shape including the fold of the card stock. Fold the shape back on itself so that the crayon scribble is on the inside and hidden (you want a white ghost). Take a hole punch or scissor to make arm holes on each ghost. Try to make the hole towards the middle for balance when the garland is hung.
Take a pipe cleaner, any color, and feed it through the holes of each ghost. I found two will fit nicely on one pipe cleaner. Glue the insides of the ghost to seal in the pipe cleaner. Draw a ghost face. Funny, scary, happy, sad, or whatever you like. You can make several ghost friends and connect them together.
Card stock or cardboard
pipe cleaners
markers
scissor
hole punch
glue stick
crayon
These are so fun to make, you might find yourself with a bunch of ghost garland to decorate your whole house.
Fold your card stock in half short sides matched. Take a crayon and scribble a blob. It does not have to be anything perfect. Just have fun with it. I like to do two on the same paper. Cut out your crayon blob shape including the fold of the card stock. Fold the shape back on itself so that the crayon scribble is on the inside and hidden (you want a white ghost). Take a hole punch or scissor to make arm holes on each ghost. Try to make the hole towards the middle for balance when the garland is hung.
Take a pipe cleaner, any color, and feed it through the holes of each ghost. I found two will fit nicely on one pipe cleaner. Glue the insides of the ghost to seal in the pipe cleaner. Draw a ghost face. Funny, scary, happy, sad, or whatever you like. You can make several ghost friends and connect them together.
make a knight owl puppet
Supplies:
Brown paper lunch bag
colored paper (black, brown, orange and white)
scissor
glue stick
tapered cup
aluminum foil
I like to start with a clean bag so cut off the bottom and use the scraps of paper to cover any print on the bag bottom. Take an orange piece of construction paper and fold it to make a square. Cut the square off of the rectangle. Fold the square into a triangle twice. Then cut into the triangles. This is your brows and beak. Glue the triangle onto the bottom of the bag. Then use the rectangle scrap to make a belly. Glue down the belly. Now use a tapered cup to make large brown circles and smaller white and black circles. You will need to cut out sets of two. Then take your black circles and cut them down to a slightly smaller size. Glue on the eyes. Use the left over brown to make wings. Just wing it. Make them any way you wish. Glue on the wings. Then if you want a Knight Owl, use some aluminum foil and create your head gear. This is a lot of cutting but a great way to practice.
Brown paper lunch bag
colored paper (black, brown, orange and white)
scissor
glue stick
tapered cup
aluminum foil
I like to start with a clean bag so cut off the bottom and use the scraps of paper to cover any print on the bag bottom. Take an orange piece of construction paper and fold it to make a square. Cut the square off of the rectangle. Fold the square into a triangle twice. Then cut into the triangles. This is your brows and beak. Glue the triangle onto the bottom of the bag. Then use the rectangle scrap to make a belly. Glue down the belly. Now use a tapered cup to make large brown circles and smaller white and black circles. You will need to cut out sets of two. Then take your black circles and cut them down to a slightly smaller size. Glue on the eyes. Use the left over brown to make wings. Just wing it. Make them any way you wish. Glue on the wings. Then if you want a Knight Owl, use some aluminum foil and create your head gear. This is a lot of cutting but a great way to practice.
make a ninja puppet
Supplies:
Card stock white or white paper
construction paper any color
scissor
cup or circle tracing item
glue stick
tape
marker
This one is a lot of fun for a little bit of work. Just trace a circle on your paper. Cut out circles. I double up the white and color paper so that they are the same size. Cut the top 4th off of the colored circle. Then cut about a 1/2-inch slice off the lower portion. Cut that strip in half. That is all the cutting. You can glue the halves of the strip in an angle. This will be your ninja mask tie in the back of the head. Glue down the colored pieces of paper to the white circle. Draw eyes on the white exposed area. You can attach a stick on the back for fun play and reading activities. I love how a few pieces of paper and a few lines make for an expressive character. I hope you try this one out.
