Materials

Christmas Tree

• Wooden mug holder
• Acrylic paint
• Wooden curtain hooks
• Wooden star (we used a Christmas ornament that we removed the loop from)
• Wooden bead or dowel cap
• Paint brush
• Floral foam
• Wood glue or glue gun

Nesting Dolls

• Blank Nesting Dolls (we got ours at Michaels craft store)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint pens (we like the Posca brand which are available on Amazon)
• Pencil/eraser
• Paint brush

Bowling Set

• Blank bowling set (we got ours at Bear Woods Supply Company: https://www.woodparts.ca/mini-wooden-baseball-bats-bowling-pins.html)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint pens (we like the Posca brand which are available on Amazon)
• Pencil/eraser
• Paint brush

Stacking Present Blocks

• Blank wood blocks (we got ours at Michaels craft store)
• Acrylic paint
• Paint pens (we like the Posca brand which are available on Amazon)
• Pencil/eraser
• Ruler
• Cake stand, wood round or flat surface
• Paint brush

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

Christmas Tree

• Unscrew the pegs out of your mug holder.  These will form your branches for your tree.  Insert them into your floral foam and give them a few thin coats of acrylic paint, allowing them to dry throughly in between.

• Paint your wooden circular curtain rings with a few thin coats of acrylic paint, allowing drying in between.  These will form your ornaments.

• Paint your star, allow it to dry and have an adult glue to your bead, making sure that it is on the opposite side of the flat portion of your bead, so that it will be able to stand on the top of your tree.

• Screw your pegs/ branches back in, arrange your curtain hooks (ornaments and star on a tray) and decorate your tree!

Nesting Dolls

• Take your nesting doll set apart and then build each of the dolls.  Sketch your ideas onto your dolls.  We went with a family of snow people, just like the five of us!

• We then painted our background with a thin layer of acrylic paint.

• After allowing sufficient drying time, we then painted our snow people with paint pens, working in layers.  Some tips to make your painting more effective and hopefully turn out the way that you hoped:

1. Shake your pens before use.
2. Start with the larger layers which form the background of your image- so for example, the snow balls of our snow person.
3. Start with the lighter colour layers.
4. Add details and outlining with a thinner, black paint pens last.
5. If you make a mistake, allow your layer to dry and then use the corrective colour of paint pen over it.
6. Keep a scrap piece of paper handy- if the tip of your pen gets another colour of ink on it, use it on the paper until it disappears before using it again on your project.

• See if your recipient can take the dolls apart and then put them together again, enjoying the surprise within each one!

Bowling Set

• Sketch your ideas onto your pins- you could go with any holiday images.  Be sure to try to incorporate the shape of the bowling pin into your drawing.

• We then painted our background with a thin layer of acrylic paint.

• After allowing drying time, we painted our images (Christmas tree, gingerbread house, Santa and a snow person) with paint pens, working in layers.  Some tips to make your painting more effective and hopefully turn out the way that you hoped:

1. Shake your pens before use.
2. Start with the larger layers which form the background of your image- so for example, the snow balls of our snow person.
3. Start with the lighter layers.
4. Add details and outlining with a thinner, black paint pens last.
5. If you make a mistake, allow your layer to dry and then use the corrective colour of paint pen over it.
6. Keep a scrap piece of paper handy- if the tip of your pen gets another colour of ink on it, use it on the paper until it disappears before using it again on your project.

• Paint your bowling ball (snow ball) with a thin layer of acrylic paint.

• Arrange your pins and see how many you can knock down!

*Remind the bowler that the ball needs to stay on the ground and chose a spot to use this activity where damage cannot occur should your ball stray (gym, open area of a playroom etc.).  Assure that other children are not in the path of the ball as well.*

Stacking Present Blocks

• Paint your blocks with a thin layer of acrylic paint and allow them to dry.

• With your pencil and ruler draw the lines that would form your ribbon and then use your ruler and go over them with a paint pen, allowing them to dry. Create a bow on the top with your pen if you like.

• Put out your presents and see how high your friend can stack them up!

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Purpose

• Developing one’s motor skills through creating and playing with the items.
• Recognizing symbols associated with various seasons and celebrations.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Follow product directions/ cautions.
• Use a glue gun with with care and direct, adult supervision.
• 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.
• These activities are intended for children over the age of 3 and those that no longer put items in their mouths.

