Easy Cloth Fall Leaf Craft

This is a very easy fall leaf craft for the youngest students.

Materials:

• leaf cut out from yellow paper
• various cloth scraps cut into small squares
• glue

Directions:

1. Beforehand, trace and cut out little fall leaf shapes from yellow paper like the one shown.
2. Glue on small squares of various kinds of cloth.

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Igloo Paper Craft

This is an easy and cute igloo craft for a winter theme.

Materials:

• black construction paper
• white paper
• cotton batting
• scissors
• glue

Directions:

1. Trace and cut out an igloo shape from black construction paper.
2. Cut out small square shapes from white paper and glue them on the igloo in lines to create a blocked effect.
3. Cut out a large oval from white paper.
4. Glue cotton batting at the bottom of the oval for snow.
5. Glue the igloo on top of the oval.

Afterward, I thought this would look good with light blue constuction paper instead of black after looking at pictures of real igloos.

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Polar Bear on Ice Craft

This is an easy and cute polar bear craft.

Materials:

• 2 sheets of white paper
• 1/2 a sheet of light blue construction paper
• glue
• scissors
• scrap cardboard
• black marker

Directions:

1. Draw a simple "U" shaped polar bear body and a head on white paper as shown.
2. Carefully tear out the bear body and head along the lines.(Use scissors to make little cuts to start a difficult tear)
3. Draw details of eyes, nose, and claws on the bear.
4. From another paper, tear out a rectangular shape for a piece of ice.
5. Glue the ice piece onto the blue construction paper and glue the body on top of that.
6. Cut a square from cardboard small enough to fit behind the bears head and cut a piece of white paper to fit on top.
7. Glue the cardboard square to the polar bear's body and glue the head on top to make a slight 3D effect.

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Santa Ornament Conehead Craft

This is an adorable little Santa you can make with two cones.

Materials:

• 1 large  half circle from pink or peach construction paper(about 8 inches long)
• 1 small half circle from red construction paper(about 4 inches long)
• cotton batting
• glue
• tape
• string
• red and black marker

Directions:

1. Fold the two half circles into cone shapes and tap in place.
2. Glue the small red cone on top of the big pink one. You may have to secure with a piece of tape in the back.
3. Draw two black eyes and a red nose(for younger students, you could glue on eye and nose pieces)
4. Glue on cotton batting above the eyes for eyebrows and at the bottom for a beard.
5. Make a loop with a short piece of string and thread through the top of the cone Santa. Secure with tape on the inside.

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Easy Triangle Christmas Tree Craft

This is a very easy Christmas tree craft my daughter did at school that can also be a geometry lesson.
Materials:

• 1 sheet of white paper
• 1 large green paper square
• 1 small green paper square
• scissors
• glue
• markers or crayons

Directions:

1. Fold the two green squares in half from corner to corner and cut on the fold to make two big triangles and two small triangles.
2. Glue the triangles on the white paper to make a tree.
3. Take markers and draw a trunk, pot, ornaments, and other details to your tree.

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Snowman Chain Paper Craft

Here's a variation on paper dolls chain, paper snowmen.

 

Materials:

 

• 1/2 a sheet of 12"x18" white construction paper
• pencil
• ruler
• crayons
• scissors

 

Directions:

 

1. Start with a 6"x18" strip of white construction paper. Use a ruler and pencil to divide the strip into 3" wide sections.
2. Accordion fold the paper on the lines.
3. Draw a snowman with hat outline on the top of the folded paper. The arms should extent to the sides of the 3"sections.
4. Cut around the shape, but don't cut around the end of the arms.
5. Unfold and decorate your snowmen with faces, buttons, scarves, etc.
6. Display on the bulletin board or wall.

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Candle Wax Resist Snowman Christmas Craft

Here's a twist on the usual snowman using a candle to make a water resistant surface and then paint.

Materials:

• 1/2 a shet of 9"x12" white construction paper
• 1 white candle
• 3 buttons
• 2 short pieces of white pipe cleaner(wikki sticks)
• 1 short piece of black pipe cleaner
• 2 google eyes or eye stickers
• black and orange construction  paper scraps
• dark blue tempur paint and brushes
• pencils, scissors, glue

Directions:

1. On a 9"x6" piece of white construction paper, draw a snowman standing in snow.
2. Rub the candle like a crayon all over the snowman and snow. Draw dots of snow in the sky.
3. Paint the whole paper with dark blue paint. The paint won't stik to where you colored with crayon. Allow to dry.
4. Draw and cut out a black hat and orange nose from scrap construction paper. Glue on to the snowman.
5. Glue on buttons on the body, 1 piece of black pipe cleaner for a mouth, and 2 pieces of white pipe cleaners for arms.

