Art and Activities

Art and Activities
For
Autumn/Winter
Time
Theory of art
The arts are a vital part of the growth a child undergoes. It helps them both with realising
who they are and becoming who they are meant to be. It doesn't matter if they don't have
a full passion for it or don't pursue it in a career. Just the opportunity to allow them to
define themselves on their own, to create a personality other than what the real world
wants to make them, allows expression and creativity that will stay with them for years
(Kuffner 1999).
Art and craft activities provide many valuable learning experiences for toddlers and
preschool children. Children will begin to learn and think creatively and activities such
as drawing, painting, cutting, pasting and playing with play dough and other craft
materials will help develop fine motor and manipulative skills. One important thing to
keep in mind when doing art or craft activities with young children is it is the process, not
the product that counts. It is important for childcare professionals to understand how
children develop artistically. This kind of knowledge is essential for choosing age
appropriate teaching strategies and content for the units and lessons that the professionals
develop (Luehrman 2006).
Research indicates that if children are allowed to use their own ideas within the
constraints named above, creative art activities will stimulate their imagination and
aesthetic awareness, encourage their creativity, aid social development by sharing
materials and turn taking, and develop language skills as the children have to understand
instructions and ask questions (Hobart & Frankel 2002).
Creative art activities may include:
♦ Printing – with vegetables, fruits, sponges, Lego bricks, leaves, string using
paint, hand and foot prints.
♦ Recyclable material modeling/junk modeling – this activity can use all shapes
and sizes of cartons, containers, pots and odds and ends, using different types of
glue, paste, blue tack and sticky tape.
♦ Painting – butterfly prints, drip paintings, paintings in different shades of one
colour, bubble painting and straw painting.
♦ Collage – papers of all kinds can be used, such as tissue, sweet paper, postcards,
magazines pictures and foil. Lots of materials can be used in a collage piece.
♦ Messy play – such as playing with cooked spaghetti mixed with liquid detergent
and colouring, or experimenting with corn flour and water which become solid in
your hand.
Large sheets of paper can be attached to the wall and paint in
squeezes bottles can be squirted at it. Finger painting and mixing colours of paint
can be categorized under messy play.
Essential materials for creative art activities include:
♦ Protection for clothing, the table top and the floor, floor mop and sponge for table
spills,
♦ Facilities for drying work,
♦ Basin of water and towel to hand and adequate supervision.
When we provide activities for children, whether this provision is in the family setting or
in pre-schools and schools, it is important to understand why you are doing so, and
appreciate the benefits to children’s development and learning
Values to areas of development and learning
♦ Physical – helps children to develop arm muscles and fine manipulative skills
leading to hand and eye co-ordination.
♦ Social and moral – helps children learn to share and take turns, working cooperatively on a group project, and understanding the rules of working in a group.
For older children a group project may provide a sense of identity.
♦ Emotional – provide enjoyment, a sense of achievement, and self esteem.
♦ Intellectual – children’s cognitive development is stimulated through imagination
and creativity while planning and producing art. Their concentration span is often
extended in a well thought out enjoyable activity. Different materials encourage
exploration and experimentation and this in turn leads to an understanding of
design. Mathematic and scientific concepts maybe explored. Patterns may lead
to understanding of spatial relationships. A sense of purpose is developed in older
children in producing a piece of finished work.
♦ Language – new vocabulary is learnt in different activities.
Understanding
instructions and asking questions develop comprehension and expressive speech.
♦ Aesthetic and spiritual – these activities stimulate aesthetic awareness and the
beginning of art appreciation, in pattern making, composition, use of colour and
attractive materials.
Creative art activities link in well with festivals and
celebrations.
♦ Sensory – many of the materials and textures used will encourage tactile
development and colour will stimulate vision.
This booklet contains many examples of creative art activities, which can be
implemented with children from an early age. All the activities can be adapted to meet
the individual needs of the children. This booklet contains a selection of activity ideas.
Activities such as sand and water, clay and play dough, stories, poems, rhymes, and
finger games can be introduced to the children.
Autumn and winter months are
approaching and for this reason activity ideas for these seasons are included. This
booklet will support parents, childcare providers and teachers in planning and
implementing a wide variety of activities with their children.
Autumn time
Fingerprint Tree
Materials needed:
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Brown paint
Green paint,
Yellow paint
Red paint
Sheet of white paper
Instructions:
Stamp the side of your hand in brown paint and stamp it on the paper as the trunk. Stamp
your index finger in green paint and stamp it many times on the paper for the leaves (redipping in the paint as necessary). Repeat with yellow, red and orange paint for the
autumn leaves (www.dltk-kids.com).
A scarecrow
Autumn is prime-time for scarecrows. Sometimes you see them in summer fields, and
sometimes you have to wait until nearly Halloween, when you'll see them in the Pumpkin
Patch. They're a fun symbol of the Harvest season, and kids love them. You can
incorporate scarecrows into your studies of the farm, harvest, autumn, falling leaves,
Halloween and pumpkins.
Materials needed:
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Wire hanger
Stocking
Fabric scraps
Scissors
Glue
Instructions
Help the child bend a wire coat hanger into a diamond shape. Use a stocking and put the
hanger inside it. Pull the stocking so that it is taut over the hanger. Tie a knot in the
stocking to prevent it from slipping off. Decide which material you would like to use for
eyes, a nose, mouth, scarf and hat. Cut out the appropriate shapes and glue them onto the
stocking. Hang up your scarecrow (www.squiglyplayhouse.com).
A nature walk
After the autumn leaf falls it is an ideal time to explore tress, when children can see their
structures clearly. This activity is designed to build on children’s natural interests and
curiosity about their natural world. Take a trip outdoors to explore the wonders of the
trees.
Key learning intentions
♦ To investigate objects and materials by using all their senses as appropriate
♦ To look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change
♦ To find out about their environment and discuss the features they like and dislike.
Materials needed:
♦ Magnifying glass
♦ Trays, baskets and bags (one between two children which will encourage turntaking and rich interactions).
Activity content:
♦ Explain to the children that they are going on an autumn walk. Show them
examples of things they might find such as twigs, nuts, seeds, pine cones, leaves
and bark. Allow children time to talk about and handle the objects.
♦ As you set off for the walk encourage the children to talk about what they see and
what they choose to collect. Recognise and value the children’s individual
interests.
♦ When collecting time is completed ensure the children have a sufficient amount of
space for them to examine and sort their objects closely.
♦ Allow the children the time and opportunity to play with and explore their
findings. Listen carefully to what the children find interesting and build your
conversation accordingly.
♦ Encourage the children to take a leaf or some item home with them, so they can
discuss with their families about what they have been doing.
Autumn Leaf Art Activity
Materials Needed for the
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Crepe paper in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, and brown)
Large pieces of construction paper
Glue
Small cup
Paint brush
Water
Before beginning this art activity, discuss the autumn season with the children. Take a
trip outdoors to view fall leaves. Point out the autumn colors. Ask the children to name
each colour viewed. If it is not possible to go outside try reading a book about fall with
vibrant photographs or illustrations. Make sure to discuss autumn leaves falling off of
trees. Invite the children to think about why this might happen. Talk about the motion as
the leaves gently fall from the branches to the ground.
Instructions
This activity is process based. The children should concentrate on gluing and tearing the
tissue paper, not on making identical looking trees. This activity is created on the floor,
and may get messy. It is suggested that proper steps are taken to cover any non-washable
surfaces. Additionally, proper supervision and safety measures should be taken to avoid
the children slipping on the paper or other art materials.
1. Place the paper on the floor. Invite the children to paint the paper with the
glue/water mixture. Multiple children may share one glue cup.
2. Ask the children to stand up or kneel over the paper. Have them tear small pieces
or shapes from the tissue paper. These are the leaves. The children will be the
tree. Have the children gently drop the tissue paper onto the glued construction
paper like an autumn leaf falls from a tree.
3. Encourage the children to sway or move like the wind as the tissue paper leaves
are dropped. Ask them to vary the rates that the tissue paper is dropped. If the
glue begins to dry, the children can repaint the paper. Set aside to dry.
Autumn Family Tree
Materials needed:
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Brown paint
Large sheet of paper
Glue
Pale green paper, orange and yellow paper for Autumn
Markers
Instructions:
Paint a tree on to the paper with brown paint. Cut out lots of leaves from the green,
orange and yellow paper. On each leaf draw a different member of your family. Glue
your leaves to the tree. Older children could try and draw their tree branches and stick
their leaves in such a way as to show the generations.
Hanging Leaves Garland
This Hanging Leaves Garland makes a really super display for Harvest Festival, Autumn
or Thanksgiving, and offers the benefit of the fun of leaf collecting and rubbing too!
Materials needed:
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Paper in red, orange and yellow
Brown or red crayon or chalk
Cord or string
Sticky tape
Autumn leaves
Instructions:
Lay your leaves vein side up on the table. Place your paper on top of your leaves.
Holding your crayon or chalk firmly rub over the leaves using the side of your crayon.
Cut out the leaves. When you have lots of leaves, make a hole in each leaf and thread
them onto your cord. Secure each in place with a bit of sticky tape so they are spread
along the cord. Hang as bunting (www.activityvillage.co.uk).
Construction equipment
Using all the autumn items from nature walk, create a season small world indoors or
outdoors. Provide the children with all the materials they collected and many more
natural building you access. Outside remember to offer equipment on a larger scale than
is possible indoors to encourage a variety of mathematical language and problem solving.
