The Old Educator's Seasonal Crafts Back to Old Educator.com
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Hard boiled eggs
You can spatter over plain white eggs or put a base color on them
first.
Protect your work area, spattering can make a big mess-- but it is
lots of fun! A cardboard box, placed on its side, is a good spatter
protector. Simply place the egg in the box and try to contain most
of the spatters in the box.
When you're ready to spatter, pick up your brush and dip it in the
liquid color, hold it close to the egg and starting at the end of
the brush closest to the egg, draw the wooden skewer across the
brush, towards yourself. As the skewer passes over the
bristles, this will cause the color to spatter onto the egg. Don't
draw the skewer away from yourself as you'll end up spattering
yourself.
Repeat with as many colors as you desire, turning the egg to spatter
all sides. We found that the top of any empty egg carton was a great
holder for the egg while it was being spattered, as well as for
drying.
Hard boiled eggs
Wrap a piece of cheesecloth tightly around a dry egg, bundling the
edges together and fastening them at the top with a rubber band or
twist ties. Dip your paint brush or cotton swab and dip it into the
egg dye, then dab this onto the cloth covered eggs. Repeat, painting
the eggs with various shades in various places, use your
imagination. Overlap some colors for special effects, or keep it
monochrome. When you're finished painting, set the egg aside to dry.
The more patient you are and the more the egg dries, the better.
When you unwrap the egg, you'll be left with a design that resembles
armadillo skin. You can use this technique over plain white eggs,
over a base coat of color or even over
marble colored eggs.
Another technique, which will give a subtle textured effect to a
solid colored egg is to wrap the egg in cheesecloth, as per the
instructions above, then dip the whole thing in the cup of egg dye.
Let it sit until done to desired shade. Let dry (it doesn't have to
be bone dry, but the drier the better) before carefully removing
cheesecloth.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
These eggs are really simple to make. The basic principle is, you
drizzle rubber cement over the egg, let it dry, then color the egg.
Naturally, the egg dye won't stick to the parts that are painted
with the glue. After the egg is colored to the desired shade, let it
dry completely, then carefully peel off the rubber cement.
You can paint the rubber cement on plain white eggs, like we did
with the blue and white or green and white eggs above. Another
option is to dye the egg with a base color, then apply the rubber
cement and re-dip in a contrasting color. The most important tip is
to dry the eggs completely between colors and or coats of rubber
cement.
Mother's and Father's Day Ideas
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1. Cut a slit in the paper from one edge to the center of the
circle.
2. Overlap the cut edges and twist the paper so that a cone is
formed. Staple or glue the edge to hold the cone shape.
3. Punch holes on opposite sides of the top of the cone.
4. Form hooks on both ends of the pipe cleaner and put the ends
through the punched holes to form a handle. Twist the ends of the
pipe cleaner around so that they stay in the holes.
5. Dampen the paper towel and squeeze out most of the extra water.
Wrap the ends of the flower stems with the paper towel, then wrap
with the aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
6. Slide the wrapped flowers into the cone |
Take a brown or white lunch bag cut a "v" out of the top with
construction paper cut out ears and glue on to the top of bag make
whiskers and draw a face or make one and put a handle at the top and
instead of children carrying a big Easter basket they can carry
around their homemade bag. |
The garbage bags make great paint smocks when you’re in a pinch.
Simply cut a slit in the top large enough for the child's head,
measure where their arms would be and cut two slits for the armholes
and you have instant paint smocks!!
Give each child a basket, and a paintbrush. Scatter the paint colors
and the rinse water cups around the table to encourage sharing and
conversation.
Give each child some Easter grass to line the baskets. If you wish
you might give each child a few Easter Eggs for their baskets. BE
SURE TO CHECK FOR ALLERGIES!!!!
***NOTE** Extension***
Try adding a little liquid dish detergent to the paint it will keep
the poster paint from staining the children's clothes. |
Gather up Easter cards from past years, pictures from magazines or
your children's favorite drawings. Glue onto light cardboard or
construction paper in decorative fashion the size of a placemat.
Cover this collage with clear contact paper to seal the placemat. Be
sure to have your child date and sign it.
