How to Make a Halloween Handprint Spider

Halloween is the time of year for fun costumes, candy and ghost stories. And what would this fun and spooky time of year be without spooky decorations? Having lots or even a little scary things hanging around the house  really sets the mood for this spooky holiday just as like a decorated tree and mistletoe sets the mood for Christmas.

Spiders may not be supernatural creatures like ghosts, goblins, or witches but they are pretty scary! However these 8 legged creatures are not too scary for the little ones. Plus, spider crafts provide an opportunity to learn about living things. Here is a cute and fun spider decoration craft for preschoolers to make. In fact, it's easy enough for even toddlers to do with a little help from an older person or adult! These spider crafts make a great decoration to put on your front door or window to greet trick or treaters on Halloween!

What You Need

*Card stock or construction paper (any color but black)
*Black tempera or poster paint
*Paintbrush
*Googly eyes
*Glue

Instructions

1. Using the paintbrush, paint your child's palm and all fingers but not the thumb with black paint.

2. Have your child press their hand down on the paper firmly.

3. Paint the child's other hand the same way as instructed above.

4. Have your child press that hand down on the paper, overlapping the first handprint and making sure the fingers are across from the ones in the original print. This will form the spider's body.

5. Have your child use the paintbrush or his or her fingers to paint any areas of the spider's body that are not filled in. Let the paint dry.

6. Glue on googly eyes. Let dry.

However this is not the only way to do it! Here are some tips are suggestions to make it even more fun to do with your child!

Cover the work area with newspapers. This project could get messy!

If you prefer, you could use black construction paper and a different color of paint.

If you want a spider cutout, trace the child's hand (minus the thumb) onto a piece of construction paper. Place the other hand so that it overlaps the first handprint, trace all but the thumb, and cut around the edges. Glue on googly eyes, punch a hole in the top, and hang up with a piece of string.

Your child might like to use paint in a different color to add a mouth and/or nose.

To really make the spider stand out, let the paint dry completely and embellish with glitter glue or metallic paint. Or you could glue on some pom poms or stick on some stickers.

To add to the educational aspect of this project, find a book or website that has lots of pictures of different kinds of spiders to look at with your child. Then encourage him to make a spider that looks like their favorite one. This is fun for you and your child. It even encourages them to learn about nature and express their creativity!

Make An Oil Bottle

Make an oil Bottle.
Something that has really fascinated kids for long time is that oil and water won't mix together! They can shake and shake and shake but it won't mix. Here's how you can do this science experiment with your children by doing this easy kids crafts idea.


What you will need:

• A clean, empty, clear wanter bottle with no label.
• Water
• Vegetable oil
• Masking tape

Here's how to make your own oil bottle with your child:

1. Pour in a quarter cup oil into the bottle
2. Make sure the outside is clean
3. Have your child fill the rest of the bottle with water
4. Close the bottle top tightly, or it will leak.
5. You can (or not) have your child help you put masking tape around the top of the bottle with the cap,, this makes sure it doesn't get opened, wrap around 4-6 times with tape
6. Shake to make sure it does not leak
7. Give to your child and have fun! . 

Note: The oil and water can get old you may want to replace this after a few weeks.

How To Make Paper Crowns

Paper crowns for kings and queens, princes and princesses are always a lot of fun and a great tool to create childhood memories! How much fun can you have with a pillow fort and some paper crowns? Enjoy doing this easy kids crafts idea with your child.

What you will need:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue and or Tape
• Crayons and or Markers

Instructions

1. Cut a strip of paper about 2 inches wide along the long side of the construction paper.
2. Measure the strip around your child's head, make sure it's large enough for them to get it on and off without being so loose it falls over their head. Mark the length of the strip with a marker or crayon since you have already got them handy.
3. Go to the left over paper and cut three triangles. Two smaller ones and one larger on to put in the middle of the paper crown.
4. Have your child carefully color and design the strip of paper and triangles. The triangles may have large gem designs in them while the strip of paper may have small jewels or gems.
5. Once colored lay the strip of paper down flat with the inside part that will face your child's head up. Take the triangles and glue them to the paper strip allowing as much as the triangle to be above the paper strip as possible, make sure the triangles design faces towards the table. (so you can't see)
6. Once the glue has dried completely you may move the the next step.
7. Now measure strip to the size you marked and glue or tape that part of the paper crown. If glue keep pressure on the glued ends of the strip until dry.
8. Let you child wear their new crown!

Halloween Cut-Outs: Easy Kids Crafts Idea For Halloween Preparation

As Halloween approaches I'm sure that many thoughts come to mind,  tricker treaters, costumes, parties, candy, and of course decorations. However one thing that is always enjoyed is spending time with your child, how do you do this with all these things you have to get done with the upcoming holiday? The answer is simple include your child in the activities. Here's a way that you can spend time with your child with a Halloween kids crafts idea.

Making Halloween Walk Hanging Cut Outs

The first thing your going to want to do is to gather your supplies, here's what you will need:

• Paper
• Crayons/Markers
• Scissors
• Tape

1. Use the paper to draw out some Halloween shapes with the marker, Pumpkins, bats, cats, broom sticks, etc.
2. Have your child color and design the shapes! Encourage them to use the colors they want but you can remind them that good Halloween colors are orange, black, purple. If you have your child color the shapes while still on the page it makes it easier to keep the surface underneath clean and also you don't have to worry about coloring outside the lines.
3. Use the scissors to cut the shape out of the paper, be careful when doing this, this is a par you will want to do rather then your child!
4. Have your child help you decide where to put up the new Halloween decorations, hang with clear scotch tape. To hang without seeing the tape take a 3 inch piece of tape and curl it to barely meet so it becomes a stick loop that you can stick to the back of the cut out and the wall, or use double sided tape.

Ideas For Kids Crafts For Toddlers

Great ideas for kids crafts don't have to wait until your kids are of school age. Toddlers love to explore new things, and their minds are as active as their bodies as they do this. Planning ides for creative fun for 0-3 year olds might seem daunting. Sometimes it seems an impossible idea to have them sit down and do crafts, but it might just be easier than you think. Crafts that keep them engaged are great for their cognitive development and hand-eye coordination.

Keeping it simple is the key to success when finding ideas for kids crafts with toddlers. They do not have the attention span needed to create things that require a great deal of time or long-winded instructions. Crafts that can be completed in a few simple steps are better at holding their attention, and will have a better chance of geting finished happily.

When choosing toddler crafts, keep in mind that all materials should be reasonably safe for young children. If sharp objects are required, you will need to do the part that requires their use. Very small objects such as seed beads should not be used because they could easily be swallowed without your knowledge. Anything the size of a large button or bigger should not pose a problem as long as you provide close supervision.

Here are some simple ideas for kids crafts to try out with your toddler!

