Raise the Barn
Popsicle sticks, ripped paper and water colors come together to make a fun and creative craft that brings the barnyard into your house. My son loved having many simple steps, I think the short amount of time each step took fit his toddler attention span. Painting on the popsicle sticks takes careful concentration and is a great chance to practice fine motor skills.
Books
- Gather your materials. You will need a large piece of construction paper, popsicle sticks, glue, construction paper ( for tree leaves) , water colors, water dish, paint brush and glue.
- Start by drawing a barn and tree with the glue. My son and I decided to make a square and triangle .
- Add your popsicle sticks.
- Rip the paper into leaves for your tree.
- Add more glue on the branches of the tree.
- Add the leaves.
- Grab the watercolors, and paint. With older children give them the challenge to paint the sticks without getting it on the paper, but I wouldn’t limit them to that after the challenge, allow them to paint it how ever they want. The Challenge is just that a challenge not a limit on their creativity.
- Let dry.
Books
“Big Fat Hen” by Keith Baker is a simple counting book with minimal text. What is lacks in words it delivers in illustrations. The rich colors of the hens, the golden hay and the yellow chicks were all expertly executed. We read the board book version of this and I would suggest that this is a book for that age, who will love pictures more and more with every turn of the page. The text that is included is rhyming and pleasant but the illustrations steal the show.
“Bob” by Tracey Campbell Pearson is a darling story about a Rooster who doesn’t know how to cock a doodle do ! He asks his barnyard friends but they are cats, dogs, cows and more. He learns how to meow , bark and moo! Eventually he does find an older rooster to show him the ropes but it’s the other sounds that end up saving Bob and his friends from a sly fox! Really enjoyed the book, my son thought it was funny and the message about learning about other languages is a lovely one to teach your child.
“Cowboy ABC’s” by Chris Demarest is a great book for any cowboy enthusiast. From Buckaroo to Tumbleweed, Guitar to Lasso this book take s readers through some common and some not so common cowboys terms and accessories. I liked it because it’s not your everyday alphabet book, with the same words used for letters over and over.
mama hall says
wonderful! and i love the "no more watermarks" craft too.
Rose says
Cool craft!
Teri says
Cute craft! Another great story is "Inside a Barn in the Country"
Amber, That's Me! says
I don't think I have commented for a while but just wanted to stop in to say you have the best ideas. I think your blog is wonderful and I appreciate all of the ideas you post for us. Thanks for all you do!
Beverly says
such a cute craft,love it!
Amy says
Thanks, I bought a huge box of sticks and have been wondering what we are going to do with all of them 🙂
Jackie says
How old is your toddler? I came to this blog to look for some nanny ideas for the 1 and 2 yr olds whom I watch. I think most of these would be too much, even for the 2 yr old, but I can't wait until he is old enough to do them!!
Allie says
Thanks!
Teri- yes that is a fun fun read!
Amber- you are so welcome, thank you so much for your kind words.
Amy- almost every popsicle stick craft here was done partly because I have a box of 1000 and I've only used about 80.
Jackie- My son will be 3 in November, I started the blog when he was 14 months though. Here is a pot about how to start. You can also search the label "Beginners" for easy activities.
https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2009/03/basics-for-beginners.html
You're Invited... says
Cute craft, I love that you include the books with this craft! Most of the activities I provide, art and otherwise, are connected to literature! I would love it if you took a look at my blog http://letspromoteplay.blogspot.com/
thanks and look forward to ur comments!