Check out the full details for this project over at

https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/FRIENDSHIP-COLLAGE-KIDS-ART

Materials

• Air dry clay
• Wooden beads
• Paint (we used acrylic colours and gloss if you want a shiny finish)
• Thin dowel/ BBQ skewer with the end cut off/ toothpick
• Child-safe clasp
• Cord
• Paint brushes
• Scissors
• Knife (we just used an old one that we have reserved for crafts- garage sales are good for these items!)
• Cooling rack (Sorry- it seemed to have migrated from the photo!)

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• Don your smock.  Roll out your clay.  A simple way to make beads is to create a snake.  Go with whatever shapes you like, so long as they are a bit thick on the sides when you make the hole through the centre.  You could do spheres, cubes or our kids made rectangular-ish shapes by making a tube snake and then slightly compressing the sides.

• Trim your ends and then plan out the size of your beads.  If you make them similar in size then they tend to dry at the same rate.  An easy way to divide your clay is by halving it.  Once you have your beads, make a hole through the centre.  We used a BBQ skewer with the sharp end trimmed off so that it would create a slightly bigger hole for a preschooler brother to lace the beads.

• Lay your beads on a flat surface or cooling rack (if you want to speed up the process for greater air flow) to dry.  This may be overnight or depending on the humidity where you live and the thickness of your beads, several days.  We like to go with the several days as then there is no moisture under the paint layer.

• Paint your beads.  An easy process that we have used in the past is to put beads onto skewers stuck in floral foam (see photo below).  I have seen a similar process, on a skewer across a shoe box with a notch cut out for the skewers, but the kids wanted to paint them without skewers this time.  Just be sure to wash your hands after!  If you want a shiny finish add a bit of acrylic gloss to the paint or go with just the paint for a matte finish.  As these products, including the clay are not labelled non-toxic, this is a project for bigger kids who will not chew on the beads.  Allow your beads to dry overnight.

OR

• Thread your beads onto your cord.  We added a few wood ones in there too- use what you have!

• We attached a child-safe clasp on the end (usually these will pop open when there is tension or may be magnetized to react similarly) and put them with our St. Patrick’s Day outfit!

Purpose

• Recognizing symbols commonly associated with various celebrations.

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.

From left to right, up and down:

1) Heart discovery bottle from Rhythms of Play:  https://rhythmsofplay.com/slow-falling-hearts-sensory-bottle/

2) Felt bookmarks from The Craft Train: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/hand-sewn-sweetheart-bookmarks/

3) Watercolour Heart Garland from: Little World, Big Adventures: http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/valentine-heart-garland/

4) Heart Wall Hanging from Oh Creative Day!: https://www.ohcreativeday.com/valentines-day-wall-hanging/

5) Heart-Shaped Nature Confetti from Mother Natured: https://mothernatured.com/nature-crafts-for-kids/eco-friendly-confetti/

6) Paper Heart Engineering Challenge from Buggy & Buddy: https://buggyandbuddy.com/paper-heart-engineering-craft/

7) Bubble Wands from Go Science Girls!: https://gosciencegirls.com/heart-bubble-wand/

8) Flamingo Treat Holders from Creating Creatives: http://creatingcreatives.com/sweetheart-baskets/

9) Valentine Handprint Tree from Arty Crafty Kids: https://www.artycraftykids.com/valentines/fingerprint-heart-valentines-day-tree/

10) Leafy Valentines from Mother Natured: https://mothernatured.com/nature-crafts-for-kids/leaf-heart-valentines-day/

11) Pet Treat Jars from Box of Ideas for Red Ted Art: https://boxofideas.uk/dog-cat-valentines-jar-printable/

12) Layered Heart Art from The Pintrested Parent: https://thepinterestedparent.com/2017/02/layered-scribble-hearts/

13) Unicorn Valentine Cards from hello, Wonderful: https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/DIY-UNICORN-VALENTINE-CARDS

14) Heart-Shaped Wings from Make It Your Own on Red Ted Art:  https://www.redtedart.com/valentines-heart-wings/

