Materials

• T-shirt
• Tracing paper & pencil
• Felt (large piece for the wings & sheets for the feather rows)
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing Machine/ Thread (optional- you could use fabric glue should you like)
• Fabric glue
• Fabric paint
• Craft gems
• Pins
• Iron
• Iron-on Adhesive
• Feather Template (download here)
• Smock

Directions

• Purchase or re-use a t-shirt to use as the body for your bird and the “base” for your wings.

• Have your child lie down over tracing paper (with their arms outstretched) and draw out a basic shape for one wing based on his or her size.  (This will attach to the shoulder portion of the shirt, down to the sleeve end.  However, as seen in the photograph, the tip can extend further based on your preference).

• Cut out the tracing paper wing and pin onto a sturdy fabric (we chose felt).  For symmetry (and ease) it is suggested that you fold over the fabric that you use to make two wings at a time (flipping the second wing over so it folds out the opposite way).  It is suggested that you make two separate wings rather than one large set of wings so as to distribute the weight onto the t-shirt.

• You can attach the fabric with an adhesive (bought from a fabric store) that comes in a roll and is activated with the heat of an iron.   If you chose this option (for limited sewing), be sure that your felt is not synthetic as it may melt. Chose a wool based felt.

• If you feel like your child would be quite active in the costume you can also sew the wing bases to the shirt. We did a combination of both.

• Depending on the type of bird you chose to make, cut out a base for the tail.

• We decided to use felt for our costume.  We purchased felt sheets (letter size) and cut out rows of feathers.   We have provided a simple template for inspiration.  For efficiency, we folded the sheet in half and cut out two rows at the same time.  This was aided by a sharp pair of sewing scissors and required some slight touch-up cutting following.

• We then sewed a basic stitch around the feather (using the sewing machine foot as our guide) to provide detail/interest.  You could embellish the feather rows with a variety of techniques (such as sewing a double line down the centre, or sewing the shaft and barbs).  We’d love to see what you came up with!

• We chose to use yellow, orange, light brown and dark brown feathers. Based on the size of our son, the t-shirt used and the size of the wings we used approximately 15 sheets of the yellow (making 2 rows of feathers each), 15 sheets of the orange felt, 15 sheets of light brown felt and 20 sheets of dark brown felt.  It is always advisable, however, to purchase several extra sheets to allow for a margin of error.

• We then started with the bottom feathers and glued them in layers (using fabric glue purchased at a craft store).  Before starting your gluing, you may want to arrange your rows to see how they may fit.  You may have to trim some of them, tuck them under each other or overlap them.

• Around the neck (breast type feathers), glue on single feathers to fit the curve of the t-shirt.

• We then did a simple embellishment on the feathers to add interest using craft gems, glued on with fabric paint.

• Glue either the front or back of your costume, then let it dry for 24 hours before you do the other side.  (Note: If you wanted to sew on your feathers on for longevity, it would be advisable to do so before you attach the base to the t-shirt.)

• Have the child try on the costume to measure where to put the wrist bands to control the wings.  We took a strip of fabric and sewed on Velcro (be sure to pin it on and test that it will wrap around to match each other, before sewing or gluing it on).  Then sew or glue it to the interior of the wing at the appropriate spot.

• Hope you have a “hoot” with this idea.  We would love if you shared a photo of your finished work with us!

Purpose

• Imaginary play
• Developing planning skills, creativity and fine motor skills.
• Transferring/ recreating visual knowledge into a physical form.

Safety Notes

• Be sure that scissors, sewing machine and iron are used with adult supervision.
• Wear a smock when using fabric glue & paint

Materials

• T-shirt
• Tracing paper
• Felt (a large piece for the tail, a strip for the headband and several colours for the feather details)
• A thicker interfacing such as flexi-foam
• Sewing scissors
• Sewing machine/thread (if you decide to go with this option)
• Fabric glue
• Craft gems
• Velcro (we recommend extra strength)
• Child’s belt (we used one that was elastic in nature so the costume could fit any child)
• Sewing marker

Directions

• Purchase or re-use a t-shirt to use as the body of your bird.