Card stock white or white paper
construction paper any color
scissor
cup or circle tracing item
glue stick
tape
marker
This one is a lot of fun for a little bit of work. Just trace a circle on your paper. Cut out circles. I double up the white and color paper so that they are the same size. Cut the top 4th off of the colored circle. Then cut about a 1/2-inch slice off the lower portion. Cut that strip in half. That is all the cutting. You can glue the halves of the strip in an angle. This will be your ninja mask tie in the back of the head. Glue down the colored pieces of paper to the white circle. Draw eyes on the white exposed area. You can attach a stick on the back for fun play and reading activities. I love how a few pieces of paper and a few lines make for an expressive character. I hope you try this one out.
make a water swirly puppet
Supplies:
Paper
Card Stock
washable markers
crayons
paint brush
water
scissor
craft sticks
glue stick
photos
I love puppets. They are a great way to get your little readers excited to act along with a book. This one is really easy to make. Color any way you wish on card stock with washable marker. Any color. Any design. I like mixing colors and talking about the colors you can make. Then take some water and a paint brush. Paint the marker designs. This will swirl and turn into watercolors. Once you have the desired swirls, let the paper dry. Cut into shape you want for your puppet. Tape onto a craft stick. Then for the face you can draw a character or use a photograph. Customize these puppets for any book or playtime.
Paper
Card Stock
washable markers
crayons
paint brush
water
scissor
craft sticks
glue stick
photos
I love puppets. They are a great way to get your little readers excited to act along with a book. This one is really easy to make. Color any way you wish on card stock with washable marker. Any color. Any design. I like mixing colors and talking about the colors you can make. Then take some water and a paint brush. Paint the marker designs. This will swirl and turn into watercolors. Once you have the desired swirls, let the paper dry. Cut into shape you want for your puppet. Tape onto a craft stick. Then for the face you can draw a character or use a photograph. Customize these puppets for any book or playtime.
make a yoda paper art character
Supplies:
Colored paper
glue stick
scissor
marker
Fold a piece of green construction paper in half. Fold it again in half. Fold it again in half. Fold it again in half. A total 4 times. You should have a folded 3 inches by 4.5 inches rectangle. Unfold and cut along the lines. This will give you a lot of rectangles to make a lot of Yoda's. Repeat process with brown construction paper. Fold the green 3 X 4.5 inches rectangle in half. This is Yoda's head. Fold the brown rectangle in half, this is his robe. Cut out green triangles. Glue triangles inside the folded green rectangle to make the ears. Glue the robe inside the head. There you have it. Chase says you need to fold the bottom up on the robe, so you have a place for the light saber. You can make more characters. You could even use this template to make characters from any book. I hope you give it a try.
Colored paper
glue stick
scissor
marker
Fold a piece of green construction paper in half. Fold it again in half. Fold it again in half. Fold it again in half. A total 4 times. You should have a folded 3 inches by 4.5 inches rectangle. Unfold and cut along the lines. This will give you a lot of rectangles to make a lot of Yoda's. Repeat process with brown construction paper. Fold the green 3 X 4.5 inches rectangle in half. This is Yoda's head. Fold the brown rectangle in half, this is his robe. Cut out green triangles. Glue triangles inside the folded green rectangle to make the ears. Glue the robe inside the head. There you have it. Chase says you need to fold the bottom up on the robe, so you have a place for the light saber. You can make more characters. You could even use this template to make characters from any book. I hope you give it a try.
make a sunshine pop-up card
Supplies:
Colored paper
scissor
glue
crayons or markers
something to trace a circle
Fold your paper in half. Color a sky. It can be anytime of day you want it to be. Trace a circle. Cut it out. Fold off how big you want your sun to be. It can be a small part or larger part of the sun. Cut it off and save the scraps. Use your circle to measure and cut two slits in the fold of your card. The slits should be hidden by your sun. Fold the slit area back. Open your card paper and pop out the slit area you created. Glue on your sun and decorate as you wish. Give this card to someone special to make their day.
Colored paper
scissor
glue
crayons or markers
something to trace a circle
Fold your paper in half. Color a sky. It can be anytime of day you want it to be. Trace a circle. Cut it out. Fold off how big you want your sun to be. It can be a small part or larger part of the sun. Cut it off and save the scraps. Use your circle to measure and cut two slits in the fold of your card. The slits should be hidden by your sun. Fold the slit area back. Open your card paper and pop out the slit area you created. Glue on your sun and decorate as you wish. Give this card to someone special to make their day.
Make funny bunnies
Supplies:
Card stock or white paper
pencils
markers or crayons
scissor
erasers
stickers
tape
candy
craft sticks or straws
This one is really easy. Trace your hand. Cut out the hand. Cut off the middle finger. Erase any pencil marks. Color in the bunny ears and face. Decorate as you want. Tape on a stick on the back and use as a puppet. There are a lot of fun things you can do with your bunny. Get creative.