1. Pasta Jewelry - This idea for kids crafts can be as simple as threading different noodles onto a piece of yarn, and tying the ends together to create a necklace. 
2. Paper Plate Fish Craft For Kids - This fun and easy idea for kids crafts will inspire underwater adventures for your toddler.
3. Paper Plate Mask For Kids - Holes in paper plates have never been so much fun!
4. Simple Collage Craft For Kids - A great way to create fun pictures of anything!
5. Play Doh sculptures - You may only end up with squished shapes, but how much fun will your child(ren) have?

What other ideas for kids crafts for toddlers do you have? Please share!

Chenille Stem Butterfly Mobile

Colorful butterflies capture everyone's fancy. They make a welcome craft project anytime of year as they add color and thoughts of flying free to any space. This chenille stem butterfly mobile makes a great project for children, and it gives them a beautiful decoration to hang up in their rooms. As this craft requires cutting the chenille stems, it will require adult participation and supervision.

What You Need

• Black chenille stems
• Bumpy chenille stems in various bright colors
• Pom poms in various colors
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nose pliers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper plate
• Paint or markers
• Hole punch
• Fishing line

How To Put It Together

1. Take one black chenille stem and cut it in half. Place to the side for later..
2. Bend one bumpy chenille stem in half, creasing it at the base, creating a V-shape.
3. Bend one end of the V-shaped stem down toward the base, creating a sort of half circle. Bend the tip around the V.
4. Repeat again with the other side of the bumpy chenille stem.
5. Use the needle-nose pliers to tuck away the sharp ends.
6. Push the middle of each half circle in toward the middle, making a hard crease. It should be shaped like a capital B on the right and a backward capital B on the left. These form the butterfly wings.
7. Fold the black chenille stem you cut earlier in half. Twist the bent end about half an inch from the bend.
8. Slide the butterfly wings between the ends of the black chenille stem. Twist the ends above the butterfly to hold in place.
9. Separate the ends of the black chenille stem. Bend them to create antennae for the butterfly.
10. Put coordinating pom poms in the openings of the wings and glue them in place. Let dry.
11. Make as many more butterflies as you would like for your mobile.
12. Decorate the paper plate with paint or markers. You might want to paint a sky scene on it, draw a flower garden or do an abstract pattern in colors that match the butterflies.
13. Punch a hole where you want each butterfly to hang. Then punch four evenly spaced holes around the sides of the paper plate.
14. Cut four pieces of fishing line of the same length. For each piece, thread one of the ends through one of the holes around the edges, and tie. Tie the other ends together to create a hanger for the mobile.
15. Cut fishing line in various lengths to hang your butterflies. Tie one end to the middle of the butterfly, and run the other through a hole in the plate. Secure with clear tape or glue.
16. Hang your mobile from the ceiling and enjoy!

Have fun making a colorful butterfly mobile!

Review for Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of all Ages

Kids love learning to knit. Knitting improves children’s concentration, trains their fine motor skills, and teaches them patience, all while doing something enjoyable and fun.

The Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of all Ages
is geared for children aged 4 and up. It is divided into 8 chapters:

• Getting started – various knitting tools
• Knitting with two needles
• Shaping
• The purl stitch, stockinette stitch and ribbing
• Knitting in the round
• New stitch patterns
• Your first sweater
• Shopping for yarn

The book contains beautiful color photographs and attracts readers of all ages. The instructions provided are very child-friendly and give in-depth information to turn any beginner into a successful knitter. The various projects described are arranged in degrees of difficulty.

The book teaches children how to do proper blocking, how to make backpacks, hats, puppets, sweaters and scarves. It also shows them how to make wooden needles, sewing knitting bags and much more.

This book would make a terrific gift for any child with an interest in knitting.

Easy Knitting Ideas for Children

Knitting is often viewed as an activity for elderly ladies. Many young adults express an interest in it as well, knitting fashionable sweaters and funky scarves for themselves and their friends and families. Did you know that knitting is a wonderful activity for kids, too?

Children tend to become bored easily, and knitting is a very effective remedy. During car trips or while waiting for dinner, kids can occupy themselves by knitting. It helps them develop longer attention spans and improves their fine motor skills, and most kids find it enjoyable and relaxing.

There are many simple knitting projects that kids can do. Here are ten ideas:

1) Bookmarks – You can quickly and easily create a yarn bookmark by finger knitting. This is a great first project, as it requires no needles and no fancy stitches. All kids have to do is make a row of stitches.

2) Scarves – Simple scarves are among the easiest knitting projects. Using one color and the basic stitch, this provides excellent practice for young knitters. And the finished product makes a useful accessory for your child, or could be given as a gift to a grandparent or other family member to cherish for years to come.

3) Belts – Knitting a belt is very similar to knitting a scarf. The main difference is that it’s not as wide. Just knit a rectangle long enough to go around the waist and tie, and you’re done.

4) Squares – Knitted squares can be used in a variety of projects. If you need some for something you’re working on, let your child make them. This is a great way to practice making nice, even stitches that aren’t too tight.

5) Bean bags – A basic bean bag is easy to make out of two knitted squares. And if your child is interested in sewing, it provides an opportunity to practise that as well. Just have your child knit two squares of the same size, sew them together on three sides, put some beans in an old stocking and insert it in the bag. Sew the fourth side up, and it’s all done!

6) Coasters – Knitted squares can be used as coasters. Your child can knit up a set to use at home or give as a gift. If she would like to try a different shape, patterns can be found online and in beginners’ knitting books.

7) Dishcloths – Knitted dishcloths are great for getting those stubborn plates clean. And they make wonderful projects for young knitters. The broken rib pattern is a good choice for this project, and it’s an easy new stitch pattern to introduce to kids.

8) Envelope purses – An envelope purse is very easy for kids to make. Just knit a large rectangle, fold it together leaving a flap at the top, and sew the sides together. Add a knitted strap, and you have a stylish new bag.

9) Baby bibs – If there’s a baby in the family, big sisters, brothers or cousins will jump at the chance to make something for him. Knitting a baby bib can be as easy as stitching a large square and a cord, then sewing the cord on.

10) Animals – Knitting stuffed animals is a good way to introduce shapes to kids. They can knit two simple animal shapes, sew them on all sides but one, stuff and finish for a cute new toy.

Easy Sewing Project Ideas for Children

Finding sewing project ideas for children can be quite overwhelming. Most sewing projects are quite detailed, and patterns seem to be written in code! Not all sewing projects have to be so difficult. There are several easy sewing projects that children can try that they will enjoy the results of.

1) Bags – You don’t have to be an expert to make yourself a new purse. Envelope purses are very easy to make. Just cut out a large rectangle, fold up leaving a flap, and sew the sides together. Add a strap and you’re done! Drawstring bags are also a cinch.

2) Potholders – The potholder is a classic beginner’s sewing project. If you can cut squares out of fabric and filling material and sew seams, you can make one in a snap.

3) Heating pad – Heating pads are great for soothing sore muscles, and they’re simple to sew. Just cut a rectangle of fabric, fold the right sides together and sew the sides together. Turn right side out, fill with rice, and sew the fourth side up. Pop in the microwave to heat.