Tail

• Place lightweight paper such as tracing paper over your t-shirt.

• Make your tail shape, making the larger, middle curve over where your child’s head would be.  Make two smaller curves on either side (try to make them approximately the same size.  Follow this by two more, for a total of five. (The size of the curves will vary with the size of the t-shirt and the child.)  You could use a measuring tape for this process as well.

• Cut out your tracing paper tail.

• Hold the cut-out up to your child’s back to see if it fits. Alter it until it is the right size for your child.

• Double your felt over (we used dark green) to form two layers.  Put the fold at the bottom of the tail (where you will slide the belt in).

• Take your tracing paper tail, pin it to the felt and then cut out two layers.  If it helps, go around the edges with a sewing marker. (As suggested, don’t cut the bottom where it folds over to save a step.  We cut it apart for the photograph, but on the second version of the costume, this was a great trick!).

• Remove the tracing paper pattern and pin it to the interfacing to make one layer to go in between the felt to help provide structure.   You will want to then trim about 5 centimetres/ 1 inch around the interfacing so that it will be covered by the fabric on the edges when you sew the layers together.

• Sandwich the interfacing in between the felt tail pieces and pin it in place.

• Measure the width of your belt and then allow for about 1 centimetre on either side. Measure this distance from the bottom of your tail (where the fold is) and then sew (or glue) across this part.   This will provide the channel for the belt to go through.  It is important that you do this step first before you sew around the edges of your “sandwich”.

• Sew around the edges of the tail (removing your pins upon approach), be sure to start at the line where you made the channel for your belt (don’t accidentally sew it closed!).  Use the foot of the sewing machine to help you create an even margin.  You could also use fabric glue for this process.

• To provide further structure to the tail, we made sure there was a needle on our machine meant for “tough jobs/thick fabric” and we sewed up the edges of each curve.  This holds everything in place and provides some visual interest.  Trim the edges of the tail if need be (as some shifting may occur during sewing) to assure that there is an even, clean finish.

Embellishing the tail with feathers

Your child will be able to wear the tail in two positions- one up and one down, so that is why it is important to make enough decorative finishes to cover both sides. The amount of feathers that you will make depends on the size of your child.  We made approximately 30.

•  Take various colours of felt (we used greens, blues, yellows and purples) and cut out layers of oval shapes, getting smaller with each one. We completed this with a circle.   Glue them on top of each other with fabric glue, finishing with a craft jewel in the middle of the circle.

• If you want to create more detail, sew from the middle of the circle to the outside of the feather with a light coloured thread. (We sewed once through the middle and twice off to the sides in diagonal lines before gluing the jewel down (As shown).

• Glue the feathers onto both sides of the tail, staggering them and adding craft jewels in between.  We recommend glueing one side, letting it dry overnight and then repeating this process for the other side.

Trick for holding the tail upright

• With the top most feather (on the largest curve) on the side that would fold up (going towards the child’s head), only glue the top of the feather.  Then sew or glue one side of a hook and loop closure (Velcro) under that feather.  

• Thus, when the tail is down it is hidden, but when you go to put it up, gently fold the feather up and attach the Velcro to its match which will also be hidden on the back of the t-shirt.

T-shirt (Body of the peacock)

• Glue feathers around the front neckline.

• On the back of the shirt (for the purpose of completing a hiding spot for the other side of our Velcro)  sew or glue only the top of the feather with the match of the Velcro piece underneath.  Thus, when the tail is down you simply hide the Velcro, but when it is up you lift it (and slightly move it off to the side) so that the Velcro pieces can adhere to each other and the tail stands on its own!

Belt

•  We used an elastic belt that we dyed using fabric dye to match the colour of the t-shirt.  You could re-use a belt you have or dye thick elastic.

• The belt we used had metal clasps on each end that fit into each other which was perfect for pushing it through the channel of the tail.  (You could use a safety pin clipped to elastic for this).

