Wreaths
I stand by that title, this really is the easy and cheap too, but still a super cute 4th of July craft . We used felt but you could use fabric if you have it on hand. My son was busy playing knights with his grandparents visiting from Texas but I think he could have made this with me. It’s a great patterning lesson, though I would guess most 5 and under would tire of it after a few minutes so make this a group endeavor if need be.
- Gather your materials. You will need a paper plate, scissors, and three sheets of felt in red, white and blue.
- Cut your felt into strips ours were about 8 inches long.
- Cut the middle out of your paper plate.
- Start tying – doing a simple double knot.
- Continue the pattern all the way around.
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I love wreaths almost as much as I love garlands! This Valentine’s Day craft is fun , easy to make and easy on your wallet. The foam hearts are super light and I was able to tape the wreath to a door in our house using only blue painters tape . Also if you want you can turn it into a patterning lesson as well or just randomly glue the hearts on.
- Gather your materials. You will need a paper plate, glue, foam heart picks ( got mine 9 for a dollar at the dollar store), red markers and scissors.
- Start by coloring the paper plate with markers. We used red but use whatever color your child wants to.
- Start by having your child pull the tops off the heart picks. I twisted them so they were easier to pop off. This step was really fun.
- While they do that cut the middle out.
- Add a lot of glue. If you don’t normally let your child do the glue because they use too much, let them with this one. You need a lot of glue so let them at it!
- Add your hearts. Randomly or in a pattern. I just let him do it however he wanted and he quickly settled on a pattern and sang it out as he added it. You can also sneak counting in here if you want.
- Let dry.
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We made this apple wreath weeks ago but wanted to wait until people were settled in the school year and the leaves turned a little more before posting. Originally I planned this as a garland ( which is why there is no paper plate in the materials picture) but decided that a wreath would be nicer and my son could do more of the steps with me if it was a wreath. So grab an apple, some paint and make this fall decoration for your house today.
- Gather your materials. You will need an apple, a plate, some red and green paint, knife, craft paper , painters tape, scissors, glue and a paper plate.
- Before inviting your child to come paint cut a large piece of craft paper off a roll ( find them for cheap at walmart – in the office supply section) and tape it to your work surface with painters tape.
- Pour some red paint into the plate.
- Cut your apple lengthwise.
- Start printing!
If you have never done this with your child show them how to make a print by stamping and removing. If they just want to smear it that is fine too – you can just cut the smears into apple shapes if you want to make the wreath or just let them explore. My son did a little of both. - Next dip your child’s thumb or finger into the green paint to make stems.
- Let dry.
- Cut the apples out.
- Cut the middle of the paper plate out.
- Add glue to the ring of plate. Did you notice the new PJs? It’s the next day, when the apples dried my son was not interested in finishing the craft, so we waited until the next day. Don’t force them to finish ( I am preaching to myself here too
) keep it casual and fun.
- Add the apples!
Apple Picking!
I have more than a few apple picking field trips under my belt and you can too with this website that lists a wide range of pick your own farms in the US and around the globe.
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This is a classic craft, when I asked my son what he wanted to make he said and I quote ” I just want to cut” he’s kinda into scissors right now. So while I did the cutting for the hand prints, he happily cut the red berries and got his wish to cut! Foam is tricky to glue with regular glue but not impossible. All you have to do is lay some parchment paper on top and throw a coffee table book to squish it for an hour or two. Also there is no reason you couldn’t use paper, I just chose foam because I had it on hand.
- Gather your materials. You will need some green, red and white foam or construction paper, a marker, scissors, glue and a paper plate.
- Start by tracing your child’s hand , instead of tracing it 10 times simply trace their hand once and use that as a template for the rest.
- Cut the hands out.
- Cut strips of red foam out.
- Have your child snip the strips into smaller pieces. My son loves to cut things, then use it as garbage for his garbage truck toys. So this was a big hit.
- While they practice their fine motor skills ( did you know that using scissors is great for that?) cut out the inside of the paper plate.
- Add glue to it. A lot.
- Add your hands. I have a big confession it drove me bananas that he put most of the hands facing in. I preach about letting your kids direct their art, and not fixing it but dude it drove me nuts. I resisted changing it but admit to being very happy when he added a few with fingers pointing out. What can I say I am not perfect.
- Add glue for the red berries. I did this glue.
- Add the kid cut berries.
- Let dry – remember parchment paper and a heavy book will do the trick if your foam isn’t sticking.
- Add a ribbon and hang up!
Books
How Santa Got His Job
The Night Before Christmas Board Book
Black Bean and Lentil Wreath
I love wreaths, they are the perfect way to decorate and although I made a Halloween Wreath last week I wanted to share how my son got in on the fun too. We actually made this one weeks ago. This Halloween craft was fun for both of us I love the organic look to it. If you don’t have a paper plate to use any cardboard cut into a circle will do!
- Gather your materials. You will need dried black beans, dried orange lentils, a paper plate, orange ribbon, white glue, bowls to mix , a spoon and scissors.
- Start by having your child mix the black beans and orange lentils. It was at this point that I got the idea for this sensory tub. My son loved this step.
- While they play with the beans and lentils add glue, lots and lots of glue.
- Add the beans and lentils. It was hard getting photos of this because I was helping him drizzle them on.
- Keep going until all the glue is covered.
- Let dry – I popped it outside in the sun to dry faster!
- When it’s all dry cut out the middle.
- Shake off any loose lentils and beans.
- Add an orange ribbon.
- Hang up !
Halloween Books from Carrie Anne
Carrie Anne is a monthly contributor to No Time For Flash Cards, she shares fantastic book reviews and today she is sharing her Halloween picks! Catch up with her on her blog Another Day , Another Thought…or two!
Dragon’s Halloween 
Pumpkinhead
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