Preposition Poems: Fill-in-the-blank preposition poem for little ones: “I like to _________ in _____________” “Look at the ________ sitting on the _________.”
Bead Writing Alternative: Use pipe cleaners and pony beads for younger children. Decorative paper idea: The Dollar Tree uses pretty paper to wrap breakable objects in. Save that for crafts like bookmaking and decoupage. (Apparently Old Time Pottery does this as well – however, now that I think about it, even the tissue paper from places like Vicky’s Secret and Anne Taylor are sometimes interesting, so just keep your eyes open for that.) Complimentary Magnetic Poetry Idea: Use Altoids tin to hold magnetic poetry. Secret Journal Use an Altoids tin and accordion folded paper to make a secret journal. Shoebox Guitar Make a guitar using a shoebox and rubber bands. Family Fun Cardboard Guitar Craft Click here for a guitar craft from Family Fun.
Pictionary-like Craft Alternative that could also be a play: Pick titles and have participants to draw the title or the main action points of the book (use drawing and collage) and let people guess what the title of the book is. Preschool Quilting Show the children a patchwork quilt (bring one in or show them a picture). The give them a piece of construction paper or tag board and a lot of fabric scraps and let them glue down the piece of fabric to make their own patchwork quilt. Alternative also from West TN Workshop: Punch holes in the corners of decorated construction paper and tie the squares together making a construction paper quilt. No Sew Quilting Bring in a king size sheet and divide it (by drawing squares – don’t cut them unless YOU want to sew them back together) into squares and let the children draw on the squares. Be Creative: Use a theme like “family” or “reading” to give the quilt a connectedness. Play dough Alternative: Make scented Playdough using Kool Aid. Enchanted Learning Masterpieces Click here for masterpiece coloring pages. Tie-Dye Alternative: Reverse tie-dye using a dark colored shirt and a bucket of bleach (warning: best to tell people to wear old or white clothes when participating and best to do outside) Click here for instructions.
Tank Top Beach Bag Use an old tank top and turn it into a beach bag. Click here for instructions. Postcards Make postcards using tag board or cardboard and collage them with pictures from pictures from magazines and other photographs. More Art Games Click here for more art games. Orange Juice Wallets Click here for the instructions for making a fun wallet out of a recycled orange juice carton. Step Program See if there is a local Step troupe that would be willing to 1) perform or 2) teach. CD from Dollar Tree “30 Great Children’s Songs” for $1 at the Dollar Tree – includes “Cha Cha Slide” and the “Chicken Dance”. Hula Note: The Lilo and Stitch DVD has a bonus feature that teaches the hula. Wall of Fame Make a big star with their name and handprints (trace their hands or be brave and use paint) and hang them on the wall as your Wall of Fame Star Readers. Reminder about Puppet Shows: Don’t forget to check with your Regional Center to see if they are doing a puppet show. |