These make great gifts for grandparents. |
Grow a miniature meadow in an Easter basket. A week before Easter
line a large Easter basket with plastic wrap and fill with
vermiculite (about 2-inches deep). Sprinkle wheat seed on top of the
vermiculite. Put the basket in the sink and add water until the
seedbed is damp. You shouldn't have to water it again before Easter.
Set the basket in a pan and place in filtered sunlight. Cover
loosely with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag to keep moist.
Remove the plastic after two days. The wheat should begin to sprout
during the next few days. By Easter morning you would have real
Easter grass to hide your eggs in. |
Using one piece of paper cut horizontal straight lines about one
inch in from side to side across paper, about 1/2 inch a part from
each other. The paper should be covered from top to bottom with
these slits.
Next take the other color of paper and cut ½ inch strips. Weave
these strips in and out of the slits in the first paper.
When completed with all the strips glue the ends of the strips to
the first paper to hold in place. Next fold up the sides to make a
basket shape. Staple or glue in place. With a contrasting color make
a handle on your basket and staple or glue.
Basket can then be filled with shredded paper to make a nest in the
bottom. |
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You'll need:
Close the top of the empty carton. Position the carton on its side
with the top closed edge vertical. Then on the side that is facing
up, cut along the two long edges and the bottom edge. Hold flap up
slightly and cut it to form two rabbit ears pointing away from the
pointed end of carton.
Cover the entire outer part of the carton with cotton balls
including the ears. Use a small piece of yarn to make outline of
pink for the inner ear. Use buttons or whatever you chose to make
eyes and nose on the pointed end of the carton. Place extra cotton
balls for tail. Fill carton with Easter grass and candy. |
Using the paper plate cut out eyes and nose in the plate. Cut out
bunny ears from pink paper and glue to the plate. Use pipe cleaners
to make whiskers, attach to plate by poking through and knotting at
back, or glue on. Use yarn to tie to either side of plate to tie on
your little one's head. |
Dip one large cotton ball in yellow dye diluted with water. Let dry.
Cut egg carton so you have one section. Place a bit of shredded
paper (color optional) in bottom of section. When yellow cotton ball
is dry, draw eyes on top to make eyes. Cut out very small triangle
of orange paper and glue on yellow cotton ball to make chick’s beak.
Sit chick in carton section to make the chick in the basket.
Great Tip!!
The best way to dye cotton balls is to put them in a Zip lock bag
with dry tempera paint. Place the cotton balls in the Zip-lock bag
with a few spoons of dry tempera paint. Shake the bag to coat the
cotton balls. Remove the cotton balls from the zip lock bag and
shake off the excess paint. This works great.
Another Tip:
If you use yellow high lighters (preferably washable markers) they
work a lot easier than having the children use paint or dye, because
the marker dries immediately! |
Using paper plates, glue small one to top of large one to form head
and body. Cut out bunny ears from pink paper. Glue or staple to
head. Draw eyes and nose on face of plate with crayons or markers.
Glue a cotton ball on the back for a tail. |
Paper Maché Recipe
Stir this mixture into 5 cups lightly boiling water. Gently boil for
2-3 minutes. Cool until you can dip paper into mixture without
burning yourself.
Eggs
Make paper maché paste as above. When cool pour into pie tin. Blow
up a balloon and tape to a table. Dip strips of newspaper in paste
and place carefully on balloon. Continue overlapping pieces of
newspaper on balloon. Cover balloon completely and let dry. It may
take overnight to dry, particularly if children have use lots of
paste. Once dry decorate the dried balloon with paint or colored
tissue in pretty pastel Easter colors. Finish with shellac for a
shiny, glazed effect. |
Children can decorate the paper plate any way they wish. Glue on
pieces of pastel paper, color flowers on plate, use your
imagination. Tie yard to each side of plate so it can be tied under
child's chin.
Or
Let children decorate a piece of paper. Make hat by folding paper
into a cone shape, tape or staple together. Cut bottom so it is
even. Staple a length of elastic thread or ribbon on each side to
hold hat on. |
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This is a great way to use up the remains of the Easter eggs.
Children will love breaking up the eggshells.
On a piece of paper have child draw a simple design (e.g. flower,
balloon, kite, egg). Spread glue in design area. Sprinkle bits of
broken eggshells onto glue. Allow to dry, then hang and enjoy. |
Add all ingredients in saucepan and stir over medium heat for about
4 minutes. Mixture should be consistency of moist mashed potatoes.