Possible play situations
♦ Experimenting with a range of building materials
♦ Building homes for the animals and people
♦ Using imagination to create stories
♦ Working collaboratively on large and small scale projects with others
Key learning intentions
♦ Begin to use talk in imaginary situations
♦ Uses the language of mathematics for problem solving
♦ Talk about the textures and patterns on the building equipment
♦ Take turns and share fairly
Handprint, Photo Blossom Craft
Materials needed:
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A piece of light-colored construction paper (white, pale blue, pale yellow,
etc.) - for the background
One piece of brightly-colored construction paper - for the flower petals
A photo of the child
Scissors
Glue
Green paint
A brush (or just use your finger)
Pen or pencil
Instructions:
Cut a circle around the head of a picture of a child (this will be the center of the flower.
Cut a flower shape out of colorful construction paper. Make sure that the flower is a bit
bigger than the round picture of the child, but small enough so that it will fit on the paper.
Glue the paper flower towards the top of a piece of paper. Using green paint, draw a stem
for your flower. Have the child make two green handprints near the base of the stem these will be the flower's leaves. Glue the picture of the child to the center of the flower.
Write the child's name (and the date, if you wish) on the paper.
A Rocking Chic
Materials needed:
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Paper plate
Yellow paint
Orange card
Googly eyes
Yellow feathers
Glue
Instructions:
Paint the back of a paper plate yellow and leave to dry. Fold the paper plate in half with
the paint to the outside. Cut a triangle of orange card and fold it in half to form the beak.
Glue the beak across the fold of the plate. Glue on an eye and a few feathers for the
wings to both sides of your rocking chick (www.activityvillage.co.uk).
Hedgehog Collage
Materials needed:
♦ Brown card
♦ Brown wool
♦ Base sheet of card
♦ Black pen
♦ Glue
Instructions
Cut a teardrop shape body and glue it to the base sheet of card. Cut the wool into small
strips and stick them to the body as spines. Draw on an eye (www.activityvillage.com)
Flower Mask Craft
Materials:
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A paper plate
Yellow paint
Construction paper
Glue
Markers
Glitter
Popsicle stick
Green crepe paper
Unsharpened pencil
Instructions:
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Paint construction paper yellow. Cut out petal shapes when dry (fold the paper in
half and get 2 petals per page) Decorate the petals with markers or sparkles to
make the craft a bit more exciting and colourful. Adult can assist the child in
cutting the center out of the paper plate so the child's head becomes the center of
the flower. Glue the petals all the way around the edge of the paper plate. Glue
on a popsicle stick as a handle (you might want to add a bit of tape to reinforce).
Now the child can peek through the flower.
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Sing the song you are my sunshine. Encourage the children to imagine they are
sunflowers. Allow opportunities for dance and movement (www.dlkt-holidays).
Handprint Lamb Craft
Materials:
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Black construction paper (or grey)
Glue
White pencil crayon or a silver marker
Cotton balls
Scissors
Googly eyes
Instructions:
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Place your hand on the black construction paper. Your fingers should be slightly
spread but the thumb should be out as far as possible. Fingers are legs and thumb
is head. Trace your handprint. Cut out your handprint. Glue cotton balls all over
the handprint but leave the tips of the fingers and thumb cotton free. Glue small
googly eyes onto the head (tip of thumb) or use pencil crayon. Use a white pencil
crayon or silver marker to add a smile (www.dltk-kids.com).
Paper snakes
This nearly no-mess project leaves lots of room for inspired creativity. Within every
piece of card stock is a coiled serpent waiting to be found -- just crease, cut, and fold.
Materials
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Card stock or scrapbook paper
Magazine
Ballpoint pen
Scissors
Marker
Instructions
1. Place a large sheet of card stock or scrapbook paper (ours were 12 by 12
inches) facedown on a magazine. Use a ballpoint pen to draw a curvy line
on the paper, pressing firmly enough to score the paper. For a snake that
coils over itself like the ones pictured, draw curves that wind close to one
another.
2. Using your line as a guide, cut out the snake (ours are about one inch at
their widest point).
3. Flip the snake over and pinch the scored line to add dimension to the
body. Wrap the snake around itself for added effect. Add eyes with a
marker (www.familyfun.go.com)
Rock Bugs
It's easy to watch bugs all day long especially when you make them yourself. Create your
own insects out of natural materials and pose them around your room.
Materials
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Smooth pebbles in different shapes, colors, and sizes (for the body)
Tacky glue
Small twigs, blades of grass, and pine needles (for the legs and antennae)
Leaves in different shapes, colors, and sizes (optional, for the wings)
Flower petals (optional, for the wings)
Instructions
1. First, build a body from the pebbles. For example, make a dragonfly by
gluing a small rock (the head) on top of a long skinny rock (the body). Or
glue three small pebbles end to end to make an ant.
2. Add appendages by putting a drop of glue on the end of each leg, then
pressing it to the rock. Finally, glue on wings and antennae, if you like
(www.dltk-kids.com).
kite
Materials needed:
Large paper bags
Coloured paint
String
Coloured streamers
Scissor
Instructions
Paint brightly coloured patterns onto a large paper bag. Leave the bag to dry out. Punch
holes in the four corners. Tie one loop on each side by feeding string through the hole.
Attach one long piece of string to the two loops at the back of the bag to form a long
handle. Stick long lengths of coloured streamers to the bottom of the kite for decoration.
Once the children have made the kites take them outside to fly them.
Harvest picnic
Materials needed:
Apples, pears, blackberries, bread, corn on the cob, crackers, bananas and others you can
think of.
Instructions:
Hold a picnic indoors or outdoors. Include as harvest foods as possible. Talk to the
children about the importance of healthy eating. Discuss the importance of giving and
sharing. Explain the importance of the weather to help crops grow. Explain that people
celebrated the harvest because it meant that they would have food for the coming year.
Paper Frog Puppet
A simple-to-make frog puppet made from a piece of
paper. This puppet's mouth moves!
Supplies needed:
• A piece of green paper
• A small strip of red construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Optional - googly eyes
Fold a piece of green paper in thirds, forming a long rectangle.
Fold the long rectangle into fourths, making a "W" shape.
This "W" shape will be the frog.
Draw eyes on the frog (or glue on googly eyes).
Cut out a long tongue from red paper and glue the end of it in the
frog's mouth.
Put your thumb in the frog's lower jaw, and put your
other fingers in the upper jaw. You now have a frog
puppet that has a VERY big mouth.
www.enchantedlearning.com
Autumn Poems
Autumn Poem
Red and yellow, green and brown.
Leaves are falling to the ground.
We pile them up OH SO HIGH:
Then we JUMP in!
My dog and I!
(www.dlkt-holidays.com)
Counting Squirrel poem
Five little squirrels sitting in a tree. The first one said, "What do I see?"
The second one said, "Some nuts on the ground."
The third one said, "Those nuts I found."
The fourth one said, "I'll race you there."
The Fifth one said, "All right, that's fair."
So they shook their tails and ran with glee.
To the nuts that lay at the foot of the tree
(www.preschoolrainbow.org).
Monkeys in a Tree
Five little monkeys
Sitting in a tree
Teasing Mr. Crocodile
"You can't catch me."
"You can't catch me."
Along comes Mr. Crocodile
As quiet as can be-SNAP!!!
Continue until all monkeys
are gone
Away swims Mr. Crocodile
As full as he can be!!!
www.preschoolrainbow.org
The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
All over Mrs Smith
And all over town
www.preschooleducation.com
Kite poem
A kite on the ground
Is just paper and string
But up in the air
it will dance and sing
A kite in the air will dance and will caper
but back on the ground is just string and paper
Autumn Fires
by Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
www.poemhunter.com
September
by Helen Hunt Jackson
The goldenrod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.
The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusky pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.
The sedges flaunt their harvest
In every meadow-nook;
And asters by the brookside
Make asters in the brook.
From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.
www.poetry-archieve.com
Five Little Birdies
A fingerplay
Five little birdies, flying around our door,
The blue one flew away and then there were four.
Four little birdies sitting in a tree,
The yellow one flew away and then there were three.
The little birdies didn't know what to do,
So the red one flew away, and then there were two.
Two little birdies sitting in the sun,
The Brown one flew away, and there was one.
The little green birdie felt so all alone,
He/she flew away and then there was none.
Later on that very day,
five little birdies came back to play
www.preschoolrainbow.org
Autumn Short Stories
The Three Apples
The old apple tree stood in the orchard with the other trees, and all summer long it had
stretched out its branches wide to catch the rain and the sun to make its apples grow
round and ripe. Now it was fall, and on the old apple tree were three great apples as
yellow as gold and larger than any other apples in the whole orchard. The apple tree
stretched and reached as far as it could, until the branch on which the three gold apples
grew hung over the orchard wall. There were the three great apples, waiting for some one
to pick them, and as the wind blew through the leaves of the apple tree it seemed to sing:
"Here in the orchard are apples three,
Who uses one well shall a treasure see."
And one morning Gerald came down the lane that passed by the orchard wall. He looked
longingly at the three gold apples, wishing, wishing that he might have one. Just then the
wind sang its song again in the leaves of the apple tree and, plump, down to the ground,
right at Gerald's feet, fell one of the three gold apples.
He picked it up and turned it round and round in his hands. How sweet it smelled, and
how mellow and juicy it was! Gerald could think of nothing so good to do with such a
beautiful ripe apple as to eat it. He put it to his mouth and took a great bite of it, then
another bite, and another. Soon there was nothing left of the apple but the core, which
Gerald threw away. He smacked his lips and went on his way, but the wind in the apple
trees sang, sorrowfully, after him:
"Here in the orchard are apples two,
But gone is the treasure that fell for you."
And after a while Hilda came down the lane that passed by the orchard wall. She looked
up at the two beautiful gold apples that hung on the branch of the old apple tree, and she
listened to the wind as it sang in the branches to her:
"Here in the orchard are apples two,
A treasure they hold for a child like you."
Then the wind blew harder and, plump, an apple fell in the lane right in front of Hilda.
