Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are a fun and easy craft that takes its origins in the oriental culture. Paper lanterns are commonly seen in the celebrations for the New Year, but are fun for any party or any other time. This simple paper craft can be used with toddlers using construction paper, or older children may enjoy the challenge of using a more delicate paper that the light can shine through.

You may want to make some of these in preparation for the Chinese New Year that occurs on Sunday February 14, 2010. We may be celebrating Valentine's Day, but this date will also begin the lunar year 4708. This will be the year of the Tiger. you may want to add this craft to a unit study of the Chinese New Year, and have fun celebrating for two reasons this year!

Supplies Needed:

• Construction paper - any color you choose
• Scissors
• Crayons
• Markers
• Tape or Glue

Directions to Make Paper Lantern:

1. Take a piece of construction paper and fold it in the middle along the long way, crease it this way.
2. Take the scissors and cut down 3 inch slits about an 1 apart each in the folded paper along the crease.
3. Carefully open back up the paper.
4. Take the unfolded paper and wrap it around itself so the slits in the paper are vertical, (straight up and down) Glue or tape the ends together. Tape from the inside, or if using glue hold together until dry.
5. Take another piece of paper cut a 1-2 inch strip along the long way of the paper.
6. Tape or glue one end to each side of the paper lantern, this will be the handle.
7. Enjoy!

Additional Tips

• You may want to let your child color the paper and draw on it before turning it in.to a lantern. After cutting the slits into the paper it has a tendency to rip quite easily.

Pine Cone Angels

Pine cones dot the landscape wherever you find conifer trees. It is easy to pick pines cones up from under their branches when you go for a nature walk. Pine cones are easily one of nature's most versatile craft supplies.

If you live in an area that does not have conifer or evergreen trees, you can purchase pine cones at a craft store for next to nothing. Here's a fun and beautiful project to turn a pine cone into an angel.

This project can be adjusted to fit a variety of ages, so even the toddlers can have fun participating. Perhaps your family can create a family of pine cone angels to become natural play toys, or a lovely display to grace your table.


Supplies Needed

• Medium-sized pine cone
• Acorn
• White spray paint or acrylic paint and medium paintbrush
• Black and red acrylic paint and small paintbrush
• Silver or gold glitter
• Glue
• White card stock
• Pencil
• Doll hair or yarn
• Silver chenille stem
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Newspaper (to cover your work area

Directions to Make a Pine Cone Angel

1. If you are using a pine cone that you found outdoors, you may want to bake it in order to kill any bugs inside and dry up the sap in them. To do this, place your cone on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes to an hour.
2. Once the pine cone has cooled, paint it with the spray paint or acrylic paint and paintbrush. Sprinkle lightly with glitter while still wet. Let dry completely.
3. While waiting for the pine cone to dry, paint a face on the acorn. Turn it upside down and use black for the eyes and nose, and red for the mouth and cheeks. Let dry.
4. Glue the acorn head onto the pine cone body, with the pointed side of the pine cone up.
5. Draw a wing shape on the piece of card stock, and cut it out. Trace the shape onto the scrap of card stock, and cut it out as well. Turn one wing over so that they are facing in opposite directions.
6. Using the glue, trace along the inside of each wing. You might also want to make some markings inside the wings. When you're done, sprinkle the wings with glitter, tap off the excess, and let dry completely.
7. Glue the wings onto the angel's back. Let dry.
8. Place some doll hair or yarn in a hair color on the angel's head. Glue into place. Then form the chenille stem into a circle that will fit on top of the head for a halo. Glue into place and let dry.
9. Cut a piece of ribbon about 6 inches long. Form it into a loop and glue the ends to the back of the angel to make a hanger. Let dry completely before hanging up.

Tips

• If you don't like working with loose glitter, try using a tube of glitter glue. Dot some onto the painted pine cone here and there, and draw the details on the wings with it.
• If you prefer, you could use a piece of wide lace to make the wings. Gather the lace in the middle, secure with a piece of chenille stem, and glue to the back of the angel.
• For a more natural looking angel, skip the paint and/or the glitter.
• Try coming up with other characters to make your pine cones into.. perhaps you can create a family of them, or even start a village of pine cone people.
• A simpler pine cone person could skip the acorn.

Easy Ice Sculptures

Ice sculptures are not the first thing we usually think of when we think of easy crafts, but what is it that actually makes them so hard to do? Usually, when we see ice sculptures, it is at a wedding or other formal affair. The beauty of sculpted ice is fascinating to adults and children alike. If you were to find simple instructions for creating an ice sculpture, it might make a fabulous craft to try at home with your children. You could easily turn it into a full fledged family affair, and get everyone involved. With the low cost of the supplies, and how common the items are, this could make a great project to try out any day.

You don't have to give your children sharp objects to create a beautiful ice sculpture. Molded pieces can be assembled to make a creation, or molded pieces can be scraped with flat objects like rulers to create the perfect shapes. Best of all, creating an ice sculpture provides a valuable learning experience for kids of all ages.

Supplies Needed

• Water
• Ice molds and/or plastic containers
• Food coloring
• Salt
• Dish washing liquid

Directions to Make an Ice Sculpture

1. Wash the ice molds or plastic containers thoroughly with dish washing liquid and warm water. You need to make sure there are no traces of dirt or dust inside of them, because if there are, it will affect the outcome of the sculpture.
2. Fill each mold or container about 90% full of water to allow room for expansion during freezing. Add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. If the molds or containers you're using are opaque, you might want to mix the food coloring and water in a clear container beforehand so that you can see the results.
3. Place the molds and containers in the freezer, making sure that they sit level. Allow to freeze at least overnight, and for a couple of days if possible.
4. Remove the molds from the freezer and place them on a table. It's a good idea to do this outdoors if possible, because it will get messy!
5. Have your child or children build sculptures with the various shapes of ice. Each child can build his own sculpture, or they can work together to create one big one.
6. When the sculpture is the way they like it, sprinkle a bit of salt on the parts of the ice that touch other pieces. This will melt the ice a bit, helping the pieces stick together.

Tips

• For best results, use distilled water instead of tap water. Distilled water makes clearer ice, especially if you let it sit in the ice mold for a few hours to overnight before freezing.
• If you'd like to add a little extra shimmer to your ice sculpture, try adding a bit of glitter to the water before freezing.
• If temperatures are below freezing outside, and won't get above freezing for several days, you could leave the molds outdoors to freeze. This will eliminate the need for extra freezer space and make it possible to make as many pieces as you have molds. If you choose to do so, it's best to place the molds in a for sheltered area and leave them for at least a few days to ensure proper freezing.
• For a colorful idea, try mixing food coloring into the water before freezing the mold(s).