Spring is a great time to introduce color and nature themes to your toddler. Use the following skills to keep those little hands busy on a rainy day and to stimulate creative learning;
MoJo Butterflies
Material work:
Clothes Pin (wood)
One Coffee Filter
Watercolor Paints
One Black Pipe Cleaner
Instructions:
Using black paint, paint the stick of clothes black or brown (or another color depending on the child’s preference.) This will be the base of the butterfly.
Fold the pipe cleaner into a v shape. Sulp ends about 5 to 3 inches. Lightly curl the hooks, and glue on the flat end of the clothespin.
Place the coffee filter on a flat surface. Spritz or spray warm water until the filter is damp (but not soaking wet.) Press the filter gently until it is flat.
Using a brush or sponge, the child colors the wet filters with watercolors, using any color or shape the child prefers. The colors will easily soak into the filter and flow off. I will add this to the effect. When the painting is complete, allow the filters to dry.
Gather the column in the middle, keeping the outside edges as flat as possible. Clip the strainer with a clothespin. Extend the edges of the paper (wings) to complete the butterfly.
Optional: Glue a magnetic strip to the back of the butterfly and hang it on the refrigerator.
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Cereal Bird Feeder
Materials needed:
One Box of Cheerios (or Other Non-Sugared Donut Shaped Cereal)
twice dyed
lead
Instructions:
Cut two feet of woven thread. You will tie one end of the braid twice around the lead lightly to keep the sacrifice from falling off.
The children (ren) have the sacrifice woven into a thread as if stringing a necklace with beads. When the double-dyed is almost full, remove the lead and tie both double-dyed.
Hang a bird from a tree branch or outside feeder on the beach and watch them enjoy handling the birds.
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Family Flowers
Materials needed:
Construction Paper
Scissors
Purpose glue or Craft glue
Instructions:
Choose a construction paper color flower. Help the child draw a shape of a family member on construction paper, between his own.Help the child cut out both sides.
Using green construction paper, help the child to cut the trunk and grow the leaves in proportion to the largest hand.
Starting with the largest hand, have the child’s hands layered from largest to smallest, matching the bottom of the palms. He fans the flower alternately with his thumbs (one towards the left, the other towards the right, and so on…).
Help the child to glue the family or family names name in small capitals with the title.
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Fruit of the bow
Materials needed:
One Box of Fruit Loops (or Other Cereal with Bow Rams)
Purpose glue or Craft glue
Construction paper (Printer/Copier Paper or Cardboard can also be used as a Substitute)
Lead or Pen
Instructions:
Draw rainbow shapes on construction paper for children to follow. Make sure that there is one line for each color of cereal.
Children separate the sacrifices into piles of similar colors. Next, glue the cereal onto the construction paper to fill in the colors of the rainbow.
Allow the glue to dry. A colorful bow will be inserted!
