Mosaic Yarn Vase

05/22/201301/25/201417 Comments

This is our fun twist on mosaic art ― yarn style! You can up-cylce just about any container, add some colorful yarn and gems, and you’ll have a beautiful kid-made vase! This fun craft will challenge those skills needed for pre-school ― fine motor, cutting, and gluing.

Materials Needed:

Plastic container (we up-cycled a Happy Tot’s O’s container)
Yarn in many colors and varieties
Scissors
White, non-toxic glue
Sequins or gems (optional)

What’s Next:

First we began by cutting the yarn into different lengths, using varying colors and textures. C loved this part! Next, create lines and patterns on the container with the glue and cover the glue lines with the yarn. If the glue dries, add more as you go. We used a lot of glue! Tip: It helps to wash your hands periodically to remove the glue. Also, using the point of something helps stop the yarn from sticking to your fingers.

Mosaic Yarn Vase by Crayon Box Chronicles

Continue creating swirls, hearts, lines, and more fun designs! Lots of fine motor practice for kids!

For fun bling we added sequins and gems to help in shine! Set aside to dry. C threw his arms up and said, “I’m done!” He lasted about 10 minutes, then we took a break and came back to it. If I did it again, I’d choose a smaller canvas for my three year old.

A good alternative to the yarn is sequins and gems — just glue and stick for a mosaic “tile” vase! You can use cardboard or a shoe box to make a picture or use the decorated container to collect and store things — lots of options!

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Dinosaur “Scaly” Paper Plate

05/21/201302/13/201411 Comments

Rawr! Meet our scaly Brachiosaurus dinosaur! He’s super fun to make and a great sensory experience.

2 paper plates
tempura paint (colors of choosing)
kid scissors
white glue
black marker
green lentils

1. Let’s start by cutting the plate. First, cut one plate in-half to make the body of the dinosaur.

2. Next, cut the rim or outside of the plate of the half you’re not using, it will be the neck of the dinosaur. Use the plate scraps to cut an oval shape, it will be the head. Set aside.

3. Next, cut the rim or outside of the second paper plate. Use the rim as the legs and tail of the dinosaur, cut into pieces. I cut small triangles out of the feet for the claws!

4. Now you’re ready to glue. Glue all pieces together, set aside to dry.

5. Next, it’s time to paint.

6. While it’s wet, add white glue, a lot of glue!

7. Add lentils and allow to dry. Tip: We used a lot of lentils, so to prevent them from falling off, I added a heavy layer of glue over the lentils with a sponge brush once the lentils dried.

8. Finally, using a black marker add an eye and mouth. Watch your child’s imagination soar – RAWR!!

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Egg Carton Caterpillar

05/15/201304/07/20146 Comments

We love recycling materials to make fun, easy crafts for kids. Our egg carton caterpillar is great for story-time and pretend play.

Material Needed:

Paper egg carton
Scissors
Pipe cleaners
Paint or markers

What’s Next:

First, cut the egg carton in half lengthwise. I used adult scissors for this part, it was tough. Tip: To make it look more rounded, cut the base off around the edges, but AFTER you paint it. If you cut before, it compromises the strength of it. The seams at the top started to break where the colors met. Next, choose your medium — paint or markers.

Little C started to paint, then it was ATTACK of the animals, lol!

He ended up doing an animal foot print painting and I finished the caterpillar. Set aside to dry then draw a face on the front of the caterpillar.

Turn the carton upside down and help your child poke two short pieces of pipe cleaner through one end to create antennae; bend over tips, they are pointy! Let your child’s imagination soar as they play with their new caterpillar! Little C decided to have a snack with his, lol! 😉

Looking for more fun crafts and activities for kids? Here’s a few of our favorite recycled crafts and learning activities:

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Pom-Pom Caterpillars

05/14/201302/08/2014Leave a comment

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Caterpillars are too cute! This fun, simple craft will challenge your preschooler in color recognition, sequencing, and counting!

Materials:

Clip-style Clothespins
Elmer’s Washable Glue
Pom-pom
Pipe Cleaner, 2 inch length
Googly eyes
Black Marker

What’s Next:

Run a line of white glue down one flat side of the clothes pin.
Have your child carefully place their pom-poms in the line of glue to form their caterpillar. Discuss color recognition, color sequencing, and counting.
Next, bend the pipe cleaner into a “V” shape to create the antennae. Insert the antennae between the first and second pom-pom, adding glue if necessary.
Put two dots of glue where the eyes will go and put the eyes in place.
Add the mouth using a black marker.
Let the glue dry completely.

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Pom-Pom Painting

05/14/201302/23/20143 Comments

Pom-pom painting is a fun way to recycle those old clothes pins. Let’s use them as our brushes today!

Materials:

clothes pins
pom-pom balls
non-toxic tempura paint
paper plate
paper

What’s Next:

Attach pom-pom balls to clothespins, dip, and paint! Let your child’s inner Picasso shine!

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Cup Circle Painting

05/14/201311/22/20132 Comments

Let’s recycle those yogurt cups or plastic cups to create really neat art — circle collage!

yogurt cups or plastic cups, empty, cleaned and dried
non-toxic tempura paint
paper
glitter
paper plates

Pour a small amount of paint on paper plates.
Dip the rims of the cups into the paint and then press them on paper to make a circle collage.
Add glitter or sparkling salt to make it sparkle!
Display your child’s beautiful artwork!

Thank you to my dear Madeline for letting me photograph E’s art!

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Animal Washing Station

05/10/201303/31/201511 Comments

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Scruba-dub-dub, its animal washing time! Bubbles, bubbles everywhere — fun! This budget-friendly bin is super easy to set-up and educational — lots of sensory play! Two of his favorite things are water and animals, so putting them together is a guaranteed hit in our house! Plus, his animals get a good cleaning. Continue reading →

Pirate Telescope

04/25/201303/31/20158 Comments

Ahoy, me Hearties! Let your child’s imagination run wild with the fun preschooler craft! Did you see that in the distance? Thar she blows! Continue reading →