Card stock or white paper
pencils
markers or crayons
scissor
erasers
stickers
tape
candy
craft sticks or straws
This one is really easy. Trace your hand. Cut out the hand. Cut off the middle finger. Erase any pencil marks. Color in the bunny ears and face. Decorate as you want. Tape on a stick on the back and use as a puppet. There are a lot of fun things you can do with your bunny. Get creative.
make finger puppets
Supplies:
Thin cardboard from cereal boxes
markers or crayons
scissors
glue
stapler
pictures or coloring sheets
Cut the cardboard into rectangles. Then cut out sides so they look like top hats. Color an animal, monster, creature or anything you like on the cardboard. Then staple the tabs together. There you have it! Your own finger puppet. Make a lot and share a story. If you don't want to draw an image, find a color page or picture to use. Put many on one hand and tell an adventure with all your characters.
Thin cardboard from cereal boxes
markers or crayons
scissors
glue
stapler
pictures or coloring sheets
Cut the cardboard into rectangles. Then cut out sides so they look like top hats. Color an animal, monster, creature or anything you like on the cardboard. Then staple the tabs together. There you have it! Your own finger puppet. Make a lot and share a story. If you don't want to draw an image, find a color page or picture to use. Put many on one hand and tell an adventure with all your characters.
Make a Groundhog puppet
Supplies:
Brown paper lunch bag
colored paper
scissor
tape
glue
pencil
Cut off bottom of lunch bag and use scraps to cover the writing on the bottom of the bag. Trace and cut out round circles in brown and white. I like to fold my paper and cut once to make the circles the same size. Cut out a large oval in brown for the tummy. Glue on cut outs. Use some black paper to make eyes, nose and eyebrows. I don't know why but eyebrows create so much character. You can use different colored paper and cut our hats. You can decide your groundhog is sleepy or ready for spring.
Brown paper lunch bag
colored paper
scissor
tape
glue
pencil
Cut off bottom of lunch bag and use scraps to cover the writing on the bottom of the bag. Trace and cut out round circles in brown and white. I like to fold my paper and cut once to make the circles the same size. Cut out a large oval in brown for the tummy. Glue on cut outs. Use some black paper to make eyes, nose and eyebrows. I don't know why but eyebrows create so much character. You can use different colored paper and cut our hats. You can decide your groundhog is sleepy or ready for spring.
Make a cookie cutter bird feeder
Supplies:
Bird seed
gelatin
water
spoon
bowls
tray or plate
paper straws
scissor
string
cookie cutters
Mix 1 packet of gelatin with 1/4th cup warm water. Add 1 cup of bird seed. Mix it together. You can add more water if it gets too thick. Spoon mixture into cookie cutters on a tray or plate. You can use your hands if you like. It helps if your hands are wet. Press the mixture into the cookie cutters. You can cut a paper straw and push it into the mixture to hold a whole in place. The mixture will set up in about 30 minutes in a refrigerator or a couple of hours in a cool space. When the mixture is set, gently push out the bird seed cookies. Tie on a string. Hang your bird seed cookies in trees for your birds and other animals to enjoy. This activity can be very messy. If you work on a tray, it is easy to clean up. Have fun and get messy.
Bird seed
gelatin
water
spoon
bowls
tray or plate
paper straws
scissor
string
cookie cutters
Mix 1 packet of gelatin with 1/4th cup warm water. Add 1 cup of bird seed. Mix it together. You can add more water if it gets too thick. Spoon mixture into cookie cutters on a tray or plate. You can use your hands if you like. It helps if your hands are wet. Press the mixture into the cookie cutters. You can cut a paper straw and push it into the mixture to hold a whole in place. The mixture will set up in about 30 minutes in a refrigerator or a couple of hours in a cool space. When the mixture is set, gently push out the bird seed cookies. Tie on a string. Hang your bird seed cookies in trees for your birds and other animals to enjoy. This activity can be very messy. If you work on a tray, it is easy to clean up. Have fun and get messy.
