Archive for the ‘Beginners’ Category
Napkin Ring Necklace
We were at the dollar store getting art mats ( the plastic place mats I use) when I spied these napkin rings. Perfect for beading when hands are still not nimble enough for smaller beads. This is a quick craft to make but one that is fun to play with long after. Make one for grandma or mama for Valentine’s day or use it as a basic patterning lesson.
- Gather your materials. You will need some napkin rings, ribbon and scissors.
- Start by cutting your ribbon into a piece log enough to comfortably fit over your child’s head.
- Tie one ring on to make a stopper for your rings. Make sure to leave enough room to have some ribbon to tie.
- Thread them on.
- Loop the last one through is you want, this is just a astetics thing for me I like them all squished together .
- Invite your child who announced that ” I am too big for this craft.” to model the necklace for all the “Other kid’s mommies”.
Books
A Valentine For Norman Noggs by Valiska Gregory is a quite cute , it is about a new girl in school who has caught the eye of all the boys. Normal hopes and dreams that she will look at him and fall in love, but all the other bigger, stronger boys seems to be catching her attention. He is kind to her in class though, offering help without being boastful and although he doesn’t notice she does notice him. When he is made fun of by the bigger boys about a Valentine he made her she comes to his rescue. I like that her character was strong but didn’t like that she physically hurt the other boys. This is a longer picture book , my son zoned in and out while reading it, but would be great for 4-5 year olds.
If You’ll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant is a great book for preschoolers because it doesn’t just focus on romantic love or love of a parent and child but rather love of all the things this little boy is grateful for. He writes little valentines to his family members, teddy bear, even the bird and tree outside. It’s very sweet and cute without making you cringe one bit! My son loved this one , it was perfect for a 3 year old.
Posted in Age 2-3 years, Age Under 2 years, Beginners, Crafts, Lacing Activities, Necklaces, Valentine's Day | 
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Easy Valentine Craft!
I love tools that help even the littlest child make recognizable shapes, especially for holiday or special occasion crafts. This Valentine’s Day craft could be done with paint and plain paper for the smallest artists or for older kids you could use glue like us, then cut each out and glue them on a contrasting piece of paper for a even more polished look. The sky is the limit, the materials are simple and the result is fun and cute! My son loved it because he needed no help and got to use “sprinkles” which is perfect for a 3 year old!
- Gather your materials. You will need some heart cookie cutters, a dish, glue, sparkles, pinking shears, and paper.
- Start by pouring some glue onto your dish and dip it in.
- Add to your paper.
- Use a smaller cookie cutter and repeat!
- Time for glitter ( have your dust buster ready… just sayin’)
- Shake off extra.
- Let dry and trim with pinking shears.
- Glue or tape to a 2nd piece of paper.
Last weekend we featured some of our favorite
Free Art with Fun Tools
When I talk about “free art” what I mean is giving your child the opportunity to play with colors, make what they want and explore. Now I believe in this but am also aware that novelty is a big deal to small people who very easily declare “I don’t know what to paint” and “I’m bored”. Below you will find a long list of fun painting activities that can’t be done wrong, have no long list of materials and use fun tools to paint , like painting with trains and trucks in the picture above. Click on the title below the pictures to be directed to the original post for more pictures and brief descriptions.
Posted in Age 2-3 years, Age Under 2 years, Beginners, Free Art Friday, List of Free Art |
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Mini Ocean- Sensory Activity
Pretend play is a great way to teach and learn about all sorts of things. This started out as an activity to keep him busy while I answered emails and needed a few minutes , water always keeps him busy and happy. I was so pleased when he started asking questions about what the animals ate. I got a few emails answered but I ended up googling all the specifics about what each of the animals ate and on the floor playing in no time. It was more fun than answering emails anyway!
- Gather your materials. You will need a large shallow plastic container, some sea animals, some decorative pebbles, a few towels for your floor, a pitcher and some water.
- Start by laying out our towels and putting your container on top.
- Put some water in your pitcher and pour it in.
- Add some pebbles, you can use sand too but if you want easy clean up stick to glass pebbles.
- Add your animals.
- Let the learning happen! Have some scoops on hand if they just want to scoop and pour the water.
Books
Spaghetti Worm Painting
- Gather your materials. You will need some spaghetti, a pot, some paint , a plate and some paper.
- Cook your spaghetti. Let cool but don’t wait too long it will get too stiff to paint with.
- Add some paint to your plate .
- Dip your wiggly worm in
- Print onto your paper.
- Add more colors if you wish
- Let dry.
Song !
Posted in Age 2-3 years, Age Under 2 years, Babies and Toddlers, Beginners, Bugs, Crafts, Herman The Worm, Preschoolers, Worms |
11 Comments »
