This past September I entered into the world of kindergarten as my oldest daughter started school. I also volunteered to help with classroom parties. After the panic set because crafting with my own kids is way different than crafting with 24 kids, I started brainstorming easy craft ideas for each party theme. Thankfully, the teacher (who rocks, by the way) hasn't asked me to do very much . . . I wonder if she's skeptical that I can actually handle the job. I would be skeptical if I was her looking at me. (I'm pretty sure that didn't make sense to anyone but me!)
Okay . . . Let me get to the point.
I'm in the process of auditioning crafts for the holiday party on December 23. I would like to have a couple different craft stations with the following themes:
1) Eat It - something food related for them to decorate/make and eat right there
2) Keep It - a craft for them to keep for themselves or their home
3) Give It - a craft for them to giveaway to a neighbor or friend
I'm going to show off one possible kids' craft a day this week. Will you help me decide which one you think would be best for a kindergarten classroom of squirrel-like 5 and 6 year olds?
Let the auditions begin!
Yarn Candy Cane or Wreath Ornament
Audition #1
Here’s what you need:
~Small cardboard wreath cutouts and candy cane cutouts
~White yarn cut into long pieces
~Red yarn cut into long pieces
~Tape
Here’s what you do:
1) Help child tape a piece of white yarn to the back of the cutout of their choice.
2) Show child how to wrap yarn around the cutout. My daughter was able to wrap the yarn easily around the candy cane, but she needed a bit more instruction to wrap the yarn around the wreath cutout.
3) Completely wrap the cardboard cutout in white yarn. When it’s fully covered help child tuck the end of the yarn underneath yarn wrappings on the backside of the cutout.
4) The red yarn is than wrapped around the cutout in the same pattern that an actual candy cane or peppermint mint would be. Help the child by securing the beginning and end of the red yarn.
5) Slip a long piece of yarn through a loop of the yarn on the top of the ornament and tie another pat the top for hanging.
Done!
I'm not too thrilled with this audition! I think it's kind of boring for kindergartners and may require too much supervision.
Weigh in! What do you think?
Craft on!
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17 comments:
Love the idea...but not for the whole class. Here's how I would change it. I would use something already white. Foam? And then put the red yarn around it. I think the white yarn makes it much nicer...and much more expensive...and complicated for those young children who just don't get it. The children may get hung up on one area and then run out of white yarn. I think a group of 8 would be okay for this...but not a whole class.
I hope this wasn't too discouraging to hear...I'm sorry! I think you want feedback though...so I'm feeding back.
I think you are right, it will require too much supervision for a class of kindergarteners. They are darling, and it would be a great idea to file away for 2nd grade!
those are super cute! A bit tough for the whole class. Makes me wonder if it would be manageable for a preschool class of 14 with lots of moms though? Do you need other ideas?? Last year we did "decorate your own gingerbread man" The men were cut out of sandpaper and decorated with foam pieces.
I think these are really cute. And I think they'd work if you are dividing the class into groups and each group is at different "stations" like you mentioned. And I think it depends on how many volunteers you have. Hopefully since it's a party there will be lots of help!
But for the ornaments themselves - you could simplify it a bit by just doing the candy canes. That would be less "help" required.
I love the way the two yarns look together.
Those are adorable! I think that the candy canes would be easier for them to make though
Hey, that's cute!
I think the candy canes are so cute! Honestly, the peppermints look too much like life preservers to me. :) But you may be right... a little boring for the kids and needing too much adult-kid interaction (who does that, anyway?). Next!
I think the wreath it's too complicaated but the candy can be a possibility, maybe if it's a smaller one and already white as Annete said, that way children would complete it faster...
Could you please tell me more about that tradition (of mothers in classroom), we don't have that!
When my son was in Kindergarten, the room mom brought in lots of beads - those bigger, cheaper kind for the kids. She also brought in red and green yarn, cut to length, and let the kids make their own necklaces for Christmas! There were some holiday shapes, too, and most kids gave their necklaces to their moms. They loved it!
While they're both wonderful, as a mom who's been-there-done-that, I think the kids will struggle with this craft.
The candy cane will be easiest for them. Maybe you can start with a white cardboard base and wrap with just the red yarn? The red yarn wrap alone will take up most of your time with the kids. And, as always, once the first kids says, "I need help!" They all will want your attention and 'need' help too. ;o)
Good luck! It's a really cute idea. Preparing most of the project in advance will make it easier on you and them.
PS...If you finish earlier than anticipated, plan to have 'story time' with them by reading The Night Before Christmas or another fun Christmas book.
I really like this, I would try it!! lol
5 year olds may have a tough time with it tho. Have you scene these?
http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/craftstickreindeer.shtml
I am thinking about making some of these with my older son!
Good Luck! I am class parent for my sons preschool... and it kind of stinks lol
Those are adorable, but as a former elementary school teacher I wouldn't recommend doing that with a full class of kids during the holiday party. Super simple is your friend. Remember, the kids are going to be super hyped up (even more than normal.) Don't do anything that takes you more than 2 minutes, literally, because it will take them at least 10. I would recommend something easy like taking a real candy cane & using pipe cleaners to create anters & gluing on googly eyes to make a reindeer face.
You can also cut wax paper into the shape of snowflakes & have them sprinkle blue & white crayon shavings (just have them use an open pair of safety scissors to shave crayons you've already taken the paper off) in between two pieces. Then a grown up can iron the pieces together, which melts the wax & seals the paper. Punch a hole in it & tie a ribbon on & you've got a cute ornament.
I've also used baby food jars to make snow globes, but you might not want to send glass jars home with kids that young.
As for food, at my last holiday party we let the kids decorate rice cakes by spreading on white icing and using candy & raisins & baby carrots to make "snowman faces" that they could eat. That went over pretty well.
Good luck! I'm sure you will come up with something cute!
The school that my kids went to always had plenty of moms to help. I would take time off to help sometimes. We would divide the kids into 4 groups and have stations with diferent activities at each one. I think these projects would have worked with the kids in their class. I work with 1st grade at church and they could do this one.
This would not be my first choice, although it is darling. I would try something that has all the parts put together, and you just assemble.
I LOVE this craft! But if you were to do it in your child's class, I agree with many of the other comments...simplify, especially with 5 and 6-yr-olds. I think this craft is totally doable (and I might be making some with my kids tonight), but the less steps involved, the better.
FABULOUS ideas!! I think we'll give the candy cane a shot!! Thanks, my dear!
DEFINITELY the candy cane! And I TOTALLY think Kinders can do it! If you have extra helpers I would recommend splitting the kids into smaller groups though! SO CUTE!!!!
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