Add food coloring if desired.
Remove from heat, turn on a plate and cover with a damp cloth. Let
cool. When cool knead like dough. At this point you may store in an
airtight container.
For Easter shape clay into egg shapes. Let dry and paint. You may
also flatten one side and glue to brooch backs to make Easter
jewelry. |
Trace around the child's foot using brown construction paper. This
will be the reindeer's head. |
On one of the paper plates, cut off the outer rim, making a smaller
plate. |
Trace a child's hand on red and green paper construction paper. |
Using a hot glue gun, glue four wrapped peppermint candies to a roll
of candy; the peppermint candies are the wheels of the train. |
Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder. |
Cut chenille stems to equal 6" in length.
Put a spot of glue under each last faceted bead. When dry clip off
ends of chenille stem. |
Glue the beans onto the paper, and use a fine point marker to make a
face on the bean. This is the ghost. If you want, you can have the
child draw a scene on the paper too! |
Put the paint powder in the pie pan. Roll the cotton balls around in
the paint and then set aside. Spread glue onto the brown piece of
paper. Put on the orange cotton balls (pumpkins) and the green yarn
(vines). Or you can also just use orange pompoms. |
Take one piece of tissue and roll it into a ball. Put it in the
center of another piece of tissue, gather, and tie. This will form
the ghost's head. Use a marker to draw eyes and mouth! |
Draw a Halloween character (bat, cat, pumpkin, ghost, etc.) on a
piece of construction paper (just make sure the eyes are at least an
inch around); cut it out, including the eyes. Trace the cutout onto
another piece of paper and cut it out too, including the eyes. You
now have the front and back. Glue tissue paper over the eyeholes on
the backside of the front cut out. Glue the front and back together
(make sure to line up the eyes) so the tissue paper is hidden
inside. |
Cut two circles out of paper bags; one about 5 inches and one about
3 inches. Cut out a strip (about 1 inch by 3-4 inches) and accordion
fold it. Glue one end toward the top of the large circle and the
other end in the middle of the small circle. Cut an oval (about 2
inches by 4-5 inches) to be the head and neck. and glue it to the
middle of the small circle. From the scrap construction paper, cut
out feathers on glue them to the top edge of the large circle. Color
on eyes, beak, etc. |
Cut a vest from the paper bag, cut a slit up the front and neck and
arm holes. To decorate, either cut out construction paper shape
(arrows, sun, designs, etc.) and glue them on : or, Or use potatoes
to paint them (slice potato in half: cut design into potatoes: dip
in paint and print onto vest). |
Cut brown construction paper into strips, fit it around child's head
and staple or tape ends together. Cut feathers out of scrap
construction paper and glue or staple onto headband. |
Cover roll with black paper. Cut a small circle, draw a face on it,
and glue it onto the roll. Other things to add: arms, feet hair hat
brim, apron, etc. You can also make Indians and turkeys this way. |
Dip child's hand in paint, and make a handprint on the paper (make
sure the fingers are spread). Draw on a beak and glue on feathers.