Art-Just Do It

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Winter Tree Silohouette Window Craft

This is a cool winter silhouette craft to hang in the window.

Materials:

• 9"x12" piece of cardboard
• black construction paper
• light blue tissue paper
• waxed paper
• glue
• scissors and box cutter.

Directions:

1. Beforehand, cut a rectangle from the center of the 9"x12" cardboard, to make a 1" thick frame.
2. Glue a sheet of black construction paper onto the frame and cut out the middle to make a black front to your frame.
3. On the back of the frame glue on a large piece of light blue tissue paper.
4. Add more glue and glue on a piece of waxed paper over the tissue paper.
5. Cut the excess of the outside of the frame.
6. Cut a tree trunk and branch pieces from black construction paper.
7. Glue on the trunk and branches onto the blue tissue paper on the front side of the frame.
8. Hang the picture frame in a window, so the light shines through the back of the waxed paper.

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Silver Christmas Aluminum Foil Scene Craft

This craft has a cool silvery effect. Good for a winter or Christmas scene.

Materials:

• heavy-duty aluminum foil sheet, about 5"x8"
• sheet of dark blue construction paper, about 9"x6"
• silver marker
• soft pencil
• black paint and paintbrushes
• paper towels
• newspaper
• glue

Directions:

1. Fold several sheets of newspaper to make a padded work surface.
2. Place the sheet of aluminum foil o the newspaper and draw a Christmas tree or other wintry scene with a soft pencil, pressing gently into the foil.
3. Lightly brush black paint onto the foil.
4. Dab and wipe off the excess paint with a damp paper towel. Allow to dry.
5. Glue the foil picture onto a piece of dark blue construction paper.
6. Use a silver marker to decorate the border of the construction paper with little silver dots or stars.

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Lantern Plastic Cup Decoration Craft

This is a simple and easy lantern decoration you can make for your next party.

Materials:

• 2 tall clear plastic cups
• mylar tape, hologram tape, or other reflective tape
• string
• push pin or other sharp implement
• colored electrical tape
• markers

Directions:

1. Use a push pin or other sharp implement to poke a hole in the bottom of two plastic drink cups.
2. Thread a piece of long string through the hole in one cup. Make a knot on the inside so it doesn't come out. This is the top of the lantern to hang up.
3. Thread a short piece of string through the hole in the other cup, tie a knot and tape a piece of mylar tape to the end that hangs down. This is the bottom of the lantern.
4. Cut a long piece of mylar or reflective tape, enough to fill both cups.
5. Tape the two cups together with electrical tape or other colorful tape, with the mylar inside.
6. Decorate the outside with markers.
7. Hang up your festival lanterns.

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Easy Paper Plate UFO Craft

This is a simple and fun UFO craft you can do when teaching about space or transportation.

Materials:

• 2 paper plates
• white paper
• crayons
• reflective tape
• clear plastic pudding cup
• glue
• scissors

Directions:

1. Decorate the bottom of 2 paper plates to look like a UFO.
2. Cut several short strips of reflective tape.
3. Glue the strips around the rim of one paper plate.
4. Sandwich and glue together the 2 paper plates like a Frisbee with the strips of reflective tape sticking out around the rim to make your UFO.
5. Draw and cut out a cute alien.
6. Tape the alien on the inside of a cleaned out pudding cup.
7. Tape the pudding cup upside down on top of your UFO with the alien looking out to make the cockpit.
8. Hang your UFO from the ceiling.

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Phases of the Moon Craft

This is a very simple idea to teach the phases of the moon and their names.

Materials:

• sheet of black construction paper cut in half lengthwise
• outlines of moon phases and their names
• yellow crayon
• scissors
• glue

Directions:

1. Prepare simple drawings of the four main phases of the moon and their names: full moon, half moon, crescent moon, and sliver.
2. Students cut out moons and names.
3. Fold black paper in half and then half again to make four equal sections.
4. Students glue on the moons in correct order and the names below.
5. Color the moons yellow.
6. Don't forget to teach them new moon, you can't see it.

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Acorn Tops Toy Craft

This idea cam from my daughter's first grade elementary school textbook in Japan. All Japanese students make these.

Materials:

• acorns
• toothpicks
• hard rough surface
• sharp tool like to punch holes in leather
• modeling clay

Directions:

1. Holding the acorn tightly, scrape the top against a hard rough surface like concrete or pavement. File off the top layer of the acorn to reveal the nut.
2. Stick the acorn into a hick, hard piece of clay for a base.
3. Using a very sharp tool for making holes, make a small hole into the top of the acorn WARNING: This is a very dangerous tool! You may have only the teacher do this step.
4. Break a toothpick in half and insert it into the top of the acorn to make the top handle.
5. Spin your acorn top.

