Search results matching tags 'art' and 'nature'

Blooming art in the preschool classroom

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:00:00 GMT

By Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed. of Teach Preschool

As the flowers start to bloom, a whole new set of activities that you can do in the classroom start to bloom as well...

It is so exciting to bring the outdoors inside the classroom then see what you can do with it. One of our favorite activities is flower printing...

The children simply dip the flowers in paint then make prints or use the flowers like paint brushes to add color to their paper...

Sometimes, I will hear teachers say, "But the children did this last year so we need to do something different." My response, "The experience at age three will be completely different than the experience at age four because, in part, the children are developing new skills and a new understanding of their world!"

So perhaps your students painted with flowers last year - but I am here to tell you that repeating ideas can lead to new understanding and the mastery of processes so go ahead and invite your students to flower paint again!

Would you like to see what else you can do with flowers? Hop on over to Teach Preschool today to see more terrific ideas you can do with flowers!

Kids Crafty Bottle Bird Feeder

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:43:00 GMT

Materials list for the Kids Crafty Bird Feeder

Empty Liter Bottles with Lids
Bulk Wooden Spoons (Available at the Dollar Store)
Bulk Wild Bird Seed
Scissors
Sharpie Marker
Masking Tape
Small Eye Hook Screw(s) (Enough for each lid)
Twine or yarn
A nice shade tree with sturdy branches

The Process

Teacher Prep: Use a sharpie and mark two sections per spoon you would like to have them placed. Make sure your "entrance and exit" Sharpie marks are parallel to one another. After you punch small holes in the marks with the tip of your scissors, place one more just above one of the holes. This third hole will disperse seed in the bowl of the spoon.
Get the lid, and screw in the eye hook in the center of the lid. Make sure it's secure.

The Kids Part: Give the children the wooden spoon(s) and allow them to figure out how to put them through the proper holes. This is a great fine motor exercise. When they are finished have them clip a piece of masking tape to cover the 'third seed dispensing hole'.

Allow the children to fill the bottle with the seed and place the lid on top. They will place a length of twine through the whole and tie it.
We love to go out as a group and pick our branches to tie them to. It's then that we take the tape off and allow the bowl of the spoons to fill with seed.

Be sure to get a camera. The kids love to show their families proof that the birds came!

Bird picture found on Facebook from All it Takes is a Can Opener & Crockpot.

Kids Nature Fine Motor Fun

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

My kids just love nature and chasing birds. We put together a great fine motor nature activity that not only satisfied their love of their feathered friends-but strengthened those little fingers! Hope you love it as much as our kids do!

Materials for Kids Nature Fine Motor Fun

Small plastic tubs or use a Large Sensory Table
Bag of white rice-enough to fill tub at least 1/3 of the way.
Brown food coloring or Bio color
One large Ziploc bag
Newsprint paper
Clothes pins
Pipe Cleaners (green, yellow, brown) or any color that could represent a nice juicy worm.
Optional: Rubbing Alcohol
Scissors
Small Paper Cups
Scotch Tape

The Process: (The kids love to help with the set up)

1. Place rice in Ziploc and add small amounts of food color or Bio color. Zip the bag shut and knead in the color until it's a nice brown color. Lay it out on newsprint to dry-it usually takes about 30 minutes. I you want faster drying time add a bit of rubbing alcohol as you knead in the color-we found it also makes the color a bit more vibrant, too.
2. Cut small 2 or 3 inch lengths of pipe cleaner (the more the better)-these will represent the worms. We found an adorable way to make worms with the kids, too (check out Alexandra Wishes for her great idea)
3. Each child will have a clothes pin-this is the birds beak. Some of the children really wanted to decorate their 'birdies' and that turned into another activity all together-of course, we were happy to oblige and they trotted off the the art center and used magic markers and wiggle eyes.

The Procedure: Place the dry rice in the sensory table and hide the "worms" inside. Our sensory table comfortably accommodates six children so we taped six cups along the inside wall of the tub with a plain clothes pin inside.
Let the children know they are the hungry birds that need to find the worms in the "brown dirt". They can put their 'worms' in the cups and we count how many they found.

OMG! We love this chubby worms from Alexandra Wishes

Note: You may want to purchase extra clothes pins because many of the children insisted it would be better if they decorated their own bird beaks to use outside and take home. Don't you just love it when kids are so involved in the curriculum.

This activity also works great in small individual tubs-but for great socialization opportunities, use the a giant sensory table.

Kids Ocean Wave Bottles Craft

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:28:00 GMT

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There is nothing like taking a bit of the beach home with you. As a California girl, myself I love to bring the ocean into the classroom to share with the children.

