(From left to right, top to bottom)

*Note:  Last year all of our apples on our tree were inedible, so the Playschool asked to use them for projects, thus we included ideas for those types of circumstances.  We acknowledge that many people are working towards the avoidance of food for non-consumption based ideas in their classrooms and homes.)*

1) Pop Art Apples from Art Camp LA:  https://www.artcampla.com/new-blog/pop-art-apple?fref=gc&dti=625198980998373

2) Apple Weaving from hello, Wonderful:  http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/CARDBOARD-APPLE-WEAVING-CRAFT

3) Tips for Apple Picking from Rhythms of Play: http://rhythmsofplay.com/apple-orchard-field-trip-ideas-for-kids/?fref=gc&dti=625198980998373

4) Collage Apples from Arty Crafty Kids: https://www.artycraftykids.com/art/easy-apple-collage-craft/

5) Motor Skill Apples from Twitchetts: http://twitchetts.com/2017/08/apple-themed-fine-motor-activity.html/

6) Apple Pinch Pots from Red Ted Art:  http://www.redtedart.com/apple-pinch-pots-kids/

7) Apple Wall Hanging from Brainy Beginnings Network: https://www.brainybeginningsnetwork.com/dehydrated-apple-art?dti=625198980998373&fref=gc

8) Apple Orchard from The Craft Train: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/cardboard-apple-tree-craft/

9) Apple Nature Craft from Mother Natured: http://mothernatured.com/nature-crafts-for-kids/apple-nature-craft/

10) Apple Bean Bags from Make it Your Own: http://make-it-your-own.com/big-apple-bean-bags-and-pumpkin-ones-too/

11) Pom Pom Apple (Cross section) from Non-Toy Gifts: http://nontoygifts.com/paper-plate-pom-pom-core-apple-craft/

12) Yarn Woven Apples from Non-Toy Gifts: http://nontoygifts.com/paper-plate-yarn-weaving-apple-craft/

13) Pine Cone Apple Trees from Buggy & Buddy: http://buggyandbuddy.com/pinecone-apple-tree-craft/

14) Apple Stamped Bugs from Box of Ideas: https://boxofideas.uk/bugs-and-nature-simple-stamping-art-activity-with-apples-printable-included/

15) Yarn Apple Garland from The Best Ideas for Kids: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/yarn-apple-garland/

16) Paper Apples from Fireflies and Mud Pies: https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/easy-paper-strip-apple-craft-for-kids/

17)  Apple Stamped Tea Towels from Cut Out Studios: http://www.cutoutskids.com/blog/2016/9/7/apple-stamped-tea-towel-a-simple-fall-craft?rq=Apple&fref=gc&dti=625198980998373

Materials

• Felt
• Sewing materials (you can sew these by hand or by machine)
• Fabric scissors
• Plastic pebbles (Polyfil type material.  You can by these at craft and dollar stores.)
• Funnel
• Plastic zip bag

Directions

• Cut out two copies of each of your apple or pumpkin shapes. (Depending on your child’s age and abilities you may need to use a fabric or sewing marker to draw this out beforehand or have them draw a template out on paper, cut it out and tape (with a donut, sticky sides out) it to the felt or cut the felt shapes for them.  He or she may need to cut out the fabric pieces one at a time as well, rather than layering them as we have done.)  For the apple bean bag, we traced around a large lid twice.

• Sew around the edges, leaving a gap that would be big enough to fit your funnel.  We suggest a thicker stitch to withstand all the tossing!  For the apple we inserted the stem and leaf in between the two layers, sewing them in place.

• Slip your funnel into the gap in the bean bag sewing and fill your bean bags with plastic pebbles inside a clear plastic bag so you can see what you are doing and so that the pebbles stay contained.  You may want to use a scoop or spoon or some children will enjoy the sensory experience of using their hands to fill the funnel.  (You may also want to have a vacuum on hand!)

• Carefully sew up the gap.  (Move the beads to the other side of the bean bag to avoid breaking your sewing machine needle.)

• Cut out a stem and leaf for each of your pumpkins.  Sew or glue them on the top of your pumpkin.

• Have fun tossing your beanbags to each other or to a target.

Purpose

• Make props to promote activity, improving one’s fine motor skills and cooperation between pairs.  There are a multitude of bean bag activites and games on the internet to check out!

Safety Notes

• Be sure to keep plastic pellets away from small children (0-3 years) to prevent consumption.
• Exercise care and direct, adult supervision when using fabric scissors as they can be quite sharp.
• A sewing machine is recommended for adult use or based on your child’s age and abilities, with direct supervision.

