Materials

Llama

• Printable llama
  
• Thick paper (cardstock)
• Wooden or faux eggs
• Mini pom poms* Optional
• Tiny decorations (mini pom poms, small rick rack, beads etc.)
• Cardboard tube
• Glue (We used a glue gun, but white craft glue will work too!)
• Paint/ brush

Camel

• Printable camel
• Wooden or faux eggs
• Paint/ brush
• Cardboard tube
• Scissors
• Glue

Sloth

• Printable sloth
• Wooden/ faux eggs
• Paint/ brush
• Glue

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

Llama

• Print out your templates on cardstock and cut out your llama head and tail.   Colour, decorate them and then glue them together (except for those two tabs at the ends, which you will fold out and use to glue to your body.)  Cut your blanket in half, colour it and add any embellishments you might like to that as well.  We included two options- one to colour yourself or one already coloured.

• Cut your cardboard tube in half.  Paint it if you like.  This will form your egg stand.  Once it is dry, there is a little template to trace onto one end.  Cut it out, line up the half circle with the bottom of your gently flattened tube, trace around the template and then cut that piece out.  Gently bend your tube back into shape, so your egg can sit in it.

• Once your stand/legs are dry, glue on the head, tail and blankets on either sides.

• If you want to add a bit of extra texture to your llama, glue mini white pom poms around it (you could also use cotton balls pulled into tiny pieces and rolled into balls if you like).

• Give your llama to a friend!

Camel

• Print out your template on cardstock and cut out your camel head and tail.   Colour, decorate them and then glue them together (except for those two tabs at the ends, which you will fold out and use to glue to your body.)  Cut your blanket in half, colour it and add any embellishments you might like to that as well.  We included two options- one to colour yourself or one already coloured.

• Paint or dye your egg.

• Cut your cardboard tube in half.  Paint it if you like.  This will form your egg stand.  Once it is dry, there is a little template to trace onto one end.  Cut it out, line up the half circle with the bottom of your gently flattened tube, trace around the template and then cut that piece out.  Gently bend your tube back into shape, so your egg can sit in it.

• Once your stand/legs are dry, glue on the head, tail and blankets on either sides.

Sloth

• Print out the template on cardstock, colour and cut out sloth’s limbs and face.

• Paint or dye your egg.

• Glue your face on.  We made our sloth smiling sideways, so we positioned the face on the smaller end of the egg, attaching it with glue.

• One trick that seemed to help with placing the limbs on, was to fold them in half.  Glue them on the underside of the sloth.  We then attached the “paw” portion to a branch for display.

• Hang up your sloth or enjoy playing with your new pal!

Pin this idea

Purpose

• Recognizing some of the common symbols related to various holidays.
• Re-using items from the recycling bin.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn, rick rack etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Small pieces such as pom poms and 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.

Materials

• Play dough (see below for our favourite recipe or buy commercial play doh)
• Loose parts (see below for some suggestions)
• Tray for organizing the parts (we used a veggie and dip one)
• Trays, placemats or clay boards to work on

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

Play dough 

• Make or purchase your play dough.  Here is our favourite recipe: http://make-it-your-own.com/fall-fun-pumpkin-pie-playdough-gift-jar/.  You could colour as well, but we went with a sparkly white so the pieces would stand out.  If I was working in the classroom, I would make 4 batches of the recipe for one centre.

• We put our loose parts in the centre of the table where they were accessible.  Arrange your trays around your loose parts.  Depending on your classroom space and dynamics, decide on how many children could work on this activity at a time and put out that many trays, placemats etc.

• Explore with the loose parts to create images or something more abstract.  As you can see, we have done this a few years, showing you a few options for organizing your space.

Rotate you loose parts throughout the week.  As you can see, we tried- GOLD like treasures found at the end of the rainbow, GREEN which is synonymous with the shamrocks of St. Patrick’s Day and RAINBOW for the rainbow itself!

Loose Parts Ideas

Use items that you might have that are washable.  Here are a few ideas:

• buttons
• beads
• marbles
• bingo chips
• wood slices
• glass gems
• game pieces
• lids
• marbles
• blocks
• shells
• nature finds
• wooden pieces (popsicle sticks, small dowels etc.)
• wooden curtain hooks
• spools
• stones
• tiles

• You could document your creations with your camera and then return the parts for the next person to create with.  (This is a great way to practise sorting!)

Pin this idea

in this idea

Purpose

• Manipulating loose parts allows for developing one’s fine motor skills, experimenting with design, exploring in an open-ended fashion as loose parts lend to unique combinations for each learner.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Small items 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.
• The play dough should be made by an adult and directly supervised during use due to the salt content of homemade play dough.