She picked it up joyfully. She had never seen so large and so golden an apple. She held it
carefully in her clasped hands and thought what a pity it would be to eat it, because then
it would be gone.
"I will keep this gold apple always," Hilda said, and she wrapped it up in the clean
handkerchief that was in her pocket. Then Hilda went home, and there she laid away in a
drawer the gold apple that the old apple tree had given her, closing the drawer tightly.
The apple lay inside, in the dark, and all wrapped up, for many days, until it spoiled. And
when Hilda next went down the lane and past the orchard, the wind in the apple tree sang
to her:
"Only one apple where once there were two,
Gone is the treasure I gave to you."
Last of all, Rudolph went down the lane one fine fall morning when the sun was shining
warm and the wind was out. There, hanging over the orchard wall, he saw just one great
gold apple that seemed to him the most beautiful apple that he had ever seen. As he stood
looking up at it, the wind in the apple tree sang to him, and it said:
"Round and gold on the apple tree,
A wonderful treasure, hanging, see!"
Then the wind blew harder, and down fell the last gold apple of the three into Rudolph's
waiting hands.
He held it a long time and looked at it as Gerald and Hilda had, thinking how good it
would be to eat, and how pretty it would be to look at if he were to save it. Then he
decided not to do either of these things. He took his jack-knife out of his pocket and cut
the gold apple in half, straight across, and exactly in the middle between the blossom and
the stem.
Oh, the surprise that waited for Rudolph inside the apple! There was a star, and in each
point of the star lay a small black seed. Rudolph carefully took out all the seeds and
climbed over the orchard wall, holding them in his hand. The earth in the orchard was
still soft, for the frost had not yet come. Rudolph made holes in the earth and in each hole
he dropped an apple seed. Then he covered up the seeds and climbed back over the wall
to eat his apple, and then go on his way.
But as Rudolph walked down the lane, the orchard wind followed him, singing to him
from every tree and bush,
"A planted seed is a treasure won.
The work of the apple is now well done."(www.apple4theteacher.com)
The Anxious Leaf
Once upon a time a little leaf was heard to sigh and cry, as leaves
often do when a gentle wind is about. And the twig said, "What is the matter, little leaf?"
And the leaf said, "The wind just told me that one day it would pull me off and throw me
down to die on the ground!"
The twig told it to the branch on which it grew, and the branch told it to the tree. And
when the tree heard it, it rustled all over, and sent back word to the leaf, "Do not be
afraid. Hold on tightly, and you shall not go till you want to."
And so the leaf stopped sighing, but went on nestling and singing. Every time the tree
shook itself and stirred up all its leaves, the branches shook themselves, and the little twig
shook itself, and the little leaf danced up and down merrily, as if nothing could ever pull
it off. And so it grew all summer long, till October.
And when the bright days of autumn came the little leaf saw all the leaves around
becoming very beautiful. Some were yellow and some scarlet, and some striped with both
colors. Then it asked the tree what it meant. And the tree said, "All these leaves are
getting ready to fly away, and they have put on these beautiful colors because of joy."
Then the little leaf began to want to go, too, and grew very beautiful in thinking of it, and
when it was very gay in color it saw that the branches of the tree had no bright color in
them, and so the leaf said, "O branches! why are you lead-color and we golden?"
"We must keep on our work-clothes, for our life is not done - but your clothes are for
holiday, because your tasks are over," said the branches.
Just then a little puff of wind came, and the leaf let go, without thinking of it, and the
wind took it up and turned it over and over, and whirled it like a spark of fire in the air,
and then it dropped gently down under the edge of the fence, among hundreds of leaves,
and fell into a dream, and it never waked up to tell what it dreamed about.
www.apple4theteacher.com
Autumn Songs
I'm a Little Scarecrow
(sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little scarecrow,
(Point to self)
Raggedy and worn
(Stand with arms out like a scarecrow)
I wear a hat,
(touch top of head with one hand)
And my shirt is torn
(touch shirt with other hand)
When the crows fly here,
(flap arms)
I wave and shout,
(wave arms)
"Away from my Garden
Now get out!"
(make 'shooing' motions with hands)
www.preschooleducation.com
Autumn-time is Coming
(sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Red leaves falling
Red leaves falling
On the ground
On the ground
Autumn-time is coming
Autumn-time is coming
All around
All around
Orange leaves falling
Orange leaves falling
On the ground
On the ground
Autumn-time is coming
Autumn-time is coming
All around
All around
Brown leaves scattered
Brown leaves scattered
On the ground
On the ground
Autumn-time is now here
Autumn-time is now here
All around
All around
www.dltk-holidays.com
Halloween art activities
Jack-O'-Lantern Pouch Craft
Materials needed:
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Paper plate (whatever size) and 1/2 of the same size paper plate
Orange paint
Black construction paper
Glue
String
Instructions
Cut one of the plates in half and staple it to the whole plate to form a pouch. Paint your
paper plate orange. Cut/draw your own pieces on black construction paper and glue them
on. Stable the string to the top of the paper plate (www.dltk-holidays.com).
Egg carton spider
Materials needed:
♦ Paint (any colour of your choice)
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Scissors
Pipe cleaners.
Googly eyes
Egg carton
Instructions:
Separate one cup from an egg carton. Paint the egg carton Using the point of a scissors,
the adult can assist the child and make 8 small holes (4 on each side) at the base of the
cup. Insert a pipe cleaner into each of the holes for legs. Paint a face and glue the eyes
(www.enchantedlearning.com).
Painting cobwebs
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Paint brush
Large sheet of black paper
White paint
Silver glitter
Glue
Instructions
Place the black piece of paper on the wall. Flick white paint with a paintbrush onto it.
When dry apply a small amount of glue onto white paint and shake some glitter over it.
Allow to dry.
Hand print ghosts
Matreilas needed:
♦ Black construction paper
♦ White paint
♦ Black marker
Instructions
Have the children paint their hands white and press onto black construction paper. When
they dry have the children turn them upside down and add faces (www.childfun.com).
.
Hanging Bats
Materials needed:
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♦
♦
♦
♦
Black foam
Scissors
Glue
Googly eyes
String
Instructions
Cut bat shapes from the black foam sheets. The adult can assist the younger child with
cutting the shape. Glue on googly eyes. Pierce a hole through the top of the foam and
pull string. Tie knot and hang up (www.crafts.kaboose.com)
Fireworks
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Black or very dark construction paper
Glitter
Glue
Old newspapers
A straw (optional)
Instructions:
Work on old newspapers. Spread glue on the paper in geometric shapes. If the glue is soft
enough, you can put a small blob of glue on the paper, and then blow some air through a
straw to spread it into interesting shapes. You can experiment with the consistency of the
glue and the angle of the straw. Sprinkle glitter onto the glue. Slide the excess glitter off
your picture and back into the glitter container. Repeat the glue and glitter process with
different colors of glitter. Let the glue dry
Yummy Mummies
Filled with small candies, these simple treat holders can serve double duty as festive table
decorations and party favors for your Halloween bash.
Materials
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•
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•
•
•
•
Toilet tissue tubes
White paper
Clear packing tape
Roll of 2-inch-wide gauze
Craft glue
Googly eyes
Small candies
Instructions
1. For each holder, trace one end of the empty tissue tube onto a piece of
white paper, then cut out the circle, making it slightly smaller than your
trace line. (If you fold the paper into a few layers, you can cut out several
circles at once.)
2. Cut the tube in half (you can make 2 holders per tube) and tape the paper
circle to the bottom of each half.
3. Wrap a 2- to 2 1/2-foot strip of gauze around the tube, first taping the
beginning of the gauze to the tube. Gently stretch and twist the gauze as
you wrap it to give it some dimension. When you've covered the tube, cut
the gauze and tuck the end under a nearby layer.
4. Finally, glue on googly eyes (or use the self-adhesive kind), then fill the
mummy with candy treats (www.crafts.kaboose.com)
Diva Lamps
Materials needed:
Modeling clay
Pencil
Coloured PVA glue
Tea lights
Instructions:
Roll an 8cm cube of clay into a small ball and, with your thumbs, make a small pot with a
lip on one side. Using a pencil, score patterns around the pot and glaze it with brightly
coloured PVA glue. Use water to thin the PVA glue (www.artisthelpingchildren.org)
Scary Pop-up Spider Card
Make a scary spider pop-up card using construction
paper. This is a great Halloween card or an
Go to more Halloween
invitation to a Halloween party.
crafts
Supplies needed:
•
•
•
•
Two pieces of construction paper (use 2 different
colors, like black and orange)
Scissors
Glue
Markers or crayons
Fold two rectangular pieces of construction paper in half.
One piece will be the outside of the card, and one piece will
be the inside.
Cut a straight line perpendicular to the fold in the middle of
one of the pieces of paper.
Fold down the paper on each side of the cut you
just made.
Cut a short, straight line on the top fold (do not cut all the
way to the edge of the paper).
Fold down the paper on each side of the cut
you just made.
Unfold the folds and open up the card.
Carefully pop the spider's mouth and eyes so that they
bulge towards the inside of the card.
Draw half a spider around the mouth and eyes (draw
the head/body and four long legs).
Glue the other piece of folded construction
paper to the back of your card.
Cut along the half-spider drawing you made in
the previous step.
Fold the card up.
Now cut the other half of the spider
out.
Open up your card and decorate your spider if you'd
like - you can give it hairy skin, stripes, and eyeballs
(drawn on the underlayer). You might even want to
glue on long fangs (make sure that the fangs fit inside
the card when you fold the card up).
Write a message on your scary spider pop-up card
www.enchantedlearning.com
Halloween Poems
Pumpkin poem
One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.
It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)
But there is something I'll admit
That has me worried just a bit.
I ate the other seed, you see.