Make ornaments
Supplies:
colored paper
old cards
wrapping paper
glue stick
string, yarn, pipe cleaners
pictures or photographs
stickers
scissor
hole punch
clothes pins
cup to trace
pens or pencils
Trace the cup to get a circle. Cut out 4 circles. Cut out pictures to decorate the circles using old cards, photographs or stickers. Glue decorations onto the circles. Then apply glue and connect the circles together. I used clothes pins to connect the circle sides. Punch a hole in the top of two opposite circles. Use a string or pipe cleaner to make a tree hanger for the ornament. I really enjoy making ornaments every year. It is a fun way to make memories.
colored paper
old cards
wrapping paper
glue stick
string, yarn, pipe cleaners
pictures or photographs
stickers
scissor
hole punch
clothes pins
cup to trace
pens or pencils
Trace the cup to get a circle. Cut out 4 circles. Cut out pictures to decorate the circles using old cards, photographs or stickers. Glue decorations onto the circles. Then apply glue and connect the circles together. I used clothes pins to connect the circle sides. Punch a hole in the top of two opposite circles. Use a string or pipe cleaner to make a tree hanger for the ornament. I really enjoy making ornaments every year. It is a fun way to make memories.
Make a folded paper hat
Supplies:
Color paper or newspaper or old magazines
scissor
scraps of color paper
wrappers
stickers
anything you can find and might think is useful
glue
Fold your paper in half. With the paper open at the bottom fold down the top corners. Take the paper at the bottom and fold it up. Then decorate as you want. Make a larger hat for you and a hat for your toy bear. Have a book reading party with your hats on.
Color paper or newspaper or old magazines
scissor
scraps of color paper
wrappers
stickers
anything you can find and might think is useful
glue
Fold your paper in half. With the paper open at the bottom fold down the top corners. Take the paper at the bottom and fold it up. Then decorate as you want. Make a larger hat for you and a hat for your toy bear. Have a book reading party with your hats on.
Make a healthy habit tracker
Supplies:
Card stock paper or cardboard from a cereal box
markers or crayons
scissor
string or yarn
tape
Fold a portion down from the top of the paper. Then fold the bottom up under the top fold. Write out words of encouragement or draw a fun picture to see when you complete your healthy habits. Open up the paper and cut as many parts you will need for your healthy habits. Decorate more fun pictures and words of encouragement inside. Tape some string under the top fold. Tape down the sides of the top fold. Now you are ready to hang up your tracker. Flip and tuck in the tabs as you complete the healthy habits. This activity is to encourage talk about self-care. This is not to be a long list that can overwhelm or ad pressure to our days. Take some time to help your little reader understand balance.
Card stock paper or cardboard from a cereal box
markers or crayons
scissor
string or yarn
tape
Fold a portion down from the top of the paper. Then fold the bottom up under the top fold. Write out words of encouragement or draw a fun picture to see when you complete your healthy habits. Open up the paper and cut as many parts you will need for your healthy habits. Decorate more fun pictures and words of encouragement inside. Tape some string under the top fold. Tape down the sides of the top fold. Now you are ready to hang up your tracker. Flip and tuck in the tabs as you complete the healthy habits. This activity is to encourage talk about self-care. This is not to be a long list that can overwhelm or ad pressure to our days. Take some time to help your little reader understand balance.
Make a tissue box buddy
Supplies:
tissue boxes
colored paper
scissor
glue stick
Cut paper and cover the tissue box. Fold and cut paper to the right size and create strips of colored paper to make the sides. You can do this any way you like. I used a pencil to curl the paper before I cut and then glued the strips along the sides. Use a darker paper to cut out eyes and a mouth. Or you can use crayons and draw a face. What emotions would your little reader want to have on their buddy? You could have a face on both sides. You could use this Buddy Box to help talk about how your little reader feels.
tissue boxes
colored paper
scissor
glue stick
Cut paper and cover the tissue box. Fold and cut paper to the right size and create strips of colored paper to make the sides. You can do this any way you like. I used a pencil to curl the paper before I cut and then glued the strips along the sides. Use a darker paper to cut out eyes and a mouth. Or you can use crayons and draw a face. What emotions would your little reader want to have on their buddy? You could have a face on both sides. You could use this Buddy Box to help talk about how your little reader feels.
Make a CRAZY HAIR friend
Supplies:
Color paper
scissor
glue stick
stapler
crayons or makers
Fold the rectangle paper to get a square. Cut off the extra paper. Fold the square into a triangle. Tuck one corner of the triangle into the other and then staple to secure. I folded a white paper to make a smaller size for the face. You can cut out any shape or size you wish. Draw a fun face and glue onto the colored head. Now cut the hair. Any way you wish. This is a great introduction to scissor usage. It does not have to be perfect or pretty. If you wish, use extra color paper to make more hair or parts. Have fun with this one.
