Materials

• Large construction paper or bristol board (18 inches X 12 inches/ 45.7 cm X 30.5 cm)
• Multicultural construction paper
• Printer
• Basket printout thanksgiving_basket
• Tag printout thanksgiving_tags
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Various materials to make yourself (fabric, beads, felt, foam, buttons, jewels, beads, ribbon etc.)
• Craft knife/ cutting mat (to be used by an adult)

Directions

• Make yourself out of various materials that you may have.  As always, it is a good idea to lay out the pieces of your idea before gluing them together to make sure everything works/fits together.  With craft glue, attach yourself to a large piece of construction paper or bristol board.

• Trace your arms and hands onto construction paper.  Cut them out and glue them under your outfit where your shoulders would be.

• Print your basket onto cardstock, cut it out.  Have an adult cut the rim of the basket (as shown in the photo) with a craft knife and a cutting mat.

• Cut things out to represent what you are thankful for and tuck them into your basket.  If you like, add the provided tags to indicate what they are.

• Attach your basket to your created self and glue your hands onto the front so it appears that you are holding onto it.  Make a fold at your elbow so they look like your arms are bending forward.

• Hang “yourself” up and share all that you are grateful for!

Purpose

• To show appreciation
• Using various materials
• Opportunities for writing (making labels)

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with adult supervision.
• If you use materials that could be choking hazards such as beads, buttons etc., be sure to keep them out the reach of young (0-3 year old) children.

Materials

• Found nature objects (leaves, pinecones, acorns etc.)

• Sorting Mat sorting_mat_template   sorting_mat_blank

• Adding Mat adding_mat_template

• Sizing Mat sizing_mat_template
  

• Graphing Worksheet graph

• Basket
• Page protectors or laminating supplies
• Cardstock
• Pencil/ eraser
• Pencil crayons

Directions

• Print the provided templates onto cardstock.  Slip them into page protectors for longevity or laminate them if they are for classroom use.

• Go on a nature walk, collecting various items such as fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones etc. in a basket or bag.

• Take your treasures home and on a large area such a table, using the templates provided, organize your objects.  For example you might sort out the different colours of leaves, order your pinecones according to size etc.  You might use the adding mat to add all the acorns that still have their “hats” to those that don’t to see how many you have all together.  We provided a blank sorting mat for your own ideas.

• Print out the graphing worksheet and graph items of your choice.  Select a title and sub-titles for the x and y axis.  Colour in your bar graph.

• When you are done, return your treasures to nature or play with them outside.

• Pop your templates into a binder or folder and tuck them away for next year.  If you did this at home it would be interesting to note how your child’s understanding might change from year to year:  Can they sort things into their own created groups? Are they more independent?  Can they predict the answer with mental addition before tabulating it with the objects?  Could they make their own mat for a different concept (to share with a sibling for example)?

Purpose

• Using a variety of objects to explore mathematical concepts (sorting, addition, size, counting, graphing etc.)

Safety Notes

• Objects such as acorns can be a choking hazard so this activity is not recommended for children 0-3 or those that tend to put things in their mouths.
• Laminators should be used by an adults.

Materials

• Canning lid (the ring portion)
• Embroidery floss
• Beads
• Needle
• Threader (optional)

Directions

• Knot your embroidery floss on the inside of the canning lid ring.

• Wrap the embroidery floss around tightly.  (You could also use yarn for smaller children.)

• To change colours: either securely knot the next colour to the last or knot the last colour to the ring and then knot the next colour around the ring.

• If you want to add beads, thread your needle to make this easier.

• One tip is to be sure to push your wrapped floss together as you move onto the next colour, making sure your floss circles are snug beside each other.

• Knot the end on the inside of the ring.

• Give it to a friend, classmate or sibling to enjoy!

Purpose

• Re-using materials
• Fine motor skills
• Thinking of others

Safety Notes

• Exercise caution when using a needle.
• Thread or yarn can be a strangulation hazard.  Use with direct supervision.
• Be sure to keep beads away from children 0-3 or those who tend to put things in their mouths.

• This activity was featured on Apartment Therapy’s collection of “10 Simple & Festive Place Cards”.  Check out their site for lovely, visually appealing ideas for the whole family!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/thanksgiving-table-diy-10-simple-place-cards-212568

• It was also featured on The Crafty Crow- a kid friendly site for all sorts of fun!

 http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/11/fingerprint-place-cards-for-your-thanksgiving-table.html

• Additionally, check it out on Yahoo DIY!  https://www.yahoo.com/diy/keep-em-busy-at-the-c1416509648599/photo-fingerprint-placecards-photo-1416509202866.html

Materials

• Place cards (or cut  and fold your own out of cardstock)
• Paint
• Shallow tray
• Paint brush
• Paper towel or cloth
• Thin markers
• Smock

Directions

• Don your smock.

