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

Potato Stamped Wrapping Paper

You'll need:

• Paints
• A sponge, cut in half
• A potato
• A knife
• A marker or pen
• Paper

Step one

Cut the potato in half. 

Step two

Draw your desired shape on a piece of paper (it helps to trace around the potato face-down on the paper first so you can fit the shape exactly into the potato's circumference. 

Step three

Cut around the shape from the top and a few millimeters down the potato too so the shape rises from the rest of the potato. 

Step four

Place the sponges on a small plate and squirt paint onto each sponge. Let the kids loose with the stamps on a large sheet of butcher's paper or craft paper (we used the Ikea paper rolls). Leave to dry then wrap! 



From: http://www.kidspot.com.au/Christmas-Christmas-crafts-Potato-stamped-wrapping-paper+3708+117+article.htm

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