Find the tutorial on Let’s Lasso the Moon:

http://letslassothemoon.com/2017/07/22/recycled-cardboard-theater/

If you love the Under the Sea theme and are looking for more inspiration, check out these ideas:

From left to right, top to bottom:

• Sea Scape (Small Worlds, Big Adventures): http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/underwater-small-world-table/
• Sand Cloud Dough (Danya Banya): https://www.danyabanya.com/cloud-dough-sand/
• Body Tracing Mermaid (Make it Your Own): http://make-it-your-own.com/make-yourself-into-a-mermaid/
• Cardboard Tube Mermaids (The Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/cardboard-tube-mermaids/
• Nature Mermaids (Mother Natured): http://mothernatured.com/2017/04/24/mermaid-nature-craft/
• I Spy Sea Jars (Adventures in a Box): http://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/underwater-i-spy-jars/
• Octopus (Arty Crafty Kids):http://www.artycraftykids.com/craft/puffy-bubble-wrap-octopus/
• Sea Horse Puppets (Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/paper-roll-seahorse-puppets/
• Calming Jar (Rhythms of Play): http://rhythmsofplay.com/sea-shells-sensory-bottle/

• Jelly Fish (I Heart Crafty Things): http://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-plate-swimming-jellyfish-craft.html
• Turtle (Twitchetts): http://twitchetts.com/2017/05/quilling-turtle-craft.html/
• Narwhal (The OT Toolbox): http://www.theottoolbox.com/2017/05/narwhal-craft.html
• Textured Starfish (Fireflies & Mud Pies): http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/starfish-texture-art/
• Puffer Fish (Buggy & Buddy): http://buggyandbuddy.com/paper-plate-pufferfish/
• Jellyfish (Non-Toy Gifts) :http://nontoygifts.com/paper-plate-jellyfish-craft-kids/
• Aquarium (The Best Ideas for Kids): https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/cereal-box-aquarium/
• Rocking Submarine (Red Ted Art): http://www.redtedart.com/paper-plate-submarine/
• Paper Plate Shark Puppets (Kids Craft Room): http://kidscraftroom.com/paper-plate-shark-puppet-craft
• Woven Fish (Easy Peasy and Fun): http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/fish-paper-weaving-craft/

https://www.instagram.com/colouredbuttons/?hl=en who teaches children how to sew.  She has started an initiative where people sew a softie for the month of July and we were happy to join in! Check out the site below for more info.  and our tutorial for personalizing a back pack or bag!

http://www.sewasoftie.com/

———————-

Personalize a friend’s back pack with a small version of them or make one for your own bag to make it identifiable!  This one was for one brother from another!

Materials

• Felt
• Embroidery floss
• Pencil/eraser and paper
• Fabric glue
• Wool polyfil fiber or similar material
• Polyfil pellets or similar material
• Fabric marker/permanent marker/pencil crayon
• Lids: two sizes
• Sewing scissors
• Funnel
• Key ring or attachment chain
• Ribbon
• Needle and/or sewing machine

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

• If you like, sketch out you or your friend’s face to work out your ideas.

• Trace your lid twice onto your felt.  Cut out your circles.  Cut slightly inside your lines to hide the marker.

• Don your smock.  Glue or sew on your facial details on one of the felt circles.  We actually did both- gluing them first and allowing them to dry overnight and then sewing them on.  This skips the pins that may be difficult for some children.

• Lay your two felt circles on top of each other. *Be sure to clip and tuck in a loop of ribbon in between- folded in half.*  Sew around the edge, leaving a space to fill in the stuffing (which we made the size of a smaller lid) and pellets.  We went with a space of a little less than 2.5 cm/1 inch.  If you are using a sewing machine, you can use your foot as a guide to form a border.  If you are sewing by hand, be sure to keep your stitches close enough to each other so that your pellets don’t slip out and go about a finger width in from the edge.  We put about a tablespoon of pellets into the face with a funnel and then added polyfil by carefully pushing it in with our finger.  We shook the pellets to the bottom and sewed the hole shut.

• Loop an attachment chain or key ring through your ribbon loop (you may need an adult to help you with this step) and attach to your backpack, personalizing it and making it easy to identify as yours.  Or give it to a friend!

Save this idea:

Looking for more sewing projects to do for and/or with kids?

(From left to right, top down)

1) Dinosaur Softie (Our Daily Craft): http://www.ourdailycraft.com/…/make-a-dinosaur-softie…/

2)Draw String Bag (Little Worlds, Big Adventures): http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/kid-made-drawstring…/

3) Emoji Pillows (Easy Sewing for Beginners): http://www.easysewingforbeginners.com/…/diy-mini-emoji…/

4) Leaf Sewing (Rhythms of Play): http://rhythmsofplay.com/fall-leaf-lacing/

5) Unicorn Hobby Horse (Adventure in a Box):  http://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/diy-rainbow-unicorn…/

6) Mini Sleeping Bags (Little Worlds, Big Adventures):  http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/mommy-project-felt…/