• Put little blobs of paint into your craft tray.

• Dip your finger or thumb into the paint or brush it on your finger or thumb as shown.  If you have various coloured stamp pads this would work too (just check that they are non-toxic and washable!)

• Carefully apply the paint to the place card off to the side to allow for space for the names of your guests.

• Repeat using various colours.

• Wash your hands and allow your work to dry.

• Using thin markers, add details to bring your prints to life.  You could make apples, pumpkins, acorns, use the thumbprint for the body of a turkey, owl etc.

• Write the names of your guests (you may want to make extras to allow for errors or write in pencil and then trace over it in marker).

• Add your cards to your holiday table!

Purpose

• Creating real life reasons for writing.

Safety Notes

• Wear a smock to protect your clothing from the paint and the markers.
• Use non-toxic, washable products.

Materials

• Styrofoam balls
• Crepe or tissue paper
• Floral wire (ours is wrapped)
• Pencil
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Craft glue
• Green ribbon (optional)
• Scissors
• Toothpick

Directions

• Cut your crepe or tissue paper into squares.

• Put a bit of glue into the centre of the paper and then fold in the edges, gluing them down at the bottom.  We used a glue gun, but craft glue would work.   With a glue gun, be aware that your type of glue gun may melt the styrofoam!

• Have an adult cut a small piece of floral wire.  Twist it around a pencil to make a curvy stem.  Stretch it out a bit, should you like, using your pliers.  Poke it into the top of your pumpkin.  Add a little piece of ribbon for leaves if you like.

• Insert a toothpick in the bottom and top your cake with it!

Purpose

• Developing fine motor skills lends to muscle development and hand eye coordination for activities such as writing, cutting etc.

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.

Last year we were inspired by the idea of using bandages to make a mummy to cover a chocolate bar for Halloween and we wanted to try something of our own– especially after grandma sent us some faux fur!

The idea with this activity is for the child to re-use scraps of materials and supplies you already have.  This is only a starting point.  We would love to see what you come up with!  You could do something playful, spooky…

Materials

Turkey

• Crepe paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Clear tape
• Pencil/ eraser
• Ruler
• Buttons
• Foam
• Trim
• Construction paper
• Chocolate bar

Monster 

• Faux fur
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Clear tape
• Pencil/ eraser
• Ruler
• Craft eyes
• Foam
• Construction paper
• Chocolate Bar

Directions

Turkey

• Lay your chocolate bar out on the edge of your construction paper.  Measure and cut out a strip long enough to cover the chocolate bar and wrap around so that it tapes shut on the back as shown.  Use a pencil and ruler to make this easier for younger children.  This creates a base for you to glue onto.

• Cut out layers of crepe in the shape as shown to make simple feathers.  We traced our fingers to make tail feathers, cut out some simple wings etc.

• Glue the crepe layers on the cardstock, starting at the bottom, overlapping as you go up.  We put a piece of trim at the bottom and a straight strip of crepe at the top to finish it off.

• Cut out a beak from crepe, foam or  felt and glue it onto your cardstock, along with button eyes etc.

• Give your turkey to a friend, teacher of family member for Thanksgiving!

Monster

• Lay your chocolate bar out on the edge of your construction paper. Measure and cut out a strip long enough to cover the chocolate bar and wrap around so that it tapes shut on the back as shown above.  Use a pencil and ruler to make this easier for younger children.  This creates a base for you to glue onto.

• Cut lengths of the faux fur (or a section the size of your chocolate bar if it comes in that form).

• Glue it onto your cardstock.  Add eyes made of felt, buttons or craft eyes.  We added a few foam fangs.  For the ears we glued the faux fur onto triangles of cardstock to give them shape and then onto the face.

• Give it to someone special. (Wouldn’t this be fun to hide in a drawer for a scary and sweet surprise?!)

Purpose

• Thinking of others

Safety Notes

• Exercise caution when using scissors.
• Buttons and craft eyes can be potential choking hazards.  Be sure to keep them out of reach of children 0-3 or those who tend to put them in their mouth.

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow.  Looking for seasonal ideas to do together?  Check them out!

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/11/kid-made-thanksgiving-bunting.html

 *Please excuse our paint-stained hands!

