Welcome to Kids Kingston
Kids Kingston is a free resource for families, parents and parents-to-be in the Kingston, Ontario area.
Sit back, relax and share your pregnancy and parenting journey with us.
Success By 6 Week
May 4 to May 12, 2013
This fun-filled week of events and activities designed is the youngest members of our community in mind. Success By 6 Week is designed to heighten public awareness of the importance of early-years development and provide opportunities for young children, their families and caregivers to Take the time, make the moments matter. For a listing of events please visit here.
Earth Day was April 22nd
Children's Thrift Sale
Saturday April 20th, 9:00 - 1:00 at CFB Kingston, Thompson Drill Hall
More information can be found here.
Happy Shopping!
Spring Poem
Some days seem like winter,
Some are nice and warm.
Rainy days and windy days,
Maybe it will storm.
Warm or cold or wet or dry,
What will the weather be?
I think Spring is trying to play
Peek-a-boo with me
St. Patrick's Day was March 17th
Paper Plate Leprechaun Craft
Heart Shamrock - A very easy craft that I do almost every year with my kids.
Cut three hearts from green construction paper.
Create the shamrock by gluing the points of the hearts together on a piece of paper.
Draw a stem.
Decorate using sparkles, paint, markers, tissue paper, crayons, etc.
Handprint Rainbow
I'm a Little Leprechaun
(Sung to the Tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a little leprechaun
Dressed in green,
The tiniest man
That you have seen.
If you ever catch me, so it's told,
I'll give you my big pot of gold.
St. Patrick's Day Pins
Family Day was February 18th
The City of Kingston has some activities going on. You can check them out here.
The YMCA has activities going on. You can check them out here.
Groundhog Day was February 2nd
If the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow, spring will be here soon.
Peeking Groundhog Puppet
Mr. Groundhog
Sung to the tune of "London Bridges"
Mr. Groundhog down below,
Pop up through the fluffy snow,
See his shadow watch him go,
Winter's here to stay.
Mr. Groundhog down below,
Pops up through the fluffy snow,
Wide awake he wants to play,
Spring is on it's way.
Groundhog Day Paperbag Craft
Groundhog Day Colouring Pages
Wake Up Song
Sung to: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
Wake up, Groundhog. Time to see
What the weather's Going to be.
Time to stretch, Time to think,
Time to eat, And time to drink.
Wake up Groundhog, Time to see
What the weather's Going to be!
Family Literacy Day was January 27th
Here are some activities you can do with your family. These activities were borrowed from: http://abclifeliteracy.ca/
1. Create your own comic strip about your family.
2. Sing five songs really, really loud!
3. Play rhyming "I Spy" - "I spy something that rhymes with..."
4. Find 15 things that begin with the letter "S".
5. Tell knock-knock jokes together while doing the dishes.
Online activities for kids and families can be found here.
Snowflake Activities
Salt Crystal Snowflake - most likely for kindergarten + age group
Glitter Glue Snowflakes - suitable for all ages
Spool Painting Snowflakes - suitable for all ages
Borax Crystal Snowflakes - overnight activity
Star Wars Snowflakes - more for older children and adults
Five Little Snowflakes
One little snowflake with nothing to do.
Along came another and
Then there were two.
Two little snowflakes laughing with me.
Along came another, and
Then there were three.
Three little snowflakes looking for some more.
Along came another, and
Then there were four.
Four little snowflakes dancing a jive.
Along came another, and
Then there were five.
Five little snowflakes having so much fun.
Out came the sun, and
Then there were none!
Happy New Year to You and Your Family
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Santa Claus has started his journey delivering presents around the world. Follow his journey with NORAD.
Magic Reindeer Food lays a glittering path to guide the reindeer on Christmas Eve.
In a small zipper bag or empty container mix:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup red or green sugar crystal
Be sure to take this magic food and sprinkle on the lawn
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn
The smell of oats and glitter path will guide them on their way
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas day.
Santa Claus is coming to Town
Bob the Builder will welcome Santa Claus Friday, Nov. 16th at 7:00 pm at the Cataraqui Town Centre.
Lenny Graf will welcome Santa Claus Saturday, Nov. 17th at 11:00 am at the Frontenac Mall, more information can be found here.
