Posts Tagged ‘Arts & Crafts’
May Day Flower Cones
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
A number of years ago, I saw a May Day craft in a Martha Stewart magazine. It was a tutorial for making little paper cones filled with fresh flowers to hang on neighbors’ doors on May first (May Day). It’s such a sweet, cute and simple way to celebrate community.
The activity below is a kid’s version of the May Day Flower Cone. Kids can spread a little spring time cheer by leaving these flower filled cones on the doors of their neighborhood friends or teacher’s classrooms at school.
There are a couple things I rather like about this project. First, if you use the white crayon to create boarders, kids can pretty much paint anywhere on the paper (inside, outside the lines, doesn’t matter) and they’ll still end up making lovely flowers (nod to Kirsten for that bit of brilliance!). Second, you can omit steps to make it go faster—don’t cut out leaves, skip the crayon part bit, etc. Third, each flower will be unique and come on, how cute is that? And fourth, it’s great activity for a play date, rainy day or weekend.
One more note: I didn’t cut out a true cone. I just winged it. But if you would like a template to cut out a real cone shape, just google: paper cone pattern. You’ll have no shortage of options.
Tags: Arts & Crafts, friends, holidays, Playdate
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Parties & Celebrations | 2 Comments »
Make Your Own Play Mat
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
The activity I’m sharing today originally appeared in a column I write for a news site. I wanted to share it here because it was a big hit—especially with kids who love to build. Plus it’s a great rainy day or weekend activity. And I kind of adore it. No, wait. I’ll own it. I do adore it.
So what do I adore about this make your own play mat idea? First of all, it’s simple. Second, it incorporates planning, cooperation (if you have more than one child drawing on the same drop cloth), fine motor exercise and creativity. But my very most favorite thing about it? It’s got tons o’ options. I do love options, don’t you? For starters, you can either give kids free reign with designing their play mat or set them up with a challenge.
And even the challenges have options. What are the challenges? Well, I’m glad you asked. You can challenge the kids by asking one of these questions:
-Create the ultimate town. What stores would it have in it? What favorite features would you include?
-Create a town of the future. How will people get around? What will the town center look like?
-Draw your town or neighborhood. Where is the library? How about the post office? Make sure you include your favorite places to visit.
-Or make up your own challenge.
Here’s one more thought: For older kids, I’d suggest incorporating a planning step prior to drawing on the mat. Have them sketch out the town out on a small piece of paper, then draw to scale. It’s just like the real planners do.
Have fun!
Tags: afterschool fun, Arts & Crafts, Playdate
Posted in Arts & Crafts | 7 Comments »
Once Upon a Time
Monday, March 21st, 2011
Last week was a rather exciting week! And this week is starting out a little crazy too. Today we released the newest Ellie Bellie Kids catalog. I’m quite proud of it. We had such an amazing time making it. The kids were fantastic and had just as much fun as they appeared to have. Plus, I rather enjoy the powerful message: Just go play!
Want to see it? Huh? Huh? Whaddaya say boss? Whaddaya say? (I’m just like that little dog in the cartoon jumping up and down next to the big bulldog driving him nuts aren’t I?) To see a copy for yourself, you can either visit the EBK homepage to download an interactive pdf or you can visit the facebook fan page to view the album. You won’t get the interactive links but at least you’ll get to see it.
In the interactive version of the catalog, you’ll find a link to a short film we released on Friday called Once Upon a Time. Remember X Marks the Spot? Well it’s like that. Just sans robots..and buried treasure…and the beach. But you know, other than those few minor details…
But enough rambling. Let’s get on with the show! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I am proud to introduce Once Upon a Time *cue applause light*
Tags: Arts & Crafts, silly, storytelling
Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 2 Comments »
The Arts and Why We Need Them
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Last night I watched Real Time with Bill Maher. I’d never seen his show before, aside from a clip or two here or there.
During the show there was an exchange between guest Bill T Jones who said, “The arts are as important as roads and hospitals” and Bill Maher who said, “No, they’re not.” Then there was a pundit who agreed with Bill and said that the government shouldn’t fund the arts (I assume she was referring to the NPR/pbs political drama). She further went on to say, we should show our appreciation of the arts with our pocketbooks and teach our kids about them at home, not expect schools to.
Ask anyone working in the arts and they’ll tell you that the arts are the first to go when times get tough. They’re not considered essential. They’re considered, as Bill Maher put it, “a diversion.” (more…)
Tags: Arts & Crafts, education, Parenting
Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 11 Comments »
Anorak Magazine!
Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
The new issue of Anorak Magazine just arrived! And it’s all about the great Outdoors.
In it, you’ll find a contribution from yours truly. (SQUEE!) We had some fun with Capture the Flag. The kids even made their own flags for it.
Here’s a flip through peek at the issue:
You can find it in select Barnes & Noble bookstores here in the United States. But you can also order a copy from the Anorak shop. That’s how we get ours and it’s surprisingly fast delivery. So make sure you check it out. It truly is my favorite kid magazine on the market.
What makes it my favorite? It’s playful, approachable, and smart. It cleverly introduces kids to design, aesthetics, humor, original storytelling and activities that are just plain fun!
Tags: Arts & Crafts, childhood, friends, Playdate, storytelling
Posted in Ideas and Inspiration | 2 Comments »
Essentials for a Playful Pantry
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Recently, I picked up a small writing gig with a local news site. Each week I’ve been writing about what else? Play. The first week, I built a case for it. The second and third week I offered up some activities. Basically, it’s an extension of Classic Play!
My goal there, much like it is here, is to provide simple, active, creative and fun projects. For parents, I want to offer some ideas for when their kids come to them saying, “I’m bored.” For kids, I want to give them an opportunity to explore and create.
So today, I thought I’d share a little of what I wrote in this week’s column. My idea was to create a list of materials to have on hand for creative projects. (more…)
Tags: Arts & Crafts
Posted in Games & Creative Play | 8 Comments »
Straw Pan Flute
Monday, February 28th, 2011
It’s music, math, and arts & crafts all rolled into one project. And this make your own straw pan flute activity is a great exercise in creativity too. I’m reminded of those creativity tests where they ask you how many uses can you come up for a common household object (paperclip, newspaper, etc)? In this case, boring old drinking straws are given a new lease on life as they transform into musical instruments.
What I like about this activity: it’s easy, kids can be almost exclusively independent with it, there’s room for experimentation (length of straws, developing patterns, etc) and it’s fun.
Bonus! Pair these flutes with Masquerade Masks and the kids can have one fantastic I-made-it-myself parade.
Tags: afterschool fun, Arts & Crafts, music
Posted in Arts & Crafts | 1 Comment »
Make Your Own Masquerade Masks
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 8. To celebrate this New Orleans tradition (in a kid friendly way), try this do-it-yourself masquerade mask project.
These kids came up with this craft on their own and wanted to share it with you. They chose the materials, colors and were pretty independent when it came time to making them. I did help one of them a little when it came time to glue the feathers on. My suggestion: to make it an even more independent activity, stick to using only marabou feathers. They’re so much easier to attach.
Before I go, these kids had a couple of ideas for playing with the masks once they’re made. Here’s what they suggested:
Use them in a play
Use them in a made up game
Use them in a parade
Use them just for fun
Wear them to a party
It could even be a gift for a friend
Have fun with this one!
Tags: afterschool fun, Arts & Crafts, holidays
Posted in Arts & Crafts | 2 Comments »