Now will it grow inside of me?
(www.dltk-holidays.com)
Incy Wincy Spider
Incy wincy spider climbed up the spout
Down came the rain, and washed poor Incy out
Out came the sunshine, and dried up all the rain
And Incy wincy spider climbs up the spout again
www.sweetrhymes.com
www.dklt-holidays.com
Fireworks display
Zooming, whirring, whizzing round,
Fireworks raining on the ground.
Golden fountains, silver rain,
Spurting high – then down again.
Gold and silver in the air
Don’t stand too close and do take care.
Tomato soup and chestnut brown
Bangers jumping up and down.
www.dltk-holidays.com
Use this poem to teach children about firework safety.
Halloween recipes
Creepy Cupcakes
Ingredients
GHOST CUPCAKES
•
•
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•
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24 baked cupcakes
24 Nutter-Butter cookies
Chocolate frosting
Vanilla frosting
Tube of chocolate decorator's icing
SPIDER CUPCAKES
•
•
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2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped peanuts or crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup dry chow mein noodles
24 baked cupcakes
Instructions
1. Coat each baked cupcake with chocolate frosting and partially insert a
Nutter-Butter cookie into the top. Frost the remaining cookie with vanilla
frosting. Draw a spooky expression on each ghost with the decorator's
icing. Makes 24.
2. Make the spiders by combining the chocolate chips and milk in a glass
bowl. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until
smooth. Stir in the peanuts or cereal and chow mein noodles.
3. Drop by teaspoons onto waxed paper. Stick on extra noodles for spider
legs and chill. Frost the cupcakes white. Then top each cupcake with a
spider. Makes 24.
Flap Jack-o'-lanterns
Ingredients
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
3 tbsp. melted butter plus 1 tbsp. for frying
1/2 cup cooked and mashed pumpkin or canned pumpkin
Instructions
1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and pumpkin pie spice in
a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add 3
tablespoons of melted butter and the pumpkin to the wet ingredients, and
whisk together. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients, and stir just
until blended a few lumps are okay.
2. Heat the remaining butter on a griddle over medium-high heat. Then pour
1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. When the flapjacks bubble on top, flip
and cook until brown on other side. Makes 20 pancakes
www.familyfun.go.com
Story telling
A dark, dark, tale
In a dark, dark wood,
there was a dark, dark house
And in the dark, dark house,
there was a dark, dark room
And in the dark, dark room
There was a dark, dark cupboard
And on that dark, dark shelf,
There was a dark, dark box
And in that dark, dark box, there was a ghost.
www.jackolanterns.net
Imaginative play
Children dress up as part of the Halloween festival. Provide the children with many
costumes such as white sheets for ghosts and black sheets for vampires. Allow the
children the opportunity to do each others faces with face paints.
Halloween Games
Pass the Pumpkin
Get a small pumpkin. Get the children to sit in a circle. Turn on Spooky music
and pass the pumpkin around the circle, better under candle light.
Stop the music and whoever is holding the pumpkin is out of the game. Perhaps
each person as they are out of the game, should have to perform a Spooky act, like
pretending to cackle like a witch, wail like a ghost or walk a zombie.
Swinging Apple game
Tie an apple to a piece of string hang it on a doorway or the ceiling. Hold your hands
behind your back and try to take a bite at the swinging fruit.
Apple eating race
Two players kneel down in front of a chair. An apple is placed on each chair. Each player
has their hands behind their backs. On the word "Go!" each player races to see who can
finish the apple first. If the apple falls, the player is out of the game.
A Seedy Game
Give each player an apple cut in half. The object is to count the number of seeds in an
apple, the number of seeds in the apple revealed something about the person's future.
Two seeds meant an early marriage; three, an inheritance; four, great wealth; five, a trip
across the ocean; and six fame. Seven was the best of all as this meant that all the
person's wishes would come true.
Paring Up
Pare a green apple in one long, winding piece. Swing the paring over your head three
times singing:
Paring, paring, long and green,
Tell my fate for Halloween.
Then drop the paring behind you. When it forms the shape of a letter, that letter is
believed to be the first initial of the person you will marry.
Apple Bobbing
Fill a large tub or pail with water. Drop in several apples. Kneel or stand by the side of
the tub or pail with your hands behind your back. Take a deep breath and open your
mouth wide. Now comes the bobbing. Try to grab the apple with your teeth. Sometimes a
coin was placed in each apple as a prize.
Another game or ceremony was, the person brushes or combs his or her hair in front of a
mirror at midnight, while eating an apple (usually green was the apple used in all
Halloween games). Soon an image of the persons future husband or wife would appear in
the mirror.
www.jackolanterns.net
Winter time
Winter scene picture
Materials
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•
•
•
Colored paper
Ruler
Glue
Markers or paints
Instructions
1. Choose a full sheet of paper for the background.
2. Tear other colored sheets into different shapes by holding down a ruler
and slowly pulling the paper so that it rips against the edge. Make a bunch
of small squares to piece together mosaic style or create larger pieces for
houses or trees, felt board style.
3. Glue torn pieces to the background. Then use markers, paints or other
materials to embellish the designs.
Paper plate snowman
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Small paper plate
Large paper plate
Sheet of black card
Scraps of orange, brown and colored card
Round black stickers (or use white and color with a felt pen)
Glue
Instructions
Glue the two plates together to make your basic snowman. Use the round stickers as
pebbles for the eyes, mouth and buttons. From the scraps of card cut two twig arms, a
carrot nose and a scarf. Glue these to your snowman. Add a black hat and hang your
snowman on the wall for all to enjoy (www.enchantedlearning.com)
Winter Collage
Materials needed:
♦ Twigs
♦ Cotton wool balls
♦ Silver glitter
♦ Large sheet of blue paper
♦ Glue
Instructions
Make a lovely winter picture by gluing twigs to the paper to make a tree. Glue on some
cotton wool as snow. Sprinkle some glitter over the top as a bit of frosty sparkle
(www.activityvillage.com)
.
Birdseed Snow Angel
Kids can delight their feathered friends by decorating a snow angel with a mosaic made
of birdseed.
Materials
•
•
Various types of birdseed (like thistle, corn, sunflower and safflower)
Cups
•
Pine boughs
Instructions
1. This angel is easiest made by a team: One partner lies down to make a
snow angel while the other partner stands by to help the maker get up
without messing up the imprint.
2. After the imprint is formed, pour cups of birdseed into the angel, filling
the head and body with bands of variously colored seed.
3. For a finishing touch, add pine boughs for the angel's spreading wings.
www.familyfun.go.com
Winter Bulletin Board Idea
Materials:
Snowmen (children created)
Blue poster board
Epson salt
Chalk
Quilting batting
White circles (snowballs)
Instructions:
Ask the children to design a snowman. Mix the epson salt with water and encourage the
children to take turns painting the mixture on the poster board (this creates a snow effect).
When dried, staple to your bulletin board, the add snowman, snowflakes (with chalk) and
batting to create hills. Place the snowmen on the hills as if they are playing in the snow
with snowballs.
Fan-Tastic Snowflakes
Materials
•
•
8 1/2 by 11-inch sheet of paper
Stapler
•
•
•
Scissors or pinking shears
Hole punch
Clear tape
Instructions
1. Fold the paper lengthwise and cut it in half.
2. Starting at one short end, fanfold the paper in 1/2-inch folds. Staple the fan
in the middle.
3. Use scissors or pinking shears to trim both ends, then hole-punch a design
into the fan folds. When you are finished, unfold the fan to create a circle
and tape the edges together to secure it.
www.familyfun.go.com
Snow Mosaic
Materials
•
•
•
•
Birdseed (such as sunflower seeds and cracked corn)
Fruits and vegetables (like apples, kale and carrots)
Food coloring
Pump bottles
Instructions
1. Start by prepping your art materials; fill the pump bottles with different
hues of food-color-tinted water and cut up various fruits and vegetables.
Then take the materials outside.
2. Next, start your masterpiece by lying back in the snow to make a body
print. Gently rock your body to pack the print, then carefully get up (you
may need a friend's help).
3. Create a portrait by filling in the shape with the seeds and vegetable pieces
and adding details with the colored water.
www.familyfun.go.com
Homemade Snow Dough
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons white tempera paint
1 tablespoon white or iridescent glitter
A few drops of peppermint extract (optional)
Instructions
1. To make a batch, combine all of the ingredients except the peppermint
extract (if using) in a medium-size pan and cook over medium heat,
stirring constantly, until the mixture holds together, about 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat.
2. Turn the play dough onto a waxed paper–lined counter to cool, about 15
minutes. If you like, knead in peppermint extract for a festive holiday
scent. Store the cooled play dough in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for
up to two weeks.
www.familyfun.go.com
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
Ice cube tray
Food coloring
Round cake pan
Ribbon
Plastic cup
Instructions
1. First, create colorful ice cubes by adding one to three drops of food
coloring to the water in each section of the tray. Use only a few matching
colors, as they will run together in the pan later. Freeze the cubes
completely.
2. Fill a round cake pan about two-thirds full of water. To make the hole for
the ribbon, set a plastic cup full of water in the pan. Place the pan in the
freezer for an hour or so. Put the colored ice cubes in the pan, then let all
the liquid freeze solid. Remove the plastic cup, flip the sun catcher out of
the pan, then hang it outside with ribbon.
www.familyfun.go.com
Bird feeders
Materials needed:
Plastic beaker
Square of fine garden netting
Unsalted peanuts
String
Instructions
Push a square of fine garden netting into a beaker, holding the excess down over the
sides. Still holding the netting over the sides, fill the beaker with unsalted peanuts. Let
go of the netting and tie it together with the piece of string. Hang outside near a window.