4) Pre-printed pillow tops – Those adorable handmade pillows can be easily made with pre-printed pillow tops. Just buy a kit and follow the directions for a unique throw pillow.

5) Stuffed animals – You don’t have to be an expert to sew a stuffed animal. You can whip one up out of any kind of fabric. Snakes are easy to make out of strips of scrap material. Just fold the right side of the strip together lengthwise, sew the edges together, turn right side out and stuff with batting. Sew the ends closed and draw a face on for a quick and easy toy.

6) Shawls – A shawl is an fun accessory for special occasions, yet it’s a cinch to make. All you need is a couple of yards of fabric and some thread, and there’s very little cutting involved.

Sewing Safety Tips for Young Children,

If you enjoy sewing, it is likely that your child is curious about sewing also. While we don’t want to discourage from learning this creative activity,Tte image of kids with sharp scissors and needles in hand makes almost all parents cringe. Fine motor skillls as well as math skills can be taught with sewing, it is a skill that everyone will find useful at some point in their life.

With proper safety precautions, sewing can be taught to even toddlers! While it doesn’t make much sense to let a three-year old loose with a sewing machine, even young kids can get started with the right tools and close supervision. Here are five safety tips to remember when dealing with budding tailors and seamstresses.

1.) Use age-appropriate supplies. Sewing scissors are too sharp and too large for young hands, and regular sewing needles present a laundry list of dangers. Let your child work with safety scissors and a plastic needle. If you give him a loosely knit, porous fabric, they will work just fine.

2.) Watch your child closely, especially during the first few attempts. For the youngest children, swallowing small parts such as needles and spools of thread is a concern. And even safety scissors could cut little hands. Until your child gets the hang of things, careful supervision is of the utmost importance.

3.) Maintain strict control over the sewing machine. Children younger than eight years old probably don’t have the motor skills and good judgment to attempt machine sewing. At eight years of age, it’s up to the parent to decide whether the child is ready. If you feel that she is, provide plenty of guidance and stay right with her while she makes those first stitches.

4.) Make sure the sewing machine is secured and inoperable when you’re not around. Put the needle and pressure foot down when done sewing, cover the machine and turn it off. You may even want to unplug it as an added precaution. Kids who are curious about sewing might try to use the machine when you’re not around, and if it’s not properly secured, they could be seriously injured.

5.) Keep scissors, needles and pins put up and out of kids’ reach when not in use. These things create a temptation for young, unsupervised kids as well. It’s also wise to keep a magnetic pin cushion in case of spillage.

Encouraging your child’s interest in sewing may help him develop a lifelong interest in this activity. This may serve him well later in life. He may even decide to sew clothes for himself or his family, or perhaps become a fashion designer in the future!

Physical Benefits of Arts and Crafts

Kids love art because it gives them opportunities for self-expression and a sense of accomplishment. Parents love it when their kids create art because it keeps them quietly and productively occupied. Little thought is usually given to the physical benefits of art, but they are significant.

It’s easy to see how art promotes hand-eye coordination. The simple act of putting crayon or pencil to paper and scribbling requires the hands and eyes to work together. Once that’s mastered, the child can take it a step further to begin to form lines and shapes.

Another important benefit of art involves the development of muscles in the hands and fingers. If you think about it, this makes as much sense as the relationship between art and hand-eye coordination. Going back to the drawing example, a child must learn to properly hold a crayon in order to successfully use it. Doing so requires him to use specific muscles in the hand that may have previously been rarely utilized. These are the same muscles that he will use later in life to perform everyday tasks such as writing.

Drawing isn’t the only type of art that develops muscles in the hands and fingers. Virtually every type of visual art offers such benefits in one way or another. Finger painting, for instance, requires controlled movement of the fingers. Painting with a paintbrush requires kids to grip in a different manner than that used when drawing or writing. And modeling clay or play dough involves squeezing, mashing and rolling.

Using scissors is another activity that is great for building muscles in the hands. The motions required to open and close the scissors work the hand in ways that few other activities do. Children can also build important muscles by beading. Using chenille stems and large beads makes it easy enough for small hands without compromising the benefits of the activity.

Even music can help develop hand and finger muscles. The most obvious example is playing the piano. The motions used to strike the keys directly correlate with those used in typing, which is an important skill later in life. Wind instruments also require certain hand motions. Even gripping drumsticks offers unique benefits.

Art in any form provides more benefits for young children than most of us realize. It’s good in a number of ways for cognitive and emotional development. And those simple tasks that we take for granted can help children build a good foundation for skills that they will use in coming years. From a simple pen and paper drawing to an intricate clay figurine, any art project can provide opportunities for kids to use hand and finger muscles in ways that they may not have used them before.

Toxic Chemicals in Common Art Supplies

Art is a wonderful thing for children. It helps them develop creativity, cognitive skills and motor skills. It is also great for self-esteem. While these benefits are undeniable, art also poses some risks to children. That’s because many art supplies contain toxic chemicals.

It’s fairly well known that kids should not be exposed to certain types of paint. The chemical fumes are quite obvious, and the containers are clearly labeled with warnings about breathing those fumes and ingesting the product. But many parents are unaware that not every product that contains toxic ingredients is clearly identified. There are certain labeling standards that must be adhered to by law, but the label doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Every art supply sold in the United States must conform to ASTM D 4236 standards. This means that they must display warnings if they present an acute or chronic health hazard. Manufacturers are not, however, required to list each product’s ingredients on the label.

Some art supply manufacturers have their products tested by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), which is a non-profit organization that conducts evaluation and testing. ACMI may approve the product or require the manufacturer to place a caution label on it. Products with caution labels are not recommended for use by children.

While these measures are helpful, some harmful products can still slip through the cracks. For example, in 2000, three brands of crayons bearing the ACMI seal of approval were reportedly found to contain asbestos. While asbestos was not used as an ingredient, it may contaminate talc, which was an ingredient. ACMI testing did not find asbestos, but the manufacturers voluntarily stopped using talc in their products.

Another concern involves ACMI’s standards for approval. They do not require that products contain no toxins whatsoever, but that toxins not be present in quantities that pose a hazard. That means that approved products may contain small amounts of solvents, heavy metals, phthalates and other substances that are known to be dangerous.

How to Choose Safe Products

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that a product we buy off the shelves contains absolutely no toxic chemicals. But we can make choices that are less likely to harm our children’s health. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Avoid oil-based paints. They often contain solvents that can cause serious health problems. Watercolors are the safest choice for children, but even they can contain dangerous pigments. Make sure they bear the ACMI approved seal.

• Keep kids away from anything with a strong smell. This is usually an indicator that a solvent is present. In addition to paint, such solvents may be found in markers. Choose markers that are water-based if possible. Alcohol-based markers contain some toxins, but they are less toxic than solvent-based ones.

• Steer clear of rubber cement and similar adhesives. They contain neurotoxins. White glue and library paste are much safer choices.

• Do not allow children to work with dry clay. Clay contains silica, which can be harmful if inhaled. Wet clay is much safer. Children should be kept away from kilns, because some of the dust is released when clay is dried in them.