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Santa Hand Print Craft

This is a cute hand print Santa.

Materials:

• sheet of blue construction paper
• eye stickers
• red paper Santa hat and mouth
• white paint and brush
• glue
• scissors

Directions:

1. Paint child's hand with white paint and press onto blue paper.
2. Turn upside down. Put on eyes, mouth and hat to make Santa. The fingers make the beard.

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Easy Snowman Paper Bag Craft

Here's a cute, simple snowman craft you can make from a paper lunch bag.

Materials:

• brown paper lunch bag
• newspaper
• eyes, buttons, and hat cut from black construction paper
• triangle carrot nose cut from orange paper
• 2 craft sticks for arms
• 2 small red paper mittens
• white paint and brushes
• tape
• scissors

Directions:

1. Cut out all the face pieces beforehand. For the hat, cut out on the fold, so you have two shapes connected in the middle like a tent.
2. Take a brown paper lunch bag and stuff it with newspaper scraps. Tape the end closed.
3. Paint the whole bag white.
4. Stick on eyes, buttons, and nose.
5. Tape the hat to the top.
6. Tape the mittens on the end of craft sticks. Cut two small holes in the sides of the snowman and stick in the arms. After dry, secure with tape.
7. Display your little paper bag snowmen.

Variations:

You could give your paper bag snowman a red Santa hat instead. You could also tie a ribbon around for a scarf.

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Japanese Chopsticks Catapult Toy Craft

 Here's a fun toy you can make from disposable chopsticks and rubber bands to launch an acorn or small ball or marble into a cup.

Materials:

• 2 sets of disposable chopsticks(the kind that are fused together)
• 2 short lengths of a chopstick, cut and taped together
• rubber bands
• drink bottle cap
• tape
• ammunition(acorns, super balls, marbles)

Directions:

1. Using a box cutter, score and break off 2 short pieces from a chopstick(about 1 inch long). Tape together to make the fulcrum for the spring.
2. Place 2 sets of disposable chopsticks on top of each other and tie the small ends with rubber bands and cover with tape.
3. Place the fulcrum between them bout 2 inches from the end and tie several times with rubber bands.
4. Tape a drink bottle lid near the big end of the chopsticks.
5. Place an acorn in the lid, press down on the chopsticks and try to shoot the acorn into a cup.

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Snowman with Hat and Scarf Craft

This cute snowman has three different hats and scarves. Kids can play dress up and switch. Good for a unit about clothes. Older kids can try and discover how many combinations there are. (The answer is 9)

Materials:

• sheet of light blue construction paper
• snowman cut outs
• set of three different hats and scarves to cut out or pre-cut to save time
• glue
• scissors
• tape

Directions:

1. Create snowman template and three hats and scarves
2. Talk to the students about snowmen. Read a book or sing Frosty the Snowman. Talk about a snowman's clothes.
3. Students can color and cut out hats and scarves or teacher does it beforehand. Or make them from colored construction paper. Put tape on the back to stick.
4. Glue the snowman to the blue paper.
5. Put tape on top of the head and neck of the snowman to act as a laminae.
6. Kids mix and match the hats and scarves.

Variations:

This craft can be used in many ways, to teach color matching, winter, clothes, and math. Make a laminated set to keep in the class for kids to use at play time.

Here's a template to use:
http://www.eslkidstuff.com/Worksheets/snowmancraft.gif

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Frog Life Cycle Craft

This is a cute craft about frogs and tadpoles, good follow up to teaching about the life cycle of frogs or reading the story "Fish is Fish" by leo lionni.

Materials:

• sheet of white paper
• little frogs and Lilly pads cut from coloring pages
• bubble wrap
• blue paint with brushes
• black marker
• scissors
• glue
• crayons

Directions:

1. Color and cut out frogs and Lilly pads from coloring page, 2 per child.
2. Draw two small tadpoles on paper(just a black oval with a tail) with a marker
3. Brush blue paint over bubble wrap.
4. Press paper on bubble wrap for pond effect.
5. Glue on lily pads with frogs sitting on top.

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Christmas Trees in Snow Scene Craft

This is a great looking winter craft using bubble wrap to make snow.