I used to make wonderful wave bottles for used plastic water bottles, however, times being what they are businesses use much less plastic (great for our environment), but not when it comes to the durability of our kids projects.

The families and I found a great option that the children love; we use these ocean bottles as staple pieces in the classroom, as well gift ideas! Here is a craft I guarantee your preschoolers and families will love!

How to Make Kids Ocean Theme Wave Bottles

More Ocean in a Bottle Ideas!

Cheap clear baby bottles (We go to a local Dollar Store)

Bags of small shells (Any dollar or craft store has these)

Soft clean sand or washed pea gravel (Just enough to settle nicely on the bottom of the bottle)

Small Rubber Sea Creatures (Optional but the kids love them)

Large container of Baby Oil (Optional-give you that wave effect)

Blue Food Color or Bio Color

Silver Glitter (Optional but very pretty)

Masking Tape

Funnel

Water

Procedure: Keep the lids and allow the children scoop in a couple spoonfuls of sand or gravel. Allow children to select 3-5 shells depending to the size and one sea creature to place in the bottle.

Have the children mark a halfway point with the masking tape on their bottle. Let the kids add in their water to the mark and funnel in the baby oil almost to the top. Be sure they are holding it securely so it won’t spill.

Add in one drop of food coloring and a dash of glitter. Now securely tighten the bottle with the bottle plug minus the rubber nipple.

There! Now you're kids have captured the ocean in a pinch!

Kids Newspaper Sun Hats

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:01:00 GMT

Have you ever had those activities where you just simply had to do them every time the season rolls around? Okay, twist my arm, the sun is out and the kids can now make their new paper sun hats!

I can show you a great modification for the boys that will give it that cool-factor, too!

How to Make Kids Newspaper Sun Hats:

Materials Needed:

Tons of Newspaper (Have parent start saving)
Masking Tape
Had Picked Flowers (from a nature walk)
Phone Books (Optional is you would like to make the flowers)

The Process:

We do this in a small group activity so have the children standing and gathered around the the child that will go first.

Have all the children drape large opens sheets of newspaper over the child's head. We tell them to be sure we can't see their face or head! The children love this part because they play peek-a-boo, and 'Guess-who' under the newspaper.
I wrap a strip of making take around the child's head two or three times, once we have all smoothed down the newspaper. It is best to start about where the child's eyes are so be sure to hold them close to you during this process. We forewarn them it the tape will sound a bit loud but we are all looking out for them! We even have the group hold the child's hands to steady them because they won't be able to see for a few seconds.
As a group we begin rolling up the loose newspaper up the the masking tape strip while it's still on the child's head. Ah, at last! Now they can see and have a wonderful new sun hat!

Pix from Folding Tree!

Flowers: We use old phone books for the flowers of these hats. This project can go on for quite some time decorating them! We actually have a hat parade for the parents so we don't mind taking our time. If you decide to paint them be sure to allow a few days to completely dry.
Modifications for the Boys: While some boys didn't care for the same look the girls had, they did come up with a clever idea. The Fire Hat! We used the same process but didn't roll the back part of the hat and trimmed it to square it off. Kind of a paper mullet look, but paint it red and you have that cool-factor both boys and girls love.

Recycled Kid Craft Projects

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 02:32:00 GMT

I love recycled arts and crafts. The idea of doing so something to reduce waste as well as making something beautiful really appeals to me! I also use this as a time to let kids know and be aware that there are so many creative crafts they can to with supplies from home!

Be sure to share easy ideas with families by posting them in your newsletters! Parents are not only grateful, but see that we are saving them money, too!

Here is another Honorable Mention shout for those bloggers and sites that will help you get your recycling on!

Kids Bee Bracelet by Kangaroo Boo

Sssss-nakes from Play Pennies

From Kangarooboo

From the Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

Just one of 3 crafts showcased @ My Plum Pudding

From cuffs to spiders, check out Family Crafts

The egg carton bouquet

Woolly Sheep from Kids Craft Weekly

Crafts and Things for Children

Favorite Kids Melted Crayon Gift Projects

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:54:00 GMT

Crayon Melted Rock Paperweights and much more! (This photo is from pepperpaints.com)

By far, some of the easiest and most beautiful gift project ideas have always been the simplest. I haven't quite figured out if the beauty is in the simplicity or that its just so beautifully fun and economical. I suspect a bit of both I guess.

How to Make Melted Crayon Paper Weights:
I am modifying this original post for Hot Rocks because I was really trying to figure a way to do it with the youngest of children without any ouchies. I mean, you say to a group of preschoolers, "watch out, sweetie, it's hot." Someone is bound to test the 'how-hot-is-it-theory'. Have kids create their own crayon shavings by crushing them in bags or with cheese graters and then the children can arrange the shaving on a rock before it goes in the oven. Bake it at 130F for about 5-7 minutes and let it cool. It makes an awesome paperweight gift!

