Chinese New Year Craft: Spring Character

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

The following Chinese new year craft was submitted by a fellow teacher who just did this craft with her second graders:

Copy this page for each student (white paper).
Color the back side of this paper different colors – so no white shows.
Turn it over.
Fold it in half.
Cut on bold lines.
Open it up and turn it over… It’s the Chinese character for “Spring”!
Glue it on another piece of construction paper (optional).

Super easy and totally cute. Enjoy!

Click here to download the template: Chinese New Year- Spring Character Craft

Winter Art Projects for Kids

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

Winter provides an opportunity to see the world in a completely different way than the rest of the year. Help children capture the wonder of winter with winter-themed art projects! Here are some of my favorites:

Snowflake Art Trading Cards: Uses watercolor and salt (source).

Owls in the Night: Uses tempera paint and cardboard (source).

Winter Tree Silhouette: Uses masking tape and watercolor paint (source).

Q-Tip Letter Painting (Preschool, Kindergarten Activity)

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I recently saw this photo on a blog and thought I’d make you a printable to go with it!

Here’s my free printable PDF: Q tip painting letters Use this letters page for your kids to trace with q-tips and paint, crayons or markers. To make things smoother for an entire class doing this activity, have kids write their name on the back before they start. If you’re doing this with a small group or single child, you can also help them practice fine motor skills by having them line up beads along the lines of the letters. After your tracing activity is complete, cut up the letters and place them around the room on objects that start with that letter/sound. Enjoy!

Hand Print Paper Wreath Craft

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

This idea was submitted by a second grade teacher (Thank you!). She’s been making them with her class for years, and says it’s one of her favorite holiday crafts for kids. You’ll need:

lots of green construction paper
some red construction paper
1 paper plate per child
scissors
glue

The paper plate is the base for the craft. Cut out the center of the plate (have students write their name on the back of the paper plate at this point). Then have students trace their hands on green paper and cut the hand prints out. Glue these on the paper plate, curling the fingers in a bit by rolling them. After you’ve layered the green hands to your preference, use the red construction paper to make berries and a bow (click here for the bows & berries template). There you have it!

This craft can be fun at family parties and other gatherings where you have guests of varying ages. Having different sized-hands on the wreath adds some variety. This can also be a fun craft for grandparents to do with their grandkids, etc. Merry Christmas!

Even More Christmas Crafts for Kids!

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Some of these are just too cute not to share! They’re pretty simple, so with the right scaffolding, a wide variety of ages can do these crafts. Enjoy!

Trace your hand on craft foam and start decorating!

(source)

Christmas Tree Crafts for Kids

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I loved these fun Christmas tree craft ideas for kids! Click on the image to see the original post:

No source available

Even More Holiday Kids Crafts!

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Yay for holiday crafts! Here are some good ones…

1. Paper Plate Santa
Cut out the center of a paper plate, attach cotton balls for a beard and construction paper for a hat. I love this Santa craft because your children get to be the face of Santa! (source)

2. Q-Tip Snowman Painting

I hate cleaning paint brushes, so this craft project totally speaks to me. Paint everything by dabbing paint-dipped Q-tips. it makes super cute snowflakes! And when you’re done, just throw away the “brushes!” (source)

3. Thumb print string of lights

Using your sharpie, draw a string for your lights on your paper. Then have kids stamp their thumb in different colors all along the light string and allow to dry. When it dries, draw a squiggly for the light bulb base with a permanent marker. (source)

Holiday Crafts & Activities for Kids

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I saw these holiday craft and activity ideas recently and just HAD to share them with you!

1. Snowman Slam Bowling

To make our snowmen, decorate six white cups using black and orange craft foam. To make the snowballs, tightly ball up three white socks. Now, you’re all set up for some fun miniature bowling! (source)

2. Bird Food Ornament
To make these cute candy canes, first thread a red pipe cleaner through O-shaped cereal. Then hang it on your trees or bushes outside to spread the holiday cheer! Your kids will have fun making them and watching the birds snack on them!

3. Paper Bag Gingerbread House
My family makes gingerbread houses every year. So, I’m pretty much gingerbread-house obsessed. And, when I saw this idea, I went nuts! (I couldn’t find the original posting of this; so, if it’s yours, please tell me so I can give you credit!) Give each kid a brown paper bag. Then show them how to fold the top and glue some paper to the fold (making a roof) and let them go crazy with construction paper. Pretty easy, so many creative possibilities and best of all, it’s completely healthy (although it’s not as yummy)!