Color paper
scissor
glue stick
stapler
crayons or makers
Fold the rectangle paper to get a square. Cut off the extra paper. Fold the square into a triangle. Tuck one corner of the triangle into the other and then staple to secure. I folded a white paper to make a smaller size for the face. You can cut out any shape or size you wish. Draw a fun face and glue onto the colored head. Now cut the hair. Any way you wish. This is a great introduction to scissor usage. It does not have to be perfect or pretty. If you wish, use extra color paper to make more hair or parts. Have fun with this one.
make your connection animal
Supplies:
paper plates
crayons or markers
construction paper
glue stick
craft sticks or straws
scissor
tape
Fold a paper plate in half. Cut the paper plate. What animal do you connect with or like? Make your spirit animal. Cut our paper eyes. Or you can cut holes if you want to use as a mask. Color the plate. Do whatever you want to make the animal you choose. I hope you read a book with your spirit animal.
paper plates
crayons or markers
construction paper
glue stick
craft sticks or straws
scissor
tape
Fold a paper plate in half. Cut the paper plate. What animal do you connect with or like? Make your spirit animal. Cut our paper eyes. Or you can cut holes if you want to use as a mask. Color the plate. Do whatever you want to make the animal you choose. I hope you read a book with your spirit animal.
Make a lorax puppet and speak for the trees
Supplies:
Brown paper bag
yellow, orange, white and black construction paper (or color white paper)
scissor
glue stick
pencil
Lorax Parts stencil or just get creative and do it your way
Cut the bottom off of your paper bag. This will create a shorter Lorax and give you some brown paper to make the limbs. Trace and cut out Lorax parts. This is a good time to talk about how many eyes and mustaches you might need. Or get creative and make your own custom parts. Glue on the parts. I had to use a little brown bag paper to cover up some wording. Good thing the Lorax looks a little scruffy. Now have a fun story time with your Lorax. Speak for the trees!
Brown paper bag
yellow, orange, white and black construction paper (or color white paper)
scissor
glue stick
pencil
Lorax Parts stencil or just get creative and do it your way
Cut the bottom off of your paper bag. This will create a shorter Lorax and give you some brown paper to make the limbs. Trace and cut out Lorax parts. This is a good time to talk about how many eyes and mustaches you might need. Or get creative and make your own custom parts. Glue on the parts. I had to use a little brown bag paper to cover up some wording. Good thing the Lorax looks a little scruffy. Now have a fun story time with your Lorax. Speak for the trees!
| lorax_parts__1_.pdf |
Make a hand tree
Supplies:
Color paper
scissor
glue stick
paint
pencils or markers
Trace your hand of choice. Cut out hand shape. Glue onto blue paper. Cut our green grass. Glue at base of your hand tree. Use paint to make fingerprint leaves or cut our pieces of paper to make glued on leaves. The choice is yours. Make a whole bunch of trees to make a family of trees.
Color paper
scissor
glue stick
paint
pencils or markers
Trace your hand of choice. Cut out hand shape. Glue onto blue paper. Cut our green grass. Glue at base of your hand tree. Use paint to make fingerprint leaves or cut our pieces of paper to make glued on leaves. The choice is yours. Make a whole bunch of trees to make a family of trees.
Paper flowers
Supplies:
Color paper
pipe cleaners or wooden craft sticks or paper straws or sticks from outside
scissor
tape
glue
tapered cup
Using the tapered cup trace a circle from both sides. Cut our the circles. Choose a color paper for your petals. Cut out any shape you like. Triangles, circles, squares, hearts, rectangles. It doesn't need to be a specific shape. I like to fold the paper so you can get many shapes with each cutting. Glue shapes around the larger circle's edge. Cover middle of the flower with glued smaller circle. Turn your beautiful flower over and tape on a stem with the pipe cleaner or other material of choice.
Give these flowers to your friends and family. Spread joy, love and hope.
Color paper
pipe cleaners or wooden craft sticks or paper straws or sticks from outside
scissor
tape
glue
tapered cup
Using the tapered cup trace a circle from both sides. Cut our the circles. Choose a color paper for your petals. Cut out any shape you like. Triangles, circles, squares, hearts, rectangles. It doesn't need to be a specific shape. I like to fold the paper so you can get many shapes with each cutting. Glue shapes around the larger circle's edge. Cover middle of the flower with glued smaller circle. Turn your beautiful flower over and tape on a stem with the pipe cleaner or other material of choice.