Heat pottery and color it! Great gift idea!

How to Make Melted Crayon Pottery:

Materials Needed:

Crayons
Oven
Small Ceramic Flower Pots
Old Mittens for the children
Adult Oven Mitts
Table covered in newsprint
Handy bowl of ice water
Black Marker for names

Process: Write the children's names on the inside of the pot before baking. Heat the flower pots in the oven at approximately 130-150F. Any young children doing this product must wear mittens for protection while they freely color the pottery with crayons. As you can see, it's a beautiful effect.
We keep ice water handy for the tempted little ones that feel temp checks are needed. For any toasted little fingers~they quickly take the plunge!

Gift Idea: After it has completely cooled, place colored tissue papers inside with a handmade card or a seedling that the child has helped sprout.

Extension: Standard crayons look great, but if you add a few glitter crayons it really adds that special touch!

Preschool Kids Q-Tip Snow Flake Craft

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Snowflakes glittering from the sky

Snowflakes, snowflakes, up so high

Snowflakes, snowflakes, soft and white

Snowflakes, snowflakes, a beautiful sight!

Q-Tips are so versatile! We we always keep them on hand for engaging crafts for our preschoolers. A winter time favorite is cutting Q-Tips to make beautiful, unique snow flakes. The kids love to cut them all themselves so there is minimal preparation on the teachers part.
Here is what you'll need to get started.

How to Make Q-Tip Snow Flakes With Preschoolers:

Lots of Q-Tips
Small cup of glue
Blue construction paper
Scissors
Pictures of snow flakes

The Introduction: Be sure to show the children pictures of snow flakes. This is a great opportunity to give them some really great facts on snow flakes and really finding out what they know about them. Each snow flake is unique and beautiful, just like they are!

The Process: Allow children to freely cut the Q-Tips. They love this part! Pass out small cups of glue and let children arrange them on the paper. Allow them to figure out how they will glue it down to adhere on the paper.
What Skills Kids are Learning: Spacial awareness, fine motor, problem solving, counting and math, balance and symmetry
Extensions:

Instead of colored construction paper have the children paint their own winter sky as the background.
Use clear of silver glitter for a celestial effect!

What other successful snow flake project do your children enjoy?

Art Tales: Telling Stories with Wildlife Art lets students...

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:13:00 GMT

Art Tales: Telling Stories with Wildlife Art lets students choose to be a frontier explorer, field guide writer, or museum curator and then step by step, helps them write an “Art Tale” using art from The National Museum of Wildlife Art. After the student has completed his tale, using up to eight works of art (writing about each one), he can make corrections and then submit it for publication. It is then looked over by museum staff before it is published. Music an sound effects can also be added. Once published, it will appear on their site. A great way to combine writing and art.

Ten Fabulous Fall Leaf Activites For Kids!

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 02:18:00 GMT

Take advantage of these ten fabulous fall leaf ideas for kids! Whether you work in a classroom or are looking to keep a little one busy; these ideas will surely warm up the chilly days of Fall!

Ten Fall Leaf Activities to Look Forward to This Season:
1. Make a leaf compost for a garden!
2. Make a lovely fall wreath by painting a shaped paper plate with orange glue paint. The more leaves the better!
3. Make a leaf collection to display. We love to have the children create a graph and we work to categorize them by shapes and colors!

4. Go on a fall nature walk to crate a leaf bouquet. We love to wrap our bouquets in orange and yellow tissue paper and tie them off with raffia bows or corn husks. Many fall leaves are very fragrant and the children are always excited to give them as gifts!
5. Use contact paper or packing tape and seal the leaves inside to make a special book mark. Adding bits of fall confetti or stickers add a special touch!
6. Create leaf rubbings! Place them under white paper and use the edge of a crayon to shade them in. It's an instant masterpiece even for very young children to try.
7. How about raking up a pile and simply jumping in! A great way to get the wiggles out as well as laugh with all your friends.

8. Make a fall collage with leaves, sticks, and corn husks on a small sheet of tag board. We add to it throughout the week as the children cut out fall images from magazines. Got a story to tell? When the project is finished be sure to take dictation from them about their beautiful fall art.
9. Feeling really crafty? How about decoupaging fall leaves on a votive glass to make special gifts for the holidays.
10. Make your own fall leaf print handkerchiefs. Simply cut squares on muslin fabric from a fabric store (very inexpensive). Lay the fresh picked leaves in a pattern on the floor and place the fabric over it. Now gently pound the leaves with a mallet and the colored moisture from the leaves will show through on the hanky! Yes, it's washable but avoid 'bleaching' the lovely colors by using a color safe bleach detergent.