Materials

• Rope, yarn etc.
• Scissors
• Tape
• Beads (be sure to select ones that holes are bigger than the diameter of your rope, yarn etc.)

Directions

• This process is a bit like a chain stitch in crochet.

• Think about how long you would like your necklace to be.  Be sure to account for extra to secure your necklace and that you need about twice the amount as the looping will take up some of the material’s length.  For us this meant about double the length of our son’s arm span.

• Tape the ends with clear tape to make easy lacing of the beads later.  (Making them like a shoe lace end.)  You could give them a little trim at the very end (cutting off a tiny bit of the rope/tape) to assure a sharp edge.

• Make a slip knot about 15 centimetres/ 6 inches in on one side of the rope.  (This was the amount that we decided would allow us to tie the necklace closed- go with whatever you feel comfortable with and remember too much is always better as it allows you to simply trim any excess!)

• Put the loop of the slip knot over the long portion of your rope.

• Pull the rope through the loop to make another loop as shown.

• Pull any slack with the long rope taut, making another small loop.

• Repeat until you have reached the desired length of loops.

• To finish your section, simply pull your long rope completely through the loop, pulling tight.

• Lace your bead(s).

• Make another slip knot to make another series of loops, using the same process.

• Alternate with beads and sections of loops until you have your desired look, leaving a bit for tying at the end.

• Don your necklace and enjoy!

Purpose

• Developing one’s fine motor skills
• Working together

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.  As well, make sure you remove your necklace for play (e.g., the playground etc.)
• Beads can be a choking hazard therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

Create this keepsake together to keep track of your children’s growth throughout the years!  Find the full tutorial on hello, Wonderful (and tonnes of fun summer activities for kids!)

http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/HOW-TO-MAKE-A-FELT-TREE-GROWTH-CHART-WITH-KIDS

Materials

• Egg shaped rocks
• Gloss acrylic paint (you could also use something like Modge Podge or diluted white glue)
• Paint brush
• Paper
• Pencil crayons
• Black ballpoint or thin permanent black marker
• Scissors

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• Go out for a nature walk with an adult and collect egg-shaped rocks.

• Don your smock.

• Cut a manageable piece of paper a bit smaller than the size of your rock.

• Sketch out your dinosaur on paper.

• Colour it in with pencil crayons and outline it with black pen (of the permanent variety) if you like.  You could also use a black pencil crayon.  Avoid markers as the may smudge when you paint with your gloss.

• Trim around your dinosaur, leaving a slight border.

• Paint your rock surface with a thin layer of acrylic gloss where you would like to affix your dinosaur.

• Lay your dinosaur on top of the gloss carefully and paint over it with a thin layer of gloss.  We recommend starting in the centre of your drawing and then painting outwards to assure a smooth surface and to force out any air bubbles that may be in between the rock and the drawing.  You may find it easier to have an adult hold it steady for you.

• Allow to dry overnight.

• Play with your dinosaurs!

• You could do all sorts of variations of this activity- it would be a perfect time to discuss what creatures come or came from eggs! (Such as birds!)

Purpose

• Learning what creatures came or come from eggs.
• Creating props or things to enhance imaginary play.
• Developing one’s fine motor skills: sketching, colouring, cutting, painting etc.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.
• Depending on the size that you choose, rocks can be a choking hazard- therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

Sincerely,

The Scorer Family

Materials

• Printout Things_I_Did
• Printer
• Paper
• Pencil/eraser
• Pencil crayons, gel pens etc.

Directions

• Printout the This Year I Learned… sheet for your child or students.

• Have them describe something that they learned- whether it be about a certain subject or topic, a social skill or something like riding one’s bike.  Write this on the lines on the lower portion of the sheet.

• In the blank space above, draw a corresponding illustration to their writing.

Purpose

• Summarizing information
• Acknowledging and tracking growth
• Developing writing and illustration skills

Materials

• Cardstock
• Printer
• Printout summer_book_marks
• Scissors
• Pencil/eraser (for filing it in)
• Cord, yarn etc.
• Beads

Pom Pom Painting (Optional)

• Various sizes and/or types of pom poms
• Acrylic craft paint (or another type of thick paint)
• Clothes pins
• Tray

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• Print your bookmark sheet onto your cardstock

• Don your smock and cover your workspace with a table cloth or put out your craft tray.

• Flip your paper over, so that the printed side is facing down.

• Paint your bookmarks with any technique that you like.  We went with pom pom painting- clipping the pom poms into the clothes pins and then dipping them in the paint and applying it to the paper.

• Make as many as you would like, based on your reading hopes/goals for the summer.  Allow to dry overnight.

• You could also simplify the process and simply draw on the other side- perhaps a favourite character, scene from a book etc.

• Flip over your painting and cut out your bookmarks. (To make it easier, you could cut your paper in half as we did.)

• Punch a hole in the spot where it is shown.

• Make a loop with your yarn or cord over the hole on the top of the bookmark as shown.  Bring up the ends through the hole and through the loop.  Pull taut.  Add some beads if you like and knot the end.

• Record the titles that you read over the summer on your bookmark!

Purpose

• Encouraging reading.
• Exploring various painting techniques

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Beads can be a choking hazard therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.

Megan’s three kids J. (age 10), S. (7) & R. (4) and three other kids that she takes care of made the Polaroid inspired Father’s Day projects and we were thrilled!  It is so heart-warming to see readers trying out ideas!  Thank you.

Want to try it out for yourself?  Here are the details: 

http://make-it-your-own.com/polaroid-portraits/