Free Preschool Crafts » classic crafts

Handprint turkey with feathers

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:47:42 +0000

Here’s a twist on the classic handprint Thanksgiving turkey craft. If you’re wondering why the hand in the example is so big, it’s because 3-year-old Alec didn’t feel like getting paint on his hands so Mom used her own, which gives us a chance to remind you to, as always, “enjoy the process,” because the most important thing at craft time is that preschoolers are having fun.

What You Need: Brown washable tempera paint; glue; feathers; googly eye; scrap of red and yellow cardstock or construction paper; full sheet of light-colored construction paper.
How You Make It: Paint hand using brown paint and press onto paper. Once dry, use glue to add feathers to finger areas. Glue on googly eye. Cut out wattle shape or use a heart-shaped paper punch to make one from red paper and glue on. Cut rectangle legs from yellow construction paper and glue on.

Lollipop and tissue paper ghost

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:39:57 +0000

This one is definitely a classic! These little ghosts come together quickly and make for a great treat on Halloween. You could also make them using Kleenex-type tissue and yarn.
What You Need: two same-size squares of white tissue paper, a lollipop, black marker and black ribbon

How You Make It: Stack tissue paper together, wrap around lollipop and tie with ribbon. (Preschoolers can practice bow-tying skills or a knot would be fine.) Use marker to add eyes.

Wax paper crayon star hangings for 4th of July

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:44:52 +0000

Here’s a twist on a classic craft. A lot of these melted-crayon stars look great strung up in a classroom around 4th of July. Remember to be safe around iron and scissors!
What You Need: iron (not pictured), wax paper, star template (free printable download below), red crayon, white crayon, blue crayon, scissors, crayon sharpener (or adult can “shave” crayons with scissors edge), glue, glitter, hole punch, red yarn, newspaper.

How You Make It: Using star template, trace star shapes onto two pieces of wax paper and cut out. Use sharpener (preschooler) or scissors (adult) to make crayon shavings. Sprinkle crayon shavings onto one star and cover with second star. Place between two layers of newspaper. Carefully, adult irons until crayons melt. Let cool. Outline star with glue and apply glitter. Shake off excess glitter. Punch hole and tie with red string.

star template

Child’s no-bake clay handprint gift

admin — Mon, 28 May 2007 22:38:21 +0000

A clay handprint impression from a preschooler is always a welcome gift for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or any other occasion. This recipe is enough to make about three handprints.

What You Need: 3/4 cup salt, 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon alum powder (alum is a preservative; only use it if you want the dough to last a long time AND you know your kids won’t eat the dough), mixing supplies, paint, paintbrush, pointy object (paper clip, toothpick, etc.) to write name and date.

How You Make It: Mix dry ingredients in bowl, add water gradually and knead dough. Form into ball, flatten to about 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick and even out edges using your hands or a plastic knife. Child presses hand, with fingers apart, into clay. Adult can etch name and date with pointy object, or paint it on later. Let dry (at least overnight) and paint.
“We tried it” tip: We tried baking this clay, but after an hour at 300 degrees it was still soft on the bottom. It hardened up after a few days. Also, if the dough crumbles, add a little more water.
Additional resource: For more ideas for making things with baby or child footprints and handprints, including poems and quotes, visit www.babyfootprints.info.

Egg Carton Caterpillar

admin — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:54:32 +0000

What You Need: Cardboard egg carton, poster (tempera) paints, pipe cleaner, 2 googly eyes, scissors, paintbrush, glue.

How You Make It: >Cuts egg carton into strips of 6 (grownup job). Paint caterpillar body. After paint is dry, insert pipe cleaner into “head” of egg carton to form antennae. Glue googly eyes onto face.

Suggested storybook: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle