I've recently been looking into making more Chinese New Year crafts together as a way to celebrate the upcoming holiday. With my current infatuation with watercolor crafts, we recently made these watercolor painted paper fans together. Watercolor Painted Paper Fans This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support! Our Favorite Chinese New Year Books Prior to making the craft, we had already been reading books explaining the holiday. Here are some of our favorites! The Runaway Wok Bringing In the New Year My First Chinese New Year Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year Celebrating Chinese New Year Is it just me or are watercolor crafts like the best? The colors are always so vibrant and it's easy to make lovely, colorful art (and it doesn't require much clean up or prep too- score!) We've recently been going through some transitions over here when I gave birth to my second son. He's been such a gift to our family, but navigating transitions (even good ones) have never been my strong point. Luckily, painting and crafting make me feel happy... so I really enjoyed making these beautiful fans! Materials Needed: Ok, all you need for this craft are: Paper (We use drawing paper for the watercolors, but you can just use plain old computer paper too if you decide to go another route.) Other drawing tools (Markers, Crayons, these cool twistable crayons, Sharpies) Stapler Tape Let's Make Some Watercolor Painted Paper Fans You could go 3 routes when making these fans. Option 1: You could just draw/paint whatever comes to mind.... I made this design by drawing a bunch of dots randomly on the page with Sharpie marker and then connecting them with lines to make triangles. I find geometric shapes to be quite modern and aesthetically pleasing, don't you? Then, I just painted all the shapes in. Option 2: Plan a specific Design- Think in halves! Or, you could try to make a specific design on the fan. We'll be folding these fans in half, so imagine the paper divided in half and draw two different designs on each half. I also wanted to make a dragon fan for Chinese New year, so I drew this pattern out. (You can download it over here Chinese New Year Dragon Printable Fan ). When it's folded it makes a completed dragon fan. My son really liked this one, so he spent most of the time coloring it in... and then telling me that he didn't want to turn it into a fan. Oh well! Once you've finished your design, accordion fold it. Then, fold it in half. Staple yourself a handle and tape the two sides together. Spread your fan out and admire your completed design! Oh! Here's what the stripey design looked like folded. I went a bit crazy with painting and made several. Aren't they pretty? Option 3: Fold first, then paint! And... if you want to, you could also just fold up a bunch of these first and then paint them. That's another option too! (The stripey fan on the lower right corner was painted that way.) Another cute fan craft: Now if you liked making this paper fan craft, you should also check out my folding popsicle stick fans. They're a bit more work, but they also are a bit cooler because you can open and close them! Hope you have a fun time making these with your kiddos. Let's Keep in Contact! You can always find more fun ideas on my Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram accounts! Happy making!
Keep your kids busy and having fun inside on rainy winter days with this selection of 50 fantastic indoor activities for kids. Easy crafts + games.
This is a perfect craft for big kids or older children - cardboard monster jaws. Made from cereal boxes, this is a fun, easy craft activity for summer.
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
My kids are having fun with Korean Lunar New Year crafts and activities, especially the Korean pellet drum, fan, and coloring pages!
UPDATE: So, it turns out that Blossom Box went out of business at some point since this post went live. No worries, you can easily make these crafts on your own with basic supplies. The popsicle
My son started elementary school this week. *Sob* It's been such a happy, bittersweet couple of days. Recently we've been creating a lot of little trinkets with clay. (Have you seen our clay outer space necklace and clay dream catcher?) So I asked him to make some clay portrait pendant necklaces with me before school started. This way I can wear them and remember him while he's away. Clay Portrait Pendant Necklaces This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for the grocery money! For my full disclosure policy, click here! Aren't they lovely? The left is a picture of my husband and son. So grab your Sculpey Clay and visit DIY Candy today to see how to make these awesome clay necklaces with the kiddos today! Happy making!
This simple buoyancy kids' science activity requires just a few common household supplies. Kids will love learning why things sink and float!
This paper roll wizard craft is SO MUCH FUN. And with the free printable template, it's also really easy to make! We love making kids crafts that you can actually play with when you're done. Every time I make something that needs cut out pieces - like this paper roll wizard - I scan the pieces so I can make it again afterwards. I gave my 9 and 7 year olds the print outs with all the pieces (I'll include a link to the printable template below) and they made wizards for themselves without my help! And you know I
Keep your kids busy and having fun inside on rainy winter days with this selection of 50 fantastic indoor activities for kids. Easy crafts + games.
