My mom is in Ireland right now on business and staying in castles, nice eh? Well since telling my son that he has been pretending to be in a castle in Ireland too. So today we made a shape castle out of all different shapes. We couldn’t pass up the glitter either , although looking at my floor sorta wish I did. Getting down on all fours with a dust buster and a 34 week belly is well, not fun! Decide for yourself!
- Gather your materials. You will need 3 different colors of construction paper, scissors, glue, markers and glitter .
- Start by cutting out large rectangles and triangles , as well as some small squares for the castle. You can use any shapes you want but these were simple for me to cut out and simple for my son to use to build.
- Cut out some shapes to use as windows, doors and flags in a contrasting color.
- Invite your little castle builder to come and decorate the background. Clouds, flowers, whatever they choose. My son made rain, because I had shown him pictures of me in Ireland and it was raining, and he was making his castle in Ireland as well.
- Next add glue
- Add your main castle pieces. Remember to ask and talk about the shapes. Today my question was if he turned the shape around would it still be the same shape. He had to think about that for a second.
- Add your triangles.
- Add the small squares.
- Add more glue for the windows and doors.
- Add the contrasting shapes. My son didn’t want the flags, or all the shapes I cut so they went into my scrap bin.
- Next up glitter, add the glue first ( we took turns adding glue).
- Add the glitter.
Immediately regret it when you watch your child rub the super fine glitter into their PJs, and hair. Send them onto the back porch to shake off.
- Let dry. I always let the glue dry before shaking the excess glitter off your shape castle.
Princess Books to read with Shape Castle Activity
The Princess and the Pizza
Princess Smartypants
The Paper Bag Princess
TaderDoodles (Lisa B) says
I LOVE the castle 🙂 We might have to make those today, IF the girls help my big fat preggo self do some chores again. Without the glitter though. I think I’ll skip that, because you’re absolutely right. Getting down on the floor at our stage is not fun in the slightest !
**Hope your mom is having fun! even if it is work… (totally jealous)**
.-= TaderDoodles (Lisa B)´s last blog ..Protecting the front door, while the wolf sneaks in the back. =-.
Natalie says
I think your son would really like “In the Castle” by Anna Milbourne. We just did a castle unit here, and daughter enjoyed this book a lot. I wish I thought about shape castle – great idea. We read #1 and #3 on the list. Anna liked The Princess and The Pizza, but illustrations were “not mine”.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..We Play With Legos =-.
Lisa Summerhays says
I totally forgot about The Paperbag Princess! I must get it for my daughter. Thanks for all the great ideas. Love your site!
.-= Lisa Summerhays´s last blog ..Birthday Dog Card =-.
Teri says
I love your castle! 🙂 I made a cute castle w/ my preschoolers one time – Use a couple blocks (wooden, foam whatever) in various shapes, dip them in brown paint mixed with a bit of glue & use them as stampers to stamp out the shape of your castle, then while still wet, sprinkle on sand to make it a sand castle! Add a couple of flags and you’re all set! They were adorable! 🙂
.-= Teri´s last blog ..Projects =-.
admin says
I love that!! So smart- I bet they were adorable.
crystal says
Can’t seem to get my email working correctly! However, I want you to know I absolutely love this blog. That’s why I want you to have the “Sweat Blog” award. Visit my blog and check out my latest post to receive it!
http://www.threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com
Cheers
.-= crystal´s last blog .. =-.
admin says
Oh Crystal thank you, that’s so sweet!
Angie Bryant says
If you wanted to make it beach relate you could use sandpaper instead of construction paper…very cute idea. thanks for sharing.
admin says
Another awesome varriation! I did a snad castle with glue and sand on my other blog on FamilyEducation.com but I love the idea of sand paper! Great for kids who need more of a sensory experience too!
Melodie says
Just in the middle of this right now with three kids ages 3, 3.5 and 4. I thought they’d find this fun and interesting but they are having so much trouble with it. Maybe it’s expectations to get it “right” which I am trying to explain they can’t get it right or wrong, but their castles definitely don’t look like castles and a couple of them are upset about this. Anyway, I think my 5 year old would be more into this kind of craft. I think it’s a fantastic idea but for whatever reason it’s not working out at my house today. 🙁
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..Madonna and Child-Like Paintings Are Obscene Too? =-.
admin says
Oh no 🙁
If they want to make it look like a castle and you aren’t infringing on their creativity, you could trace the pieces and give them a guide, so they match the pieces up instead .
Iwannabecreative says
This activity has been stretched out over 3 days, with my Princess/ fairy tale / castle obsessed 3yr old doing a bit each day before having to stop to dance or something else urgent. Great idea and nice to extend my little one’s obsession. Great book recommendations also, i love the Paper Bag Princess especially.
admin says
Isn’t Elizabeth a great character?? She is brave, determined and independent. Greatp
change from the too common helpless victimized princess.