Saturday, Nov. 17th is the Nighttime Santa Claus Parade in downtown Kingston. Santa will make his way down Princess St. beginning at Bath Rd. starting at 5pm.
Hope Everyone had a Happy Halloween!
Halloween Activities
Toilet Paper Roll Monster Craft - create 4 not so scary monster friends for Halloween
Sock Puppet Spider - can also be used after Halloween for singing the song "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or in your puppet theater if you have one.
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, "oh my it's getting late."
The second one said, "there are witches in the air."
The third one said, "but we don't care!"
The fourth one said, "let's run and run and run."
The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
OOOhh OOOhh went the wind
And out went the lights
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Halloween Colouring Pages
Simple Fall Songs
The Leaves Are Falling Down
Sung to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell"
The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green, and brown
The leaves are falling down
Little Leaves
Sung to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"
1 little, 2 little, 3 little leaves
4 little, 5 little, 6 little leaves
7 little, 8 little, 9 little leaves
Blow them all away.
Whoosh!
Down! Down!
Down, down!
Yellow and brown
The leaves are falling
Over the town.
Thanksgiving was October 8th
Make a Thankful Tree. Have your child(ren) write all the things they are thankful for on the leaves.
Hand and Feet Turkey - Can also be done with construction paper for the feathers (handprints) instead of paint.
Five Little Turkeys
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.
Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
Thanksgiving Colouring Pages
Apple Fun
Apple Prints- Decorate bags, paper, t-shirts, cards or anything else you can think of.
Ten Red Apples song
Ten red apples grow on a tree
Five for you and five for me
Let us shake the tree just so
And then red apples will fall below
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Apple Magnet Craft
Felt Apple- Adult or older child will have to make it. So cute, a toddler or younger child would have so much fun playing with it.
Kids Kingston turned 6 on July the 6th!
A big thank you to all our members, readers, advertisers and all the people that have helped volunteer over the years with different Kids Kingston activities/events and running of the forum.
Birthfest Saturday, June 16th 10:00 - 2:00
The fourth annual Birthfest will take place at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event celebrates birth, bellies, babies and families in Kingston and the surrounding areas. The event is free and includes musical entertainment, face (and belly) painting, activities for kids, TLC for moms and more.
Birthfest aims to promote family health and well-being by creating an opportunity for pregnant women, babies, small children and families to connect with each other and get to know local health-care and service providers.
The festival will showcase local services, businesses, entrepreneurs and “mompreneurs” in Kingston and surrounding area. There will be booths relevant to local women and families to help them find the supports, services and products that will suit their needs.
The event includes:
* Carseat clinic by donation (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
* The Red Tent: including complimentary mini-manicures for mamas.
* Face and belly painting
* Incredible vendors, both returning and new.
* Entertainment featuring Kyra & Tully, Alison Gowan and yoga for kids.
* Baby wearing demonstration.
* Our Village Market, featuring locally made, hand-crafted baby ware, food and gifts for sale.
Birthfest was born after a small group of local women from a range of backgrounds in health and wellness with a common interest in pregnancy, birth and parenting got together to help families find out where to go to find family-related services.
For more information, go to http://www.birthfest.ca.
Kids Gardening Fun
Plant Your Socks - I am hoping to try this in spring, summer and fall to see what we discover.
Rainbow Garden Trellis
Little Grass House - I have been planting grass seed all around our house and thinking the kids would have fun making this little house.
The Farmer Plants the Seeds
(Sung to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell")
The farmer plants the seeds. (put seeds in the ground)
The farmer plants the seeds.
High ho the derry oh,
The farmer plants the seeds.
Second Verse: The sun comes out to shine. (make big circle with arms)
Third Verse: The rain begins to fall. (hands flutter to the ground)
Fourth Verse: The seeds begin to grow. (children begin to rise)
Fifth Verse: The farmer digs them up. (pretend to use a shovel)
Now we'll have some to eat. (pretend to eat)
Mother's Day was May 13th
Fingerprint Poem for Mom - Fingerprint painting, thinking a washable ink pad would work as well with this craft.