Petite Penguin
Materials
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•
Instructions
Egg carton
Uncooked rice
Masking tape
Black paint
White paint
Craft glue
Googly eyes
Orange felt
Red felt
White pom-pom
Mini rickrack trim
Orange pipe cleaner
Cardboard
White cotton
1. To hatch one, begin by filling a cup cut from an egg carton with uncooked
rice, top it with a second cup (turned upside down), and secure them
together with masking tape.
2. Paint the cups black, and once they are dry, paint a white oval on the front.
Use craft glue to attach 2 googly eyes and an orange felt beak.
3. For a hat, glue a 41⁄2- by 11⁄2-inch piece of felt around the top of the head.
Glue closed the top of the hat, then glue on a white pom-pom and a strand
of mini rickrack trim.
4. Bend an orange pipe cleaner into feet and glue it to the bottom of the
body. Give your penguin a snowy roost by gluing him to a 3-inch
cardboard circle covered with white cotton.
www.familyfun.go.com
Snowman Garland
Materials
•
•
•
•
2 different-size jar lids (we used one with a 2-inch diameter and another
with a 3-inch diameter)
Cardboard
Pencil
4 or more 9- by 12-inch sheets of white craft foam
Puffy paints
•
•
•
•
Ribbon, fleece, and felt
Small pom-poms
Tacky glue
3 yards or more of thin ribbon
•
Instructions
1. Create a template by tracing the jar lids (the smaller one above the larger
one, their rims touching) onto the cardboard and cutting out the snowman
shape. Use the template to draw snowmen on the craft foam (we fit six per
sheet) and cut them out.
2. Now your child can use puffy paints to add facial features and buttons.
While the paint dries, she can cut out ribbon or fleece scarves (about 12
inches long) to tie around the snowmen's necks, as well as brimmed felt
hats or stocking caps – complete with a small pom-pom glued to the end to glue on their heads.
3. To string the snowmen into a garland, loop the ribbon once around the
back of each of their scarves. Keep the loops loose enough that you can
slide the snowmen into place along the strand.
www.familyfun.go.com
Poems and Songs for Winter time
Winter Time Poem
Icy fingers, icy toes,
Bright red cheeks and bright red nose.
Watch the snowflakes as they fall,
Try so hard to count them all.
Build a snowman way up high,
See if he can touch the sky.
Snow forts, snowballs, angels, too,
In the snow, so white and new.
Slip and slide and skate so fast.
Wintertime is here at last.
www.preschoolrainbow.org
Falling Snow
See the pretty snowflakes
Falling from the sky;
On the wall and housetops
Soft and thick they lie.
On the window ledges,
On the branches bare;
Now how fast they gather,
Filling all the air.
Look into the garden,
Where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.
Now the bare black bushes
All look soft and white,
Every twig is laden,
What a pretty sight!
www.scrapbook.com
The First Snow Storm
Away off on a warm sunny island, little Harry Hall was born. Flowers bloomed all the
year round. The sun shone most of the time, although now and then there were thundershowers.
Many wonderful plants grew wild, while on the shore shells and seaweed and queer little
fishes were often to be found.
When Harry was six years old his parents took a journey to New York.
It seemed very odd to the little boy to live in a place where there were so many people,
and such great houses. After a while the weather grew cold, and he had to wear thick
woollen clothing. The house in which they lived was heated by a furnace; but one day
they had a fire of logs on the hearth. Harry enjoyed it very much, and thought the bright
blaze so pretty.
The sky was gray and cloudy one afternoon, and Harry had been standing by the window
watching the street cars. Suddenly the air grew thick, and he could scarcely see the
houses opposite. Something white and feathery fell slowly down and rested on the
window ledge. Then it disappeared. But more and more of the little flakes came, until
there was quite a ridge outside of the window.
Harry opened the sash gently, fearing it might fly away. He was surprised when he
touched it to find it so cold. He took some up in his hand, but in a moment it was only a
drop of water.
By that time the street and the men's hats and coats were quite white. Harry was puzzled
to find a name for the beautiful white substance, so he ran to his mamma and asked her
about it.
She told him it was snow, and because the air was so warm on the beautiful island where
he was born they never had any.
The next morning he saw the little children of the neighborhood playing in it; but before
noon the sun was so bright and warm the snow had all melted away.
When the second snow-storm came Harry's papa brought home a beautiful sleigh, and
gave his little boy great pleasure by drawing him up and down the street.
Harry soon learned to go out by himself, and made many friends; especially of the little
girls, as he was very generous with his sleigh.
But he has never forgotten his surprise when he saw the first snow-storm
www.apples4theteacher.com
Christmas time
Fold and snip star
Materials
•
•
Paper
Scissors
Instructions
1.
Fold the paper in half from top to bottom, creasing
it firmly.
2.
Fold the paper in half again, creasing it lightly.
3.
Undo the second fold.
4.
Make a third fold, bringing the tip of the upper
right corner to the crease mark at the paper's left edge.
5.
Fold down the upper left corner along the top edge
of the section you folded in step 4.
Fold the paper vertically so that the left and right edges match up.
Cut the paper at a sharp angle, as shown, creating a small triangle. Open the triangle, and
there's your star.
www.familyfun.go.com
Printed star wrapping paper
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Large cookie cutter
Potato
Kitchen paper towel
Three colours of paint
Plain coloured wrapping paper
Paint tray
Instruction
Carefully cut a slice from the middle of the potato. Press the cookie cutter into the slice.
Push out the shape you have cut. Dab both sides of the potato shape on some kitchen
paper towel to dry it. Pour two or three small patches of paint onto a paint tray. Do them
close together. Dip the potato shape into the middle of the paint, then press it onto the
piece of wrapping paper. Dip the shape into the paint again, then print it. Fill the paper
with lots of printed shapes. Allow to dry, and then wrap a box with the printed wrapping
paper and place under the Christmas tree.
www.dltk-holidays.com
Hand and Foot Reindeer Craft
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Brown and tan (or orange) construction paper
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Googly eyes
Instructions
Trace around the child's foot using brown construction paper. This will be the reindeer's
head. Trace around the child's hands using tan construction paper. These 2 pieces will be
the reindeer's antlers. Glue the handprint "antlers" to the top of the reindeer. Add a bright
red paper nose, a paper (or drawn) mouth, and googly eyes (or paper eyes) to the
reindeer's head. You can now decorate your house for Christmas with these cute
reindeers. Don't forget to put the child's name and age on the back of the reindeer.
www.enchantedlearning.com
A hand print wreath
Materials needed:
♦
White construction paper
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Green paint
A piece of red construction paper or a red ribbon
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Glitter glue
Instructions
Paint the construction paper green. Allow to dry. Trace the child's hand on a piece of
green construction paper. Cut out the hand print. Make about 10 paper hands for each
wreath. Glue the hand prints together in a wreath shape, with the wrists overlapping a
little bit. Glue on a red ribbon bow (or make one from red construction paper). Decorate
your wreath with glitter glue.
www.enchantedlearning.com
A Snowflake Card
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
White paper
Scissors
Optional: A protractor
Optional: Glitter or glitter glue
For the card: A piece of colored construction paper and glue
Instructions
Fold the white piece of paper in half. Fold over one side, then the other, to make two 60
degree folds. You can do this by eye, or you can use a protractor. This is a good exercise
in geometry and measuring angles. Cut off the edges of the paper in an arc - this makes a
circle (if you were to unfold the paper). Cut a lot of the paper away. Unfold your
snowflake carefully. Decorate your snowflake with glitter glue. Glue your snowflake
onto a folded piece of construction paper for a great winter card.
www.enchantedlearning.com
Christmas Tree, play-dough decorations
Materials:
Mixing bowl
4 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
A half a cup of water
Shaped pastry cutters
Coloured paint
Glitter
Instructions:
Ask the children top mix the flour salt and water together in the mixing bowl using either
their hands or spoons. Let them sprinkle flour over a chopping board, knead the dough
on the board until smooth. Cut Christmas shapes out of the play dough using the shaped
pastry cutters. Make holes in the top of the Christmas shapes. Bake at 170 for one hour.
Leave the shapes to cool and then decorate with brightly coloured paint. Tie some ribbon
through the hole at the top. Add any extra decoration such as glitter. Hang them on the
Christmas tree when ready (www.crafts.kaboose.com)
Caroling Trio
Materials
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tempera paint and paintbrushes
1 toilet paper tube
1 paper towel tube, cut into two different lengths
Colored paper (for faces and mittens)
Black marker and pink pencil
Glue
Sheet music (from a songbook or gift wrap)
3 child's socks
String or raffia
Instructions
Paint the tubes and set them aside to dry. From the colored paper, cut out oval face
shapes and draw on eyes and mouths with the marker. Use the pink pencil to color rosy
cheeks. Cut out paper mittens for each caroler too. From the sheet music, trim two small
rectangles and fold each in half to resemble a mini songbook. Glue the faces onto the
tubes. Then glue a songbook between each pair of mittens and glue the mittens to the
tubes. For hats, trim the feet off the socks and discard them. Fold an end of each sock
tube into a cuff and stretch it onto a caroler's head. Tie the hat closed with string
(www.familyfun.go.com)
Handprint Christmas Cards
Put your personal stamp on holiday greetings with this handprint design.
Materials
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•
•
•
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•
Red craft paper
Glue stick
Plain notecard or card stock
Tempera paints
Paper plates
Googly eyes
Instructions
Cut Santa-hat shapes from the craft paper, then glue one onto each card. Glue a pair of
googly eyes a fingertip's width below each hat. Pour white tempera paint onto one paper
plate, and a dollop each of red, black, and pink (mix some red and white) onto another.