• Once you have slid the belt through the channel, secure the belt to the child the child for wear or cut off the clasps, sewed the ends to prevent fraying and then sew one piece of Velcro onto one end and another onto the other end.  We recommend that you pin this first, test it out for size with your children and then sew it.  If you were doing this for a classroom resource this would allow for all children to access the costume if either the belt sizing was restricted by the clasps or they were too complicated for children to do independently.

Headpiece

• We used the 1920s as an inspiration.

• Take two strips of fabric (to make it a bit more structured), sew the edges together and then adhere a long strip of Velcro to one side on the inside and the Velcro match on the outside of the other (we always recommend pinning and testing it out before you sew so you can make alterations and assure that the opposite sides of the Velcro line up correctly).  We then glued on some of our embellishment feathers to the side on the front and let this dry overnight.

Putting it Together

• Don your costume and strut your stuff- like a peacock!

• Imaginary play
• Developing planning skills, creativity and fine motor skills.
• Transferring/ recreating visual knowledge into a physical form.

Safety Notes

• Be sure that scissors, sewing machine and iron are used with adult supervision.
• As this costume uses a belt, it is recommended that you review safety of this (that it is intended for use around the waist only).  Direct supervision is recommended.

• Blank stationary cards (you can purchase these at dollar or craft stores)
• Craft feathers (more of the downy type)
• Glue
• Craft eyes
• Orange card stock,  construction paper or foam
• Scissors
• Thin orange felt marker

Directions

Purchase blank stationary cards or simply fold card stock in half.

Glue a craft feather on the centre, trimming off the quill first.

Glue on craft eyes.

Cut off the corner of a piece of orange paper or foam for the beak & glue on.

Draw legs and feet with a thin orange felt marker.

(This is just a starting point- be sure to “Make it Their Own”- our child’s Kindergarten teacher may have ended up with a “Merbird” (half bird/ half mermaid)!

A message can be written in the inside once the card has dried over night.

Send to friends and/or family.  Attach to a celebratory gift (birthday, arrival of a baby etc.).  It is perfect for spring or Easter cards.

Purpose

Creating an image of a real creature in a simple manner.  Using fine motor skills: gluing, cutting etc.

Safety Notes

Use scissors with adult supervision.

• Purchase or re-use small baskets with cut-outs/ slots
• Coloured yarn (e.g., various shades of brown)
• Other materials might include: raffia, twine, long strips of material
• Scissors
• Laundry basket (for the larger version)

Directions

This activity is great for storing materials for both at school (e.g., if you had centres on birds and needed a spot for the various supplies) or at home (what a fun way to organize your desk!).  The larger, laundry basket version would be great for bigger items or games (we have some ideas coming your way!).

Purchase or re-use small baskets with cutouts/slots.

Cut yarn of various shades of brown about the length of your child’s arm.  (For younger children, the distance between their elbow and their wrist to prevent tangling).

Tie one end of your yarn to the basket in the inside. Weave the yarn, going up and down through the slots (turning the basket on its side).  Be sure to wrap around the top rim as well.

If needed, to make threading easier, wrap a bit of clear tape around the end of the yarn that you are pulling through.

You could use other materials to weave as well: long scraps of material, raffia etc.

Be sure to secure the ends of the materials used with a knot and cut off any remaining pieces.

Make a larger version using a laundry basket, yarn and strips of fabric.

Purpose

A forgiving fine motor activity, that lends itself to more of an”organic look”, this is an easy starting off point for understanding weaving and encourages children to use their fine motor skills.

Safety Notes

Use scissors with adult supervision.

• Piece of dowel
• Chenille sticks (pipe cleaners)
• Craft jewels
• Craft foam
• White glue or glue gun (to be used by an adult)
• Sharp scissors or wire cutters (used by an adult)

Directions

Who doesn’t love wands?!  We know they are a favourite at our home.  Thus, this project is a collaboration with our children’s idea.

Wrap your chenille sticks around the dowel as shown in the photos.

Have an adult trim the ends with wire cutters or scissors.

Twist together a few of the chenille stems at the top end  (as seen in the photos)  to create the feather shape.

Glue the foam (cut in a tear drop shape) to the end of your wand and glue on the craft jewels (be sure to let the white glue dry overnight or have an adult use a glue gun.

