Mother’s & Father’s Day Crafts and Activities

Kids love to share the love with Mom and Dad on their special days. Here are some craft and activity ideas for your preschool class to help make their parent’s day just as special as they are!

Mom & Dad Rock! Paper Weights

Here’s a perfect gift for your preschoolers to make for their mommy and daddy. It’s a paperweight that exclaims how cool Mom and Dad are!

Supplies:

• Smooth rock about the size of a fist (one for each child)
• Soapy water and a scrub brush
• Paint brush
• Acrylic paint
• Black Sharpie
• Optional: Clear coat spray paint
• Glitter pens

Prior to creating this gift, the rocks will need to be washed and dried. You can have the children do this or you can clean each child’s rock the night before.

Once it’s good and dry, paint the rock all over with one color acrylic paint.  You may want to apply a second coat once the first has dried if the color didn’t completely cover the rock.

After the second coat (or first if not applying a second) is dried thoroughly, you can glitter the rock with glitter paint or speckle it by lightly tapping a paintbrush with a different colored paint over the rock.

Have the children write “Dad Rocks”, “Mom Rocks” or “You Rock” on their paperweight with the glitter pen. Allow the rocks to dry overnight.

The next day you can outline the writing with a black marker.

Optional: You can spray the paperweight with a clear coat paint to keep it from peeling and to make it last a lot longer.

Tip: When you send the paperweights home, you may want to place them in a small bag to keep the glitter from getting all over everything in the children’s book bags.

Cinco de Mayo Crafts and Activities

Cinco de Mayo Art Projects For Kids

Fall is just around the corner, and with the cooler weather comes more inside time for the little ones. Naturally, they’re going to need something fun and creative to keep them busy. Help your kids prepare for Halloween by constructing these adorable craft projects! They’re easy and fun to make and the kiddos will love displaying them for the holiday.

Maracas of Paper Mache

This craft takes a few days, but is great fun for the kids. The kids will love it when they are done because they will have their own musical instrument – Maracas!

Supplies List:

• Newspaper strips
• White glue
• Small balloons (at least 1 per child – 2 if you want them to have 2 maracas each)
• Clothes pins (the old-fashioned kind used to make dolls)
• Brightly colored tempera or craft paints
• Masking tape
• Dried beans or peas

On day 1, put a tablespoon of the beans or peas into the balloons and blow up until they are the size you want for your maracas.  Tie the balloons and secure them to the clothes pin handle using the tape. Cover the entire handle (clothes pin) with the masking tape as well. Be sure the balloons are held to the clothes pin well by placing several layers of tape where it meets the clothes pin.

Now it’s time to start the paper Mache. You may want to make sure the children have old clothes or a paint smock on the day you do this activity. Mix the white glue with a little water in a bowl. Next, dip the newspaper strips into the mixture and place them all around each balloon covering it entirely. Repeat this step, giving the balloon two or three layers of newspaper. Once you finish, hang the maracas up to dry overnight.

On day 2, make sure your maracas are good and dry. If not, give them another day. Using a straight pin or a needle (teacher, you’ll need to do this part and may want to do so before the children arrive in class on day 2) poke a small hole into the morocco to pop the balloon. Now, the children can begin painting their maracas. Once they finish decorating, hang them to dry overnight again.

Tomorrow, their maracas will be completely dry and it’s time to shake ‘em, shake ‘em, shake ‘em. Have a parade for Cinco de Mayo or play some Spanish music and let them dance and use the maracas to keep the beat.

Earth Day Crafts and Activities

Earth Day Crafts are such fun for kids. Teach the kids about the Earth and introduce some recycling and environmentalism while remaining age-appropriate.

Celebrate Earth Day with the Zoo

We celebrate Earth Day on April 22.  This is a special day to show our appreciation for our earth and all it has to offer us.  Preschoolers need to learn early about our earth, how precious it is and what makes it that way.

One way to celebrate and learn about Earth day is by taking a trip to the zoo.  Now you may not have a zoo close by or even be able to take your preschoolers on a trip to the zoo but you can bring the zoo to them right in your classroom.

Find stuffed animals that represent the different animals found in a zoo.  Look at the dollar store, rummage sales or even ask the children to bring in stuffed animals they may have at home.  Try to get as many different animals as you can find.  This will help create a more realistic zoo.