Give these flowers to your friends and family. Spread joy, love and hope.
Heart stamp valentine's
Supplies:
Paper, card stock, card board any color
paint any color
marker or pens
paper tube
ruler or paint stick
Take the paper tube and your ruler. Squish a strait fold into the paper tube. Then press another fold into the opposite side. Shape it a little. Now you have a heart stamp. Get your creative ideas going and stamp away. Make Valentine's or happy notes to everyone. After the paint dries you can ad more personality to your hearts by adding faces. Make sure to give these creations to someone you love.
Winter sounds bingo
This one is easy. All you need is some warm outside winter gear and your ears.
Get your warm gear on and get outside. Listen and look.
Work together.
Have fun.
Get a nice warm comfy drink of hot cocoa when you are done.
Get your warm gear on and get outside. Listen and look.
Work together.
Have fun.
Get a nice warm comfy drink of hot cocoa when you are done.
| winter_bingo.pdf |
make a christmas nisse ornament
Supplies:
Colored paper
scissor
pencil
yarn or string
glue
Stack three pieces of the color paper using at least one white fore the beard and what every hat color you choose. Trace your favorite person's hand. Cut out hand shape through all three pieces of paper. Cut the bottom part off of the hat colored piece. Glue the hat and beard onto the base. Trace your favorite person's thumb. Cut out and glue nose piece on hat and beard line. Punch a hole in top of hat. Tie on string. Hang our Nisse for all the enjoy.
Colored paper
scissor
pencil
yarn or string
glue
Stack three pieces of the color paper using at least one white fore the beard and what every hat color you choose. Trace your favorite person's hand. Cut out hand shape through all three pieces of paper. Cut the bottom part off of the hat colored piece. Glue the hat and beard onto the base. Trace your favorite person's thumb. Cut out and glue nose piece on hat and beard line. Punch a hole in top of hat. Tie on string. Hang our Nisse for all the enjoy.
create gratitude cubes
Supplies:
Paper or card stock
markers, crayons, color pencils
scissor
cube template
glue stick
Print off cube template. Cut out template. Write down the names of family and friends on the sides of the cube and decorate. Use a glue stick to attach the tabs and form the cube. (This takes a little patience and time. Hold the sides for a count of 10 to allow the glue to stick)
Variations of Gratitude Cube Activity
1. Write down names of family and friends. Create the cube. Toss the cube. For the name that appears at the top, take turns expressing what you are grateful for about that person.
2. Create Gratitude Cube as in example 1. Then toss the cube. The name that appears on top will express what they are grateful for.
3. Create an individual Gratitude Cube for each person in your family. One side will have a name. The other sides will be a statement of what your are grateful for about them.
Have fun! Enjoy the conversations and sharing of love for each other.
Paper or card stock
markers, crayons, color pencils
scissor
cube template
glue stick
Print off cube template. Cut out template. Write down the names of family and friends on the sides of the cube and decorate. Use a glue stick to attach the tabs and form the cube. (This takes a little patience and time. Hold the sides for a count of 10 to allow the glue to stick)
Variations of Gratitude Cube Activity
1. Write down names of family and friends. Create the cube. Toss the cube. For the name that appears at the top, take turns expressing what you are grateful for about that person.
2. Create Gratitude Cube as in example 1. Then toss the cube. The name that appears on top will express what they are grateful for.
3. Create an individual Gratitude Cube for each person in your family. One side will have a name. The other sides will be a statement of what your are grateful for about them.
Have fun! Enjoy the conversations and sharing of love for each other.
| cube_template.pdf |
create your own find and match game
Supplies:
Paper or index cards or card stock cut all in the same shapes
Markers or crayons
Your imagination
Find a friend and take turns drawing images. Copy the images best you can so you have a match. You don't have to limit this to just illustrations, if you want to practice numbers and letters this can be a great game to practice those skills.
Once you have finished your matching art cards, mix them up and set them out for a fun game of find and match. You can make as many cards as you want.
Paper or index cards or card stock cut all in the same shapes
Markers or crayons
Your imagination
Find a friend and take turns drawing images. Copy the images best you can so you have a match. You don't have to limit this to just illustrations, if you want to practice numbers and letters this can be a great game to practice those skills.