Enjoy!

Purpose

• Imaginary play, fine motor skill development, hand-eye coordination, using a real object to insight a creative replication

Safety Notes

• Glue guns are for adult use only
• Chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) have metal in them and therefore should be cut by an adult.  Be aware of other people when using a wand.

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/05/nest-collage-with-paper-and-twigs.html

Materials

• Found twigs (or an alternative for younger children may be popsicle sticks as they are easier to handle/ glue down.) You could use them in their natural form or paint them various colours of brown.
• White graft glue
• Cardstock (or we used a canvas)
• Paper for eggs (e.g., scraps of oragami, chiyogami, crepe paper etc.)
• Feathers
• Scissors
• Print out of the accompanying writing activity Eggs Need a Nest Because…

Directions

As finer items are sometimes difficult for some kids such as pre-schoolers to work with, popsicle sticks make a great alternative to the twigs to start with OR gather fallen twigs or ones that have already been trimmed off a tree.

Glue the back of the popsicle sticks or twigs and adhere them to a background piece of paper or canvas in the shape of nest.

Cut eggs out of paper and add them to your nest.  To create interest we used scraps of origami paper, crepe paper etc.

Add some feathers to layer the inside of your nest.

Writing Accompaniment: Finish this sentence on the attached page with your writing: Eggs need a nest because….

Purpose

Fine motor skill development, using found objects, thinking about the purpose of things.

Safety Notes

Go outside with adult supervision.

Use scissors with adult supervision

http://vitamindaily.com/canada/a-few-good-eggs-1.976717

Check them out!

Materials

• Plastic or wooden filler eggs of various sizes, colours, patterns or textures
• Ice cube tray, paint tray or egg carton
• Mailing labels and/or colour stickers
• Paint
• Shallow tray
• Smock
• Thin Felt Markers
• Scissors
• Storage Nest (optional) http://make-it-your-own.com/bird-nest-storage-basket/

Directions

Using a ice cube tray or an egg carton, create patterns together with filler eggs, based on attributes such as size, type, colour etc.

Then try to increase the complexity by having your child add their own images.  We used mailing labels and made “eggs” out of our thumbprints using light blue paint and “chicks” using yellow paint.  (Once the paint dried we added details with thin felt markers).

You could also use letters, numbers or other symbols.

Purpose

Exploring attributes related to patterning, developing patterns and defining rules related to this.  You may want to introduce your child to vocabulary such the core of the pattern, what rule is used, how do you extend the pattern? etc.

Safety Notes

Use scissors with adult supervision.

• Filler Eggs
• Letter Tiles (we included a template)
• Bird Replica Figurines
• Letter stickers
• Nest Storage Basket http://make-it-your-own.com/bird-nest-storage-basket/
• Word-Play-Template

Directions

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.  We would LOVE to hear your ideas or how you took this activity and “Made it your Own”!

1) Put the names of various species onto the filler eggs using letter stickers.  Have a basket (we used our Nest Storage Basket), filled with bird figurines.  Try to match the bird with the label.

2) Put the names of various species of birds on the eggs using letter stickers.  Put out letter tiles and have the child(ren) try to find the letters that correspond and fill the egg.

3) Combine #1 and #2 with the species and the tiles within the eggs.

4) Use blank eggs (or remove the stickers).  Have the child combine the letters and species together without the scaffolding/ guidance of the letter stickers.

5)  Put the letter tiles to spell a species in an egg ahead of time.  Have the child empty the egg and try to figure out what species it is.  (You could also do this in partnerships where the children find the letters for a species, put it in an egg and switch.  Remind them not to tell their partner the word, but rather discover it for themselves!)

6) As you can see in our photo, we also extended the spelling of the species to their habitats which we created out of foam, plastic and letter stickers.

7) What other activities could you do with these materials?

Purpose

Re-creating words using a template, building words, identifying bird species, becoming familiar with the basic characteristics of habitats.

Safety Notes

Letter tiles, because of their size should be used by children over 3 and who do not have a tendency to put small objects into their mouths.  Be sure to store them safely away from small children.

