Father's Day Craft Ideas

These projects were done throughout the week.  Remember, have fun and it is the thought that counts.  Dad will treasure whatever their child gives them on their special day!

This year I thought I'd let my son be creative and have some fun, so we started with finger painting.  He enjoyed the process and mess, but not "gift" quality.  So we tried something else.   Hand prints and foot prints are always a hit so we went to the kitchen to make some dough together.  In a bowl mix 1 cups flour, 1 cups salt, 1/2 cup water, 1 T cooking oil.  Add more flour until it isn't sticky.  We added green food coloring, (daddy's favorite color) and mixed until blended.  We went outside and my son kneaded the dough.  After playing with the dough for awhile, I helped him pat out the dough on parchment paper.  We tried a few variations until we settled on a hand print.  I cut around it in the shape of a "D".  "D" is for Daddy.   Pole a whole at the top with a straw.  We left it in the sun to dry.  He will paint it when it is completely dry.  I will add a ribbon in the hole with this poem attached:  
D is for Daddy
I give my hand
to you this day!
Remember me now,
as I grow and play!
June 2011
My son drew a picture of his daddy.  And finally I ordered a card from Shutterfly. www.shutterfly.com  A special thank you to Shelbi for capturing this shot of my son.  http://www.shelbilynna.com/  You are an amazing photographer!
It will be a Father's Day to remember.

Rough T-Rex Using Egg Shells

After moving to a new area and finally getting settled, we are back in action.  I have been struggling to find activities my 3 year old son would want to do besides playing trains, car, and "crashing".  He recently has gotten into dinosaurs so I came up with the perfect project.  I liked the process and skills involved, but the final project wasn't as cute as I had hoped, but it was fun.
1.  Egg Shells - start saving your egg shells.  Wash them and keep them in a zip-loc bag until you have enough.
2.  Go online and have your child pick out a t-rex image on google to print.  I just typed "t-rex coloring sheet" and a bunch of images came up.
3.  Cut around the shape and glue it to construction paper.
4.  Start smashing and crushing the egg shells while still inside the zip-loc baggie.  Keep going until they are in small pieces.  Good way to build finger strength.

 

5.  Pour white glue on a paper plate and have your child "paint" the glue on the shape, then sprinkle the egg shells on top.

 

When it is dry you can talk about how rough the skin is on their t-rex and don't forget to practice their "roars". 

More St. Patrick's Day Fun

Who doesn't love the idea of finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or finding a wee little leprechaun hiding in the grass.  They are so many fun things to do for St. Patrick's day.  Here are only a few...so have fun and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

1.  Leprechaun Paper Plate Art

2.  Rainbow Art using Do-A-Dot Markers  Younger children can just "dot" the paper with any color and design.  Older children can fill in a picture of a  rainbow using the correct colors. (see photos)

3. Rainbow Dancing - Purchase party streamers for all the colors of the rainbow and cut 2 feet strips.  Staple the colors together and folded an index card over to make it sturdy.  The kids used the rainbow streamers to dance to the music.  This is fun to do when playing the "freeze" dance.  The streamers sound like wind when the kids move around. 
4.  Chocolate Gold Coins - have your child estimate how many coins are in the pot.  Sort the cons according to size.
5. Don't forget the hunt! http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/2011/03/hunt-for-golden-letters-st-patricks-day.html