Once you have finished your matching art cards, mix them up and set them out for a fun game of find and match. You can make as many cards as you want.
make your own strengths trohpy
Supplies:
Paper
Crayons
Markers
Colored pencils
scissor
glue
index cards
There are two versions of the Strengths Trophy that I created. Maybe you could come up with another version. My son drew a trophy template if you want to print it off to color and fill in your strengths, or draw your own. I liked cutting out strips with the index cards and writing down strengths. This activity is a great opportunity to talk with your child about what strengths you see in each other. Take some time to talk about what qualities we appreciate in our family members.
Paper
Crayons
Markers
Colored pencils
scissor
glue
index cards
There are two versions of the Strengths Trophy that I created. Maybe you could come up with another version. My son drew a trophy template if you want to print it off to color and fill in your strengths, or draw your own. I liked cutting out strips with the index cards and writing down strengths. This activity is a great opportunity to talk with your child about what strengths you see in each other. Take some time to talk about what qualities we appreciate in our family members.
| trophy_template.pdf |
make a fishy print
Supplies:
Paper
Paint (non toxic, acrylic)
scissor
flat sponge
Cut out a fish shape in the sponge (or any shape you like). Pour paint onto a flat surface that has room for dabbing. Dab fishy shaped sponge in paint. I used two primary colors which can lead to a great conversation about making colors. You can use any colors you want. Press sponge with paint on it onto your paper. Don't forget about your little bits from your cutting. Use the left over shapes to create plants or other sea creatures. Enjoy your underwater print and you can reuse the sponges to make more prints or help clean up.
Paper
Paint (non toxic, acrylic)
scissor
flat sponge
Cut out a fish shape in the sponge (or any shape you like). Pour paint onto a flat surface that has room for dabbing. Dab fishy shaped sponge in paint. I used two primary colors which can lead to a great conversation about making colors. You can use any colors you want. Press sponge with paint on it onto your paper. Don't forget about your little bits from your cutting. Use the left over shapes to create plants or other sea creatures. Enjoy your underwater print and you can reuse the sponges to make more prints or help clean up.
make a
nature creature puppet
Supplies:
Leaves, grass and flat items from nature with texture (Please avoid plants that can cause skin irritation)
paper
scissors
crayons
glue or tape
sticks or craft sticks
Go on a walk and collect flat items with texture. Please help your explorer avoid plants that could cause skin irritation or sharp rocks. Place the items in between two pieces of paper. Using the long side of a peeled crayon, make a rubbing of your selected item. Draw a face on the image you created. Cut out your image in any shape you wish. Attach a stick with glue or tape.
Now use your Nature Creature Puppet to create your own stories. Put on a show.
Leaves, grass and flat items from nature with texture (Please avoid plants that can cause skin irritation)
paper
scissors
crayons
glue or tape
sticks or craft sticks
Go on a walk and collect flat items with texture. Please help your explorer avoid plants that could cause skin irritation or sharp rocks. Place the items in between two pieces of paper. Using the long side of a peeled crayon, make a rubbing of your selected item. Draw a face on the image you created. Cut out your image in any shape you wish. Attach a stick with glue or tape.
Now use your Nature Creature Puppet to create your own stories. Put on a show.
make a MAGNIFYING glass
Supplies:
Paper Towel Tube
Scissor
Tape
Markers or Crayons
Cut the paper towel tub in half.
Cut the short tube once along it's length.
Cut about a half an inch strip off the top. It does not have to be exact.
Curl up cut tub to make a smaller tube. Tape the ends to keep tube tight.
Fold down a flap on each end of the half inch strip. Tape folded tabs to the tube.
Decorate as you wish.
Now be a "Book Detective" and take a closer look into your books. Find colors, pictures, patterns and words. Play a rhyming game of all the items you can fine. Have fun!
Paper Towel Tube
Scissor
Tape
Markers or Crayons
Cut the paper towel tub in half.
Cut the short tube once along it's length.
Cut about a half an inch strip off the top. It does not have to be exact.
Curl up cut tub to make a smaller tube. Tape the ends to keep tube tight.
Fold down a flap on each end of the half inch strip. Tape folded tabs to the tube.
Decorate as you wish.
Now be a "Book Detective" and take a closer look into your books. Find colors, pictures, patterns and words. Play a rhyming game of all the items you can fine. Have fun!