This is a perfect craft for big kids or older children - cardboard monster jaws. Made from cereal boxes, this is a fun, easy craft activity for summer.
Every family experience can become an educative lesson, every endeavor can receive a running commentary that ought to explain the bigger picture, the interest
Caregiver created list of dozens of dementia activity ideas.
These crossing midline activities support development of crossing the midline plays in functional tasks like learning and self care.
Do you want easy arts and crafts ideas for kids? Try these engaging projects with kindergarteners, preschoolers, or toddlers!
Looking for some activities to entertain the kids this Spring and Summer? Here are 25 ideas you can do in your own backyard to have some fun!
Are you looking for an easy weaving project to try with the kids? Well, look no further! Today's llama weaving craft is such an easy and cute way to introduce the art of weaving to kids. Plus, you won't need any special materials to try it out. Are you ready? Let's get weaving! How to Weave and Adorable Llama (with kids!) Materials Needed: Scissors Corrugated Cardboard Yarn Markers (We love Sharpies!) Masking Tape Optional: Print out my llama template Small Pom-Poms How to Weave a Cardboard Llama: Step 1: Draw out a llama on a piece of cardboard. Cut it out. (You can also use this template that I made.) Step 2: Cut out the same number of slits on the top and bottom of your llama to hold your warp threads. Make sure they're evenly spaced. (I cut out 5 slits on top and bottom.) Step 3: String your warp threads. Tape one end of a piece of yarn to the back of your llama. Then, go up and down around your llama until all of slits are filled with yarn. Tape the end of your yarn to the back. Want a step-by-step video showing how to do this? I'm giving you a super-fast overview of what we did. If you want more detailed directions on how to properly weave, check out this Met Kids Weaving Video. Front of the Llama: Back of the Llama: Step 4: Cut out a piece of yarn to weave. Tie one end to your warp (top of the right string.) Wrap the other end with masking tape (to help weave.) Alternatively, you could also use a yarn needle (but you don't really need one.) Step 5: Go over and under each warp thread (grey ones). When you reach the end of one row, do the opposite pattern of over and under for the next row. Keep alternating until you're done with your piece of yarn (or you decide to change colors.) To add another piece of yarn, simply tie on your new piece of yarn to your old piece of yarn. (Trim the excess.) Then, keep on weaving!* When you're finally done, just tie the end of your yarn to your warp.* (*Note: I realize that if you wish to properly add on yarn and change colors, you need to follow the directions in the above-mentioned Met Video. They don't tie knots. They leave their strings dangling. But I find that tying on knots works just fine since it's a kid's craft and we're not going to remove our woven bit off the cardboard.) Step 6: Optional: Hot glue on pom poms. Why? Because they're so cute! I really hope this weaving craft brings a smile to your kids' faces. :) If you're on IG and you share this craft, could you tag me @pinkstripeysocks so I can ooh and ahh over the cuteness? Thank you! Looking for more weaving and llama crafts? Then check out the links below! Fa la la la llama paper snowflakes Cute Gods Eye Turtle Weavings Weaving CD Dream Catchers Rainbow Paper Plate Weaving Boho Wall Hangings Happy creating and connecting, friends!
How to fold an origami corner bookmark. Learn how to embellish and deocrate these cute monster bookmarks for kids.
Straw Maze Activity
This easy science experiment is a fun way to demonstrate the concept of gravity to young children. You’ll just need a few supplies, including paperclips and magnets, to take part in this cool science activity! This activity correlates with NGSS: Disciplinary Core Idea PS2.B. Follow our Science for Kids Pinterest board! Here’s a fun …
Ready for an outdoor spring activity? Kite crafts for kids are perfect. Have fun decorating and building your own special kite and run in the outdoors
These belong in every teacher's craft kit.
This colorful rainbow jar is a surprisingly simple kids' science experiment! In fact, you probably already have everything you'll need.
Looking for a easy fun craft for your kids or students? Learn how to make pretty tie-dye coffee filter art.
Keep the kids entertained at home for free by making some of these toilet paper roll crafts, diy toys and games.