Use cardboard to make your zoo areas.  You can draw on the cardboard to duplicate the habitat of different animals. Some animals live in trees, some in the desert, and some in grass or high weeds and so on.  It doesn’t have to be fancy just enough so the children get the drift of how these animals live.  Place your animals around the room as they might be found in a zoo atmosphere.

Find books that talk about the different animals and how they affect our earth.  Point out each animal in your make believe zoo.  Have the children discuss what they know about each animal and their environment.

Let the kids walk around the zoo.  They can talk to each other about the animals and feel as if they are really right at the zoo.  Just let them enjoy their little trip.  Top the day off with a snack of popcorn and peanuts.  No trip to the zoo is complete without those snacks.

Giving your preschoolers an idea of why Earth Day is so important can only start them on the right track of doing their part to help our earth continue to prosper.  Showing them why animals are so important to this is one way of letting them know everything has a purpose on our great earth.

Plants Are an Important Part of Earth Day

Plants are a very important part of keeping our earth healthy.  Children love to learn about plants, flowers and even trees. It peaks there interest and they want to know we have them. Earth Day is a great day to talk to your preschoolers about our earth and the necessity for all the plants we have in our world.

Use books to help explain to the children about different plants.  There are many types of books that have pictures of different plants and explain them in very simple detail.  You may think your preschoolers aren’t interested in seeing a plant but they are.  They watch Mom and Dad in the garden or planting flowers and they want to know why.  Books can help them to understand the why.

Take them outside and point out the different types of plants, flowers and trees.  Not only will they get a kick out of seeing these but they may find things that are a surprise. Like a squirrel in a tree or a worm in the grass.  This will definitely peak their interest and will start the questions rolling.

Help them to plant their own plant.  It doesn’t take much. A Styrofoam cup, some dirt and a few seeds are all they need.  Show them how to fill their cup with the dirt. Talk to them about how the dirt is important for the seeds to root and grow.  Find a book that shows how the plant progresses from start to finish.  These pictures will give them an idea of what they can expect as their plants grow.

Let them plant their own seeds in the dirt.  Walk them through how to place the seed in the dirt and push it down so it can get the nutrients it needs to begin to grow.  Help them water their plant and let them know it’s necessary to continue to water their plant if they want it to grow into a pretty flower.  As the plants grow talk to them about what stages they are in and how the plant will bud and then finally be a flower.

Kids may act like they don’t care about the world around them especially that plant growing in the window.  In reality it does peak their interest and they do want to understand why they are important.  If nothing else they want to know how to make those flowers grow so they can give Mom that pretty bouquet to set on the table.  Teaching them the significance of plants to our earth at an early age will insure they are responsible in helping to keep our earth alive and healthy forever.

President’s Day Crafts and Activities

President’s Day Crafts are such fun for kids. Teach the kids about the President’s and introduce some history in the process.

President’s Day Finger Puppets

Trying to teach preschoolers about some of our holidays can be a little bit frustrating.  What 3 year old cares about President’s Day?  They know it means something because they have heard Mom and Dad talk about it and how it has affected their day or week, but they have no idea what it’s all about.

President’s Day finger puppets are a great way to help preschoolers understand what this holiday is all about.  They are easy to make and the kids can have some fun with them while getting a little information about why we celebrate this day.

You will need a penny and a nickel for each child.  You will also need blue and black construction paper, tape and glue.  Cut the construction paper in strips. Measure the strips to each child’s index finger on both hands.  Once you have the strip measure red, glue it so it fits like a tube over their finger.

Tape a penny to the top of the black construction paper tube and the nickel to the blue one. Cut a piece of black construction paper to look like a stovetop hat. Tape it to the top of the penny for Abe’s hat.  Now cut a piece of blue construction paper into a triangle.  Tape it to the top of the nickel for Washington’s hat.

Slip the tubes over the children’s fingers so that the money faces the inside of their hand.  Now they have puppets to put on a little play about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.  Tell them some facts about each president and explain to them why we celebrate their lives.

This gives your preschoolers a fun lesson in President’s Day and what it’s all about.  They learn while playing and having fun.  Before you know it they will be telling everyone they know about President’s Day and why it’s so special.  Won’t they all be in awe when their preschooler knows what it’s all about?