Materials:

• sheet of dark blue construction paper
• colorful Christmas wrapping paper
• bubble wrap
• white paint and bushes
• scissors, glue

Directions:

1. Trace and cut out a simple Christmas tree shapes from Christmas wrapping paper.
2. Brush white paint over bubble wrap.
3. Press blue paper down on bubble wrap to make snow scene.
4. Glue on Christmas trees to snow scene. Display

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Hand Print Fall Tree Craft

Here's a cute hand print tree craft for fall.

Materials:

• sheet of white paper
• brown, green, yellow, and orange paint
• brushes and shallow dishes
• fingers

Directions:

1. Using a brush, coat child's hand and arm with brown paint.
2. Press onto white paper to make trunk and branches. Wash hands and arms.
3. Come back and dip fingers in green, yellow, and orange paint and take turns making falling leaves around the tree. Allow to dry.

The same concept could be used for trees of other seasons, or you could glue on paper leaves instead.

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Easy Hand Print Elephant Craft.

This is an easy and cute elephant you can make from a hand print cut out.

Materials:

• sheet of blue construction paper
• small blue construction paper oval
• crayons or colored pencils
• short piece of blue yarn
• tape
• glue

Directions:

1. Trace and cut out one hand print from blue construction paper.
2. The fingers are the legs, the thumb is the trunk. Draw an eye, details on the trunk, and a carpet pattern over the back for the saddle.
3. Fold the paper oval in half lengthwise. Put glue only on one side and put on the front for the elephant's ear.
4. Tape a short length of string on the back for a tail.

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Easy Glass Jar Snow Globe Craft

This is an easy home made snow globe you can make from an old jar.

Materials:

• small glass jar with lid
• white plastic bag
• glitter
• small plastic toy or eraser toy(one that sinks in water)
• scissors
• water

Directions:

1. Cut a small part of a white plastic bag into tiny pieces.
2. Fill jar with water. Add the plastic pieces, glitter, and small toy and then tightly screw on the lid.
3. Shake your snow globe and watch the pieces slowly settle to the bottom.

You can select a toy for any theme or holiday.

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Valentine's Day Giant Chocolate Kiss Craft

This is is a very simple Valentine's Day craft. Great for chocolate lovers.

Materials:

• large chocolate kiss shape cut from a cereal box
• large sheet of aluminum foil
• markers
• paper banner for the top

Directions:

1. Draw and cut a large chocolate kiss shape from the back of a cereal box.
2. Wrap completely in aluminum foil. Secure with tape if necessary.
3. With markers, draw a smiley face on the front.
4. Tape a little banner to the top of the kiss with student's name or short message.

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Easy "Forkupine" Porcupine Craft

Here's a cute and colorful porcupine craft you can make with forks.

Materials:

• sheet of white paper
• black crayon or marker
• plastic forks
• various colored paints
• small trays for paint

Directions:

1. For the porcupine's body, simply draw a large oval and then draw a narrow triangle sticking of one side for the head. Add an eye, nose and whiskers to the triangle.
2. Put different colored paint in small dishes each with a plastic fork.
3. Dip the fork into the paint, then press onto the oval. repeat this all over the oval with different colors to create a rainbow, spiky patter. Allow to dry.

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Chopsticks Rubber Band Gun Craft

 This is a very easy toy gun you can make from disposable chopsticks and rubber bands.

 

Materials:

 

• set of disposable chopsticks (the kind that are fused together)
• 2 short pieces cut from a chopstick, about 1.5 inches long
• rubber bands
• box cuter or sharp knife
• tape
• small squares cut from cardboard(ammunition)

 

Directions:

 

1. Using a very sharp knife or box cutter, score and break off two short lengths from a chopstick.
2. Place a rubber band over the skinny end of an unbroken pair or disposable chopsticks and secure with tape.
3. Lay one short stick across the chopsticks near the thick end and wrap from underneath with a rubber band. This will create the fulcrum for the trigger.
4. Lay the second piece on top of the first, perpendicular and tie down the front with a rubber band. The back will be sticking up. This will be the trigger.
5. Pull back the rubber band from the front and place it under the trigger.
6. Insert a small square cut from cardboard into the rubber band. Take aim and push down on the trigger and watch it fly.

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Japanese Chopsticks Launcher Toy Craft

 There are a lot of fun craft toys you can make from rubber bands and disposable chopsticks. This one can launch a toilet roll into the air.

Materials:

• 1 pair of disposable chopsticks(the kind that are fused together)
• short piece of cut chopstick(longer than the opening of a toilet paper roll)
• 1 rubber band
• toilet paper roll
• tape
• pen
• box cutter or sharp knife

Directions:

1. Loop a rubber band over the thick end of a pair of unbroken disposable chopsticks and secure with tape.
2. Use a sharp knife or box cutter and cut another piece of chopstick longer than a toilet paper roll is wide.(only by an adult)
3. Tape the cut piece to the other end of the rubber band.
4. Draw a rabbit, frog, kangaroo, or other jumping animal on the toilet paper roll.

