Free Preschool Crafts

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

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, 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.