If you are concerned about toxic chemicals in store-bought art supplies, you can make your own. Finger paint and playdough are easy to make at home. Using all-natural ingredients can eliminate concerns about hazardous chemicals. Recipes may be found on this blog or in many other places online.

It’s unfortunate that many art supplies can be detrimental to our children’s health. But if we make informed choices, we can greatly reduce the risk and concentrate on the good things about art for kids.

The Importance of Art and Self-Expression in Toddlers

The toddler years are full of discovery for a child. Not only is she learning about the world around her, she’s also learning about herself. One of the most discussed aspects of toddlerhood is how children learn to use words to convey their thoughts and feelings. But children also learn to express themselves in other ways during the early years.

One of the most intriguing ways that youngsters express themselves is through art. If you hand a young child a crayon and a piece of paper, she will almost certainly start scribbling away contentedly. While this may not look like art to an adult, it’s fascinating to young minds.

Toddlers are not consciously aware of color co-ordination and spatial relationships. But art can give them a sense of these things. And this is only the beginning. Some of the many benefits of art for toddlers include:

• Art boosts a child’s confidence. Even monochromatic scribbles on a piece of paper give kids a sense of accomplishment, because they've created something that wasn’t there before. And as they progress toward using multiple colors and forming recognizable shapes, they gain even more confidence.
• Artistic activities are soothing. Being a toddler can be frustrating, and participating in a quiet activity provides a chance to calm down. Art takes a child’s mind off of the source of frustration and channels it into something enjoyable and productive.
• Art lengthens a child’s attention span. The simple act of putting crayon to paper or squeezing a ball of clay requires a child to pay attention to what she’s doing. And while toddlers tend to spend most of their waking hours on the run, art can keep them sitting still for several minutes at a time. As their skills develop, so will their attention spans.
• Art builds motor skills. Holding a crayon, finger painting, squeezing and flattening clay or play dough, and gluing shapes onto paper all require kids to use their hand muscles in different ways. Such activities also promote hand-eye coordination.
• Creative activities promote abstract thinking. When a child takes an idea and puts it on paper or models it in play dough, she is creating a physical representation of something that exists in her mind. Learning to use this type of thinking early will help your child learn more efficiently throughout life.

Self-expression is a critical part of every child’s development. Speech can help toddlers convey what they’re thinking and feeling, but it can hardly keep up with their constantly evolving brains. Art provides another much-needed outlet for budding young minds, and at the same time it teaches important skills. It’s also lots of fun for them. With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why encouraging toddlers to be artistic is so important.

Easy Craft Ideas for Toddlers

Young children are always on the go. Children have an insatiable need to explore their world, and learn about everything in it. Although children need plenty of time to run around and actively play, a creative project can keep them interested in some quiet time. Crafting can provide a perfect creative project for toddlers and children of all ages.


These easy craft ideas are great for toddlers or young children for several reasons. Simple crafts can help children to develop or improve their hand-eye coordination. Longer attention spans can be developed as you increase the complexity of the craft projects. Simple crafts will also help children learn to follow step by step instructions. Try out these simple children's craft ideas with your toddler!

Craft Stick Puppets

Puppets are fascinating to toddlers. Creating their own puppets is easy, and it's lots of fun. All you really need are some craft or popsicle sticks, construction paper, safety scissors, markers and glue.


Help your toddler cut animal shapes out of construction paper. He can draw faces and other details with washable markers. Glue the stick to the back of the shape, let dry, and he's ready to put on a puppet show. If you want to make more elaborate puppets, try cutting shapes out of foam. Glue on a pom pom for the nose, and add some googly eyes.

These new craft stick puppets can be taken along for when you need to have your toddler quiet and entertained. They will enjoy playing with their new toys that they made, and be happily quiet for a time.

Paint with Pudding

Kids love to fingerpaint, but it's so messy. And there's also the concern about them eating the paint. Even if the paints are nontoxic, it can make cautious parents uneasy. The solution? Let them paint with pudding!


You don't need different flavors to make different colors. Just use one serving of plain vanilla pudding, divide it up into small portions, and add food coloring to create various shades. Give your child a paper plate to use as a canvas for his masterpiece. When he's done, he can eat it with no worries.

Design a T-Shirt

If your toddler sees you sewing or painting clothes with fabric paint, she may want to try her hand at designing clothes. But needles are small and sharp, and fabric paint is messy. What to do? Break out the markers!


Kids can have a blast decorating a plain white t-shirt with colorful markers. If you use washable ones, they can create a design, wear it, and start over after you wash the shirt. If a permanent design is desired, however, you'll have to let him use non-washable markers. You can avoid a mess by covering the work area with newspaper and putting a smock on your toddler.

Placemats

Making placemats out of contact paper is very easy. Have your toddler cut shapes out of construction paper and glue them onto a whole piece of construction paper with a glue stick. He can add detail with markers or embellish with stickers. When he's done, place the artwork on a piece of contact paper, sticky side up. Place another sheet of contact paper on top, sticky side down.


Even if your toddler only has the patience to make one placemat at a time, don't despair. This is an easy project to be packed up, and brought back out when they are ready. Eventually enough will be made to fill the entire table. Then you can start on presents for family or friends! 



Crafting can help your toddler learn important skills while keeping him quietly occupied. Whether it's a rainy day or they are just feeling creative, seize the opportunity to let him channel his imagination into something you can both admire.

Beginning Scrapbooking for Children

Scrapbooking may be something that you are already into. What a fabulous way to spend time with your child(ren)... while helping them learn the art of scrapbooking. If you are just exploring the idea of scrapbooking, what better way to do that than exploring it with your children!

Scrapbooking has been around for ages, but it has recently experienced a surge in popularity. People from all walks of life have discovered the joys of creating albums to showcase their treasured photos and keepsakes. But with all the elaborate scrapbooking techniques and myriad embellishments available, getting started can be intimidating.

The truth is, anyone that can use scissors and glue can scrapbook. And you don't have to spend ridiculous amounts of money to create attractive pages. With some basic supplies and a little imagination, you can create lovely scrapbooks that will be adored for years to come.

What You Need

You can get started scrapbooking on a small budget. Here are the things you'll need.

• An album - Scrapbooking albums come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are 8 1/2" x 11" and 12" x 12". They can be found at most craft supply stores if you don't have a scrapbooking supply store nearby.
• Paper - Scrapbooking paper can be found in a variety of solid colors and patterns. This will be the basis for each page. You may also use scrapbooking paper for journaling and to create your own photo mats and embellishments.
• Cutting tools - You can easily get by with just a good pair of scissors. But an Exacto knife might make photo cropping easier. And if you're no good at cutting straight lines, you might want to invest in a paper cutter.
• Adhesives - There are all sorts of adhesives one could use for scrapbooking. Glue sticks and double-sided tape are quite popular. Some scrapbookers also use rubber cement or glue dots for certain applications. But when you're getting started, just use what you're most comfortable with.
• Photos - Beginning scrapbookers often start out with old photos that they've accumulated over the years. This makes for a nice, nostalgic album. Of course you can also take new pictures for your scrapbook. A digital camera and photo printer are two modern conveniences that make scrapbooking easier, but they are not necessities. Photos taken by a film camera work just as well.