Valentine’s Day Crafts and Activities

Make a Lesson Out Of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about L-O-V-E. While love comes completely naturally to children, it can be a difficult concept for some adults. After all, we cannot physically touch, see, smell, hear or taste love. But we sure can feel it! Maybe not with our hands, but we feel it. Everyday, in everything – especially when we have children. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to talk with your children not only about love, but other feelings as well.

Fix a snack for the children and gather around the table, announce that you want to talk about feelings. If you have older children, this statement may make them groan.

Tell your children that Valentine’s Day is coming as that it is a special day for love. Ask your children what they think love means. Love means…”hugs and kisses”, “family”, being nice”.

Ask your children if they can touch love, if they can see love, if they can smell love, if they can hear love or if they can taste love. You may get blank confused faces or some fun, silly answers! Explain to your children that love is a feeling, it may not be something you can use your five senses on because love itself is invisible, but that it is always there. You can touch love when someone hugs you, you can see love when someone has a smile on their face, you can smell love when Grandma is baking a cake, you can hear love when someone says something nice.

Valentine’s Day is an obvious opportunity to talk to your kids about love. Don’t miss the chance to teach your children about other feelings as well this Valentine’s Day.

• Valentine’s Day Card Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Party Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Classroom Decoration Ideas
• Valentine’s Treat Ideas
• Homemade Valentines
• Homemade Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Heart Wreath
• 3-D String of Hearts Craft
• Tissue Paper Centerpieces

Valentine’s Day Printables

Printable Valentines Games Collection

Scrolls to Declare Their Love

Back in medieval times people showed their love through declaration.  In order to do this they made a scroll that declared their feelings on the paper of the scroll.  Preschoolers can make the same declaration to parents or grandparents with a little help from you.

Using a long sheet of white paper, two empty paper towel (or tissue paper) rolls, crayons, stickers and glue sticks children can create a Valentine’s Day card like no other.

First, let the children decorate a piece of paper.  Let them use crayons to draw pictures or color designs.  Stickers also work well when it comes to decorating their scroll.  Have Valentine stickers they can use and encourage them to decorate the whole paper with them.

Next, help them sign their names at the bottom of the scroll.  This will be their personal touch with a little help from you.

Once they are finished decorating and signing their names, attach one end of the paper around one of the empty towel rolls with the glue stick.  Make sure to tell the children to be careful not to smash the roll.

If you think this might be a concern and don’t want any child to be upset or think they have ruined their card, place some newspaper inside the roll to make it more solid and easier for the children to work with.

Once the glue has dried enough to work with the paper without it coming loose, attach the other end of the paper to the other paper towel roll.  These will be the rollers of the scroll.  Be sure to let the glue dry well so the paper doesn’t come loose while the children decorate their scroll.

Now show them how the scroll works by rolling the two paper towel rolls together.  The children will be so proud of their valentines.  Mom and Dad will be excited to see how their imagination worked to make them a card like no other.  It’s one card that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Valentine’s Day Teddy Grams

Giving children something to enjoy for Valentine’s Day besides candy doesn’t have to be difficult.  Preschoolers still enjoy the simple things in life making it much easier to figure out the perfect gift that doesn’t involve sugar.  Giving preschoolers Teddy Grams is a fun way for both of you to enjoy your gift.

Most dollar stores and even some department stores sell the little plastic teddy bears that have a slot cut in the front to hold a picture.  They aren’t real expensive and come in many different colors.  Purchase enough of these for every child in your preschool class.

Instead of placing a picture in the front of the bear place a heart made out of construction paper.  On the heart put something special about the child who will be receiving it.  For instance, if you have a child who is always helpful tell them that on their heart.  It could be you have a child who has picked up on their numbers and knows them by heart.  If so, let them know you’re proud of them for that.  Whatever the case may be children in your classroom have something that’s special about them.  This is your chance to tell them you appreciate that and want them to know it.

Decorate the bears with ribbons and bows if you would like.  Just be sure that you place the name of the child on the side of the heart that is facing out so you will remember which child gets which bear.

Not only will each child feel like they have a special place in your classroom but they will have a teddy bear to hold near and dear to their heart.  It’s a good way to show them they mean something to you and you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

Give Them a Big Kiss

Candy, candy, and more candy – that is a big part of Valentine’s Day.  Making candy for the kids can be fun and of course there are all types of candy you can buy at the store for them to give out.  Doing something a little different may be the way to go with your preschoolers.  They like surprises but most of all they like giving out surprises.  Help them make a big kiss to take home to Mom and Dad.