Mother's Day Colouring Pages
M-O-M-M-Y
Sung to the tune of B-I-N-G-O
I love her and she loves me
And mommy is her name o
M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y
and mommy is her name o
Success By 6 Week May 5th - May 13th
Lots of free events happening for Kingston and surrounding area. To see a full list or for more information please visit the United Way website.
Kids Sale and Family Fair - Sat. May 5th
Childbirth Kingston's Kid Sale and Family Fair is this Saturday, May 5th from 9:00-2:00 at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
Admission is $2.00 and kids are free.
April Showers Bring May Flowers
April Showers Mobile
April Showers Song
Sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot"
Pitter patter rain drops (wiggle fingers to imitate rain)
Falling from the sky (wiggle fingers downward)
Here's my umbrella (action of opening an umbrella)
Hold it high! (hands over head)
When the rain is over (bring hands down slowly)
and the sun begins to glow (make sun with arms)
Little flowers start to bud (Kneel down)
then grow, grow, grow! (slowly stand up)
How do Seeds Grow? - Uses 3 different kinds of seeds.
Spring Colouring Pages
Children's Thrift Sale - Sat. April 21st
19th Bi-Annual Children's Thrift Sale is this Saturday April 21st from
9:00 - 1:00 at CFB Kingston, Thompson Drill Hall.
Admission is $2.00 and kids are free.
More information can be found here.
Happy Shopping!
Easter
Bunny Ears - My children always have fun making, wearing and hopping around with these bunny ears.
Paper Bag Bunny Craft
Some items around the house to naturally dye your eggs:
Red - Pink -- lots of red onion skins, cranberry juice, or frozen raspberries.
Orange -- Yellow onion skins
Brown -- Red beet skins or grape juice (produces a beautiful sparkling tan), coffee.
Yellow -- Saffron, tumeric or cumin, orange or lemon peels, or celery seed.
Green -- spinach, or carrot tops and peels from Yellow Delicious apples for a yellow-green.
Blue -- Red cabbage leaves make the most incredible robin's-egg blue.
Deep Purple -- Red wine makes a beautiful burgundy color
More information on naturally dying the eggs can be found here in this article.
Peeking Bunny
April Fools' Fun
Plant Some Laughs (Doughnut Seeds)
Fool's Food
A tasty way to fool your kids (or let them fool you) is to make April Fool's Day dishes that deceive the eye and palate. For example, cook mini meat loaves in cupcake liners and top with mashed potatoes tinted pink with natural food coloring. For your fruit-loving kids, core an apple and insert a dark-colored gummy worm. For more fun, buy realistic-looking toy plastic flies and strategically hide them in breakfast, lunch or dinner meals.
More ideas can be found here.
I like number 5 on this list:
Mom and/or Dad have lost their minds. When the kids were young I came downstairs dressed in my husband's work shirt and tie. He came down wearing make-up. The kids were completely confused and equally delighted.
Happy Spring
Construction Paper Flowers
Spring is Here
Sung to the
tune of The Farmer in the Dell
The days of Spring are here,
Warm, sunny days are near,
Flowers and bees, and birds in trees.
The days of spring are here.
Spring Colouring Sheets
Baby Blue Birds
Busytown Busy Contest Winner
Congratulations to "mcfly" for winning the Busytown Busy tickets for March 11th.
Enjoy the show!
Busytown Busy - Richard Scarry's Busytown Contest Ends March 5th at 6:00 pm
Win 4 tickets to see Busytown Busy, Richard Scarry's Busytown at the Grand Theatre, Kingston, ON on Sunday, March 11th at 2:30 pm.
To enter please send an email to kathy@kidskingston.com
Please include your username on the forum
(if currently not a member of Kids Kingston you can register for free here).
Your first and last name and answer this question:
Name one of the six unforgettable friends that will be in the show (click on the Grand Theatre link below if you need help with the answer).
For more information on the show or to buy tickets please visit: http://www.kingstongrand.ca/events/detail/488
Contest closes March 5th at 6:00 pm.
Busytown Busy - Richard Scarry's Busytown Contest
Win 4 tickets to see Busytown Busy, Richard Scarry's Busytown at the Grande Theatre, Kingston, ON on Sunday, March 11th at 2:30 pm.