Materials

Pendent Style Banner

• Fabric
• Bias tape
• Iron (to be used by an adult)
• Cardstock
• Template banner_Template
• Scissors
• Fabric scissors
• Embroidery floss
• Needle
• Stick pins
• Fabric glue or sewing machine/thread
• Pencil

Tassels

• Needle
• Embroidery floss
• Pom Poms
• Fabric scissors

Tied Style Banner

• Fabric
• Cardstock
• Template banner_Template
• Scissors
• Sewing marker (or pencil)
• Embroidery floss
• Needle (we suggest a larger, more dull type)
• Fabric scissors

Tassels 

• Embroidery floss skeins
• Wood beads
• Bamboo Skewers, floral foam, paintbrushes, smock and acrylic paint (if you want to paint your wood beads to coordinate with your banner)

Directions

Pendent Style Banner

• Have an adult iron your fabric and your bias tape open and then ironed folded in half.

• Cut out triangles from your fabric as shown, according to the size you want.  We provided a sample template. *Please excuse our son’s paint stained hands!*

• Write your message on your pendents, with one letter on each.  We lightly used a pencil to write: “F-A-M-I-L-Y”.

• Sew over the letters using embroidery floss. (If your child is learning, it may be helpful to use an embroidery hoop or for you to hold it taut.  We used a basic “up, down” stitch. (One trick we found helpful for the part when you poke the needle up through the fabric is to kindof scratch the needle gently on the fabric, until you get it on the right spot on the line before you poke it up.)

• Pin your lettered pendents into the fold of your bias tape and sew them together (you could use fabric glue alternatively.)

• Attach your tassels (as you can see we reversed this step, but in the future would leave attaching the tassels until last!)

Mini Pom Pom Tassels

• Make a little bundle with embroidery floss as shown.

• Tie (double knot) it with a longer piece of floss.

• Fold the ends together and trim with fabric scissors. (An adult holding it steady may help, as shown.)  Be sure not to cut your long piece.

• Thread a needle onto your long piece.

• Thread your pom poms.

• Attach and knot it to each of your pendents!

• Enjoy your banner! (And/or make a silly face!)

Tied Style Banner

• Have an adult iron your fabric.

• Make a triangle and a band on top on cardstock to form your pattern.  (We used the width of a ruler to create the band)  Cut out your fabric pieces as shown, with your template pinned to the fabric. We have provided a template should you like.  (Trace around the edges using a sewing marker or fabric pen.) IMPORTANT: On the top strip of the template, add approximately 5 centimetres/2 inches to both sides (as the template prints landscape on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch page, and you need a bit more to tie them together.)

• Decide what message you would like to have on your banner.  (We Give Thanks, Thankful etc.)  Write it lightly on your fabric pieces in large  letters.

*As you can see, we added our tassels early and would suggest this as a last step!*

• Embroider over your letters.

• Lie your pieces out in order and tie the end of one of your banner “flags” to the next, using the top strips.

Tassels

• Put your wood beads on a bamboo skewer, spacing them apart.  Stick the end in floral foam to keep them steady.  Don your smock and paint them.  Allow them to dry overnight.

• Each skein of embroidery floss will make 2 tassels.

• Take the paper off your embroidery floss skein.

• Carefully unravel about 4-6 lengths of your floss (keeping the shape of the bundle), snipping this piece off.  Cut the piece in half.  You will use this to tie your tassels and string your beads.  Cut your bundle carefully in half.  On the fold make a knot, using the piece you cut off previously.  Thread your needle, lace your beads and attach it to the bottom of your pendents.

• Hang your banner on the wall and enjoy from year to year!

Purpose

• Writing for display purposes.
• Learning to sew.

Safety Notes

• Use a needle with care and direct adult supervision.
• Wear a smock to protect your clothing from paint.

Materials

• Fabric
• Sewing materials (machine/thread) Optional
• Safety pin
• Ribbon/cord
• Beads
• Elastic
• Dowel

Directions

• Rip (make a snip with your fabric scissors to get you started) or cut strips of fabric.

• We folded them over length-wise (good sides facing in) and then sewed the edges so when we turned them inside out, the edges would have a less rough feel. However, this step is optional.  When you turn your “tubes” inside out, you might find a safety pin (attaching it to one end and moving it through) helpful for this.  We found a piece of dowel to push it through worked for us, along with small pulls of the fabric out of the centre of the tube.  (If you have any tips for this kind of thing, we would love to hear them!  I will admit- this step is a bit time consuming if you decide to go with the more polished edge.  It may require an adult to do it– perhaps while they are watching their favourite show!)

• Tie a knot together with all your fabric pieces, ribbon etc. and begin to braid.  For children learning it is sometime easier to pin this to a surface such as a pillow, tape it to piece of cardboard or have an adult hold it.   (Sometimes having the child repeat something like: “Left to the middle, right to the middle, left to the middle” as they braid helps them to stay organized with the process.  My sisters and I practised learning to braid with shoe string licorice- thanks mom!)

• Add any embellishments you like (e.g., beads etc.) on your cord or ribbon. Knot them on.

