Ring In The New Year!
January means a little more sunlight each day, but the cold weather and snow (or threats of it!) are here to stay for a little longer. Celebrate the winter weather with these simple snowy craft ideas
‘Winter Night’ Painting:
Supplies: Black or blue construction paper, white paint or crayons, other ‘winter’ looking supplies: white pieces of paper, aluminum foil, cotton balls or white facial tissue, snowflake shaped confetti, icing sugar, cornstarch, or flour, white glue or glue stick.
Directions: Create a winter scene using white paint or crayons on construction paper. Use aluminum foil to create a skating pond or to make icicles. Cut out paper ‘blocks’ to make an igloo or use a hole-punch to make snowballs. Add piles of snow with cotton balls. To make a blizzard, dab some glue or glue stick onto the page and sprinkle with icing sugar, cornstarch, or flour.
Pine Cone Skier
Supplies: Pine cone, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaner (cut in half), toothpicks, googly eyes, felt, glue
Directions: Use the pointed end of your pinecone as the head of the skier, with the flat end as the bottom. Attach Popsicle stick ‘skis’ to the bottom of the pinecone using glue. Shape pipe cleaners into arms, bending to make hands that will hold the toothpick ski poles. Add googly eyes for face, and put a cap on top using a piece of felt.
Drawing Conclusions
Research shows that drawing is an extremely important communication tool for children of all ages. Drawing is a great way for parents and caregivers to relate to their kids. Trish Musselle, teacher at General Brock Elementary in Vancouver, supports the research in her kindergarten classroom “Everything we do in class has a drawing element to it”, she says, “the pictures bring out all kinds of stories that the kids wouldn’t otherwise tell.” When supplied with a pencil and sketchpad, kids will create amazing drawings that can lead their parents to wonderful discoveries.
Jokes, Jokes, Jokes!
Thanks to Elyjah and Indah, and their mommy Sharon, of Bamboobino , for these classic knock knocks:
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Amos
Amos who?
A mosquito bit me!
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Andy
Andy who?
Andy bit me again!
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Figs
Figs who?
Figs the doorbell!
Five Minute Fun- Simple Snowman
Draw a snowman and ask the kids to decorate it. Provide crayons, cotton balls, googly eyes, leftover pieces of fabric for scarf and hat, small buttons, twigs or pipe-cleaners for arms, etc. To make it really simple, forego the extra supplies and simply use coloured paper for scarf, hat, buttons, arms…
Thinking Ahead…
Craft Caravan’s Valentine Card making kits are here. Get yours early; entertain the kids with card-making all month long! Two unique kits with custom designed Message Stickers – choose from ‘Cute Creatures’ or ‘Construction’; standard or class-pack sizes.
We’d love to hear about your crafts, jokes, or Five Minute Fun. Let Us Know!