To enter please send an email to kathy@kidskingston.com
Please include your username on the forum
(if currently not a member of Kids Kingston you can register for free here).
Your first and last name and answer this question:
Name one of the six unforgettable friends that will be in the show (click on the Grand Theatre link below if you need help with the answer).
For more information on the show or to buy tickets please visit: http://www.kingstongrand.ca/events/detail/488
Contest closes March 5th at 6:00 pm.
Valentine's Day was Feb. 14th
Fingerprint Hearts
I'm a Little Valentine
Sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot"
I'm a little valentine,
Made for you,
Of paper, lace, and a dab of glue.
I'm signed and sealed and on my way,
To say, "I love you" on Valentine's Day!
Heart Shaped Finger Puppet
Valentine's Day Colouring Pictures
10 Red Valentines
Sung to the tune of "10 Little Indians"
One red, two red, three red Valentines,
Four red, five red, six red Valentines,
Seven red, eight red, nine red Valentines,
Ten red Valentines.
Winter Bird Activities
My kids love watching the birds outside at the feeder. Today the birds were extra active with the little bit of snow we received.
Make some Bird Binoculars.
The birds will enjoy this Breakfast Birdfeeder.
If no peanut allergies, here is a Winter Birdfeeder, using peanut butter.
Enjoy!
Happy New Year
Merry Christmas
Santa Fun
Track Santa's Journey
Magic Reindeer Food
Magic Reindeer Food lays a glittering path to guide the reindeer on Christmas Eve.
In a small zipper bag or empty container mix:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup red or green sugar crystal
Be sure to take this magic food and sprinkle on the lawn
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn
The smell of oats and glitter path will guide them on their way
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas day.
Free Car Seat Clinic
Saturday November 26th - Toyota
9:00 am - Noon. Clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Letters to Santa Claus
It is hard to believe Christmas is fast approaching. If you would like to send Santa a letter you should mail it soon so Santa can reply back before Christmas. The information to send Santa a letter can be found on the Canada Post website.
Remembrance Day was November 11th
Take Time to Remember Colouring Book
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Heart Poppy Paper Craft
Happy Halloween
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins
Sitting on a gate
The first one said,
"Oh, my, it's getting late!"
The second one said,
"There are witches in the air!"
The third one said,
"But we don't care!"
The fourth one said,
"Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said,
"I'm ready for some fun!"
OOOOOOOH, went the wind
And OUT went the light (clap on "out")
And the five little pumpkins
Rolled out of sight.
Pom-Pom Pumpkin Patch
Bat Hat
Halloween Colouring Pages
Children's Thirft Sale - Sat. Oct. 29th
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Half price sale from noon- 1pm on select items.
Thompson Drill Hall, CFB Kingston
Admission $2.00 per Adult
CASH ONLY Public welcome
www.childrensthriftsale.com
Make Your Own Face Paint
1 tsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
food colouring
Mix all ingredients together in an old container or muffin pan. This amount makes one colour.
Free Car Seat Clinic
Saturday October 22nd - Sears
9:00 am - Noon. Clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Backyardigans Contest Winner
Congratulations to "Crystal" for winning the Backyardigans tickets for this weekend.
Enjoy the show!
Backyardigans Contest is now closed
Win 4 tickets to see The Backyardigans: Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens at the Grande Theatre, Kingston, ON on Saturday October 22nd at 4:00 pm.
To enter please send an email to kathy@kidskingston.com
Please include your username on the forum (if currently not a member of Kids Kingston you can register for free here).
Your first and last name and answer 1 of these 3 trivia questions:
1) Name the character who is the blue penguin.
2)What type of animal is Tyrone?
3) Name the character who lives in the pink house.
For more information on the show please visit:
www.theBackyardigansOnTour.com
To buy tickets for the Backyardigans show please visit:
https://secure1.tixhub.com/kingston/Procurement/lindexfmk.asp?cboPerformances=1034&cboEvent=403&iEvents_id=403
Contest closes Tuesday October 18th at 6:00 pm.
Thanksgiving
Paper Cup Turkeys
Five Little Turkeys
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.