How to play:

Hold the chopsticks straight up with one hand and press the toilet paper roll down the middle over the stick. Let go and watch the rabbit jump up.

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Easy Creative Constellations Star Craft

 If your learning about stars or constellations, this is a simple craft that brings out student imagination and creativity.

Materials:

• piece of black or blue construction paper
• star stickers
• chalk
• imagination

Directions:

1. Teach about the constellations and show some examples. It's kind of like connect the dots with stars.
2. As an example, draw about 8 or 10 stars on the board at random. Ask the kids what they think it looks like and connect the dots.
3. Give each child a piece of paper and some star stickers. Have students stick them on anywhere they want.
4. Use chalk to connect the dots.
5. They can give a name to their original constellations and show the class.

This was a cool activity. I drew these same dots on the board and asked the kids what it was. They almost unanimously yelled out "Turtle!" and told me how to connect the dots.

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Easy Paper Towel Roll Telescope Craft

You can easily turn a paper towel roll tube into a telescope with this fun, cute craft.

Materials:

• paper towel roll tube
• 2 thick black strips of construction paper to wrap around the top and bottom
• 1 thin black strip of construction paper to wrap around the middle
• glue
• small square of blue cellophane
• rubber band
• small star stickers
• star, moon or planet decorations

Directions:

1. Wrap and glue a thick strip of black paper around the top and bottom of the paper towel roll to look like a telescope.
2. Wrap and glue a thin piece around the middle.
3. Use a rubber band to tie a piece of blue cellophane over one end.
4. Stick small star stickers on the cellophane.
5. Decorate the outside of the telescope with stars, moons, or planets.
6. Look through the telescope and see the stars!

Alternatively, you could put two toilet rolls together and wrap with white paper instead of the paper towel roll.

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Easy Milk Carton Pencil Holder Craft

This is a very simple and useful pencil holder craft from a milk carton.

Materials:

• milk carton
• scissors
• old magazines
• glue

Directions:

1. Cut the bottom of a milk carton about 5 inches tall.
2. Cut various pictures from old magazines and glue on to completely cover the outside of the milk carton. You can also use stickers.
3. Use as a pencil holder on your desk.

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Easy Toilet Paper Roll Rocket Craft

 This is a simple and cute rocket you can make from a toilet roll.

Materials:

• toilet paper roll
• aluminum foil
• small black circle from construction paper
• short strips of red, yellow, orange cellophane
• stapler
• glue

Directions:

1. Cut a small sheet of aluminum foil about 9x9.5 inches, big enough to wrap the toilet roll.
2. Spread glue over the toilet paper roll and wrap with the foil. Fold the excess into the ends.
3. Cut a slit in the black circle and roll into a cone. Staple in place.
4. Apply glue on the inside of one end of the toilet paper roll and insert the cone. If it doesn't fit exactly, secure with tape.
5. Glue the cellophane strips into the other end for flames.
6. For more detail, cut a small white circle, draw an astronauts face and glue to the side of the rocket.
7. Attach a piece of yarn or fishing line to hand up your rocket

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Easy Snowflake Window Cling Craft

 Snowflakes are one of nature's most beautiful designs, no two are ever the same. Now your students can make their own snowflakes for a wintry display.

Materials:

• wax paper
• pencil
• white glue
• glitter

Directions:

1. Teach the kids about snowflakes and show several examples. You might even teach them the shape hexagon. Remember, snowflakes are always different, but always have six sides or points.
2. Give each child a sheet of wax paper. Have them draw a simple snowflake design.
3. Squeeze the white glue over the pattern. The glue should be thick.
4. Sprinkle with glitter.
5. Place the snowflakes somewhere they won't be disturbed. It will take a few days to dry completely.
6. Carefully peel off from the wax paper and stick on a window with tape.

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Easy Hand Print Addition Math Craft

This is a simple hand print craft that is great for addition practice.

Materials:

• construction paper
• sheet of white paper for each child
• scissors
• glue
• pencil

Directions:

1. Have students trace and cut out both hands from construction paper.
2. Cover the left hand completely and glue on the left side of the white paper. Leave a space in the middle.
3. Glue the right hand on the right side, but only glue the palm.
4. Draw a plus sign in the middle and an equals sign to the right of the right hand.
5. Fold the fingers of the right hand down to do simple math problems. (5+2=7, 5+4=9)

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Crab Hand Print Craft

Use hand prints to make a cute crab.