7) Under the Sea (Little Worlds, Big Adventures): http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/diy-ocean-ceiling…/

8) Pear Ornament (The Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/happy-pear-hand-sewn-felt…/

9) Mouse Pocket Pal (Rhythms of Play): http://rhythmsofplay.com/how-to-sew-a-pocket-pet-mouse…/

10) Star Stuffie (Apple Green Cottage): http://www.applegreencottage.com/…/how-to-sew-a-star…

11) Weather Stones & Pouch (The Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/weather-stones/

12) Hippo (The Embroiderist): http://www.the-embroiderist.com/…/7/27/meet-harry-hippo

13) Jumper Creatures (Colourful Minds): http://colourfulminds.co.uk/proj…/woolly-jumper-creatures/

14) Zombie Bunny (Oh Creative Day): http://www.ohcreativeday.com/sew-softie-day/

15) Mini Stuffies (Coloured Buttons): http://www.colouredbuttons.com/2017/07/mini-softie-jar.html

16) Animal Stuffies (Mother Natured): http://mothernatured.com/…/how-to-make-animal-bean-bags/

17) Giant Pea Pod Pillow (Brainy Beginnings Network): https://www.instagram.com/p/BWXyU9pg-xr/?taken-by=brainy_beginnings_network

18) Bookmarks (The Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/hand-sewn-sweetheart…/

19) Us!

20) Pretend Play Chocolates (Little Worlds, Big Adventures): http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/how-to-make-simple-felt-chocolates-for-pretend-play-free-pattern/

21) Animals of Australia Finger Puppets (Oh Creative Day): http://www.ohcreativeday.com/australian-animal-finger…/

22) Stuffies from Kid Drawings (Mama Smiles): http://www.mamasmiles.com/toys-based-drawings/

23) Tea Towel Stuffies (Blue Barn Living): http://bluebarnliving.blogspot.com/…/tea-towel-softies…

24) Dog Stuffie (Make, Film, Play): http://www.makefilmplay.com/…/how-to-make-a-dachshund…/

25) Play Purses (Little Worlds, Big Adventures):  http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/make-felt-bags…/

26) Strawberry Stuffie (Red Ted Art):  http://www.redtedart.com/sew-strawberry-plushie/

27) Christmas Baubles (Oh Creative Day): http://www.ohcreativeday.com/christmas-craft-kids-diy…/

28) Stuffie Home (Handmade Kids): http://www.handmadekids.com.au/sew-a-softie-handmade…/

Purpose

• Developing one’s sewing skills.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces when using fabric glue.
• Use scissors, a sewing machine and a needle with care and direct adult supervision and assistance.
• Cord, ribbon etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Pellets 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

• Rocks (clean, unpolished, uncoated)
• Acrylic paint
• Netting/ mesh (from veggie bags etc.)
• Paint brushes
• Small beads
• Glue (white craft glue) or glue gun*
• Thick paper
• Elastics or a baggie clip
• Scissors

*Low-temp, only for older children with direct adult supervision/ assistance

Fish Pond

• Container
• Glass gems
• Rocks
• Craft foam

We always find these items helpful too:

• Smock
• Craft tray

Directions

Fish 

• Don your smock.  Put your rock into your mesh baggie.  Close it with an elastic or bag clip on both ends.
• Paint over your mesh (we made Koi fish, but go with whatever type of fish you may like) and your paint your thick paper allowing it to dry overnight.
• Once dry, cut the elastic bands off carefully and remove the mesh which will leave a scale like appearance.
• Glue your eyes onto your fish.
• Cut out a tail and fins out of paper and the mesh that you used for painting your rock.  Glue them onto your fish.

Pond

• Line your container (we used a pie plate) with your water gems.
• You could make lily pads out of craft foam or use green gems for them.
• Line your pond with rocks.
• Play with your pond!

Pin it for later:

Looking for a few more rock decorating ideas?  Check them out here:

From top left to right:

• Mice Rocks (Fireflies & Mud Pies for I Heart Crafty Things): http://iheartcraftythings.com/easy-painted-mouse-rocks.html
• Garden Markers (Adventures in a Box):  http://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/how-to-make-garden-markers-by-painting-stones-art-tuesday/
• Flamingo Puzzle (hello, Wonderful): http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/MAKE-A-FLAMINGO-ROCK-PUZZLE
• Rock Painting Techniques (Color Made Happy): https://colormadehappy.com/2017/07/diy-galaxy-painted-rocks/
• Tea Cakes (Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/rock-cakes-for-pretend-play/
• Funny Face Rocks (Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/funny-face-rock-puzzle/
• People Rocks (Craft Train): https://www.thecrafttrain.com/fluffy-pet-rocks/
• Photo Holders (Buggy & Buddy): http://buggyandbuddy.com/painted-rock-photo-holder-craft-kids/

