Looking For Treasure

 Treasure hunters greet this month with vigour, as new discoveries are waiting around every corner!  Whether it’s the first crocus poking it’s head out of the ground, or the first patch of grass peaking from beneath the snow, each little gem is telling us Spring is on the way.  And with leprechauns hiding pots of gold, and bunnies hiding eggs, it seems like we’re bound to discover at least one surprise!  Try these treasure inspired crafts with your little treasures:

Pot of Gold Guessing Game – which end of the rainbow is hiding the pot of gold?

Supply List:

1. Drawing paper
2. Newsprint & construction paper to make rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
3. Black & yellow construction paper for pot of gold
4. Green construction paper to make bushes
5. Glue, scissors.  

Directions:

1. Make a rainbow template using newsprint:  Draw a semi-circle.  Following the arc of the semi-circle, and working from the outside in, cut the template into 6 arcing pieces.   
2. Make rainbow:Trace templates onto construction paper, using the biggest arc piece for red, then orange, yellow, green, blue purple.  Glue the rainbow pieces onto drawing paper in order.
   
3. Make pot of gold: Cut pot from black paper.  Cut gold from yellow paper, and glue to top of pot.
   
4. Make bushes: Cut two fluffy bushes (big enough to cover pot of gold) from green paper.  Glue only the top of each bush to the ends of the rainbow, creating a ‘lift the flap’ style picture.
   
5. Let dry and then hide the pot of gold under one of the bushes to play ‘where’s the pot of gold’ guessing game.
6. Note:  If preferred, omit cutting rainbow from construction paper, and simply draw rainbow onto paper using crayons. 

 Treasure Hunt Box – For Gold or Easter Eggs!

Supply List:

1. 500 ml plastic container (from yogurt etc) or box (e.g. kid’s shoe box)
   
2. Coloured paper and old magazines,
   
3. Glue
4. paintbrush, sponge, or cotton balls
5. waxed paper or plastic lid
   

Directions: 

1. Organize the papers that will cover your box – cut papers into strips, squares, or other shapes, clip magazine pictures illustrating ‘spring’ images (flowers, animals, etc)
2.  Pour generous amount of glue onto waxed paper or plastic lid.
   
3. Dip sponge, paintbrush, or cotton ball into glue and dab onto container, and also onto paper clipping.  Cover glued area of container with glued clipping.  Repeat, covering entire outside surface of container with papers.  Let dry.
4.   Dilute glue with water (3 parts glue to 1 part water) and cover entire surface area with glue.  Let dry.  Repeat, if desired, to create smooth finish.
   
5. Once dry, fill your box or container with treasure and take turns hiding and finding!

The Art of the Egg

We love colouring eggs at Easter time, but our eggs quickly get eaten on Easter morning.  Many eastern European ethnic groups (Ukrainians, Poles, Romanians,and Bulgarians, to name a few) create intricate designs on eggs that can be displayed for years to come.  Goose, duck, or hen eggs are blown out and then designs are written on to the shells using hot wax with a stylus or pin-head.  The egg is dyed yellow and then more wax is applied between dyes of orange, red, purple, and black.  This method of egg decorating is called the Pysanka, and dates back to ancient times.  Interestingly, the world’s largest Pysanka resides in Vegreville, Alberta.

Poetry or Prose?

You may not remember all of the poetry you studied back in your school days, but it might be worth brushing up on the Limerick in time for St. Patty’s day.  You just never know when a leprechaun might start spouting poetic clues to his pot of gold!  Limericks are perfect for older preschoolers and early elementary kids who love to rhyme – try writing a limerick together.  We’ve highlighted the ‘rules’ of writing limericks below:

The Limerick:
5 line poem
1^st, 2^nd, 5^th lines rhyme
3^rd and 4^th lines rhyme
1^st, 3^rd, 5^th lines have the same length and rhythm, or meter
2^nd and 4^th lines have the same length and rhythm, or meter

 

An example we’re all familiar with, first printed in Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, by Mary Cooper, in 1744:

Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory Dickory Dock

Five Minute Fun – Easter Bunny Ears

White paper and some pink crayons are all you need to help the kids fashion their very own set of bunny ears.  Make an ear pattern on an old piece of newspaper, then let them trace the pattern, cut out the ears, and colour pink centers.  Finish the ears by taping or gluing to a headband or wide band of paper measured to slip onto their head.

Kids Craft Club – One Month at a Time

Interested in the Kids Craft Club ?  Now you can use our new monthly payment plan.  Purchase your first craft for $10.99, then pay just $9.99 per month after that.  The kids can keep receiving crafts every month without the hassle of subscription renewals!