Naturally Educational » 3-5 (Preschool)
Chinese New Year Dragon Puppet
Last year we made a dragon with paper loops. This year I thought we would try a puppet! It looks perhaps a bit too snake-like. I think next year we’ll try again with something around the head…maybe more ribbons? Or possibly I will just a make a template? Materials: red paper white paper red and gold paint cardboard tube (toilet paper tube) googly eyes ribbon craft sticks gold crayon or marker glue scissors Directions: 1. Cut a mouth in the cardboard tube. 2. Paint! Then let dry. 3. While that … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture
How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
My daughter first made cinnamon applesauce ornaments in her preschool class and I was just so fascinated by them! I couldn’t believe that cinnamon and applesauce together would dry solid and sturdy enough and that the applesauce would not attract pests. Spices are natural preservatives and pest repellents, as I know from our apple pomanders and the dough does indeed dry solid but you need to give it time. Materials: Applesauce Cinnamon Cookie Cutters Embellishments Directions 1. Mix equal parts applesauce and cinnamon. … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts, Smell, Touch, Winter
Homemade Ornaments the Kids Can Make
Here are some of the homemade ornaments the kids have crafted each year…more on the way! Beaded Snowflake Ornaments Beaded Wreath Ornaments Marbleized Globe Ornaments Pins and Beads Christmas Tree Ornament … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Featured, History and Culture, Winter
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
My daughter filled in the sentence, “During the Holidays, my family likes to _____” with “decorate the Christmas tree”. Eep! With my husband on National Guard duty last week, we haven’t gotten ours, yet! So, here’s are mini trees my kids made from a paper plate and two coffee filters and decorated with a chocolate wrapper. Plus, they got an extra chocolate treat…so it is an all around win! How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Personally, … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Winter
Fall Leaf Prints
We’re in one of the last zones to experience the fall leaf change. Well, our trees have finally exploded in color! I was concerned that we would not get the really vivid colors this year after the hurricane. Hurricane Irene cut a swath across the area, “burning” crops and trees in addition to causing floods and knocking down tree. Nature is resilient, however. Although there are more browns this year than golds and reds, there … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Art, Ecology, Fall, Featured, Science, Weather
Dreamcatcher Craft for Kids
My son and I made this simple dreamcatcher craft for kids. This is a revisit of the dreamcatcher craft my daughter made last year. My son always loves painting and drawing but lately has become more interested in crafts. We had some one-on-one time and he had been admiring the one that still hangs in my daughter’s room. Since we are learning about Native Americans and Colonial culture during November, the timing was perfect. The authentic method … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Home Arts
Simple Calaveras Masks for Dia de los Muertos
After Halloween, our friends from Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos. The holiday has its roots in an idea similar to the Celtic Samhain and the Christian All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In contrast with our modern Halloween, however, Día de los Muertos is more of a celebration of departed loved ones, rather than a fright fest. In Mexico, the celebration is marked with alters containing marigolds and calaveras (skulls, particularly the popular … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Interpersonal
The Itsy Bitsy Spider Made 5 Spider Crafts for Kids
You know what really terrifies me? Spiders. I fully admit this is irrational and spiders are an important part of our ecosystem and yet… there is just something about those eight legs that creeps me out! Whether you are an arachnophile or an arachnophobe, Halloween is the perfect time to make spider crafts with kids! Weave a Paper Plate and Yarn Spider Web at Naturally Educational: This was our spider craft last year! Hula hoop Spider Web … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Educational Blogs, Featured
Meow! Halloween Cats from Cardboard Tubes
I’ve always had a cat–and when I first met my husband, his family had four! You could say we’re cat people. Right now we have two, including the friendliest, fluffiest black cat. So, the kids were excited to craft black cats from cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls) as part of our Halloween craft fest. A quick note–one teacher told me she was not allowed to use anything recycled from the bathroom or kitchen. So, I suggested she … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Science
Witch or Wizard Hat Craft for Kids
With Halloween coming up, our crafts have focused on the spooky. Here’s a fun, simple craft you can wear: a sorcerer or witch’s hat. Materials: construction paper or oak tag, any color, at least 11″ x 14″ paper plate scissors tape materials for decorating (paint, crayons, markers, glitter glue, Halloween stickers, etc.) Directions: 1. Cut out the center of the paper plate and decorate. 2. Twist the top two corners of your paper down and in to create a cone. Adjust to size for … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Featured
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About the Author
Candace Lindemann is a published children’s writer and educational consultant. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Working with school districts around the country and some of the most well-known companies in the education industry, Candace creates custom strategies, textbooks, and lesson plans. Her articles have appeared in print and online.
While Candace’s degrees prepared her for a career in education, she’s found that the best preparation for parenting is on the job training.
Contact Candace via e-mail, read her full biography, or connect with her using the social media icons below.
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