Materials

• Printables: 1) Patterned Butterfly butterfly valentine template pattern 2) Plain Butterfly butterfly valentine template
• Craft knife (to be used by an adult only) & cutting mat/board
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Decorating materials (paint, stickers, felt markers etc. Use what you have)

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print the provided template onto thicker paper such as cardstock.  You could use coloured paper if you like.

• Decorate your butterfly as you like and then allow it to dry.  Be sure to address and sign your Valentine card.

• Cut out your butterfly.

• Have an adult cut the dotted lines, using a craft knife and a cutting mat.

• Tuck your pencil, bubble wand etc. in your butterfly, using the slits and give it to friend!  (Be sure to write your name and theirs on the bottom portion of the wings.)

Pin this idea

Purpose

• Recognizing the symbols and celebrations of various cultures.
• Personalizing items for a friend and celebrating the positives in relationships.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision.
• A craft knife is intended for adult use only.

*2021: We just added a full package of Free How To Writing Templates to assist your child(ren) or students with the pre-work for creating their own snowman or snow woman! 

Materials

• Pre-writing package:  This includes 1) posters for sequencing: “First, Next, Then” etc., 2) Materials sheet 3) Planning sheets with illustration areas to help with the process and 4) A printable for rough/ initial copies and 5) And editing poster and checklist : How To Writing
• 3 paper plates (small, medium and large.  You can skip this part by using the shapes that we provided.)
• Templates: Includes: A) Head & Bottom B) Middle: 1) Cover: 2) Primary-ruled 3) Lined snow person circle lines
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil/ eraser
• Decorating materials (felt markers, paper, fabric, felt, recyclables, beads, buttons etc. Use what you have)

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print the planning templates:  How To Writing

1.  Posters for sequencing: “First, Next, Then” etc. These are helpful for students to use in their writing.  As a teacher I would go through examples of How To Writing, we would make something together and then write about it together before they would write their own pieces.  Make a snow person outside together, talking through the process as you go.  Many children can already speak from their experience making a snowman, woman etc. for this type of writing.
2. Materials sheet: Handy for recording what you would need to make a snow person come to life.
3. Planning Sheet: with illustration areas to help with the process.  Draw out each step prior to to help prompt the point form writing.  This is great for visual learning.
4. Printable for rough/ initial copies: This is the time to extend your writing, using full sentences, fleshing out with descriptive words, adding details to your process.
5. And editing poster and checklist: Use this for checking your own work, altering words, improving areas, adding more to others in a different coloured pencil or pen. You could use this for editing with a partner as well.

• Print your snow person templates for your good copy: snow person circle lines You need a head, bottom and the pages for the middle (Cover and writing pages.  We provided 2 options- primary ruled for younger children and one for older children- print as many as you like depending on how long you want your writing piece to be).  We suggest printing twice as many of the writing pieces that you want so that you can create a rough copy prior to a your final piece.

• Brainstorm your ideas, number them in order and then write your rough copy.  Have an adult help you to edit it.

• Write your good copy onto the templates.

• Decorate the cover of your booklet and allow it to dry overnight. Remember this will create the “tummy” of your snow person.

• Cut out your circles.  Organize your writing into order with your cover on top and then glue the pieces together.  If you notice, on the left, there is a space for you fold and then put your glue on.  Once your booklet is attached together, glue the back of the last page and then adhere it to the paper plate that you are intending for the centre.

• Decorate the rest of your plates, making one for the head and the lower portion of the body.  Allow to dry.

• Display your snow person for others to read!

Pin this idea

Purpose

• Developing and displaying writing for various purposes (narratives, descriptive and procedural writing).

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Small items such as buttons, beads etc. 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.

Materials

• Empty Kleenex box (you could use a shoe box too)
• Templates: LlamaBlank LlamaDesignYourself LlamaBrown LlamaWhite LlamaColourYourself
• Cardstock
• Acrylic paint
• Sponge/brush
• Pom poms
• Glue gun/ glue OR white glue
• Pom poms or cotton balls
• Decorating items (pom poms, stickers, ribbon, rick rack, beads, markers- use whatever odds and ends you might have from other projects)

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• We carefully removed the plastic from the opening of tissue box.  We painted the box with a few layers of acrylic paint to create a base.

• Print your llama head, tail and blanket.  (There are a few different choices for you to pick from or draw your own!) on cardstock and cut them out.  If you don’t have thicker paper, you could put something like cereal box cardboard in between the two sides of the llama when you go to glue them together.

• Plan out your decorations, arranging them before you glue them down, so you can achieve your desired look.  We wrapped our loose ribbon ends around and glued them down on the back before gluing the two sides carefully together.  (You may need a bit of adult help for this portion.)

