Naturally Educational » 6-8 (Early Elementary)
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
Stained Glass Fairy Suncatcher
We’re all about fairies here! We like to dance like fairies, eat like fairies, play like fairies, and decorate like fairies. My daughter wanted to make a fairy suncatcher for our window and so we used the simplest “stained glass” suncatcher technique. Materials: clear plastic (you can use toy packaging, sweater bags, just about anything will do) tissue paper permanent marker (“Sharpie”) stencil (unless you are an artist!) glue and water mixture paintbrush scissors Directions: 1. Using a black permanent marker, draw or trace your … Read entire article »
Filed under: 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), 9-11 (Elementary), Art, Featured
Leprechaun St. Patrick’s Day Craft
Top o’ the morning to ye! Here’s a wee fellow you can make out of a cardboard (toilet paper) tube, some construction paper, yarn, and googly eyes…and a bit of the blarney! Materials: cardboard tube construction paper (green, light pink or peach, and black; optional: yellow and a second color of green) red marker googly eyes scissors glue orange yarn Directions: 1. Cut the pink or peach paper and wrap around the cardboard tube, approximately 3/4 of the way up the tube. 2. Cut a length … Read entire article »
Filed under: 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
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
Bee My Valentine Pencil Topper and Magnet
I love Valentine’s Day for little kids–everyone gets a little token of affection and extra hugs! In a few years when the holiday is fraught with emotional angst, I’m sure I will change my tune. Until then, we really enjoy this day when my daughter gets to indulge her love of all things glittery and pink and my little boy has an excuse to kiss everyone he loves–not that he needs one! “Bee My Valentine” was … 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, Home Arts, Interpersonal, Literacy
Pasta Snowflakes
While waiting and wishing for snow, my kids have been making snowflakes. They really enjoyed making snowflakes from pasta. It is a fun material with lots of fine motor practice! Materials: dried pasta of various shapes white or blue paint glitter craft sticks or coffee stirrers blue or black construction paper glue Directions: 1. Paint the pasta blue or white and add glitter. Let dry. 2. Paste three craft sticks or coffee stirrers in an asterisk shape (*) on the construction paper. 3. Use the sticks as … 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, Science, Weather, Winter
Cat Got Your…Heart?
Each year around Valentine’s Day, we create animals using heart shapes. This year, my daughter wanted to use some fun Valentine’s paper to make a cat–she’s quite pleased with the results and named her kitten “Valentine”. Materials: patterned or unpatterned paper in pinks and reds heart stickers or a heart punch (optional) glue a white sheet of paper Directions: 1. Plan out your artwork. Decide how to break down your chosen animal into heart shapes. If you are stuck, use half-hearts (the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Art, Featured, History and Culture, Winter
How to Make a Sock Snowman
My kids have been so eager to make a snowman. We finally got a snowfall and we were all too sick to enjoy. In the meantime, they were able to make these easy sock snowmen! Materials: white athletic sock rice yarn googly eyes and other embellishments (felt, pom poms, buttons) Directions: 1. Fill the sock about 3/4 of the way with rice. 2. Tie off the sock, tight. 3. Fold the top of the sock down over the knot to create a hat. 4. Tie … 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, Featured, History and Culture
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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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