• When you are done, secure the end with a knot.  Tie the two knotted ends together and trim off any excess fabric or sew a bit of elastic to both the sides (or perhaps inside one of the longer tubes to hide it as we did) to make your headband adjustable.

Purpose

• Learning to braid (developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination etc.)

Safety Notes

• Have an adult use a sewing machine or based on your age and abilities, use it with direct supervision and guidance.
• Beads can be a choking hazard for children 0-3 years of age or those who tend to put things in their mouths.
• Headbands can be strangulation hazards.  Be sure to remove them for play (e.g., on the playground etc.)

This project was featured on The Crafty Crow.  Check them out for all sorts of amazing projects!

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2015/11/fall-mobile-wall-art.html

Materials

* If you don’t want to use real leaves for the projects draw some from your imagination or use craft leaves as tracers.*

• Leaves
• Crepe paper
• Felt
• Fabric
• Fabric scissors
• Scissors
• Pencil & Eraser
• Cord, twine, ribbon, embroidery floss etc./Needle
• Sewing markers (or pencil crayons)
• Embellishments (optional)
• Fabric glue
• Beads
• Pine cones
• Branch/larger stick
• Craft tray, paper liner (for items such as glitter, micro beads)
• Smock

Directions

• Go on a nature walk and collect several different types of leaves.

• For the leaves that you are making out of fabric or felt, trace them using a sewing marker (or a fabric marker) and then flip them over once they are cut so you can’t see the lines.

• Cut these leaves out with fabric scissors.

• We decided to sew around the edges and create sewn midribs and veins on the felt leaves.  You could do this optional step by hand or with a machine.  We added a bit of fabric glue and micro beads to some of the fabric leaves.  It is a good idea to do this on a scrap piece of paper in your craft tray to contain your beads and to be able to make the paper into a funnel shape, putting the extras back into the container.

• Now onto the crepe paper leaves.  Trace around your leaves using a pencil and cut them out.

• Depending on where you want the leaves to hang from on your garland, make a gentle fold and a tiny snip with your scissors or fabric scissors.  (This will make a slit for you to lace the leaves.)  We chose the stem for our small hole.

• Lace your leaves onto your cord or ribbon.  If you want them to stay in a certain place, make a knot on either side of them in the cord and/or add beads to create spacers.  For the strand that we did using embroidery floss we used a needle to poke through the leaves, making little groupings.

• We also created some strands with pinecones, knotting the stems onto cord.  Hang your long strands of leaves onto your branch.  Our eldest son was quite interested in the patterns one could create with this activity.

• Tie a ribbon on both sides of your branch to hang your creation, bringing a little nature indoors!

Purpose

• Getting out into nature
• Using nature as inspiration for creating
• Learning how to make replicas of real objects
• You could also explore patterning

Safety Notes

• Fabric scissors can be quite sharp, please use them with caution and direct supervision.
• Wear a smock and use a craft tray to prevent damaging clothes and/or surfaces, especially when using fabric glue.
• If you use beads, be aware that they may be a choking hazard and should be kept out of reach from those children 0-3 or those who tend to put things into their mouths.

Materials

• Felt
• Fabric scissors
• Fabric glue OR sewing machine/thread OR embroidery thread
• Pencil/eraser
• Template woodland_animal_template
• Stick pins
• Smock
• Buttons
• Pom Pom

Directions

• We decided to choose a woodland animal for our gift card holder and settled on a fox.

• Sketch out your idea one of the provided templates.

• Measure your felt for the base of the holder.  Most standard gift cards are approximately 8.5cm X 5.5 cm/ 3.75 inches X 2.5 inches so we cut out felt to be 9.5 c.m X 12.5 cm/ 5 inches X 3.75 inches to allow for a border. (We also left space to trim off an excess to make it uniform account for any errors, spreading of glue etc.)  You could use one of the pre-made templates to cut your felt.  (Pin it to the felt, cutting around twice or double your felt over, cutting once).

• Cut out the components of your animal (eyes, nose etc.).  Lay them out to make sure that they work and look the way that you want.

• Don your smock. Glue or sew your parts to one side of the felt.  Hand sew or machine sew any details you may like (e.g, whiskers etc.).

•  Glue or sew three of edges of the base pieces together (two of the long sides and one of the short on the bottom, as seen in the photograph).  Allow it to dry overnight.

• Insert your gift card and give it to someone special!

Purpose

• Thinking of others
• Developing fine motor skills (cutting, sewing etc.)

Safety Notes

• Exercise care when using fabric scissors as they can be quite sharp!
• Be sure to wear a smock when using fabric glue to protect your clothes.
• Buttons can be a choking hazard so they are not recommended for children 0-3 years of age or who tend to put things in their mouth.
• Be careful with pins and needles- sometimes a thimble can be helpful for beginners.  We also love a threader.