My original idea for this was to have it closed and have jingle bells inside , but I was concerned that if it broke the jingle bells could be a safety hazard. So I went back to the chalk board and decided to cut one side open and make a home for one of my favorite little bird ornaments that is getting old and needs a comfy place to rest. This is not nearly as hard as it looks but it’s finiky and would frustrate young kids, which is why it’s a naptime creation for older kids or adults to do while preschoolers snooze!
- Gather your materials. You will need yarn, glue, a dish, water, a balloon, some cotton balls , scissors , ribbon and your ornament of choice.
- Start by blowing up your balloon a little, and tie it.
- Mix your glue in a dish with some water. It’s about 4/5th glue 1/5th water.
- Cut your yarn into manageable pieces.
- Drench your yarn in the glue and wrap it around your balloon.
- Let dry- I clip it to a wire hanger and hang it over my utility sink. I dried mine for a few days.
- Pop the balloon and pull it from the yarn .
- Cut an opening in the yarn.
- Add cotton balls.
- Glue your ornament on.
- Add ribbon.
- Hang on your tree.
Books
One Little Chicken: A Counting Book by David Elliot was a great library find. You count chickens as they dance all different styles, my favorite being the chickens who dance the hula ! The rhyming text is really fun and the pictures will make you giggle, I mean there are chickens in leotards doing ballet! Totally tickled my funny bone. The best part though is that it gets the reader involved after counting to ten, the chickens turn the tables stare at the reader and implore them to dance! One of my new favorite counting books.
Birds by Kevin Henkes , illustrated by Laura Dronzek is stunning. I love this author but this book is absolutely about the pictures. The cover is beautiful but there are pages that I just wanted to look at the way I look at paintings at a museum. The book is perfect for toddlers and young preschooler, it’s non fiction , simple and has a great flow. The colors are so vibrant I would bet that infants would dig it too! Awesome awesome awesome!
Lynn says
Very cute idea! I remember seeing that yarn technique used to make bowls last year and thinking I wanted to try it sometime. We loved Henkes’ Birds too. I just went back and checked my review and my son was only 16 months at the time, so you are definitely right about infants loving it too (at least, mine did). I really need to read Owl Babies. I keep forgetting when I’m at the library.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Review and Activity: "Together" by Hazel Hutchins =-.
biancifiore says
ooooh lovely!
Linda says
Hi there! I LOVE your website! I have been looking at it for about a month now and have absolutely loved the ideas that you share!
I have recently started a blog where I am posting about the crafts and activities that I am doing with my little preschooler, several of which have been inspired by you! Feel free to check it out when you can!
Linda
littlefamilyfun.blogspot.com
Desiree Fawn says
This is just so sweet! I’m compiling all sorts of ideas for when G is old enough ^_^
.-= Desiree Fawn´s last blog ..Have A Most Wonderful Weekend =-.
Jackie Lee says
What an adorable craft. Last summer we had owls get into our attic where they had babies and lived (very loudly) for most of the summer. We did a lot of learning about owls over the summer. We picked up Owl Babies and it quickly became one of my three year old’s favorite books. Thanks for all you do ~ this site is amazing!
.-= Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Configuring Your WordPress Plugins =-.