Stamp white handprint beards, then use fingertips to stamp the trim on the hats, and a
nose, mouth, and cheeks on each face.
www.familyfun.go.com
Reindeer Antlers
Materials needed:
Red construction paper
Brown construction paper
Scissors
Stapler
Instructions
1. Cut a 3 inch wide strip of red construction paper long enough to fit the child's
head. Staple the ends of the paper together.
2. Stack together 2 pieces of brown construction paper, trace one of the child's
hands. Then cut it out.
3. Separate the hands and then staple each one to the red band towards the front, just
a little apart from each other. That's the antlers.
4. Add Glitter, sequins, stickers, and pom-poms.
www.dltk-holidays.com
Pop-up Tree Card
More Christmas
Crafts
Make a great (but simple) pop-up card from
construction paper.
Supplies needed:
• 3 pieces of construction paper
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Glue
• Optional: Markers, glitter or glitter glue
Fold two pieces of construction paper in half. One piece will be the
outside of the card; one piece will be the inside.
On the inner card, make four short, parallel cuts along the fold line. The
cuts should be in two pairs.
Fold over the flaps that were formed by the cuts.
Unfold the folds you just made and open up the card.
Push up the flaps made by the cuts. These will be the
tree trunks.
Close the card so that the flaps are inside the card.
Cut out 2 tree shapes from green paper. Make sure that they will fit
inside the card when it is closed.
Glue them to the paper trunks. Close the card.
Glue the other folded piece of construction paper onto the outside of the
card. Make sure you don't glue the place where the trees are.
Optional: Decorate with glitter glue or markers.
www.enchantedlearning.com
Silly-Legs Santa
o
Materials
•
•
•
Egg carton
Masking tape
White paint
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Skin-tone paint
Red paint
Googly eyes
Red puffy paint
Red felt
Glue
White pom-pom
White cotton
Red pipe cleaners
Pencil
Black felt
Pushpin
Gold elastic cord
Instructions
1. To make one, start with the basic body shape, as described for the Petite
Penguin, but omit the rice. Paint the top half of the body white, with a
small skin-tone face area, then paint the bottom half red. Glue on googly
eyes and add a dot of red puffy paint for a nose.
2. For a hat, glue a 4 1/2- by 1 1/2-inch piece of red felt around the top of the
head. Glue closed the top, then add a white pom-pom. Glue on white
cotton for Santa's beard and the trim on his hat.
3. For arms and legs, coil red pipe cleaners (1 for each leg, 1/2 for each arm)
by winding them around a pencil. Glue one end of each leg between 2
black felt boot shapes, and bend one end of each arm into a round hand
shape. Use a pushpin to create small arm- and legholes in the body, then
push through one end of each curled pipe cleaner.
4. Finally, glue a loop of gold elastic cord to the back of Santa's hat for
hanging.
www.familyfun.go.com
Glittery Angel
Materials
•
•
•
A one-liter plastic soda bottle
String
Craft glue
•
•
•
Glitter
Small ball ornament
Piece of gold tinsel
Instructions
1. Cut the bottom off a one-liter plastic soda bottle. Dip pieces of string into
a white-glue-and-water solution (it should be the consistency of thick
cream) and coil them around the entire bottle, starting at the bottom. Use
more string to cover the entire bottle in this manner.
2. On a waxed paper lined cookie sheet, shape a long piece of glue soaked
string into an outline of angel wings. Fill in the wings with dipped string
coiled into lacy patterns. Before the glue dries, liberally sprinkle glitter on
the body and wings.
3. When the wings are dry, glue them to the body. For the head, glue a gold
Christmas ball, hook down, on top of the bottle. Crown the angel with a
gold tinsel halo.
www.artistshelpingchildren.org
Make a Paper Tree
from Little Hand Prints
www.enchantedlearning.com
Make an adorable Christmas tree from your child's handprints. This
makes a nice decoration to put on a door or a great bulletin board in a
classroom.
Supplies needed:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A lot of green construction paper
A piece of brown construction paper (for the tree trunk)
A piece of yellow construction paper (for the star)
A large piece of brown paper (or use another color)
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
Optional: Glitter, glitter glue, or paper ornaments to glue on
the tree
Trace the child's hand on a piece of green construction
paper.
Cut out the hand print. Fold the wrist over.
Make a lot of paper paper hands (the number you'll need
depends on the size of your tree). If this is a class project,
you may want to put each child's name on his or her hand
print.
A nice touch, suggested by Peter Hesselmann, is to have
each child write a Christmas wish for themselves on one
paper hand, and a Christmas wish for the world on the
other. Peter also did not tell his students why they were
making the hands; he put the tree up, which surprised and
delighted them. Peter also had the teachers and staff each
write a wish for the world on a circular piece of
construction paper - these were used for baubles on the
tree.
Draw a tree shape on a large piece of paper.
Cut out a small rectangle of dark brown paper (this will be the tree
trunk).
Glue the rectangle below the tree.
Glue the hand prints together in a tree shape, gluing the
folded part of the wrist to the background. Start at the
bottom of the tree. Starting with the second row, make
the fingers overlap the next hand a little bit.
Cut out a yellow star for the top of the tree. Glue it on the tree.
Write a Christmas message around the tree.
Optional: Decorate your tree with glitter, glitter glue, or paper
ornaments.
You
Making Your Hands-and-Feet Turkey
Step 1 - Trace the child's hands and feet
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Trace two feet (with shoes on) on brown construction paper.
Trace two hands on tan construction paper.
Trace two hands on red construction paper.
Trace two hands on orange construction paper.
Trace one hand on yellow construction paper.
Step 2 - Cut out all the pieces
Cut out all the hands and feet tracings.
Step 3 - Make the Body
Put the two feet tracings together to make the turkey body and head, placing the heels
together one on top of another, and spreading the bottoms apart as in the illustration.
Glue.
Cut two feet out of the orange scraps, then cut a diamond shape for the beak. Draw the
eyes on white paper and cut them out, or use wiggle eyes. Make the wattle out of red
construction paper. Glue each piece onto the body as shown.
Step 4 - Attach the tail
Glue the red, orange, and yellow construction paper hands behind the brown body to
make the tail.
Step 5 - Wings
Position the two tan hands on either side of the body to make the turkey's wings and glue
them in place. www.crafts.kaboose.com
Poems and Songs at Christmas time
Frosty the Snow Man
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly, happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow, but the children know
How he came to life one day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around!
O Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said "Let's run and we'll have some fun now
Before I melt away."
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying "Catch me if you can!"
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler "Stop!"
For Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying "Don't you cry,
I'll be back again some day."
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow. www.sweetrhymes.com
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
You would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
Play in any reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee:
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
You'll go down in history!"
www.sweetrhymes.com
Recipes for winter treats
Snow ice cream
Blend: 2½ cups Milk,
2 beaten eggs,
1 ½ cups sugar,
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Popcorn Snowmen
This activity involves motor skills and the concept of larger and smaller while also
helping to distinguish body parts."
Materials needed:
♦
♦
♦
♦
Popcorn, marshmallows,
Butter,
Raisins (for the eyes and buttons),
Gumdrops (for the hat).
Instructions
Pop the popcorn and melt the butter and marshmallows (just as you would for making
rice krispie treats). Once the butter and marshmallows are melted pour the mixture over
the popcorn and mix well.
After the mixture has cooled, have the children take two handfuls of the mixture, one
smaller than the other, then shape them into circles and place the smaller circle on top of
the larger one, then they can decorate their snowmen with the raisins and gumdrops. Use
wax paper to put the snowmen on. The children will love the sticky texture and the smell.
www.recipes.kaboose.com
Winged Wonders
Ingredients
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 tube (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 cup prepared vanilla frosting
1 cup M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies
9 pieces Starburst Fruit Chews
Non-stick cookie sheet
Small angel cookie cutter
Instructions
•
Preheat oven to 350°F.
•
Roll cookie dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using the cookie cutter, cut out 18
angels. Transfer the angels to a non-stick cookie sheet and bake for 10-12
minutes, until golden brown. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
•
Ice the angels with vanilla frosting. Decorate the wings and bodies with M&M’S
by pressing them into the frosting.
•
Cut each starburst fruit chews in half and shape them into small circles. Attach
them as faces on each of the cookies.
www.recipes.kaboose.com
Other fun activities and activities for older children
Roly-Poly Piglet
Here's a plump pig you can make from clay.
Materials
♦
♦
Polymer clay in pink and black
Toothpicks
Instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Roll and shape all the clay parts shown.
Cut the end off a toothpick and use it to fasten the head to the body.
Attach the feet and press a small ball flat onto the head for the snout.
Use a toothpick to make nostrils and to press tiny black balls in place for
eyes.
5. Press one end of the twisted clay rope tail onto the rear of the body.
6. Press the triangular ears onto the head, shaping each with a toothpick
www.familyfun.go.com
FELT PUPPETS
For each puppet, first cut out a pair of 1 5/8-by-3-inch felt rectangles to serve as the front
and back of the animal. Join the front to the back by gluing together the side and top
edges. Leave the bottom edges open for a finger opening. Once the glue dries, use
scissors to round the top of the puppet's head. Glue on googly eyes. Now it's time to add
distinguishing animal traits.
HORSE: For ears, cut out a pair of felt ovals (about 1 1/2 inches long). Fold them in half
lengthwise and glue together the lower edges. Glue the bases of the ears to the back of the
puppet. Add a fringed forelock, white mane and rounded muzzle. Use a marker to draw
jawlines and nostrils.
BIRDS: Cut out a triangular felt bird beak and glue it in place. Add plumage.
SPOTTED HEIFER: Make cow ears following the same steps used for the horse. Glue
on a pink muzzle. Color bold black spots on the ears and face.
PIG: For floppy pig ears, use 2-inch felt circles. Attach them as previously described for
the horse. For pig cheeks and a snout, glue on 1-inch felt circles.