When purchasing scrapbooking supplies, it's important to make sure they are acid-free. This will keep them from harming your priceless photos.

Basic Techniques

You don't have to know a lot about scrapbooking techniques to create an attractive album. Just a few simple techniques will suffice.

One of the first things many scrapbookers learn is how to mat photos. This can be accomplished by simply cutting a square or rectangle that is about a half inch longer and wider than the photo you want to mat. Then glue the photo to the center. To make a photo really stand out, double mat it by cutting out a shape a half inch longer and wider than the first mat, and center the matted photo on it.

Journaling gives scrapbook pages a nice personal touch. Simply write a note about the photos on a page, telling what was happening or sharing your thoughts on the subject. Use paper that coordinates with the background, and be sure to write with an acid-free pen.

Adding borders to your pages gives them a finished look. You can make them out of strips of coordinating scrapbook paper. You don't have to border all four sides. A strip along the top, side or bottom will do. For easy embellishing, use some stickers.

There's no need to throw in the towel if you don't have the time, money or know-how to create elaborate scrapbooks. Just start off simple, and learn new techniques as you go. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy this time with your child(ren)!

Patriotic Hot air Balloon Decoration

How much fun would it be to have a hot air balloon in your backyard?! Well, maybe just a hot air balloon decoration on your table then... This fun craft will raise everyone's spirits for the Fourth of July.

On the Fourth of July, we often look to the sky to watch fireworks in all shapes, sizes and colors. But in some locations, there’s more to see up above. Hot air balloons are festive and fun reminders of the American holiday.

A patriotic hot air balloon decoration in red, white and blue makes a wonderful Independence Day centerpiece.

What You will Need

• Large, white, high quality latex balloon filled with helium
• Large balloon net*
• Small wicker laundry-type basket with two handles
• Red, white and blue crepe paper
• Basket filler in red, white and blue
• Candy or goodie bags

What To Do With It

1. Drape the balloon net over the helium-filled balloon.
2. Divide the ribbons from the balloon net into two equal sets.
3. Tie one half of the ribbons to one of the basket handles. Tie the other half to the other basket handle.
4. Decorate the basket with red, white and blue crepe paper. Wrap it around the basket and secure with clear tape, and/or tie streamers to the handles for decoration.
5. Fill the basket with the patriotic basket filler. Add candy or goody bags, and place in the middle of the table as a centerpiece.

If you prefer, you could add real or silk flowers to the basket instead of candy or goody bags for a unique floral centerpiece. You can also adapt the project to use as a gift holder for birthdays or other holidays by using different colors of crepe and basket filler.


*Balloon nets may be available from a local party supply store or florist. If you can’t find any for sale, here’s how to make one.

Supplies

• 150 feet of decorative ribbon in red, white, and/or blue
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut strips of ribbon long enough to drape over the balloon and tie to the basket, making sure they will keep the balloon at the desired height. Add a few extra inches for tying and to leave room for error.
2. Lay a strip of ribbon flat diagonally. Lay another strip parallel to the first one, about an inch away. Keep laying down strips of ribbon until you have enough to cover the top of the balloon. If using two or more colors, alternate them in a set pattern.
3. Lay a strip of ribbon across the first strip, going diagonally in the opposite direction. Repeat until you have a square of a fishnet pattern large enough to cover the top of the balloon, with enough ribbon hanging to keep the balloon as far as you desire above the basket.
4. Tie knots in the ribbon at the corners to secure the pattern.

Star Studded Door Hanger

This door hanger craft could be altered for any holiday or season, but why not start by trying out this one for the Fourth of July! Spruce up your house with some red, white, and blue, and get ready to celebrate our country's birthday in colorful style!

Independence Day isn’t one of those holidays when most of us go all out with decorations. But why shouldn’t it be? Decking your home out in red, white and blue is lots of fun, and it’s a great way to show your patriotism. This simple yet lovely door hanger is a great project to start with, and it’s so simple that even young children can participate.

Supplies Needed

• 2 small paper plates
• Star-shaped sponge or foam stamp
• Acrylic paint in red or blue
• Red, blue and gold glitter glue
• Shiny red and blue garland
• Craft glue
• White yarn
• Scissors

Directions

1. Cut a piece of yarn approximately a foot long.
2. Cut garland into several pieces, each about 16 inches in length. Five to eight pieces should suffice.
3. Put a thin layer of glue just inside the edge of the top side of one of the paper plates, going all the way around. Place the other plate on top face down, and press the edges together.
4. Place one end of the yarn between the two plates. Place the other end between the plates an inch or two away from the first end to create a hanger.
5. Directly opposite from the middle of the yarn hanger, place the end of each piece of garland between the plates. Press the edges together all the way around to reinforce, and let dry completely.
6. Put a small amount of the acrylic paint in another paper plate or on a piece of newspaper. Dip the star stamp into the paint, and then press the stamp gently into the center of the plate. Remove carefully to avoid smudging.
7. Trace around the star with a contrasting color of glitter glue. Use another color to create a border around the hanger. You could make a solid line or do a zigzag or curlicue pattern. Or, if you prefer, make a border in red and another border inside of it in blue.
8. Use the glitter glue or paint to add a message to your door hanger. “Welcome” and “Happy Independence Day” are two phrases you could use.
9. If desired, wrap the garland tightly around a pencil in a spiral, then let go to make it curl. Let paint and glitter glue dry completely before hanging.

This simple yet festive door hanger is a great way to welcome guests and celebrate the Fourth of July. It also makes a great family project. Each of the kids could make one for his or her bedroom door. And if you don’t have paint, glitter glue and garland on hand, markers and crepe paper can be used instead.

Create an Independence Day T-Shirt

Treat yourself and your family to fabulous shirts to wear for the Fourth of July this year! Children will love to get involved in creating their own designs for their shirts, and designing them for everyone else too! What could be more fun than for the whole family to be sporting original patriotic shirts at the festivities this year, whether it is the town parade, the family barbecue, or the evening fireworks at the park!


T-shirt painting is a craft that almost anyone can do, and it’s lots of fun. So if you’re lacking Independence Day apparel, why not get out the fabric paint and make yourself a patriotic tee? Or better yet, get the family together and let everyone make their own!


There are many ways you could design your Independence Day t-shirt. In general, you’ll need a plain white t-shirt, a t-shirt board or piece of stiff cardboard to place inside the shirt, newspapers, fabric paint and a paintbrush. Before you begin, wash the shirt and do not use fabric softener. Dry and stretch the shirt onto the board to keep it straight and prevent paint from soaking through to the other side.