15) Clay Vases from Brainy Beginnings: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUo5gr5AM1L/?hl=en&taken-by=brainy_beginnings_network

16) Unicorn Headpiece from Brainy Beginnings: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZOjTkCAb3g/?hl=en&taken-by=brainy_beginnings_network

17) Heart Bouquet Cards from Barley & Birch for Red Ted Art: https://www.redtedart.com/heart-bouquet-cards/

18) Bumble Bee Cards from Kids Craft Room: https://kidscraftroom.com/woven-paper-plate-bee-craft/

19) Valentine Holders from Creating Creatives: http://creatingcreatives.com/diy-valentines-purse/

20) Send a Hug from Creating Creatives: http://creatingcreatives.com/hug-o-gram/

21) Cupcake Cards from Creating Creatives: http://creatingcreatives.com/cupcake-card/

22) Heart Penguins from Non-Toy Gifts: https://nontoygifts.com/shape-penguin-3d-heart-craft/

23) Print Making Cards from Make it Your Own:  http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-printmaking-set-of-cards/

24) Heart Stencilled Journals from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-contact-paper-stencil-notebooks/

25) Patchwork Fabric Heart from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-patchwork-quilt-heart/

26) Heart Stamps from Go Science Girls: https://www.danyabanya.com/diy-heart-shape-stamp/

27)  Heart-Shaped Wings from Make It Your Own on Red Ted Art:  https://www.redtedart.com/valentines-heart-wings/

28) Beaded Hearts from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/beaded-heart-hanger/

29) Collage Hearts from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/show-us-your-heart/

30) Recycled Floral Wreath from Art Camp LA:  http://make-it-your-own.com/show-us-your-heart/

31) Heart Face Pillows from Art Camp LA: https://www.artcampla.com/new-blog/2017/2/7/work-of-heart-pillow

32) Airplane Valentine from Adventures in a Box: https://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/diy-valentine-foam-airplane-printable-design/

33) Heart Valentine Tote from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-tote/

34) Love Bugs from Art Camp LA: https://www.artcampla.com/new-blog/2017/2/7/mixed-media-love-bugs

35) Valentine Bouquet from I Heart Crafty Things: https://iheartcraftythings.com/valentines-day-paper-flowers-craft.html

36) Valentine Play Dough Chocolate Shop from Creating Creatives: http://creatingcreatives.com/chocolate-shop/

Materials

• Printable Heart heart
• Creating materials

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• Print and cut out the provided heart.

• Don your smock.  Glue, paint, stamp- we’d love to see what you come up with!

• Here are a few examples of what we did with our heart templates:

A) Collage

•  We tore various types of paper- maps, coffee sleeves, envelopes, corrugated paper and all sorts of speciality paper.  Once tip we have when it comes to fancy/decorative paper is to go to wedding invitation places or speciality paper stores.  They may sell bags of their off cuts or donate them to you if you mention that you work with children.  The different textures are a delight for the kids to work with.  I would often set up a table of the papers for the kids to make their own cards with these papers, different types of pens, punches etc.

• We then cut the strips on the heart.

• Flip over your heart and trim the edges.

• Give your heart to a special friend with an inscription on the back.

B) Shaving Cream Marbling

Here is how the process works: http://make-it-your-own.com/back-to-school-personalize-your-notebook-with-marbling/

C) Dip Your Heart in Paint, Bubbles, Salt on Watercolours & Splatter Painting

What will you come up with?

Purpose

• Exploring varied techniques.
• Making something unique/personalized (“Make it Your Own”).
• Celebrating various cultural celebrations.

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.

We have been loving the biography series from The Innovation Press.  They present the character’s life in an interesting way and then provide all sorts of details in the appendixes!  My kids like to pour over the details.  I like that they have introduced my kids to a diverse set of  female scientists! 

Materials

• Plasticine
• Old CD cases
• Clay tools
• Printable unique

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

1) Gather your info.

• Read a book about the person that you want to profile for your biography.  We really liked the book, “The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Patricia Bath” which is part of a series on scientists.