This fire breathing dragon made from a toilet paper roll is an easy kids craft that uses simple craft supplies. When you blow into the end of the tube the tissue paper looks like flames coming out of the dragon's mouth! Fire Breathing Dragon Craft Add this activity to your crafty bucket list, because it's SO MUCH FUN! And it's ridiculously simple to make. Kids, toddlers and preschoolers will love to see the dragon blowing fire! The photos make me smile, just looking at them. Watch the Video Tutorial Here: (Or scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial and printable
Learn how to make a fortune teller origami with these folding instructions. These go by many names; cootie catchers, chatterboxes...
Finger knitting is so easy! And it's so fun! It's sooooo much easier than regular knitting. And you can actually make something from beginning to end in less than 10 minutes. OK, so we're only making bracelets, necklaces and headbands here, but out of all the time I've spent knitting with my girls, we still haven't actually finished anything. Not even a Barbie blanket. (lol We'll get there some day...) I've spent quite a bit of time this year trying to teach my 7 and 9 year olds how to knit with knitting needles. It's definitely been a struggle for
Learn how to make classic braided yarn dolls. This is a simple, traditional craft which is fun to make and the finished yarn dolls make cute DIY toys
We are exploring magnets here in kindergarten! We sorted objects between magnetic and not magnetic. I wanted the kids to be able to glue down their sort to display in the hallway. You could use tape or regular glue, but in the interest of time I opted for a glue gun. This SUPER cool temp glue gun (you have to buy special glue sticks but they are not expensive) eliminates the worry over burns! But like I said, tape works too. We have some magnet sorting in our science station
Make beautiful bubble painting Hydrangea flowers! Fun DIY dish soap paint recipe. Great kids art activity & easy beginner watercolor ideas!
Learning how to make a paper boat is SO FUN and really easy! With just five minutes and a sheet of regular printer paper, you can fold a cute little origami boat that actually floats on water. This is such a classic craft project that's quick and simple, and it's a really fun introduction to origami! Follow the step-by-step tutorial below, or watch the quick video to learn how to make a paper boat. You'll be an expert in no time! How to Make a Paper Boat Learn how to make a paper boat in only 5 minutes. It's really
Learn how to make an easy origami dog face/ dog head. This is a simple origami project combined with some fun doodling for kids of all ages
Learn how to make a paper origami Paddington Bear. An easy Origami project for kids of all ages. Paddington Party invitations or decor too!
Use materials you already have at home to make a DIY projector. Project letters, shapes, numbers, and more to teach your kids!
This fantastic no-sew sock bunny by Handimania is a great way to bond and make memories with the kids. No special materials or skill required - check it out!
Stuck at home? Bored kids?? This list has so many fun activities for bored siblings that they will actually love and not complain about! Soooo helpful!!!
Kids can practice their fine motor skills and use recycled materials to make this easy Yarn Wrapped Bird Craft. A fun craft idea for kids!
These Destination Dig VBS Craft Ideas are a roundup of ideas that fit the theme for Lifeway's VBS for 2021 and are sure to make your VBS a blast!
Students will have fun while learning how to cooperate and communicate.
Teach your child to recognize and read consonant digraphs /th/, /sh/, and /ch/ with a digraph garden!
These touchy-feely sensory pouches (also known as squish bags and sensory pads) are a wonderful way to explore the senses. Filled with interesting textures, sensory pouches are stimulating to look at and touch. They are also so easy to make! Making sensory pouches is a quick and inexpensive way to make an engaging and relaxing sensory activity for people living with dementia.
A photo journal of our day reading and doing activities on The Worst Princess as part of The Summer Book Exchange project.
These crystal stars made from pipe cleaners and a simple borax solution are SO COOL. And they're really easy to make! Leave them overnight and crystals magically form! Borax Crystal Star Ornaments OK you guys, I think I've fallen in love with another kids activity. These borax ornaments are so easy to make, and they look SO COOL when they're done! It takes a few hours to grow the crystals, but the actual work involved with putting them together is really fast. We whipped up our crystal stars in about half an hour before we left to visit my inlaws
Ready to try out some fantastic crafts for free today? I released an awesome craft pack a couple weeks ago. Those who have used it have loved it. But I know it can be hard it can be to purchase something that feels very abstract like a printable. So today I have something very fun for you. I picked out two of my boys' favorite crafts from the pack to let you try out for free. It was tough to pick our favorites. I'm not exaggerating when I say that my boys have enjoyed every single one of these crafts from this pack. But here they are!
This is a perfect craft for big kids or older children - cardboard monster jaws. Made from cereal boxes, this is a fun, easy craft activity for summer.