Fireworks Design Instructions

To make a fireworks t-shirt, use fabric paint in a squeeze bottle. For each firework design, draw a horizontal line in the color of your choice with a break in the middle (in other words, two short lines of the same length side by side). Then make a vertical line that intersects with the horizontal one, again with a break in the middle. This will look like a plus sign with the middle removed. Use another color to make an X in the same manner, but make the lines slightly shorter. Add some dots at the end of each line to finish.

Stars and Stripes Design

Extra Supplies Needed

• Masking tape
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Star-shaped sponge or foam stamp
• Rectangular sponge or foam stamp
• Plastic plate, bowl or lid

Directions

1. Stick a strip of masking tape across the shirt from seam to seam, starting just below the neck opening. Place another strip below that one, overlapping slightly. Repeat until you have taped off a stripe approximately 1 ¾ inches wide.
2. Measure 1 ¾ inches below the stripe you made, and make a light mark with the pencil. Make another stripe just like the first one.
3. Continue placing stripes of tape 1 ¾ inches apart all the way to the bottom of the shirt.
4. Put some red paint in a plastic plate, bowl or lid. Dip the rectangular sponge into the paint, and dab it onto the areas that are not taped off. When finished, let the paint dry completely.
5. Put some blue paint into a plastic plate, bowl or lid. Dip the star-shaped sponge into the paint, and press it carefully onto the shirt anywhere you like. Pull straight up when removing to avoid smudging.
6. Continue adding stars to the shirt as you like. When finished, let dry.  Remove the masking tape.

If you’re particularly artistic, you could try your hand at a Statue of Liberty t-shirt. If you’d rather not paint, try using markers! For a different twist, make a tie-dyed Fourth of July shirt with red and blue dye. For your children's safety you may want to try your hand at creating your tie-dye with food coloring or Kool-Aid! Use your imagination and create a patriotic tee that’s as individual as you are!

Patrotic Necklace

This is a perfect craft for this time of the year! Your child(ren) will love being able to wear jewelry that they had a hand in designing and crafting.


Independence Day is a wonderful time to show your patriotism. In the weeks before the holiday, you can find red, white and blue t-shirts, hats and jewelry in almost any store. But it’s also easy to make your own patriotic clothing and accessories. This patriotic necklace is easy and inexpensive to make, and it’s sure to be quite the conversation piece.

What You Need

• 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• ½ tbsp. water
• ½ tbsp. salt
• Toothpick
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Nylon cord or strong fishing line in desired length, plus about 8 inches (for an 18-inch necklace, the cord should be about 26 inches long)
• Beading needle
• Small red, white and blue beads
• Clasp
• Scissors

Directions

1. Mix flour, salt and water until dough forms.


2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.


3. Model dough into a star shape for the pendant. Make it at least ¼ inch thick. You should have some extra dough when you’re done.


4. Poke the toothpick through the star about ¼ inch from the top, going from side to side so that it will face forward when placed on the necklace.


5. Bake the pendant for 2 to 2 ½ hours. Let cool completely.


6. Paint the pendant with acrylic paint. You could make it solid red, blue or gold, or paint designs on it. Let dry completely.


7. Thread the nylon cord onto the beading needle. String beads onto the cord in the pattern of your choice. Keep stringing beads until the necklace is half done.


8. Add your finished pendant to the necklace. Then continue beading in the same pattern until you’ve added enough beads to make a necklace in the desired length. Make sure you have several inches of cord left on each side so that you can add the clasp.


9. Hold the necklace up to make sure the pendant is centered correctly. If it isn’t, remove beads from one side and add them to the other until it is centered.


10. Tie the eye of the clasp onto one end of the necklace, getting it as close as possible to the last bead. Knot securely, and cut off the excess cord. Tie the hook of the clasp onto the other end, knot and trim.


Want a matching bracelet? You can make one in no time! Just cut a piece of nylon cord about 16 inches long, and string beads in the same pattern you used for the necklace. Make the beaded portion about 7 ½ to 8 inches long. Then add a clasp the same way you did with the necklace, and trim the ends. Now you have a matching set of patriotic jewelry!

This craft could be easily adapted for toddlers by using just elastic cord and beads!

July 4th Themed Utensil Holder and Matching Napkin

Gatherings of family and friends is quite common for the Fourth of July. As you talk about the importance of the holiday with your child(ren), why not enjoy preparing a craft with them that can be enjoyed by all at your gathering!


Independence Day is associated with many things. Most importantly, it’s the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. It’s also a day full of fun and festivities, including parades and fireworks shows. And for many Americans, it’s a time for a picnic or barbeque with family and friends.


An occasion such as the Fourth of July deserves some special table décor. This napkin and utensil holder has a patriotic motif that everyone is sure to love, and provides an attractive and convenient way to store your knives, forks, spoons and napkins.


Supplies Needed

• 4 short cardboard tubes (about the size of bathroom tissue rolls, or slightly longer; but make sure they’re not so long that it will be difficult to remove plastic utensils from them)
• Construction paper in red, white, blue and black
• Blue and gold chenille stems
• 5 ½ inch square of corrugated cardboard
• 4 plastic milk jug lids
• Craft glue or glue stick
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Cut four strips of white construction paper wide enough to cover 2/3 of a cardboard tube and long enough to wrap around it. Cut four strips of blue construction paper wide enough to cover 1/3 of a cardboard tube and wrap around it.
2. Use a thin layer of craft glue or a glue stick to cover each tube with a strip of white construction paper, starting at the bottom. Then glue a strip of blue construction paper starting at the top.
3. Draw a star on white construction paper and cut out. Use the star to trace and cut eleven more white stars.
4. Glue three stars onto the blue section of each roll, spacing them equally.
5. Cut strips of red construction paper 2/3 as long as the cardboard rolls. Glue them lengthwise onto the white portion of each roll, spacing equally to create red and white stripes.
6. Cut out a 5 ½ inch square of black construction paper. Glue it onto the cardboard square.
7. Using the hot glue gun, glue a plastic milk jug lid into the bottom of each tube (the side with stripes) with the flat end to the outside.
8. Arrange the tubes on the cardboard two by two, with the ends containing the lids on the cardboard base. Leave an inch or so in between the rows for napkins. Glue the tubes down. Let dry.
9. Using the hot glue gun, glue a piece of blue chenille stem around the top of each tube. Glue gold chenille stems around the edges of the base.

As you lay out your decorations for the Fourth of July, don't forget to add this to your table. Place utensils in each tube, and stand napkins up in the middle for a beautiful and useful Fourth of July centerpiece.

Calling Guest Crafters!

I would like to offer any crafters out there a chance to become guest crafters on this blog. Anyone is welcome to do so. Please leave a comment, and I will contact you to discuss it further.

Making Musical Instruments From Everyday Objects

Remember how much fun it was to play instruments when you were younger? You might remember gathering with your friends to create a band, and performing for family members.

It is amazing how many simple musical instruments can be made with objects from around our houses or in the recycling bin. I wrote Making Musical Instruments From Everyday Objects over on HubPages to give you a few ideas to start you off. Head over there to check it out and see what else I've been writing about.

