An Apple A Day…
With Halloween behind us, we can turn our attention away from the diminishing pile of candy to focus on a more healthy alternative: the apple. Canada’s apple season runs well into the fall, making the apple a great winter-time staple. Not only is this a delicious portable fruit for snacks and bag lunches, it also makes a great crafting tool. Try these simple “apple stamp” crafts with your kids:
Apple ‘Star’ Stamp:
Supplies: Apple, pearing knife, paper towel, paper plate, tempura paint, decorating surface (fabric, paper, etc)
Directions: Cut an apple in half horizontally instead of vertically. The seeds will create a star shape. Fold a paper towel into 4ths and lay it on the paper plate. Pour paint on top to create a stamp pad. Dip the cut side of the apple onto the stamp pad and press onto your decorating surface.
Remembrance Day Poppy Print
Supplies: Apple, pearing knife, paper towel, paper plate, red tempura paint, black or green construction paper, scissors, white paper
Directions: Cut apple vertically. Create stamp pad as in Apple ‘Star’ Stamp craft. Dip apple into stamp pad and press 4 stamps onto paper in a circle formation, with narrowest part of apple stamp facing in to center of circle. Let stamp prints dry. Cut circle from black or green construction paper and glue into center of apple stamp poppy.
Extra Extra! Read All About It!
If you’re looking for great Christmas gift ideas, check out November’s West Coast Families Magazine (westcoastfamilies.com) Their Holiday Gift Guide starts on page 24, and Features Craft Caravan’s Christmas Card Making Kits!! We also like the digital photo frame feature from Simpleer.com , under the ‘For the Family’ category.
Fun Facts About Arts And Crafts
The first illustrated children’s book was published in Germany in 1658. That’s almost 350 years of bedtime stories!
Pencils have been around for more than 440 years! The first pencil was invented in England in 1565
Jokes Jokes Jokes!!
Yes, more knock knock jokes. They may get old to parents, but kids can’t seem to get enough of them. Join in the fun with these picks:
Knock Knock.
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you going to invite me in?
And for the Cinderella lover…
Knock Knock.
Who’s there?
Bob.
Bob who?
Bipity Bobity boo!
Five Minute Fun
Salad spinners are fascinating to kids, so why not spin out a great little art creation! Colour some water using food-colouring,. Cut a piece of paper into a circle to fit the bottom of the spinner. Place paper in spinner and add a few drops of various coloured waters. Then close the lid and spin your art! Note: The finished art piece will have a very light colouring similar to watercolour paintings. For more intense colour, use real paint. If you choose paint over water, you may have to sacrifice your salad spinner to the art closet!