Cornucopia Paper Craft
Paper-Bag Turkeys
Happy Fall
Childbirth Kingston Fall Sale and Family Fair
Saturday, September 24th - 9:00am - 2:00pm
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
Free Car Seat Clinic
Saturday September 24 - CAA
9:00 am - Noon. Clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Back to School
Off to School We Go
Off to school we go,
It's off to school we go,
We'll take our lunch and ride the bus,
With everyone we know.
Off to school we go,
It's off to school we go,
We learn our ABC's and more,
With everyone we know.
Egg Carton School Bus
Felt Pencil Case
Free Car Seat Clinic
Saturday August 27 - Foodland, Amherstview
9:00 am - Noon. Clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Bugs
Fingerprint Bugs
Dip child's thumb in washable paint and push their thumb print on paper.
Decorate the body by coloring in legs, antennae and adding a face by using a crayon or marker.
Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
Hunting Bugs
A hunting we will go
A hunting we will go
We'll catch a (insert bug name here)
and put it in a box
and then we'll let it go!
Handprint Dragonfly Craft
Water
8 Fun Water Games
I'm a Little Fishy
Sung to the tune of "I'm A Little Tea Pot"
I'm a little fishy,
Watch me swim
Here is my tail,
Here is my fin,
When I want to have fun with my friends,
I wiggle my tail an dive right in!
Pretend Car Wash
On Holidays
My family and I are leaving on holidays early Wed. morning and will be home by Monday, Aug. 1st.
If you are looking for something or need an answer for something right away please post on the forum and hopefully someone else will be able to help you out.
Any advertising, events needed to be posted, questions, etc. will be answered when I return home.
Thanks for your understanding!
Kathy
Kids Kingston turned 5 on July 6th
Thank you to all of our members, advertisers, mods and readers.
Canada Day was July 1st
O Canada!
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Make a Canada Pin
Canada Day Colouring Pages
Handprint Canada Flag
The First Day of Summer was June 21st
Bubble Recipe
1/2 cup of dish soap
5 cups of water
2 tablespoons glycerine (you can substitue light corn syrup if needed)
Mix the ingredients together and store in containers.
Father's Day was June 19th
Father's Day Keychain
Jordan made me one of these for Mother's Day at Beavers for me.
What You Will Need:
beads
plastic cord/string
key ring connector
little bell or other trinkets (optional)
How to Make the Keychain:
Knot one end and string beads onto the plastic cord, add a bell or any other trinkets you would like.
Tye and knot around the key connector into a circle shape.
Add Dad's keys.
Plaster Handprint Picture
Father's Day Recipes
Happy Father's Day To You
Sung to the tune of Happy Birthday
Happy Father's Day to you
Happy Father's Day to you
Happy Father's Day to my Daddy
Happy Father's Day to you.
Pom-Pom Tie Guy
Pretend Stained Glass - A great way to use up all those broken crayons
Father's Day Colouring Pages
Daddy's Duct Dollars - A wallet made out of duct tape
Dandelions
Make a Dandelion
What you need:
- Construction Paper- yellow and brown
-
Glue
-
Scissors
How to Make it:
Cut two yellow circles, make one about an inch smaller than the other.
Cut a brown circle, make it approx. half the size of the largest yellow circle you cut above.
Glue the circles from largest to smallest.
Use your scissors to fringe the yellow circles, making them to look like dandelions.
Use green contruction paper if you would like to make a stem.
The Legend of the Dandelion
Dandelion Syrup Recipe
Recipe is great to put on pancakes.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dandelion tops (make sure they are chemical/pesticide free)
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 4 cups water
- 2 pounds sugar
Directions:
Place the dandelion tops in water and bring to a boil.
Let boil for one minute, cover, and let stand overnight.
The next day, strain and extract excess water.
Discard flower tops.
Mix with lemon juice and sugar and simmer until most of the water evaporates. Do not bring to a hard boil.
Let mixture cool, then simmer once more until the thickness of maple syrup.
Enjoy!
Did you Remember to Vote?
Frogs and Tadpoles
My kids have been having a great time watching the frog eggs, tadpoles and all the new little frogs this year.