I have even had one of my hubs nominated to the prestigious HubNugget Wannabe status!
Voting remains open through June 9, 2009.

Make Sidewalk Chalk In Your Labratory

Making sidewalk chalk in a laboratory is easy to believe, but what if the laboratory is your kitchen?! Check out this easy way to make your own sidewalk chalk, and create your own colors! This project is fun to do, and then the fun continues when you take your chalk out to color with it!

My children loved this project when they were younger. My teenager was on the search for the perfect color for the longest time.

Supplies Needed:

• Toilet Paper Tube OR a paper Towel Tube cut in half
• Aluminum Foil OR Wax Paper
• 1/2 Cup Water
• Food Coloring
• 1 Cup Plaster of Paris

Directions:

1. Seal off one end of your paper tube with a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the food color into the water. Don't be stingy with the coloring... you need a lot to have a vibrant result.
3. Stand your toilet paper tube on a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper. This makes it easier to clean up by containing any spills or leaks. 
4. Pour the mixture into the tube(s) you have set up.
5. When firm, peel off the paper tube. Let the exposed stick of chalk dry overnight. If you let the chalk dry overnight with the paper on, you will spend a good amount of time and effort trying to scrape it off.

Plaster of Paris is easy to find online or at art & craft supply stores. Do NOT put any excess down the drain when cleaning up. Scrape as much as possible into the garbage, as it will solidify in the drain pipes!

Consider using the entire bottle of food coloring in each tube for vibrant colors that last and last!

Keep your chalk in a sealed container between uses.

Don't forget to mix food coloring colors to get a new color or shade.

Homemade Water Color Paints

Ever wondered how water color paint is made? You might be surprised to know that you can make your own water color paints at home from what is already in your kitchen cabinets! Introduce your child to painting with water colors, and beautiful water color paintings from the masters like Claude Monet! Claude Monet was a French artist that lived from 1840 until 1926. He used water colors similar to these to paint.

Supplies Needed:

• 6-8 small paper cups OR another way to keep your paint
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon Glycerin*
• Food Coloring

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the baking soda and the vinegar.
2. Slowly add in the cornstarch and the glycerin.
3. Pour about one teaspoon of the mixture into each cup.
4. Let dry overnight.
5. Once dry, add food coloring to each cup to achieve the desired color. Remember that the color fades as it dries, so make sure to add plenty of food coloring.

Your paint is now ready to use. Dip your paint brush into water, and then into the color of your choice. Make sure to use absorbent paper like construction paper to absorb the excess water. Allow your painting plenty of time to dry undisturbed.

* Glycerin can be found in some grocery stores, art supply stores or online. It is used to stabilize the paint, but the paint can be made without it.

Three Helpful Tips for New Scissor Users

As adults, we think of scissors as nothing more than a simple tool for cutting things. If you can think back to when you were little, you may realize that scissors are held in high regard as something cool by small children. Most children love to practice using scissors, and need no more encouragemnt than to be given a pair of scissors and something to cut!

As parents, we worry about giving our little ones something that they could get hurt with. I dare say that we should worry just as much for the safety of our books, magazines and anything else within their reach that can be cut. We have all heard of a child giving himself, the dog, or the dolls a haircut. Learning to use scissors is an important skill that needs to be mastered at some point, and it need not cause so much apprehension.

3 Tips To Make Scissor Practice Better

1. The scissors you give to your little one can be very important.

Scissors made completely from plastic may appear to be safer, but it can be hard to cut anything with them. This leads to frustration for you child, which may cause them to quickly give up.

Blunt-tipped scissors with metal blades cut so much easier, and are really very safe.

Remember that small hands need small scissors. Large handles are much harder for small hands to hold on to, and large blades are more difficult to control. Small scissors are made with these thoughts in mind, and are created just for kids. These smaller scissors are recommended for children to use until they are comfortable with larger ones.

2. What you give your child to cut can make a huge difference. Common household items like newspapers and magazines may appear to be a good choice, but the thiness of the paper is quite difficult for begginers. Other common household items such as construction paper, old greeting cards, or note cards provide a thickness that is much easier to cut through.

Finding a variety of items will be both exciting for your child, and provide a complete learnign experience for them. A quick search through your home is bound to yield a wide range of materials to be cut up. Thin cardboard boxes, such as cereal boxes, are great for scissor practice. Thicker fabric scrapes are great fun to cut through. Play dough, clay, or a simple bread dough is another great material giving an entirely different texture to cut through.

3. Be patient. Let your kids start out doing their own thing. It is bound to get messy, and straight lines will probably not be seen at the beginning. But giving them their own space to experiment can be the best teacher of all. They will figure out how to hold the scissors, and the easiest way to make them work, and you can teach them the finer points later.

As your child improves, let them move on to bigger challenges. Provide your child with thinner types of paper, thinner types of fabric, or draw straight lines for them to follow as they cut. Work up to following along simple shapes as your child finds it easier to use their scissors. Simple shape outlines drawn on fabric or paper can provide double duty as you use the freshly cut shapes in other crafts!


It is a big step for a child to learn how to cut with scossors. It helps them to develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Cutting is something we all need to know how to do. By providing the right tools and materials, and keeping a close eye on the child(ren), we can help them learn this important skill and have fun doing it.

Colorful Pasta Jewelry

Check out my hub page on how to make Colorful Pasta Jewelry. This is an easy craft that is appropriate for any age! Pasta jewelry can be as simple as stringing noodles onto yarn, or can be turned into some quite fantastic jewelry by the older children. Learn how to dye your pasta to make a colorful design. Another idea is to paint the pasta, either a solid color or with a special design. Perhaps a special message could be written out this way.

Pasta necklaces are a favorite homemade gift that your toddler can give for any occasion.Teenagers may want to try their hand at using silver or gold paint and fishing line or elastic string to make a more elegant design. Others may want to give hook earrings a try!

Any way around it, noodles are cheap enough to try, try again! So have fun and be creative!

Easy Sand Art Project

Sand art draws attention no matter where it is displayed. The more colorful it is, the more attention it attracts. Giving jars of sand art makes for a wonderful present for any holiday or occasion.You can create different themes based on the colors you use. If you use plain white and black tinted sand, you can create a zebra jar. By using pale colors, you can create a desert theme. Every sand art is completely unique, and uniquely beautiful.

If white sand is not easily available, you may want to use salt as your base medium. Either white sand or salt can easily be colored at home.

Supplies Needed:

• white sand or salt
• several small jars with lids
• food coloring
• clear display containers or jars

Directions:

1. Pour the sand or salt into the small jars with lids.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to create the color you desire.
3. Tighten the lids onto the jars, and shake well. This might be a job for the boys in the house!
4. Open the jars, and leave the lids off to dry overnight.
5. Once the sand or salt is dried, pour into display container to layers to create the look you want.

Don't forget to fill your display container all the way to the top if it will be covered. This will help keep the sand or salt in place. If your display container is an open one, leave an inch or two of space at the top so the sand does not spill.