• Cut out the llama blanket, decorate it and glue one end down on one of the long sides of your llama body.  So your blanket can open (for your friends to insert your cards), you could either put velcro dots or make your own tab for easy opening (folding a small piece of ribbon in half and gluing it on the back side).

• Glue your pom poms or cotton balls on the remaining exterior of your box if you would like to make your llama fuzzy!

• Bring your llama to school to collect your cards from your classmates or put a sheet of tissue paper inside and add a present for someone special!

Pin this idea

Need a Valentine Card?

• Butterfly Cards: http://make-it-your-own.com/butterfly-valentine-card/

• Find the printables for the cards below here: http://make-it-your-own.com/printable-valentine-cards/

• Valentine Bracelet Cards: http://make-it-your-own.com/valentines-day-bracelet/

Other Valentine Boxes you Might Like:

• Flower Garden Box: http://make-it-your-own.com/flower-garden-valentine-box/

• LEGO Valentine Box & Card: https://www.redtedart.com/lego-valentines-box-card/

• Yoda Valentine Box: http://make-it-your-own.com/baby-yoda-valentine-box/

Purpose

• Exploring traditions for various celebrations.
• Re-imagining recyclables.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn, ribbon etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Small items such as beads or pom poms 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.

Materials

• Valentine Printable ValentineDayCard (This includes 3 options: 2 of different skin shades and one to colour yourself!)
• Pony beads (or other types with large holes)
• Embroidery floss or lace
• Scissors
• Pencil/ eraser
• Paper cutter* optional
• Hole punch OR craft knife/ cutting mat/board
• Tape (We use painter’s tape)
• Dull, large needles with a large hole

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Print your valentine card and cut them out (or use a paper trimmer).  Write the recipient’s name on them, along with yours.

• Cut a length of floss about the size between your finger tip to your shoulder. Fold it in half.

• At the end that is folded, make a loop and knot it as seen in the video.

• We then taped this end to the table (be sure to check this part with an adult first).

• Now separate the two strings out to the sides.

• Lay the amount of beads that you would like (the more you use, the thicker your bracelet will be) in between with all the holes lined up.

• Got though the holes going the opposite ways with the strings and pulling this taught.

• Choose another colour and repeat this process.  Keep doing this until you have enough to wrap around your friends wrist.  This is a great time to explore patterns!

• Once you have reached the end, double knot your two ends.

• Punch a hole on either side of the wrist on the hand on your Valentine’s Day card.  Lace your bracelet through the holes with the bead portion in the front and then go through your loop, tie a bow and then trim your ends!  If you made a thicker bracelet like we did, instead of a hole,  have an adult make a slit with a craft knife and a cutting mat/ board on either side of the wrist to attach your bracelet to the card.

• Voila!  A beautiful handmade gift to symbolize your friendship!

Pin this idea

Purpose

• Celebrating friendship.
• Developing one’s fine motor skills.
• Exploring patterning in a hands-on way

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with care and direct, 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.

Materials

• Boot or cereal box (make sure your magnet is strong enough to move through the cardboard thickness)
• Magnet wand
• Acrylic paint
• Circular magnet
• Paint brush
• Pencil/ eraser
• Cotton balls or white pom poms
• Ruler
• Glue gun/ glue sticks

We always find these items useful too:

Directions

• Paint your beads to make your snow person.  We used a dowel inserted into floral foam to paint the beads.  Once they were dry, we glued them together, along with our black hat made from a bead and a button! Be sure to glue a strong circular magnet onto the bottom of your snow person.

• Have an adult cut off the edge of one of the thin sides of your box as shown in the video.

• Plan out your design on a piece of paper the size of your box.  Then draw these ideas onto one of the large surfaces of your box.  We used a permanent marker.

• Paint (make sure your layer is thin) your base.

• Take your ruler (or if you like you can skip this, making the the path more organic) and lightly with your pencil make a path for you snow person to maneuver through.  Be sure that it is wide enough for your snow person with a bit of buffer space.  Will your maze have some tricks to it?

• Glue your pom poms along your pathway on both sides and allow them to dry.

• Now place your snow person on top of your scene and slide your wand underneath and try to move your snow person throughout the maze!  Can you make it to the end?  How about a friend- can they?!

Pin this idea

We just love this magnet idea from our friends at

https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/magnetic-ice-skating-penguin-letter-writing-activity/

Purpose

• Discovering the power of magnets and how they work as applied in a hands-on way!

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.
• Beads and magnets 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.  If a child shallows a magnet, seek medical help immediately!

See this idea on Red Ted Art below:

Pin this idea: