Rainbows

Here are 2 rainbow projects we did, and both kids enjoyed them very much!

1. Paper Squares Rainbow

Supplies Needed:

• White poster board
• Construction paper
• Cotton balls
• White card stock
• Scissors
• Glue

Prep Work:

• Cut rainbow shape out of poster board.
• Cut 2-inch (or so) squares out of colored construction paper.
• Cut 2 cloud shapes out of white card stock.

Procedure:

1. Have the kids glue on the squares. Depending on the age/development of the kids, you can either have them put the glue on, or you can do the glue and then have them place the paper squares on the glue.
2. Have kids glue cotton balls to the pre-cut clouds.
3. Glue clouds on to each end of the rainbow.
4. Label each color arc with the name of the color.

Important things the kids can learn:

• Facts about rainbows (you can talk about the color order, how a rainbow is formed, etc.)
• Spiritual significance of a rainbow (Genesis 9:12-17)
• Color identification
• Color word recognition

2. Noah's Ark

Supplies Needed:

• Paper plate
• Brown construction paper cut into a half circle, the same size as half of the paper plate you are using
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Stickers
• Glue

Procedure:

1. Have the child paint a rainbow in the top half of the paper plate. If you have a little one,
like I do, the rainbow might look more like this, and that's okay.=):

2. Glue the brown "ark" on the bottom half of the plate.
3. Have kids pick out animal stickers to put on the ark. Caleb was a bit concerned that there
was no Noah, so you could always add him as well (a sticker or an image printed off of the
computer). If possible, include 2 of each animal, to stress that important part of the story!

Important things the kids can learn:

• Story of Noah and the Ark (Genesis 6-9)
• Color identification
• Order of colors in a rainbow

I got the idea for the Noah's Ark craft from here. I modified it to what would work for my kids (ie: stickers instead of animals printed off the computer that needed to be colored), as well as to what materials we had (ie: no brown paint, so we used construction paper).

Marble Painting

Supplies:

• Paint: fingerpaints or Crayola washable kids' paints work well.
• Small cups or bowls: one for each color you plan to use
• Box: shoeboxes or any box with a lid (I did not use a lid and it was fine)
• Paper: small enough to lay flat inside the shoebox
• Marbles or small balls
• Tape

How to make:

1. Cut a piece of paper small enough to fit inside the box.
2. Tape the piece of paper to the bottom of the box. The best way to do this is to make a circle out of the tape, with sticky side on the outside. Put the tape on the bottom of the box and place paper on top of it.
3. Pour a small amount of paint into the cup or bowl.
4. Place 1 marble or ball inside each cup of paint.
5. Ensure the marble is covered with paint.
6. Place 1 marble on top of piece of paper.
7. Put lid on the box.
8. Shake the box.
9. Remove lid and marble.
10. Repeat steps 6-9 until all colored marbles have been used.
11. Set aside to dry.

From: http://www.examiner.com/children-s-crafts-in-norfolk/painting-with-marbles-toddlers-and-preschoolers-love-it

creation story craft

This is an easy craft for kids to get them familiar with the story of creation in Genesis. It takes a little preparation on the part of mommy-unless you have really patient kids! However, its a tangible way for them to remember the order of creation!

Supplies:
Construction or Craft paper
Glue
Pictures for the phases of the story: examples: yellow paper/light blue paper for light, sun and moon, plants and animals (i used the foam animal stickers)

I read through the story with them and as we did each day's creation i had them add onto their paper the piece of the story we just read. I started with black construction paper and attempted, as best as i could explain, how nothing existed. And piece by piece we added everything on the page. I tried to let them have time in between the parts about the plants and the animals and Adam and Eve so they could have freedom to decorate a little more. I also had them add in cotton balls for clouds in the sky, and we glued cut outs of trees and construction paper to look like water and land. You can get as creative as you want with it!

Mud Dough

This is a preschool idea for a play dough called Mud Dough.

It is best to do this at a large work table so that all the children can watch and help to stir the dough. They will also get a chance to knead the dough—always a hit with this age group. You will need ½ cup of cold water, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 2 tablespoons brown tempera paint, ½ cup of salt, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 ½ cups of white flour. You can decide how much of the measuring and pouring can be done by your kids depending on their abilities. Put all of the ingredients in a large bowl to stir together and then turn it out onto the table to knead until it is totally mixed. This really resembles mud and the children enjoy using their Mud Dough to make shapes. Tell them they can make animal shapes, like the ones they might find in a zoo. It always helps to have cookie cutters available to help with this especially for the younger children.

From: http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/preschool-activities/crafts.html

Tissue Paper Sculpture

Have the children tear tissue paper into small pieces. Size and shape don’t matter so this is perfect for this age. In a small bowl mix equal parts of glue and water. Show them how to crumple the paper into wads, and then dip these wads of colorful paper into the glue and stick it onto a piece of cardstock or cardboard. They can create their own sculpture!

From: http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/preschool-activities/easy-crafts.html

Cool Kazoos

To make this wind instrument, have kids punch a hole near one end of a paper-towel tube. Cover that end with waxed paper, and secure with a rubber band. Hum tunes into the open end.

From: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/kids-paper-crafts#slide_12

Easy Painting Techniques

Shaving Cream Painting: Leave white or add a few drops of food coloring. Let your child use his hands to “paint” on a heavy sheet of paper (watch his mouth!) The shaving cream will dry and make a very interesting art project. 

Glue Painting: Put white school glue in a bowl or paper plate. Allow your toddler to “paint” it on a piece of paper (use a paint brush or Q-tip.) Sprinkle with glitter, colored sand, or cotton balls and let dry. 

Water Painting: This toddler craft is SO EASY! Provide your toddler with a small glass of water, light colored construction paper, and a paint brush. The paper will get darker where she “paints” the water. 

Painting- Without the Mess!
Great activity for your toddler when you need 15 minutes to make dinner!
Supplies

• Large plastic Ziploc bag
• Tempura paint (or search for the homemade “paint” recipe perfect for this toddler craft)
• Duct tape

Directions
    Prep:

1. Make (or buy) paint
2. Place in plastic bag (put more than one color in to teach your toddler about mixing colors)
3. Close bag and tape shut to make sure it doesn’t open

    With your Toddler:

1. Let your toddler squish, mush, and mix the paint in the bag
2. Point out when the colors mix and make a new one

From: http://www.preschool-learning-and-crafts.com

Sticker Pages and Shapes

Supplies

• Paper
• Assorted stickers

Directions
    Prep:

1. Peel the sticky background off the sheet of stickers (doing this makes it easier for your toddler to peel the stickers by herself)
2. Cut out desired shape from paper

    With your Toddler:

1. Place the paper and stickers in front of your child
2. Let him or her place the stickers on the paper however she wants

This can be done with almost any age group and can be adapted for any season.

From: http://www.preschool-learning-and-crafts.com