Get Crafty This March Break

Any parent knows it can be a challenge to come up with interesting activities to do with young children over an extended break from their regular routines. The following art projects are low on mess and can lead to other activities that ignite the imagination!

Idea #1: Your child can make a puppet, perhaps based on a character they adore. With a makeshift stage, using a couple of scarves and an empty shoebox, your child can create a make-believe storyline filled with adventure! Don’t stop at 1: make more puppets to keep the story going and watch the creative play ensue.

Popsicle Stick Puppets

Supplies: Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, assorted paper, scissors, a glue stick or washable glue, pipe cleaners, & markers or crayons

Steps
1.    Colour on both sides of a popsicle stick or a tongue depressor
2.    Draw & colour in a character, no taller than the stick itself, on a piece of paper
3.    Cut the character out using scissors
4.    Glue the back of the character onto the stick (allow drying time if using washable glue)

Idea #2: You may find yourself with some quality 1 on 1 time with your little one. Why not make a bookmark for your child’s favourite storybook? If you have a colour printer you can print up an image of a character from your child’s favourite book and incorporate it into  the bookmark. Let your child make the image his/her own by colouring a pattern on the character’s jacket or giving him/her a new hat using crayons or markers. Let the character lead the way as your child turns the pages of the book with you, or all by him/herself! 

Creative Book Marks

Supplies: Thick paper, markers or crayons, a glue stick or washable glue (glitter glue & colour printer optional) 

Steps
1.    Cut Bristol board into strips (approx. 8”x3”)
2.    Cut out character & glue onto strip of paper (optional)
3.    Colour with markers or crayons
4.    Paint or smear glitter glue over top of your bookmark to create sparkle!