Wintery Crafts

We all know that kids love crafts! and as a parent/ teacher it is fun to find things that are fun for them while teaching them developing skills. I love searching the internet to find different craft ideas. There are so many different things you can do with simple materials (many you already have around the house) and for little expense. I find that my kids just love making a craft, they are not picky about what it is they are making as long as they get to cut, glue and color; and they are so proud of what they made when they are done that they have to show everyone who comes in the door for the next few days.

Here are a few simple crafts that we have done recently that the kids really enjoyed. With the winter theme many of the crafts are based on snowmen, snowflakes, penguins, and mitts (or other winter wear). There are also some polar bears or other winter themed crafts to be found, but those are the most popular and you can find many variations on them that will meet the needs of any aged child.

Paperplate Penguins (Luke and Chloe loved this one! They both worked diligently to create it and then proudly showed Daddy – they added a little extra color too)

small paperplates

googley eyes

orange and black markers

white paper

scissors

glue

On piece of white paper trace a small paper plate. On the tracing draw two half circles on the sides for wings and a small circle for the head. On the top third of the small circle draw half circle with a dip or point going down in the middle for the crown of the penguin. On the same sheet of paper, draw 3 triangles, one large one for the beak and two smaller ones for feet. (Depending on the age of the child they can draw these themselves, if not have an adult draw them) Child colors the triangles orange and the wings and crown on head black. Once they have completed coloring them they can cut them out.

Glue the wings onto the backside of the paperplate. Glue the head at the top of the plate and the feet at the bottom. Glue googley eyes on the head to make the face and the beak slightly beneath them in between the two eyes.

Cut Out Snowflakes (one of my favorites!)

white paper

scissors

Fold piece of white paper in half, then in half again and one more time (so that you have folded it 3 times in total). Using scissors cut designs into the paper, child may do this by cutting off a corner, making a half circle on an edge, etc. Child cuts as many ‘designs’ into the paper as they would like. Once they are done child unfolds the paper and they have a beautiful snowflake with various patterns and designs.

Doing this will create a square snowflake. If you wish to have a circular one trace a circle on the paper and cut it out before folding it. You can also do this with smaller pieces of paper (to make smaller snowflakes) and/or colored paper. Children can make more than one and hang on the window creating their own ‘snowstorm’.

Note: Depending on the age of the child an adult may need to assist with cutting the snowflake. This craft is best for children who have good motor control and can use scissors well on their own.

Hot Chocolate Mug (love this!)

lightweight cardboard (cereal box)

paint – brown and any other color

paint brushes

white pom poms small or mini marshmallows

stickers

Draw a picture of mug on cardboard. Cut it out. Paint cardboard mug with color of choice.  Let paint dry.

When the paint is dry the child can then decorate it with stickers. Draw a half moon at the top of the mug. Child paints in the half moon with brown paint and sticks on pom poms (for marshmallows). Let dry. Pom poms should stick onto wet paint without needing to use glue. If when it dries pom poms haven’t stuck then a little glue can be used to secure them.

Note: Colored construction paper can be used in lieu of the cardboard and painting the main part of the mug.

Crafts are not only fun they are great ways to enhance children’s developing motor skills and enable them to learn to grasp things with their fingers. It also feeds their creativity and imagination as well as a sense of pride when they are finished!

In my search for crafts I discovered this wonderful link with some fantastic and innovative ideas. Check it out for more great wintery craft ideas!

 

 

Rainy Day Activities

Playing at the lake in Oliver, BC

We have been blessed this year with a very beautiful summer. Many warm, sunny days filled with clear blue skies and days at the lake. Fortunately we have not had many rainy days at all, which has been great for those of us who want to play outside, but probably not so good for the farmers.

When we do have the odd rainy day and as the weather cools as we move into fall, it can be challenging to keep the kids entertained and prevent the inevitable ‘cabin fever’ that sets in from being inside for too long. I have found that having a ‘backpocket’ full of activities for the kids is a great way to keep them busy and you happy.