WOOLLY LAMB: Attach ears horizontally to the front of the lamb. Glue a bit of cotton
"wool" to the top of its head and draw on the face.
LION: Cut rounded lion ear shapes on both sides of the head. Glue on a 3-inch wreathshaped felt mane.
FROG: Position googly eyes at the top of the head. Glue webbed frog feet to the front of
the puppet
www.familyfun.go.com
Beach Loot
Kids gather enough stuff from the beach to start their own beach--or maybe a whole new
continent! This keepsake aquarium is a lovely, simple way for them to display the cream
of their collections
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Large glass fishbowl
Family beach-day photo
Clear tape
Sand, enough to fill the fishbowl about halfway
Pebbles, shells, driftwood, dried seaweed, sea glass, and other beach
treasures
Small nautical image cut from a postcard or calendar
Wooden skewer
Instructions
1. Tape the family photo to the inside of the fishbowl, being sure to tape
along all the edges to help keep out the sand.
2. Fill the fishbowl about halfway with sand, enough to reach above the
photo.
3. . Spread pebbles on the sand, then place shells, driftwood, and other beach
treasures where you like.
4. Cut out a small nautical image from a postcard or calendar. Tape a
wooden skewer to the back and push the skewer into the sand. You may
have to trim the skewer with scissors to make the image rest on the beach.
www.familyfun.go.com
Painted Pebbles
Turn a pile of stones into ornamental artworks that will spruce up a garden bed, a potted
plant or a windowsill.
Materials
•
Small stones
•
Acrylic paint and brushes
Instructions
1. Start by scouting in the backyard for smooth stones in various shapes and
sizes.
2. Imagine what each stone's shape lends itself to. For example, a wide,
rounded stone would make a good fat cat. Or perhaps a group of stones
will inspire a family of critters like a brood of ducklings.
3. Use the paints to realize your artistic vision.
Stinky Skunk
All you need is clay to create this cute little skunk.
Materials
•
Polymer clay in black and white
Instructions
1. Roll and shape the clay parts shown.
2. Press the tail stripe onto the flattened tail, then press the narrow end of the
tail onto the back of the body. Push the head stripe onto the top of the
body.
3. Attach the 2 triangular ears and shape each with a toothpick.
4. Attach the small black nose, then press the white eyes in place, adding the
tiny black balls on top for pupils.
Begging Puppy
Here's a happy puppy you can make from clay.
Materials
•
Polymer clay in beige or white, black, brown, and red
•
Toothpicks
Instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Roll and shape all the clay parts shown.
Cut the end off a toothpick and use it to fasten the head to the body.
Press the front and back feet in place.
Press the teardrop-shaped ears onto the head, as shown, and attach the
small rolled tail to the back of the body.
5. For the face, push the cheeks into place, then add the black triangular
nose. Flatten a circle of brown clay onto the face to make a spot where one
eye will go, then attach the tiny black eyes.
6. Use a toothpick to create whisker holes and paw marks.
7. Press on a red tongue, using a toothpick to place it just under the cheeks,
then carve a line down the tongue's center
www.familyfun.go.com
Colored Sand Collage
Materials
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•
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Craft knife
Colored card stock or construction paper
White and clear Con-Tact paper
Colored sand (available at craft stores)
Salt shakers or other empty containers
Tape
Instructions
1. Use a craft knife to create a frame by cutting out the center of the card
stock, leaving a 1-inch border.
2. Trim the Con-Tact paper so that it's slightly smaller than the frame, then
set the Con-Tact paper face down and peel off the backing. Carefully lay
the frame over the sticky surface and press it in place.
3. Pour the sand into the salt shakers, then put on the lids and cover some of
the holes with tape. Give your child the bottles and let him pour the sand
over the sticky surface -- one color at a time or all at once, as he likes.
Dump off the extra sand as he fills the space. When he's done, you can set
a piece of clear Con-Tact paper over the front to help preserve the design.
www.familyfun.go.com
A Bird Face Mask
Materials needed:
•
•
•
•
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•
•
For each child, you will need:
Colorful feathers
1 blank face mask
Craft glue
1 sheet of construction paper
Bird identification book
Scissors
Instructions
Decide on what type of bird to make. Look at a bird identification book for ideas
and to help select feather colors. Some children may want to create their own
unique bird. Pick out the feathers you would like to have on your mask and set
them next to you.
Glue the feathers onto your blank mask. You can find blank face masks at most
craft stores. They usually come in a single color and already have elastic secured
to the back. Drizzle a small amount of craft glue onto the mask and adhere one
feather to the center. Continue to glue feathers on, one by one, working from the
inside to the outside of the mask. Use just a few dabs of glue for each feather. Too
much glue will dampen the feathers, causing them to lose their fluffiness.
Attach the beak. Cut a triangle shape out a piece of construction paper. Arch the
triangle so that it makes a curved shape, and glue the flat side of the triangle
underneath the nose of the mask. Younger children may need help attaching the
beak. Hold the curved triangle piece to the mask until you can feel it is secure.
Lay the mask onto a flat surface, and let it dry completely before wearing it.
www.ehow.com
What's a mosaic? It's a picture crafted with lots of small tiles -- or in this case, paper
squares.
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
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Paper plate
Magazine pages
Scissors
White glue
Water
Small brush
Instructions
1. Before you design your mosaic, look at old mosaics in books or online for
inspiration.
2.
Sketch a design on the back of a paper plate; we chose a sun pattern.
3.
Tear out magazine pages printed with shades of the colors you'd like to use.
Cut strips of the pages into small squares (ours were about 3/8 inch on a side).
The shapes don't have to be perfect -- a little variety is what makes a mosaic
interesting. You'll also need a few triangles to fit in corners.
Mix together equal parts white glue and water. To fill in the
design, brush a bit of glue mixture on the plate, put the squares in place, and seal each
with a top coat of the glue mixture. When you are finished, let the project dry completely
http://kids.tate.org.uk/create/
Animal Masks
Materials Needed:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
balloons
masking tape
newspaper cut into strips
white glue
water
acrylic paint (several colors)
paint brushes
large container for mixture
small containers for paint
craft knife or scissors (adult assistance required)
Instructions:
1. Students blow up balloons.
2. Mix half glue and half water mixture into container.
3. Student dips newspaper strips into mixture, wiping any extra off into the container
with index finger and thumb.
4. Student lays strips onto the balloon, covering the balloon with at least two layers.
5. Hang over newspaper to dry.
6. Students may need to add another layer to balloon and repeat the drying process.
7. When dry, teacher needs to cut the balloon in half with an exacto knife.
8. Student chooses one half (2 students can share one balloon).
9. Using masking tape and newspaper, student builds up eyes, ears, nose, and other
features.
10. Cover with another layer of strips covered with glue mixture.
11. Let dry.
12. Student is ready to paint. Cover entire mask with one base color.
13. Let dry.
14. Paint details.
15. The animal mask is ready to display in the hall with a report or essay.
www.kinderart.com
Paper boxes and stars
Make paper scraps sparkle with our easy star folding technique. When you have a
handful, construct one of these no-cut boxes to contain your heavenly bounty (the boxes
are great for gifts too).
Materials
•
•
•
•
FOR BOXES:
Card stock or scrapbook paper
Plastic knife
Hole punch
•
•
•
Paper fasteners
FOR STARS:
Copy paper or other lightweight paper
Instructions
For the Boxes Start with a facedown square or rectangular
piece of card stock or scrapbook paper. With a plastic knife, score four
lines that are equidistant from the edges of the paper, as shown (A). Score
four diagonal lines at the corners, as shown (B).
2. Fold up the sides of the box along the four straight lines, pushing in each
corner along its diagonal score line. Punch a hole through each corner flap
and the sides of the box, then use paper fasteners to secure these flaps to
the box.
1.
3.
For each Star Tie a knot at one end of a 1/2-by 11-inch
strip of copy paper or other lightweight paper.
4.
Flatten the know into a pentagonal shape, then trim any
excess paper from the short end of the strip.
5.
Tightly fold the remaining length of paper around the knot.
6.
Secure the end by tucking it under a previous fold.
7.
Using your thumb and index finger, gently pinch each
point of the star to give it dimension.
www.familyfun.go.com
Bobbing Bird
Materials
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Craft knife
1-liter plastic soda bottle
Fist-size ball of clay
White athletic sock
Rubber band
Wooden spoon
Black Foamies craft foam
Laundry soap bottle cap
Rubber ball
Scissors
Instructions
1.
Use a craft knife (adults only) to cut a flap in one
side of a 1-liter plastic soda bottle. Place a fist-size ball of clay inside the
bottle (this will keep it from toppling over too easily), then pull a white
athletic sock up over the bottle from the bottom. Twist a rubber band
around the bottle neck to hold the sock in place and use the handle of a
wooden spoon to tuck the sock top into the bottle.
From black Foamies craft foam, cut a rectangle
that wraps three quarters of the way around the bottle and extends about
two thirds of the way up from the bottom. Trim the edges to resemble
penguin wings and attach them to the sock with mounting tape. Next, cut
out colored-foam eyes, a beak, a bow tie and feet and tape them in place.
Top off your bird with a laundry soap bottle cap hat.
3. Next, cut out colored-foam eyes, a beak, a bow tie and feet and tape them
in place. Top off your bird with a laundry soap bottle cap hat.
4. Now, try your luck at making the penguin waddle. The trick is to roll a
rubber ball so that it knocks the bottle smartly without tipping it over.
2.
www.familyfun.go.com
Bean Mosaics
Materials Needed:
•
•
•
•
•
glue
paintbrushes
cardboard or any sturdy backing
dry beans (kidney, black beans, peas, lentils etc.) of different colors and sizes
pencils
Instructions:
1. Draw a simple shape or figure on the cardboard. Keep the details down to a
minimum. Simple is good for this project.