 

Materials:

 

• red construction paper
• pencil
• scissors
• paper eyes or eye stickers
• glue

 

Directions:

 

1. Help children cut out two hand prints from red paper.
2. Glue the hands together in the middle to look like a crab. The thumbs should stick up.
3. Add eyes to the top of the thumbs. Draw a smile on your crab.

 

For an added step, cut out paper claws to add to the crab or just draw them on. You could glue your crabs to a yellow piece of construction paper to create a beach scene or display them on your bulletin board.

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Halloween Spider Hand Print Craft

Hand prints can be used for so many things. Now let's make a cute spider for Halloween.

Materials:

• black construction paper
• pencil
• scissors
• glue
• small eyes or eye stickers

Directions:

1. Help children cut out two hand prints from black paper.
2. Glue the hands together to look like a spider. The thumbs should be short, like fangs.
3. Add eyes.

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Wizard Wand Paper Craft

This is a simple wizard wand you can make for your next Halloween Party or Harry Potter theme birthday party.

Materials:

• 1 sheet of construction paper
• pencil
• star stickers or small paper stars
• 1 shiny bead
• glue stick
• super glue or glue gun
• scissors

Directions:

1. Start at one corner. With the pencil, roll the construction paper into a narrow cone. Don't roll straight across the paper. Start at the short side of the paper and turn the pencil as you roll. This is for practice to get the shape you want.
2. This time, put glue on one short side and one long side of the paper and roll with the pencil into your cone shape. Remove the pencil. You might put one piece of tape to secure the corner.
3. Glue or stick on stars or moons for decoration.
4. There should be a small opening at the top of the cone. Use super glue to glue on a sparkly bead or small marble for the tip. Don't let children use the super glue.
5. Cut across the bottom of the cone to make it even.
6. Teach them magic words and practice casting spells.

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Halloween Jack-o-lantern Face Craft

Here's an easy, Jack-o-Lantern craft that makes two faces at once.

Materials:

• white paper
• Jack-o-Lantern template from white construction paper
• orange paint and brushes
• tape

Directions:

1. Place the Jack-o-Lantern template on white paper and tape only at the top stem.
2. Paint the face and around it with orange paint. Allow to dry.
3. Remove the template and you have two faces, one positive, one negative.

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Number Beads Math Craft

This is a fun and easy math craft to reinforce counting.

Materials:

• construction paper
• numbers or tracing numbers from white paper
• short lengths of pipe cleaners
• beads
• tape

Directions:

1. Glue numbers at the top of a piece of construction paper. Students trace or color the numbers.
2. Tape one end of a pipe cleaner under each number.
3. Children put the number of beads to match each number. Then tape the other end.

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Halloween Fluffy Ghost Craft

Here's a cute and fluffy ghost for Halloween.

Materials:

• ghost template cut from black construction paper
• white paper
• cotton
• glue

Directions:

1. Have children design and cut out eyes and mouth or teacher can precut beforehand.
2. Glue eyes and mouth onto the ghost template.
3. Glue cotton on top of the ghost.

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Leaf Creatures Craft

This is a great, universal craft, especially fun in the fall. Good after an excursion outside to collect leaves.

Materials:

• leaves
• paper
• glue and/or tape
• pencils or crayons
• imagination (required)

Directions:

1. Using their imaginations, kids create shapes, cars, animals, monsters, etc. from leaves, then glue or tape into place.
2. They can draw on details like faces, eyes, etc.

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Japanese Acorn Maze Craft

This is for elementary students. Using a box lid as a frame, create a cardboard maze and use an acorn to play. The one pictured here, my daughter Hana(first grade) made all by herself. Let their imaginations go.

Materials:

• shoe box lid or other box lid
• scrap cardboard
• scissors
• glue
• crayons to decorate
• scrap paper
• imagination (required)

Directions:

1. Talk about mazes and show some examples. Then, let students draw their maze design on paper.
2. Cut out strips of cardboard and glue on the lid to create the maze.
3. They can draw arrows to show the path.
4. They can use paper to make tunnels or small ramps to make it more challenging.
5. Use cardboard and paper to create flags to show "Start", and "Finish".
6. Place an acorn at the start. Tilt the lid and roll the acorn through the maze.

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Japanese Chopsticks Boat Toy Craft

 Here in Japan, disposable chopsticks are a common everyday item. But, disposable chopsticks can also be the source of a lot of original craft ideas. This is how to make a simple boat toy for the bathtub from chopsticks.