Each child will need a large piece of aluminum foil, a one-inch strip of paper and a ribbon.  You will also need something they can fill their kiss up with.  Hershey’s kisses are a great item to use.

Once they have their foil have them place four kisses in the middle of the foil.  Help them wrap the foil up around the kisses and twist the top.  On their strip of paper let them be as creative as they like. They can color pictures, place stickers or even print a message with your help.  Show them how to place the paper into the twist of the kiss just like a real Hershey kiss.  Now help them tie the ribbon around the kiss at the bottom of the twist.

Now they have a big kiss to take home for Mom and Dad.  Won’t they be surprised to see what their youngster has created for them?  Best of all the children can give Mom and Dad the biggest kiss they have ever had for Valentine’s Day.

Smiley Buttons

Smiley buttons. Just the sound of that puts a smile on your face doesn’t it?  Can you picture the smile your preschooler will have wearing one? They are pretty easy to make and worth every second of it when the kids are all proudly displaying their very own button.

Any color of construction paper even red or pink will work for this project.  First take the construction paper and help them cut out any shape they like.  It can be round, square, triangle or even rectangle. Just remind them it is a button for someone to wear on their shirt or jacket so they don’t want it to be real big.

When they have their shapes cut out they can use valentine stamps to stamp to their hearts content.  Some stamps will have hearts or cupids on them.  Others may have little sayings like “Smile I love you” or “Be my valentine” on them.  Even smiley faces will work.  Remember these are made to make your preschoolers feel special and happy.

Once they have stamped their little heart out have them write their name on the back of the button.  This will keep them from getting them mixed up if they take them off and lay them down.

Attach Velcro or double sided tape to the back of the construction paper and their shirt or jacket.  Now everyone in your classroom has a smiley button.  With your child’s own hand they have a button that will make everyone smile when they see it.

Homemade Valentine Gift Baskets

It’s Valentine’s Day and of course your class is having a party.  There are cards, candy, cookies and games to be played leaving everyone with numerous amounts of goodies to take home.  Here’s an easy way for your preschoolers to make a Valentine’s Day gift basket of their very own to take the luscious goodies home in.

The first part of this project will need to be completed by you.  Start with as many paper bags as you have children in the class.  Each bag will need to be cut down to size.  Measure the bag from the bottom up to get the exact size you want the basket to be.  Then cut the top off of the bag.  Don’t throw that top away!  You are going to use it for the handle of each basket.

To make the handle, fold the cut piece over and over to give it enough layers to be strong enough to carry the basket with.  You can also use a piece of cardboard cut the same size as your handle and placed in the center of the paper to make the handle even stronger.  If you do this be sure to wrap the paper around the cardboard and staple the paper to the cardboard to ensure it stays together.  Once you have the handle down to size, bend it so that it will fit on each side of the basket and have the curve from side to side.  Now staple the handle to each side of the bag.

After you have made the actual basket it’s time for the children to do their part.  Each child can decorate their own basket.  Offer crayons, colored pencils, valentine’s stickers, old valentine cards and glue to create their own unique basket.  Once the have decorated their basket have them put them aside until it’s time for the party.

On the day of the party, be sure to add your own Valentine’s surprise to each child’s basket. You can place candy or even a small gift in the basket.  No need to go extravagant with their presents.  A few pieces of candy and some stickers or even a simple card are perfect.  Just make sure that their basket isn’t empty.  What a great surprise when they go to get their basket to fill with all their cards and goodies and see someone has already left them a gift.

Making a Valentine’s Day basket is pretty easy to do and can be a lot of fun for the children.  Not only will they have a craft they have helped create themselves, but also a wonderful way to carry home the great things they receive from each other on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day Jewelry Craft

Kids of all ages love to make things.  Preschoolers are always ready and eager to learn how to make crafts.  They also love to play dress up and wear fancy jewelry.  This Valentine’s Day let your preschoolers make their own jewelry.  By using colorful beads and different types of candy your kids can have homemade jewelry to wear home and show off to their family and friends.

You can purchase different types of beads pretty cheap at a craft shop.  During holidays many craft stores will carry special types of beads catered to the holiday itself.  Try to find some beads that are shaped like hearts, arrows and maybe even little cupids and in as many different colors as you can find.  You can also purchase a roll of elastic string for very little at a craft store.