Here is where you can purchase the book:

Canadians

•  Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Doctor-Eye-Eyes-Story-Patricia/dp/1943147310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516080288&sr=8-1&keywords=patricia+bath

• Chapters/Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-doctor-with-an-eye/9781943147311-item.html

Americans:

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Eye-Eyes-Patricia-Scientists/dp/1943147310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516082501&sr=8-1&keywords=patricia+bath

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the book for review as I love so many books from: http://www.theinnovationpress.com/.  This is not a sponsored post and nor do we use affiliate links.*

2) Create your person with plasticine

• Don your smock.  Plasticine can be a bit greasy, so it is good to protect your clothing with this project and use a tray or clay board while working.

• For some children, sketching out an idea prior to starting is helpful planning for them.

• We decided to make the portrait base in a C.D. case, but you could use an old playing card container, the bottom of a stationary box or even a thick piece of paper (often the ones that are inside of products are coated which is even better!).

• First create your background for the portrait.

• Then create your person.  We found that we started with the shapes of the head and body and then added on the details. It is good to arrange the pieces before sticking them together so that you can manipulate and alter their position until they look as you intended!  We used the cover of the book as a model, but dive into your imagination!

• For details you can add items such as small beads and be sure to use your tools to create texture.  You can purchase clay tools (In teaching I found that the wood version tended to last longer than the plastic) or use items that you have in your home- for instance a pair of old scissors, a fork or a butter knife.  (We would recommend just reserving these for art and craft projects, rather than using them with food again.).  Don’t have a specific colour?  This is a perfect time to learn about colour mixing or changing the tint of a colour of plasticine by adding white to make it lighter or black to make it darker.

• Once you are done, close your C.D. case as this will provide a protective layer when you display your biography.

3) Description 

• Print out the provided template and write out a short description about  your chosen person.  Think about their early life and what or who may have influenced them, the challenges that may have occurred during their journey and what they did to meet those obstacles.  Inform the reader how their research, innovations or ideas have shaped our everyday lives or have moved us in a new direction.

• I would suggest printing out the template twice, so you can write a rough copy and then edit it together with your teacher or parent/guardian to write a good copy for display.

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Purpose

• Learning about significant figures and their contributions to their fields.
• Working with various materials to create.
• Learning about different types of writing.

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.
• 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.
• Check products to assure that they are non-toxic, use them in the way that they were intended and keep them out of the reach of small children as advised on their packaging.

1) Back Pack Charms:

http://make-it-your-own.com/friendship-pin-backpack-charm-card/

2) Bookmark:

http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-bookmark-card-2/

3) Yo-Yo

http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-yo-yo-card-printable/

4) Friendship Bracelet:

http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-friendship-bracelet-card/

 5) Space:

https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/VALENTINE-ART-PROJECT-FOR-KIDS–MAKE-THE-MOON-CARDS

6) Portrait

http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-portrait-cards/

 7) Bug Pins

http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-bug-pin-card/

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Our project is one that you make and play with- a pair of heart-shaped fairy wings for our little neighbour friend. We hope you will take a peek at all of the lovely contributions!

Here is the link:

https://www.redtedart.com/valentines-heart-wings/#comment-3847151

Materials

• Blank bag
• Fabric paint
• Sponge brush
• Cardboard (cut to fit in your bag)
• Embroidery floss and needle
• Fabric pen
• Scissors
• Contact paper (you can buy this at housewares stores- it is often marketed as cupboard liner, craft stores and dollar stores.)

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray or table cloth

Directions

• Don your smock.
• Insert a piece of cardboard into the bag.  This will prevent the sides from sticking together when you paint!
• Cut off a piece of contact paper, fold it in half. Sketch and cut out a heart.
• Peel off the backing and have an adult help you put the outside of the heart on your bag. (Making a stencil.)
• Dip your sponge into your paint and dab it onto the heart cut-out.
• Allow it to dry in your craft tray overnight.
• Carefully peel off your your contact paper and remove your cardboard.
• We then knotted our embroidery floss on one end, threaded the needle on the other and sewed around the outside of the heart.  You could add details with a fabric pen as an alternative.
• Write your name in the inside with a fabric pen.

Purpose

• Learning how to make various stencils
• Developing one’s fine motor skills (cutting, threading a needle, sewing etc.)

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a needle with care and direct adult supervision and/or guidance.
• Cord, yarn, string etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.