Materials:

• 3 disposable chopsticks
• rubber bands (a few colored ones are better)
• milk carton
• scissors
• stapler

Directions:

Motor paddle

1. Cut a rectangle from a milk carton about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide.
2. Fold the rectangle in half, then half again, then half again to make eight equal sections.
3. Fold every two sections onto each other and then into a four way cross shape. Staple each section in the middle to secure.

Boat Frame

1. Put two chopsticks together and tie near the top with a rubber band.
2. Open to a "V" shape and place one more chopstick across to make an "A" shape. Tie with rubber bands.
3. Tie two blue rubber bands together and then two purple to make two sets of two.( colors are only examples)
4. Tie one end of each color set around the center of the motor paddle.
5. Tie the ends to bottom of the "A".
6. Wind up and let your boat sail in a bathtub.

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Easy Craft Stick Shapes Craft

 This is an extremely easy math craft to do with 2 and 3 year olds after a shapes lesson.

Materials:

• 1 piece of construction paper.
• craft sticks (Popsicle sticks)
• tape

Directions:

1. After reviewing the names of basic shapes, have students make shape outlines with craft sticks and tape in place.
2. For an extra step, prepare the names of shapes on pieces of paper and have students glue them under their stick shapes.

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Easy Rainbow Fish CD Craft

I love rainbows and rainbow crafts, any kind. This is a great craft to do after reading book, "The Rainbow Fish"  by Marcus Pfister.

 Materials:

• old CD
• fish fins from blue construction paper
• 1 google eye
• tape, glue

Directions:

1. Cut out all the fish fin pieces.
2. Tape fins on to the printed side of an old CD.
3. Glue a google eye on the blank side.
4. Hang up with a piece of fishing line.

For added effect, accordion fold a piece of blue paper and push it through the hole in the middle to make the side fins.

Here's the template from DLTK

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Ocean in a Bottle Craft

I made a lot of these ocean bottles when I was a kid, all various colors. But at that time, the recipe I learned called for rubbing alcohol and turpentine, or paint thinner, both of which are expensive and highly toxic. But, you can get the same effect with cooking oil and water, much cheaper and safer.

Materials:

• 1 plastic drink bottle with screw on lid
• water
• cooking oil (the clearer the better)
• blue food coloring

Directions:

1. Fill the drink bottle about halfway with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring. Shake well.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with cooking oil and screw on the lid tightly.

The oil is lighter than the water and the two liquids won't mix. Shake it up and watch them separate. Tip to the side and watch the ocean roll. As simple as this craft is, it never ceases to amaze and entertain me. For added effect, you could put a little sand at the bottom of the bottle, too. You don't have to limit yourself to just blue. Make a red lava bottle instead. Have fun!

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Moon with Craters Craft

 This is a fun idea I like using bubble wrap. Use the bubble wrap to paint a "cratered" surface.

Materials:

• white construction paper or card stock
• bubble wrap
• gray paint and paintbrushes or rollers
• various lids or bottle tops

Directions:

1. Lay the bubble wrap on the table and apply gray paint on the surface.
2. Lay a piece of paper on the bubble wrap and press all around with your hands.
3. Peel off the paper. Dip lids into the paint and stamp various sized craters onto the surface.
4. If desired, lightly roll a little paint over the surface for detail. Allow to dry.
5. Trace a large paper plate on the paper and cut out your cratered Moon.
6. Hang up with a string or display on the wall.

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Sun, Earth, Moon Model Craft

 I thought this was such a neat idea. It simply and clearly shows you how the Earth goes around the Sun and the Moon goes around the Earth. You can easily make it with the template below. Great for a unit about space or the Moon.

Materials:

• 1 paper plate
• white construction paper or card stock
• Earth and Moon cutouts from template
• hole puncher
• crayons
• 2 brass fasteners
• scissors

Directions:

1. Go to the link below and download the template. Cut the Earth and Moon pieces from hard white paper.
2. Color the paper plate yellow, color the Earth and Moon.
3. Punch a hole at the end of each strip as shown and in the middle of the paper plate.
4. Fasten the pieces together using brass fasteners.

The template is available online from NASA Blogs

It may not give you a big picture of the template, though. Alternatively, do an image search for 'sun earth moon model' and that should give you the image. Have fun.

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Fruit Paper Plate Craft

Here's a really easy fruit plate craft for the youngest students.

Materials:

• paper plate
• fruit cut outs, apple, orange, grapes, and banana from construction paper
• glue
• hole punch
• string

Directions:

1. Pre-cut a hole at the top of each paper plate beforehand and tie a string through the hole.
2. Give each child a paper plate and fruit to glue on.
3. After they finish, they can wear their fruit plate.