Go to your local dollar store and look for different types of candy that children can place on elastic string.  You don’t want the candy to be too big and of course it must either have a hole in the middle or be thin enough to place a whole through.  There are many types of candy that come this way so you should have a variety to choose from.

Once you have all the materials, set your preschoolers to work creating their own jewelry.  Show them how to string the beads and candy on the string.  They can make a necklace or a bracelet but be sure to help them with cutting the right size string to fit.  Encourage them to make it colorful so it stands out when they wear it.  Also be sure to either tie off one end of the string, so their beads and candy won’t slide off, or help them tape one end to the table so this doesn’t happen.

When they have all the beads and candy on their string, help them tie the two ends together.  Be sure it’s a tight knot that won’t come apart if they pull or twist their jewelry while showing it off.

With a little help and the children’s imaginations your preschoolers can make their Valentine’s Day jewelry and feel like a million bucks wearing it home to show Mom and Dad.

One Special Valentine’s Day Card

Everybody gets a kick out of those cute little cards that come out every Valentine’s Day.  Children love to go with Mom to pick out just the right ones to give to all their friends and family.  There’s always that one special person though that children want to make sure get the perfect card.  It might be Mom or Dad, a grandparent or even you.  That card has to be just the right one and what better to make sure of that then letting your students design it themselves.

All you need is construction paper, colored pencils or crayons, valentine themed stickers and old Valentine’s Day cards and paste.  Most of these things you may already have on hand.  If the cards are not available from years past, head to your local dollar store and purchase some cheap valentine’s that you can use.

Show the children how to fold the construction paper to make a card.  Then set them on their creative journey.  Encourage them to be colorful and thoughtful in their decorating.  Let them use stickers and pictures cut out of the old cards to liven up their card.  They can attach the pictures with paste.

Have them decorate the outside and inside of the card.  Let them know they need to leave room to put any sayings they may want and a place to sign their name.  Of course you may have to help them write “I love you Mom” or Grandpa, You’re the greatest” on the inside of their card but let them choose what they want it to say.  Young children can say what they mean in just a few words so it won’t take long to help them accomplish this.

You can also let them cut those words from different cards or magazines and paste them in their card if they’d rather.  Also help them sign their name if they don’t quite know how to do it yet.

Last but not least, be sure on the bottom of the back of the card you put the date.  These types of mementos are things parents and grandparents love to keep.  With a date on the back they can look at them for years to come and remember exactly when they received this special treasure.

Be sure to ask the kids about the response their special Valentine’s card received.  It will give them a warm smile to tell you about the hugs and kisses they got because they made something on their own for that special someone in their life.

Valentine Card Holders

It’s Valentine’s Day and you know those kids are going to have a bundle of cards to take home to show Mom and Dad.  How upset will they be if they throw them in their backpack to be crumpled or torn or if they lose them out of that folder on their way home?  Help them make a cardholder to carry their cards home in.  It’s easy to do and your preschoolers will be happy to have their cards in one place and in perfect condition once they arrive home for the day.

You will need a small box that can be closed either with a lid or flaps for each child in your preschool class.  Ask your local merchants if they can gather up some for you when they receive their shipments.  They don’t have to be anything fancy because your preschoolers will be decorating them to make them their own.

You will also need construction paper, crayons, colored pencils and stickers for this craft.  Explain to the children exactly what they are making.  You can even make one with them to hold the cards you know they will be bringing you to show them how it is done.

Start by setting the box in the middle of a piece of construction paper.  You will probably have to help the kids cut the paper so they can pull the paper up and glue it to the box.  This is easy to do by cutting from the edge of the paper to each corner of the box.

After the paper is cut, place glue on it and pull up to attach to the box.  You can accomplish the same thing with a lid on your box.  Just be sure to place the lid upside down to cover it.  If the box has flaps, cut pieces of construction paper to fit each flap and glue it directly on the flaps.

Once the box is covered with the paper let your preschoolers go to town with decorating.  They can draw pictures and add stickers anywhere they like.  Let them use their imaginations in their decorating.  They may come up with some off the wall ideas but it’s their box so let them have at it.

Once the box is decorated they will have a nice little cardholder to carry those valentines home in.  Not only can they show off their cards but they can show off their holder too.  It gives them a way to carry them home and a way to keep them all in one place once they get there.