We have also added beads for eyes. |
Cut a piece of construction paper to fit around can. Draw "Indian"
designs on it, and tape it onto can. Cut 2 circles out of
construction paper about an inch bigger than the lid. Put it over
the top and bottom of the can, and use rubber bands to hold it on. |
Stuff the paper bag with newspaper, leaving about 3 inches to fold
shut. Try to fold it so both ends look the same and then glue it
shut. Cut out feather shapes and glue onto bag. Draw and cut out
turkey head and neck; making two tabs where the base of the neck
will be. Fold one tab forward and one tab back and attach it to the
bag. |
Cut the paper bag so you can flatten it. Cut out the cornucopia cone
shape, add a circle to the "open" end. Color it if desired. Cut out
pictures of fruit from magazines and glue them onto circle of the
horn. |
Cut egg cartons into 4 rows of 3 cups. Glue 2 sections together,
back to back, to form the totem pole. Decorate as desired. |
Cut open the grocery bags so it lays flat. Cut out a tree trunk and
branch shapes . Use colored paper and cut out leaf shapes. Have
children write what they are thankful for on the leaves and hang
them on the tree. |
Make a turkey tail by tracing a child's hand, four fingers, no thumb
(any color paper - we made all different colors). Then design a body
shape to glue over top of this. Glue wiggle eyes, a wattle;
attach colorful feathers on top of the 'fingers' on turkeys' backs;
legs out of yellow pipe cleaners (tape those on the back, glue won't
hold them on). When finished, glue a wooden clothespin crosswise on
the back. |
Hot glue the pine cones 2 to 3 wide across the grapevine wreath,
depending on the size of the wreath and your preferences. Be sure to
put plenty of glue on the bottom of the pine cone to give it enough
stability. Let the wreath sit and cure for awhile. Add the wired
edged ribbon in and around the wreath. Tie a piece in a bow and add
to the wreath by either tying on or hot gluing it on the wreath. Be
sure to hang with a heavy duty hanger as this wreath will be heavy! |
First, fold a 7-inch red chenille stick in half, forming a narrow,
inverted V shape. Repeat with a 4-inch red chenille stick,
then place that inside the fold of the longer stick. |
Begin by cutting a cardboard circle 3 inches in diameter. Cut
a 1-1/2 inch-diameter circle out of its center to make a wreath
form. |
Fold a white, 6-inch standard pipe cleaner in half. Slide a
wooden bead over the fold for a head, leaving a loop at the top
above the bead. |
Cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a stocking about 3-1/2
inches tall, 1-3/4 inches across at top and 2-1/4 inches across at
widest part (foot.) Apply two strips of double-sided tape to
the back of the cutout. |
Before you can create your Valentine hearts you will need to make a
batch of paper mache paste. Be sure to allow to cool first
before using.
Step One:
Rip pieces of paper into 2-inch by 8-inch strips.
Blow up balloons and tie off tight. Attach a piece of string about
3-feet long to end of balloon. You should be able to buy heart
shaped balloons at a party or decorations store.
Dip pieces of paper into paper mache paste. Remove excess paste.
Place pieces of dipped paper on balloon. Repeat process until
balloon is covered. Repeat with a second layer of paper.
Once balloon is completely covered with dipped paper hang to dry in
a warm area with attached string. Be sure to cover area below
balloon. Paste will drip.
Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or overnight.
Once dry you are ready to decorate your heart balloons!
Step Two:
If the balloon inside your heart hasn't popped after drying, insert
a pin through the hardened shell to pop the balloon. Carefully
remove the balloon pieces.
Now comes the fun! It's time to decorate your balloon.
First thing you should do is put a coat of paint on your balloon.
Choose any color. For Valentines - red, pink or white is nice. Make
sure you coat entire balloon and allow to dry. Use a basic fast
drying, water based, craft paint.
Once your first layer of paint is dry you can add decorations. You
can sponge paint using heart shaped sponges with different colors of
paint. Paint your own hearts on. Glue on heart decorations. Write
messages. Draw a face. Whatever you like! Use your imagination.
Once you have completed decorating your balloon allow to dry
completely. You can then spray with a paint sealer.
You can add ribbons and bows to your balloons to hang them. A hot
glue gun works nicely to attach your ribbon. Be careful or get Mom
or Dad to help with the hot glue.
Now hang your pretty creation!
Once dry you are ready to decorate your heart balloons!
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Treat the whole class - or your Valentine party guests - to these
sweet little tokens of your affection.
To make them, simply write names with colored markers on large
heart-shaped paper cutouts, then glue lollipops to the back.
Decorate with ties made from gift-wrap ribbon. (Curl the ends of the
ribbon by pulling them along a butter knife.)
Pack them in a decorated box or colorful shopping bag and take them
on their way! |
Fold sheets of newspaper in half, short end on short end. Fold
the top corners (folded ends) over so they meet in the center.
Fold up the bottom edges so they meet the folded edges. Pour a
small amount of paint in a plastic lid, dip the sponge in the paint,
and let your child decorate the hat. |
Cut several sizes of shamrocks from green and white construction
paper. Punch a hole in the top of each shamrock. Give
your child a shoelace (or length of a ribbon, or yarn with masking
tape wrapped on each end) and show him how to string the shamrocks
to make a Saint Patrick's Day necklace. |