Kids Butterfly Craft - Butterfly Mobiles

This kids butterfly craft is the first of several butterfly craft
projects I am hoping to get put up over the next few weeks! Spring is
full of fresh new life, and is a great time to try something new.
Making some of these playful butterfly craft projects is a great way to
brighten up your day. Children can make these playful butterfly mobiles
to hang in their room, or give away.


Spring is a great time for butterfly craft projects. This butterfly
mobile is a fun craft for children, and is the perfect decoration to
bring new life and spring growth to anywhere!


Here are some simple directions to get you started making butterfly
mobiles.

     Materials Needed

• Black chenille stems in both black and various bright colors
• Pom poms in various colors
• Paper plate
• Markers or paint
• Tape
• Fishing line

     Tools Needed

• Wire cutters 
• Needle-nose pliers 
• Scissors
• Hole punch

     Instructions

1. Cut one black chenille stem in half, and set aside.
2. Bend a colorful chenille stem in half, creasing at the base
   to create a V-shape.
3. Bend one end of the stem down toward the base, creating a
   sort of half circle. Bend the tip around the V.
4. Do the same with the other half of the chenille stem.
5. Use the needle-nose pliers to bend in any exposed sharp
   ends.
6. Push the middle of each half circle in toward the middle,
   making a hard crease. It should be shaped like a capital B on the right
   and a backward capital B on the left. You've now formed the wings of
   the butterfly.
7. Fold the black chenille stem you cut earlier in half. Twist
   the bend end about half an inch from the bend.
8. Slide the butterfly wings between the ends of the black
   chenille stem. Twist the ends above the butterfly to hold it in place.
9. Separate the ends of the black chenille stem. Bend them to
   create antennae for the butterfly.
10. Put coordinating pom poms in the openings of the wings and
    glue them in place. Let dry.
11. Make as many more butterflies as you would like
    for your mobile.
12. Decorate the paper plate. A flower garden, a sky scene, or
    a pattern in colors to contrast your butterflies will help them to
    stand out.

Designed as a game your kids can't wait to play!

ClickN' READ Phonics.

Real reading results.

     Assembling Your Butterfly Mobiles

1. Use the hole punch to create holes to hang each butterfly
   from on the paper plate.
2. Next punch four evenly spaced holes around the sides of the
   paper plate.
3. Cut four pieces of fishing line of the same length.
4. Thread one piece of fishing line through each of the holes
   around the edge of the paper plate and tie into place.
5. Tie the loose ends of the fishing line together to form a
   place to hang your mobile from.
6. Cut additional pieces of fishing line in various lengths to
   hang your butterflies from the paper plate
7. Tie one end of the fishing line to the middle of
   the butterfly, and thread the other end through one of the holes you
   punched into the plate. Secure the loose fihing line with a piece of
   tape.
8. Hang your butterfly mobiles from the ceiling and enjoy!

     Alternate Hanging Idea

Another idea for hanging your butterflies, is to put them up
individually. Create you butterflies, but you will not need the paper
plate to hang them from. Use fishing line or some colorful yarn to hang
them from  items you already have hanging! Tie some to hang
from your haning plants, or from the curtain rod or shades. Dangle a
few from a lamp shade, or a ceiling fixture. Be creative and playful!

Paper Chain - How to Make a Paper Chain

Paper chains are fun and easy paper ornaments for children of all ages to make. This classic craft activity is often forgotten or overlooked. An easy to make paper chain is a great way decorate for special events or holidays. By tailoring your color choices to the event or holiday, you can have a perfectly themed decoration. This is a great craft activity to do as a family, and even young children can easily participate. Involving children in this project can help them develop their hand-eye coordination as they measure, draw lines and cut. It is also a great activity for pattern recognition. For many small children, making easy paper ornaments is the perfect way to introduce a ruler and scissors to them.

Supplies Needed to Make Paper Chain Decorations
Find big savings on Construction Paper at Discount School Supply!

• 9" X 12" Construction Paper
• 12 inch Ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil or pen
• Glue stick, craft glue or stapler and staples
• Markers or crayons(optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Sequins, Buttons, Beads, Confetti, Glitter glue (optional)

Paper Chain - How To Make Paper Chain - The Instructions!

Paper Chain - How To Prepare Your Strips

1. First, decide how wide you want your paper chain links to be. You will want to measure out your paper strips to this width. One inch is a good width. It is large enough for small hands to handle, and small enough to easily link the loops. Adjust the size to fit your tastes and project.
2. Measure your strips along the long side of the construction paper, so that the strips are each 12 inches long. Mark the bottom and top of your paper at your measured width, and then use the ruler to draw a straight line the length of the paper.
3. Repeat this measuring process for the entire width of the paper, using the line you just drew as your new edge. Continue until you have enough strips or have reached the end of your paper.
4. Cut along the lines you have drawn to create your strips. Even small children can be a part of this cutting activity. Be sure to provide them with blunt tip scissors, and supervise them as they cut.
5. Repeat this process to create more strips, or to make strips of a different color.

Paper Chain - How To Tips For Decorating Your Strips

• Decorate your strips however you would like.
• Remember that you will be covering about 1/2 inch of the end of each strip when assembling the links.
• If you decide to use glue to add decorations, or glitter glue, you will need to allow time for the strips to dry before assembling your chain.

Paper Chain - How To Assemble Your Paper Chain

1. Create your first link by overlapping the ends of a paper strip so that it forms a circle. Make sure the decorated side is facing out. Use glue, tape, or staples to affix it in this position.
2. To link the chain together, assemble the next link by running the next paper strip through the first link. Form this strip into a circle with thte decorated side facing out. Secure in the same manner as the first.
3. Repeat this procedure until your paper chain is the desired length.

Paper Chain - How To Tips & Suggestions

• When using two colors, alternate them to create the most appealing chain.
• Use several different colors and create a pattern for your child to reproduce.
• To calculate how many links your chain will need, assemble five or six links and measure the length they create. Calculate how many times this length will need to be used to cover your desired space, and mulitply by how many links are in your original lenngth.
• A finished paper chain is perfect to wrap around a banister or over a door frame. It can also be wrapped around a tree (such as a Christmas tree).
• Another creative use for your paper chain is as a replacement for streamers.

Paper Chain - How To Tailor Your Colors

• Try Red and White for a Valentine's Day chain.
• Green, Orange, and Yellow are a great combination to make a spring chain!
• Pastel colors are perfect for Easter.
• Use Mom's favorite color(s) for Mother's Day.
• Use your school's colors for end of year celebrations, or school sporting events.
• Use Dad's favorite color(s) for Father's Day.
• Red, White and Blue make a great 4th of July or Memorial Day chain!
• Red, Orange, and Yellow are a great Fall theme.
• Orange and Black are classic for Halloween.
• Brown, Orange, and Yellow are perfect for Thanksgiving.
• Red and Green are the classic combination for Christmas.
• Try a Blue and White (Silver) chain for an alternate Christmas or winter idea.
• A Rainbow theme is great for birthdays.
• Pastel Pink and Blue are perfect for baby showers.

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