Five Little Speckled Frogs
Five little speckled frogs,
Sitting on a speckled log,
Eating the most delicious bugs,
Yum, yum.
One jumped into the pool,
Where it was nice and cool,
Then there were four little speckled frogs.
(Repeat , working your way down to one.)
One little speckled frog sitting,
Sitting on a speckled log,
Eating the most delicious bugs,
Yum, yum.
He jumped into the pool,
Where it was nice and cool,
Then there were no little speckled frogs.
Frog Life Cycle Craft: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mfroglifecycle.htm
Frog Colouring Page: http://www.first-school.ws/t/cpfrogbull.htm
Raising Tadpoles: http://www.education.com/activity/article/tadpoles_first/
April Fools' Day Ideas for Kids
April Fool's Can: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/april-fools-day-crafts3.htm
Water Ring: http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/april-fools-day-craft-pranks/water-ring-848221/
The Magical Banana: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Banana.shtml
Fake Cake: http://crafts.kaboose.com/fake-cake.html
Pussy Willows
My children and I enjoy walking down the road to check out the pussy willows. They are starting to really open up and soon it will be time to pick a few for the house.
Make your own Pussy Willows:
Draw brown branches with marker or coloured pencils on construction paper.
Cut off the ends of Q-tips and glue onto branches.
Puffed wheat cereal also works well. Just glue it on to your drawn branches.
Pussy Willows
By Aileen Fisher
Close your eyes
and do not peek
and I'll rub Spring,
across your cheek-
smooth as satin
soft and sleek-
close your eyes
and do not peek.
A craft for older children or adults - Pussy Willow Basket: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pussy-willow-basket-arrangement
Happy Spring
The Days of Spring
Sung to the Tune of: The Farmer In The Dell
The days of spring are here.
Warm, sunny days are near.
Birds in trees, flowers and bees,
The days of spring are here.
Rainbow Streamers
What You'll Need:
- Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crepe paper streamers
- Paper plate
- Scissors
- Stapler
Step 1: Cut the center out of a paper plate.
Step 2: Cut long pieces of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crepe paper streamers. Each streamer should be about two to three feet long.
Step 3: Staple a rainbow of streamers onto the paper plate.
Hockey Activities
Both my children are obsessed with hockey right now, wanting to go watch games, playing ball hockey in the house, going skating, etc. So, here are some hockey activities.
Howie Hockey Paper Craft: http://www.dltk-kids.com/sports/mhockeybuddy.htm
Hockey Stick Dot-to-Dot: http://www.printactivities.com/ConnectTheDots/Hockey-Stick-Dot2Dot.html
Hockey Puck Pin or Magnet: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/wintersports/ss/hkpuckpin.htm
NHL Fun Stuff: http://www.nhl.com/kids/funstuff/
Fall Activities
Leaf People: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/leaf_people.htm
You will need:
Dried leaves
Paper
Pens
Glue
Lay out your leaves until they look like a person. When you are happy glue them to your paper and draw on a face if you like!
Twig Fairy: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/twig_fairy.htm
You will need:
Twigs
Dry leaves
Seeds
Playdough
Make your twig fairy with one long stick as the body, and smaller sticks as the arms and legs. Use the playdough to stick them together.
Add a large seed as the head and leaves as the wings and dress.
Autumn Collage: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/autumn_collage.htm
You will need:
Autumn leaves
Paper
Glue
Pens
Instructions:
Press your leaves for a couple of days by slipping them between sheets of newspaper under a heavy book.
Arrange your leaves on paper and glue in place, and add any further decoration you like with pens, crayons or pencils. You could also use glitter or even stickers to make your autumn collage special and original.
Apple Activities
Ten Red Apples
Ten red apples grow on a tree
Five for you and five for me
Help me shake the tree just so
And ten red apples down below
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
Apple prints placemat:
Cut an apple in half and dip in red or green paint to make apple prints on construction paper.
When paint is dry, add leaves, smile, eyes and letter A noses.
Apple Bag
You will need:
small paper bag
red/brown paint
green construction paper
newspaper
rubber band
How to make it:
- Take a small lunch bag and stuff it with newspaper.
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Tie a rubber band around the top of the bag leaving some bag at the top for a stem.
