Naturally Educational » 3-5 (Preschool)
Yarn Art Pumpkin Halloween Craft
We have some favorite Halloween crafts we do almost every year and we also try to add some new ones in. In the past, we made a a yarn pumpkin molded around a balloon. This year, we tried a flatter version of the craft, a Yarn Jack O’ Lantern you can hang on a wall or window. Materials orange yarn black paper glue green chenille stem (pipe cleaner) wax paper permanent marker Directions: 1. Trace a pumpkin on a piece of wax paper. 2. Soak … 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), Fall, Featured, History and Culture
Olympic Torch Craft for the Openning Ceremony
We’re in full Olympics-mode here. My kids first learned about the Olympics through D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths and were thrilled to find out that there is a modern Olympic Games! Plus there will be mommy crafts! AND they get to stay up and watch part of the opening ceremonies! We made a torch craft to get ready. My son actually got to carry the torch at his Gymnastics Expo, which was just about the cutest … 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
Fireworks!
Each year we try to paint fireworks with a different technique and this is my favorite effect, yet. Materials: wax paper black or dark blue paper red, white, and blue paint glitter Directions: 1. Cut circles of various sizes from the wax paper. Fold the circles in half, then fold in half again, and fold once more. Snip the tip in a V-shape and make cuts at the outer edge. You can also cut triangles along the side. This is just like … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, History and Culture, Summer
How to Grow Grass Caterpillars
We actually made our grass caterpillars in April as part of our Earth Day explorations but our “quick grow” grass seed was not quite quick enough. Our little caterpillars did eventually become big fuzzy grass caterpillars, however, and I wanted to share them with you. Our live caterpillars from Insect Lore just arrived and we are excited to see their metamorphosis into butterflies! In the meantime, we enjoy caring for these grass caterpillars. Materials: nylon stockings/knee socks (the … 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), Ecology, Featured
Cherry Blossom Stamps
We’re celebrating spring with lots of floral crafts! Here’s a cherry blossom stamp art project. Bonus: you reuse/recycle a soda or water bottle for your stamp. Materials: brown paint pink paint white paper paint brush soda or water bottle Directions: 1. Dilute the brown paint a little with a drop of water and paint the branches and twigs. I showed my kids how you can get thicker strokes by pressing down with the brush. We also examined branches to see how smaller twigs … 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), Art, Ecology, Featured, History and Culture, Spring, Weather
Coffee Filter Easter Eggs
We made these coffee filter Easter eggs last year and will probably make some more this year. I love the tie-dye effect! Materials: coffee filter scissors markers (you can use dried-out markers) water-spray bottles Directions: 1. Trim a coffee filter so that it is egg-shaped. 2. Color with markers. 3. Spray with water. If you have dried-out markers, now is the time to break them out! Draw with the dried-out markers on the wet surface. Educational Connections: History/Culture: Why is the egg a symbol of spring? … Read entire article »
Filed under: 1-2 (Toddler), 1-2 (Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), Featured, History and Culture
A Disney Fantasy
Disney Cruise Lines invited me to join them for the Inaugural press cruise of the Disney Fantasy. Last year, we were lucky enough to enjoy the Disney Dream Cruise Ship and we are excited to see what the Fantasy has in store for us! Posting may be a little light but I hope you enjoy browsing our archives. Here are a few Disney-related crafts to celebrate plus a short video of my daughter practicing “It’s a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured
Some of our Favorite Rainbow Crafts for Kids
We shared our favorite St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids. If shamrocks and leprechauns are not your thing, this is also the perfect time to learn about rainbows! The rainy months of March and April provide an opportunity for spotting rainbows, learning how they are formed, checking out rainbow legends, and making your own rainbows! Paper Plate and Streamer Rainbow (Me – at Lifetime Moms) Dyed Pasta Rainbow Suncatcher Tissue Paper Rainbow Suncatcher Rainbow Windsock Want more rainbow crafts, activities, … 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, Weather
Our Favorite St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
Some of our favorite kids’ crafts for St. Patrick’s Day: Beaded Shamrock Ornament (Naturally Educational) Cardboard Tube Leprechaun (Naturally Educational) Cardboard Tube Shamrock Sun Catcher (Naturally Educational) Shrinky-Dink Shamrock “Lucky Charms” (No Time for Flashcards) Styrofoam Cup Leprechaun Hats (Crafts By Amanda) I know what you are thinking…just shamrocks and leprechauns? no rainbows? Patience lassies and laddies…rainbows are up next! … 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, Spring
A Hat for the Cat
We made a Cat in the Hat craft last year and wanted to try a new approach this year. With Dr. Seuss’s birthday approaching, it seemed like a great time to try! Materials: white poster board (oak tag) painter’s tape red paint paper plate scissors tape stapler Directions: 1. Measure your poster board and create stripes 1.5-2 inches wide. 2. Use painter’s tape to mark off the stripes and paint the exposed poster board red. My son also made one but he was feeling sick that day … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Featured, Literacy
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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 or on Google.
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