• Filler eggs of various colours
• Bird Replicas (we used these ones from a craft store, but you could also use figurines or your child’s drawings)
• Letter stickers
• Star sticker attached to another die
• Die with colours on it (purchased at an educational store, but you could also make your own by colouring a blank die with permanent marker or by putting a label over a numbered die and colouring each side)
• Two Nest Storage Baskets (one for the eggs and one for the replica birds)

http://make-it-your-own.com/bird-nest-storage-basket/

Directions

This is an activity to get young children familiar with both colours and how to use a die (which is helpful in playing various games and learning math concepts such as probability).

The first portion of the activity allows the child to get familiar with the skills they will need for the game ahead.

Roll the die. Whatever colour that it lands on, have the child select that colour of both egg from one basket and bird from the other.  Place the bird in that egg.

Once the child has mastered that concept then it is time to proceed to the game portion.  You can play with two or more people or in teams should the children that you are playing with need assistance.  It is important that you have space to organize yourself for this game so you might want to play on a carpet or large table.

Before you play the game introduce the second die.  It will have a star sticker on one side (for younger children you may want to add an additional one or two to increase the likelihood of the exchange portion of the game).  You can play this portion of the game in two ways: When the player lands on the star sticker (s)he may chose a bird or egg from another player or it can be a chance for players to trade either a bird or egg with each other (see the Variation section).

Let’s get started!  Each player will roll both the dice.  They will get to chose either an egg or a bird based on the colour that they landed on.  (The goal is for you to get as many matches as possible throughout the game.)  They will then place this in front of themselves in order to stay organized.  If they rolled a blank spot on the second die then it proceeds to the next player’s turn.  If they rolled the star then they may chose a bird or egg from another player (if they have one that works) or it may be a time for players to exchange colours to work cooperatively (you will see why with our later variation!).  Continue in this manner until all the birds and eggs are used up.  The winner is the player with the most matches.

Variation:  We decided that we would play the game, but add a fictitious player.  We drew a fox and pretended that we were playing against the fox in a manner.  Each player took their own turn but when it came to the fox, we rolled for the fox.  When a player got a star we traded eggs or bird so that a player could win instead of the fox, working cooperatively.  When it was the fox’s roll and we landed on the star we had to be fair and assume the character of a sly (and hungry) fox, trying to outsmart the team.  It was rather fun!

Which version did or would you and your children or classroom be more attracted to?

Purpose

Becoming familiar with the use of a die, matching corresponding colours in different materials, game play etiquette (taking turns etc.)

Safety Notes

As dice can be choking hazards, be sure to keep them out of reach from young children (Ages 0-3)

• Filler Eggs (be sure that they are better quality ones that seal quite well or be sure to purchase a glue that works on plastic or wood and perhaps use an additional seal of clear tape)
• Plastic pellets (as shown), beads, jingle bells, buttons etc.
• Plastic sealable bag (an option for containment!)

Directions

 The other day we were at the public library in a class where we used shakers to accompany various action songs.  When we returned home we took out our shakers to replicate the experience and then got busy making our own.

We took filler eggs and scooped some plastic pellets into them, carefully sealing them.  One tip that minimizes spilling the pellets, particularly for young children is to do the scooping inside a plastic bag (with the pellets at the bottom).

You could create eggs with jingle bells, buttons, metal objects such as nuts, bolts or washers.  Vary the number of each object you put inside and ask the child to discover- is there a difference in sound with one button vs. five?  Add other objects such as pom pom- do they make a sound?  If so, why do you think it differs than that of a button?  If not, why do you think not?

Variation:  Create a set of pre-made eggs using various types of objects.  Leave one piece of the objects out of each egg.  Put it on a tray or muffin tin.  Have the child shake the eggs and try to match the contents with the items in the muffin tin without opening the eggs, relying on what they hear.  How many were they able to get correct?

Purpose

Re-using materials for another purpose, exploring sound.

Safety Notes

As this activity uses small objects that could be safety hazards, it is not recommended for children 0-3 or those who tend to put objects in their mouths.