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Next, paint below the rubber band red for the apple and the top stem should be painted brown.
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After this dries, you can cut out and attach a green construction paper leaf.
Apple Lacing
Borrowed from: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/mlacing.htm
Apple: lace with a running stitch or a blanket stitch around the edge of the apple, skipping the stem. This is a perfect template for lacing two together to make a 'pouch' that you can slip autumn poems, drawings, sayings, etc into. For a more advanced project, trace the template onto red fun foam twice. Use green felt or paint to add a stem. Lace the fun foam together to make a purse. Make a purse strap from a long piece of wool or ribbon that you can braid and/or add beads to.
Template can be found at: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-holidays.com/fall/images/b-lacing3.gif
How to Make Your Own Lava
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca/index.php?page=kids
You will need:
Red food colouring
Water
Cooking oil
Salt
Spoon
Clear container
1. Fill the glass 2/3 with water.
2. Mix a few drops of food colouring with the water.
3. Add oil to the glass. Wait for the water and oil to separate.
4. Drop salt into the glass and watch your lava!
Sand Mosaics
Next time you are at the beach gather some sand and shells and try this craft. Craft borrowed from: http://familyfun.go.com/summer/summer-crafts/summer-beach-crafts/sand-crafts/sand-mosaics-663989/
What you'll need:
- Scissors
- Black construction paper
- Shoe box lid
- White glue
- Sand
- Assorted seashells
How to make it:
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Cut a sheet of construction paper so that it fits inside the box lid -- this will be the portable canvas.
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To make a picture, draw with the tip of the glue bottle, then sprinkle on loose sand.
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Once the sand is dry, shake off the excess by gently tapping the side of the lid.
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For added detail, glue on shells, pebbles, sea glass or any other not-too-aromatic finds.
Ice Block Summer Fun Activity
What you'll need:
- Clean milk carton, plastic containers, ice cube trays, etc.
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Small plastic toys (optional)
How to make it:
- Make an ice block by freezing water in a clean milk carton, plastic container, ice cube tray, etc.
- If you like, add a few drops of food coloring to the water before freezing, or drop in a few small plastic toys.
- Your child will enjoy playing with the blocks of ice outside when it is hot.
- If you've frozen small plastic toys inside the block of ice, watch your child be so surprised when the ice all melts and they find the toy.
Dancing Raisins
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca
You will need:
-
A can of clear soda
- Raisins
1. Shake a can of clear soda as hard as you can. Knock two or three times on the top. Open it carefully over a sink.
2. Pour your opened can of soda into a glass.
3. Add six or seven raisins.
4. In a minute or so they will start to dance! But if you tap on the side of the glass they will sink!
Needle Through A Balloon
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca
You will need:
1 balloon
Cooking Oil
Bamboo
Skewer
1. Blow up the balloon ½ - ¾ full of air.
2. Dip the end of the skewer into the cooking oil.
3. Slowly poke through the darkest spot on the top of the balloon. Once through, exit near the tie at the end of the balloon.
If your balloon pops the first time, don’t worry! Try, try again! If there is a pile of popped balloons on the floor, try blowing your balloon up less and making sure the skewer has no splinters.
Playdough Recipe
I have posted this recipe before but it is one of my favourites and thought I would share it again.
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food colouring
Mix all ingredients, adding food colouring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly, and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.
Bird Biscuit
taken from: http://crafts.kaboose.com/birdbisc.html
What you'll need:
- Flat wooden heart (or any wooden shape)
- Peanut butter
- Birdseed
- Drill
- Approximately 4 feet of 1/4 inch wide ribbon
- Bowl
How to make it:
- Drill one small hole in each side of the heart - same distance from the top so that the heart is not lopsided.
- Cover the wooden heart completely in peanut butter and then place the heart in a bowl of bird seed.
- Cover the entire area of the heart with the birdseed making sure no bald spots are left anywhere on the heart.
- Cut two lengths of ribbon each 2 feet long and run one length of ribbon through each hole.
- Tie all ends of the ribbons together in a bow or knot.
- Hang bird biscuit in a tree or somewhere birds have easy access to it.
© Kids Kingston 2013 |