• Minions (Non-Toy Gifts): http://nontoygifts.com/minions-jail-craft-painted-rocks/
• Rock Clock (Danya Banya): https://www.danyabanya.com/hickory-dickory-dock-rock-clock-nursery-rhyme-kids-activity/
  
• Rock Cacti (The Best Ideas for Kids): https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/pet-cactus-rocks/
• Kandinsky Inspired Rocks (Arty Crafty Kids): http://www.artycraftykids.com/art/kandinsky-inspired-rock-art/
• Rock Balancing (Rhythms of Play): http://rhythmsofplay.com/rock-balancing-stone-stacking-art-steam-activity/
• Sticker Rocks (Fireflies & Mud Pies): http://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/mess-free-sticker-rocks/
• Rock Rings (Red Ted Art): http://www.redtedart.com/diy-stone-ring/
• Campfire (Ideas in a Box): https://boxofideas.uk/easy-miniature-campfire-craft-for-kids-using-rocks-and-sticks/
• Rock Snails (Kids Craft Room): http://kidscraftroom.com/shake-painting-cute-snail-rock-craft/

Purpose

• Using different materials to paint with and give the appearance of texture.
• Re-purposing items for creating with.

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors and a glue gun with care and direct, adult supervision.  (We recommend a low temp glue gun only for older children.)
• Small items such as beads and gems 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

• Burlap
• Yarn of various shades
• Embroidery thread of various shades
• Scissors
• Beads
• Yarn and thread needle

Hanger

• Craft wire
• Beads

Inspiration

•  The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

Directions

• Look at The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai for inspiration.  Can you make your own wave?  Here are a few questions to consider: What colours will you see in your wave?  What is the shape of it?  How will you show the glimmer when the sunlight gleams off the wave?  What about the bubbles when the wave crashes?

• A few small tricks: 1) Since the holes in the burlap are large, a knot at the end will go right through the hole.  Therefore, knot it right to the burlap itself.  2) Your bead holes might be small and therefore, you might need to use a smaller needle.  3)  For younger children, an embroidery hoop might be helpful.

Hanger

• As inspired by Julia Linsteadt of CutOutStudios (https://www.instagram.com/julialinsteadt/?hl=en) and Olivia Mandel of Meri Cherry Studios (https://www.instagram.com/oliviamandel_art/?hl=en), we made a little handle for our creation, using beads.  To hold the starter bead in place, we looped the wire through the bead again.  We then took the ends and looped them through the burlap tucking the ends inside the beads.

Pin it here:

Purpose

• Developing one’s fine motor skills

Safety Notes

• Use scissors and a needle 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.

This idea was featured on The Crafty Crow.  Looking for creative activities to do with your children or class?  Check them out!

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/06/crayon-resist-feather-bookmarks.html

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/

It was also featured on Crafty Connections on their summer post for activities for kids 2-6:

http://www.craftingconnections.net/the-blog/9-summer-crafts-kids-ages-2-6/#.U9B-YI2wJD0

Take a peek at it on We Heart It:

http://weheartit.com/entry/group/51945844

Materials

• Feathers (found or you may want to use those purchased for cleanliness reasons)
• Pencil
• White art eraser
• Watercolour Paper or cardstock
• Watercolours (can be a variety of forms, we have recently tried liquid watercolours and are hooked!)
• Paintbrushes
• Pastels (we used metallic ones, but you could also use wax crayons)
• Single hole punch
• Ribbon, twine
• Scissors
• Smock
• Contact Paper or Laminator and laminating pockets (Optional)

• We always find a smock and a craft tray handy too!

Directions

• Don a smock.

• Take a feather (you may want to use ones purchased in a craft store for cleanliness reasons) and place it on top of watercolour paper.

• Trace it gently with a pencil.  Make a shaft (the line down the middle of the feather) and barbs (the lines going to the edge of the feather from the shaft).  Trace over your pencil lines with pastel.

• Use watercolour paints to bring your feather to life.  We diluted liquid watercolour.  Allow to dry overnight.

• Cut out your feather carefully, leaving a bit of a border.

• Punch a hole at either end.

• For longevity and to protect your book from pastel smudges, laminate your feather or sandwich it between two pieces of clear contact paper (sticky sides facing in on each other).  Cut out the feather again, leaving a border and punch the hole through the plastic.

• Fold your ribbon or twine in half and put the folded end through the hole.  Loop the ends through your fold (see photo) and pull taut.

• Trim the ends of the ribbon if necessary.

Purpose

• Taking the basic shape of an object and enhancing it.
• Encouraging reading.
• Using a variety of materials to experiment with painting techniques (pastel resist)

Safety Notes

• As mentioned, you may want to use feathers purchased at a craft store for cleanliness reasons.
• Laminators should be used by an adult only.
• Be sure to use scissors with supervision.