2. Paint glue in a small portion of the design. Note: Do not use too much glue if your
cardboard is not sturdy. It will curl.
3. Place beans of different colors in the portion with glue.
4. Repeat for the entire picture.
5. The result is quite beautiful and the students will have a piece of art they are
proud to display
www.kinderart.com
A sunset box
You are going to make a sunset box. You will have to choose a landscape you want to
create. It can either be a landscape that you have seen, or you can use your imagination
and create any sort of landscape you like. It could even be a landscape from another
world if you want.
Materials needed:
•
•
•
•
A shoe box or similar sized box.
Pieces of card, tissue paper, coloured paper, various bits of fabric – you can use
scraps, you don’t need whole sheets of card or paper etc.
Some coloured cellophane, two or three different colours.
A torch, glue, sticky tape and something to make holes in the box.
Instructions
•
•
•
•
Carefully make two holes in the box, one at one end and the other in the top.
Create your own 3D landscape inside your box. Be as imaginative as you like.
Remember your landscape must stand upright inside the box.
Shine the torch through the hole at one end of the box and look at your landscape
through the other end.
If you found some cellophane try shining the torch through the different colours
into the box to see the different atmospheres you can create
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Soap carving
You are going to create a simple and natural sculpture using a bar of white soap. You do
not have to finish your sculpture in one go. Take your time and really enjoy what you are
doing.
Materials needed:
•
Some cheap bars of white soap.
•
Scrapers and peelers – Use lolly sticks, teaspoons, potato peelers and similar
objects.
Instructions
•
•
•
•
Think about the way you would like your sculpture to look then sketch a simple
shape onto wide side of your bar of soap.
"Mirror" your design on the other side.
Carefully use your scrapers and peelers to carve your design. Scrape away at the
edges and twist onto the surface to make holes.
Keep turning your soap over and over in your hands as you work. Then your
finished sculpture will be rounded rather than flat.
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Pop art hat
Materials needed:
•
•
•
•
Materials for decorating the hat you design. You can use all sorts of packaging,
old magazines, adverts, comic strips etc.
"Sticky stuff" to hold it together: try glue (PVA is good) and sticky tape.
Ribbon or cord if you don’t want to lose your hat if it falls off!
Pipe cleaners if you want to add "wobbly" bits.
Instructions
•
•
•
•
First of all make a rough design of the hat you want to make.
Collect the materials you will need.
Measure your head so you get the size of the hat right.
Make your hat, having as much fun as possible!
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Frame a view
This is a fun way to use a view finder and create an effective collage. Using a viewfinder
helps you to focus on something and not get distracted by what's around it. It will help
you pay close attention to the image that you are trying to create. A collage is a picture
made from small pieces of paper.
You are going to choose a view to turn into an exciting collage. You can choose a person,
an animal, a building, an object or just a view. Choose anything you like.
Materials needed:
•
•
•
•
A simple view finder. You can easily make this by cutting a square (5cmx5cm)
out of a piece of sturdy card like a cereal box.
A pencil and a sheet of paper (A4 would be good).
Scraps of gummed or coloured paper. You can also use torn pieces of paper from
magazines, newspapers and wallpaper.
A glue stick.
Instructions
•
•
•
•
Find somewhere, either indoors or outside, where you think you will find a view
you want to turn into a collage
Use your viewfinder to look around you at different views and choose the one you
want to work with.
Make a light pencil sketch of your view but only use outlines, you don’t need
detail.
Now add colour to your sketch by using the torn scraps of paper to build up the
picture you want to create within your pencil lines
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Art and Music
Different types of music can create different responses. Responses to music can be made
through drawing, painting, 3D sculpture, movement, dance, story, poetry, photography,
slide projection and video. You can probably think of others, too. The idea here is to
show how the music inspires you. Your work will show how music makes you feel, what
it makes you think of and what you can create from what you hear.
You are going to respond to your chosen piece of music by creating a sculpture known as
a 3D kinetic (that means movement) sculpture-drawing. This means you will respond by
creating a sculpture that represents the way the music makes you feel.
Materials needed:
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A selection of any bits and pieces you can find, including lolly sticks and different
sized and coloured pieces of paper.
String, wool or ribbon, so you can make a music sculpture mobile if you wish.
Scissors, sticky tape, glue.
A hook - if you want to hang your mobile up.
Your chosen piece of music or sounds.
Instructions
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Listen carefully to your music and think about how the music moves.
Does it make big swooshing shapes? Does it make small, quiet movements or is it
jerky and repetitive? Perhaps it sounds like it is creeping along the floor? Or is it
more like it is flying and swirling through the air.
You might find yourself moving to the music. That’s good – dance if you want to.
Now you are ready to make your 3D sculpture by choosing bits and pieces that
represent the feel of your music. For example a curled waving piece of paper
might move in a whirly, swirling way or a collection of lolly sticks might clink
against each other in a jerky, clicky way.
Hang your sculpture up like a mobile so it can rotate and move freely.
www.artistshelpingchildren.org
Build your own house
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You are going make a house that relates to you and the sort of person you are. The style
of your house and its patterns, textures and colours, will reflect your personality and
things that are important to you.
Materials needed:
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Cardboard boxes.
Wallpaper, corrugated card, paint, crayons etc.
Material for curtains or blinds.
Any objects which you may want your viewers to see through the windows.
Scissors, glue, sticky tape, stapler etc.
Strong tape to make shoulder straps so you can wear your house.
An active imagination.
Instructions:
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Crawl inside your box to make sure it is the right size for you if you want to wear
it.
Think about or roughly design the house you want to make. Think about the
number of windows it will have, the type of bricks, roof and windows.
Create different textures for different parts of the house by perhaps using collages,
corrugated card or textured paper.
Add trees or flowers to the front of your house if you like.
Draw people or pets or furniture which can be seen through the windows if you
want to.
Give your house a number or a name.
If you want to wear your house, cut out strips of card or strong tape to make
shoulder straps. Then staple or stick them onto two of the raised areas of the roof.
www.artistshelpingchildren.org
Make a collage
You are going to build them into the shape of your own body or face which you can
outline first before you start making your collage.
Materials needed:
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Old magazines, cards, packaging etc.
Scissors, glue.
A pencil and paper.
Instructions:
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Draw an outline of yourself (or just your face if you prefer) on the paper.
Use the magazine, cards and packaging to find lots of small pictures of different
objects.
Cut out your objects and glue them into your outline.
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Cutting out a bird
You are going to make a bird (or birds) for your own Christmas tree at home. If it isn’t
Christmas you can still make your bird, of course. You could hang it like a mobile in
your bedroom.
Materials needed:
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Card, scissors and glue.
One or more of: paints, crayons, coloured pencils, pastels or ink.
Instructions
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Look carefully at the birds Gary has made. Notice how he has made the beaks and
feet and where he has placed the wings.
Decide on the bird you want to make.
You could make a stencil* if you want to make several birds that are all the same,
otherwise just draw the outline of your bird onto card.
Colour in your bird, adding feathery patterns or spots for decoration if you want
to.
Hang your bird(s) on your Christmas tree.
http://kids.tate.org.uk
Art of the garden
You are going to create your own 3D flower that you can “plant” out in a garden or even
a make believe garden. If you work with friends you could create your own spectacular
fantasy garden. You might even choose to wear your flower as a costume.
Materials needed:
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Coloured card.
Paint, crayons, pastels etc.
Various pieces of coloured paper etc if you want to stick additional patterns on
your flower.
Bamboo sticks.
Glue, cellotape, scissors etc.
Instructions
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First of all you need to look carefully at the flowers in your garden or in a public
garden if you do not have one of your own.
Take notice of the different colours and shapes of the flowers and think about how
you could recreate them.
Create your flowers. Check out the ideas below in “Top Tips”.
Give you flower its own name. Why not give it a very long Latin name like Marc
Quinn did (or make up a nonsense name if you like.)
“Plant” your flower.
http://kids.tate.org.uk
A hamburger collage
Materials needed:
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9x12 black construction paper
crayons or markers
construction paper - various colors (brown, green, red, white, orange, yellow etc.)
scissors
glue
Instructions
1. Have some sample cut outs ready for your demonstration (ie: hamburger bun,
tomato slices, blobs for ketchup and mustard, pickles, lettuce, swirls for onions,
etc.) See image above for ideas.
2. Show students how they can "build" a hamburger using construction paper.
3. Demonstrate by gluing the various pieces down on a dark colored construction
paper (we used black). Start with the bottom bun, add some ketchup, mustard and
mayo. Layer the beef patty, a slice of cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, pickles,
onions, etc. Finish off with the top bun.
4. Crayon or marker can be used to add enhancements to the paper (grill marks on
the patty, texture on the tomatoes, etc.)
5. After the demonstration, allow the students to create their own hamburgers (or hot
dogs, or submarine sandwiches).
www.kinderart.com
Tissue Paper Painting Sculpture
Materials needed:
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Tissue paper in various colors
Cardboard
White glue
Old paintbrushes (various sizes)
Optional: scissors
Instructions
1. Gather up a few piles of tissue paper (various colors) and start to tear them into
small, medium and large pieces.
2. Decide on an image. We chose flowers in a vase.
3. Optional: Draw a light outline of the image onto the cardboard.
4. Pour some white glue into an empty yogurt container. If it is really thick, add a
touch of water to thin it out a little bit.
5. Start filling in the image on the cardboard with the tissue paper pieces. First,
brush a little glue onto the board (work at one small area at a time) and then add
the tissue paper. Then, brush a light coating of glue over top of the tissue paper to
secure it.
6. Continue this process until you have a completed tissue paper painting sculpture!
www.kinderart.com