Here are some activities that I have enjoyed as a child and have used with my own kids to keep us all sane on those rainy days. Of course there are the typical things like watching movies and playing video games, but I always find that it is great to have some creative ideas and activities to engage their minds and imagination, as I feel that being in front of the tv all day is not always the best.

Build a fort

My favorite indoor activity has always been to make a fort. My sisters and I would get chairs and blankets and set things up so that we could then get inside and play all day. We would spend hours setting it up and enjoying it. My kids tend to use the couch cushions and pillows, in addition to blankets to set up their forts. Yes my couch comes apart for a while but the deal is at the end of the day they put it all back together, and everybody’s happy. They have had hours of fun and I have had hours of stress free activity.

Matthew in his couch fort

Kids can also use cardboard boxes to build a fort, this is something that they could leave up for awhile and use if it was in a space that worked for everyone. They can experiment with all shapes and sizes, decorate it with crayons or markers.

The important thing with forts is to let the kids be creative. Let them build it and knock it down a few times, let them use their imaginations. Regardless of what they create ensure it is safe to play in and is under adult supervision.

Play Board Games

Candyland

Also another favorite when I was growing up. We had all kinds of board games, from Monopoly to Pay Day and would often spend all day playing them. We would often set up Monopoly and have a tournament. The game would last all day and Mum never had to worry about what we were up to. There are lots of board games out there for all ages, like Candyland, Yahtzee, Connect Four, etc. that once you get the kids set up they can play on their own or join in.

Create a Play

Have the kids write their own play, assign parts and do a performance. Kids will be very occupied creating the stage, costumes, props as well as practicing the play itself. They can then present to friends and family at the end of the day.

Play Hide and Seek

Who says this is just an outdoor game? Set clear guidelines and boundaries about where they can and can not hide, then let the games begin. You can add a variation by changing the game to Sardines, where only one person hides and then everyone else has to find them. The catch is when you find the person who is hiding you have to then hide with them in that space. This can get very tricky if the space is a little small.

Have a Puppet Show

If you already have puppets, grab them; otherwise, the kids can make their own. They can use brown paper lunch bags and decorate them with markers, glitter, construction paper, etc. You could also use old mitts or sew little hand puppets for them to decorate. I know you are saying “Yes I am going to whip out the sewing machine and make a few puppets for them while they are waiting”. Perhaps have some ready beforehand and just put them away ‘for a rainy day’. They can also make a puppet theatre to do their show in using a cardboard box, blankets or a combination of both. Other great ‘theatres’ could be the island in the kitchen if you have one, or simply standing behind the couch.

Go outside and Play in the Rain!

Yes if all else fails, put on their rainboots, raincoats and send them outside in the backyard. One rainy afternoon we had all 3 kids going crazy by 4 o’clock. They were running around the house screaming and I was ready to scream myself. With an hour to go til dinner, I dressed them and sent them all outside. They had a great time, they ran around the deck, splashed in puddles and just plain enjoyed themselves. The stress level in the house went down, everyone was happier and I was able to make dinner in peace while still watching the kids.

The important thing is to keep on eye on them and make sure they are not getting cold, that they stay close to the house in case they need to come inside if they are. Otherwise let them play and jump in puddles. Challenge them to make as small a splash as possible, then a big one. You can also take out buckets and shovels and they can fill them up and scoop water out. My daughter loves transfering water from one bucket to another, filling it up and then dumping it. She can do that for an hour straight without getting bored or distracted. Who says that just because it’s wet outside that you can’t go out? The fresh air does everyone good and keep us all sane!

Play-Doh Fun Factory

This is just a sampling of ideas of what you could do, there are many other things that kids love that you could do with them on a rainy day, like playing with Play-Doh, various crafts, even some baking. You just have to do a little planning and have some materials on hand, so when it does rain you know what you can do. Believe me, it is worth the time spent planning to have a smooth and stress free rainy day!