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Halloween Jack-o-lantern Paper Plate Craft

 

Here's a simple Halloween craft especially for the very little ones.

Materials:

• small paper plate
• craft stick
• eye, nose, and mouth pieces from black construction paper
• orange crayon
• glue
• tape

Directions:

1. Color the paper plate completely orange.
2. Glue on the face pieces.
3. Tape a craft stick to the back for a handle.

 

 

 

 

 

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Halloween Jack-o-lantern Pinatas

Here are two jumbo Jack-o-lantern pinatas I made for a Halloween party. It took a couple of days to make them.

We got some jumbo sized balloons. Then, covered them with strips of newspaper, using a simple flour and water glue. I've had a lot of practice(and failures) making balloon pinatas at my school or at home. One important thing is to get good strong balloons. You don't want it to lose its shape before you finish. Another thing is to let one layer completely dry before applying the next. The last layer, I used shoji paper which is used in Japanese paper doors. The last layer of white picks up the paint better. Then, pop the balloon inside. I cut out the shapes of the face on black paper and glued them on. These were big and stood about three feet high. They were still tough to break, though.
Happy Halloween.

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Halloween Monster Balloon Pinata Craft

Here's another Halloween balloon pinata I made. The fave is roughly based on a big green monster face I saw.

Materials:

• balloon
• newspaper
• water and flour paste
• green paint
• various colored paper

Directions:

1. Tear newspaper into strips and dip in flour water paste and cover a large balloon. Allow to dry and repeat two more times for three layers.
2. Paint pinata green and allow to dry.
3. Cut out pieces for the face and glue on.
4. Pop the balloon and fill with candy, closing with tape.
5. Have fun at the party.

  

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Halloween Tissue Ghost Ball Craft

These cute little ghosts make a great alternative for a bean bag toss during your next Halloween party.

 

Materials:

 

• Tissue (Kleenex)
• small super balls
• rubber bands
• marker

 

Directions:

 

1. Sandwich together two tissues and place them flat on the table.
2. Place a small Super ball in the middle and scrunch up the paper into a little ghost shape. Twist and tie with a rubber band.
3. Draw on a cute little face.

 

You can get the same look using another tissue scrunched up for a ball in the head, but it doesn't throw very well. Incidentally, these little ghosts look exactly like the Japanese child craft, teru-teru bozu. This is a traditional craft Japanese children make at home and hang in the window to ward of the rain. This is not a ghost however, and is supposed to represent a kindly, bald, Buddhist priest, praying for a sunny day. Kids say if you hang them upside down, it will make the rain come.

 

 

 

 

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Sand Paper Sand Castle Craft

This is a neat idea to create a castle from sandpaper. Good after a lesson on the beach or medieval times.

Materials:

large white sheet of construction paper or card stock

brown sandpaper(60-40 grit has a good, coarse, sandy look)

pencil

scissors

glue

paper pennant on a toothpick

decorations like sea theme beads, stars, etc. (if desired)

Directions:

On the smooth side of the sandpaper, draw simple geometric shapes to form your castle.

Cut out shapes (cutting sandpaper is difficult for kids and hard on scissors)

Glue shapes onto white paper into a sandcastle shape. Tape the pennant on the top.

Decorate or draw on details for a beach scene with seagulls, crabs, etc. or a medieval scene with a knight dragon and princess.

After I made this, I had the idea to fold the sandpaper into shapes and make a 3D, stand-up castle. Let your imagination go.

 

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Johnny Appleseed Apple Tree Craft

Here's a fun hand print apple tree craft in honor of that all American hero, Johnny Appleseed.

Materials:

• white paper
• green construction paper
• pencil
• scissors
• tree trunks cut from brown construction paper
• small red paper circles of apple cutouts if you have them
• pot hat cut outs
• glue

Directions:

1. Trace and cut out two pair of hand prints for each child from green construction paper.
2. Glue on trunk and hand prints on white paper to make your tree.
3. Glue on red circles or apples onto the tree.
4. Next to the tree, glue on Johnny Appleseed's pot hat.
5. Draw Johnny Appleseed to match the hat.
6. Color and add details like sun, clouds, birds etc.

Variations:

Orignally, this craft called for gluing on a blue paper background, but for this one, I wanted to encourage their creativity by drawing Johnny Appleseed into the picture, so I used white paper. Or, you could prepare a paper cutout of Johnny Appleseed from a coloring page and kids could color and then glue on. Also you don't have to let the tree hang off the edge of the paper as shown.

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