Oh Canada!

Whether at the cabin, the cottage, the camp, or even just the backyard, Canadians from coast to coast are celebrating Canada Day today!  Red and white clothing, face paints, and washable tattoos all make great fun for kids on Canada Day.  Looking for more great ways to celebrate Canada?  Try these Canada inspired crafts to make the celebration last the whole month long: 

Nunavut Provincial Flag Craft:

 

Nunavut is Canada’s youngest region, becoming it’s own territory in April, 1999.  Make this simple Inukshuk flag to celebrate Canada’s youngest territory!

Supplies: white paper, construction paper (red, yellow, blue), scissors, glue

Directions: Cut a yellow piece of construction paper that is exactly half the length of your white paper.  Glue into place, covering left half of the white paper.  Make inukshuk: cut red construction paper to the same height as white/yellow flag.  Then cut red paper into 3 small horizonal blocks, 1 longer horizontal block, and 1 small vertical block.  Round the edges of each block to create the appearance of rocks (see Nunavut flag photo).  Glue blocks to middle of flag to create inukshuk.  Cut blue star and place on white portion of flag 

Note: Extend this craft project by going outside and building an Inukshuk using stones, or by replicating the flag of your province!  You can view provincial flags at The Flag Shop

Canadian Moose Craft:

 

Supplies: craft paper, cardboard (such as from cereal box), or other ‘background’ paper, ice cream lid or paper plate, brown paint, googly eyes, black pompom, twigs from trees with a few branches to look like antlers 

Directions: pour brown paint into ice cream lid or paper plate.  Stamp foot into paint, then stamp onto background paper or cardboard with heal of foot closest to bottom of paper, to create moose head.  Decorate your moose head:  Place googly eyes at ball of footprint, and place nose at heal of footprint.  Make antlers by gluing twigs to top of footprint (at the toes).

Note: Mom and Dad can join in on the fun to create a moose family!  Their extra big footprints will make large moose heads, while the kids can be the smaller moose

 

Fun Facts About The Canada Flag

 

The Maple Leaf Flag is a work of art that has achieved international recognition.  The flag itself is young; it was adopted as the official flag of Canada in February, 1965.  Use these guidelines to recreate the flag with construction paper or fabric:  The length of the flag should be twice the height, and the white portion of the flag is exactly double the length of each red portion.  The central maple leaf has 3 major points that each break into 3 smaller points.  The number of points on the flag has no symbolic significance – this is simply the best configuration to look good while blowing in the wind!  

 

Sing it Loud!

‘O Canada’ became Canada’s national anthem on July 1, 1980.  The official lyrics are known to most adults, but can sometimes be tricky for kids.  Try singing this song with your little ones – their word changes often produce very uniquely entertaining renditions of the song!

Kids in the Kitchen – Strawberry Popsicles

Nothing says ‘summer is here’ as well as the beginning of strawberry season!  Try these yummy frozen treats with your kids for a refreshing summer time snack:

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 cups plain yogurt
Popsicle holder, ice cube tray, or paper cups and popsicle sticks

Mix yogurt and strawberries.  Alternately, blend yogurt and strawberries for smooth consistency.  Spoon into ice cube tray, popsicle holder, or paper cups.  Freeze for 20 minutes.  Add sticks (if using paper cups or ice cube tray), and freeze until firm.

Five Minute Fun – Summer Time Streamers

Turn a simple stick or rubber bracelet into summer time fun by securing lengths of ribbon or crepe streamers.  Kids can wear the bracelets or twirl the stick to add some dazzle to their outdoor running games!

Our Newest Additions – Invitation Kit, Scrapbook Kit

Craft Caravan is excited to introduce our latest Card Kit additions.  Our ‘About Me’ scrapbook kit is perfect for kids to work on over the summer, or try the Invitation Kit for your next big bash!