My Black Paper Cat turned out to be such an easy paper craft that I thought I’d try it with other color combos. This one started as a Pacon project, which makes strong paper so your cat stands up nice and tall. MATERIALS Paper Tiger Tutorial Pacon Premium Tagboard* Scissors Glue stick Black marker *The above product link is a … Read More
Learn this to make this gum wrapper paper chain, then find lots of things to do with them. Bracelets are just one idea as the chain expands for easy fitting. I like to use patterned scrapbook paper that comes in pads at craft stores. They have built in coordinated papers that already made to go with each other. Just be … Read More
The April Fool’s art project is pretty much guaranteed to create lots of giggles, just be sure that children don’t try to do much more than pose in them. This photo goes so far back into my teaching days, these girls are actually in college now. It’s still one of my all-time favorite photos that shows a bunch of sassy … Read More
In addition to drawing Egyptian art projects for kids, try an easy craft that shows first hand the bling that many of the more affluent Egyptians enjoyed. These two products make the shiniest, blingiest collars that I know of. The jewels are the most expensive part, but with a little rationing and couponing, will be worth the student’s excitement over … Read More
I have a few Valentine card ideas for kids, but this is definitely my favorite. Start with some pretty patterned paper and you’re guaranteed lovely results. MATERIALS • Heart Punch, 2″ size • Cardstock paper, Valentine colors, 8.5″ x 11″ • Scrapbook paper (Valentine pads found in stationary dept.) • Glue stick (Note: The above list includes referral links. If you … Read More
Here’s an easy Christmas card idea that makes a very colorful image. Just change the colors and it works for many different celebrations. Making holiday cards with kinders may sound like a fairly simple task, until you factor in all the details. Is it doable with a wide range of abilities? Is it flexible for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or neither? … Read More
The credit for this Halloween projects for kids goes to an old Family Fun Craft book. I just worked out a few details about the size and materials. I had been wanting to find an easy way to have my students work in three dimension, and this project worked great, even for 1st graders. The biggest step they needed help … Read More
You can learn to draw a maple leaf if you break it down into my six simple steps. There’s actually a simple pattern to it. MATERIALS Download Maple Leaf PDF Tutorial Brown kraft paper, even paper grocery bags Sharpie black marker, chisel tip Crayola Color Sticks Scissors DIRECTIONS Draw a leaf according to the diagram. Trace the leaf with … Read More
This paper strip pumpkin turned out to be a very quick and easy way to make a 3D shape out of strips of paper. Lots of room for customizing with the face. MATERIALS Orange construction paper Black construction paper Scissors Paper cutter Push pin or similar item Paper fastener, or brad Glue stick DIRECTIONS I used orange construction paper … Read More
I made this lion craft project with Pacon Premium Tagboard, which had the color and quality I needed. I had to make sure my lion stood up when finished! MATERIALS Download Paper Lion Craft Tutorial, 4 pages Tagboard: yellow, orange, white, pink Paper cutter Sharpie marker, black Glue stick Scissors Crayons or markers for map DIRECTIONS PREP: Cut tagboard to … Read More
I spied these cute mini cupcake liners at Michaels, and they worked perfectly for a kinder daffodil craft project. MATERIALS Card stock paper: yellow, green and blue Scissors Glue sticks Yellow beans, dried DIRECTIONS Students first cut three stems and glue them across the blue paper. Leaves are added to each. Cut about 5 petals for each flower, and glue … Read More
Did you know Chinese New Year crafts can come from office supplies? They helped me make this project with about 400 first through fourth graders for about $45. For the advanced origami lover, my sample snake above was made with two long strips that had nine 11″ lengths glued together as shown in the photo. If you like the gradated … Read More
My favorite paper crafts for kids involve making something three dimensional. Learning how to cut and bend so things stand up is a valuable skill. This idea comes from a French website, Zaubette. I simplified some of the shapes, but the brilliant originality must be credited to them. I just love the way they made the open beak/mouth. It’s simple … Read More
Make fun collage art projects by tying it into something familiar. This pizza project does double duty as it reviews shapes and can accompany a food unit theme. I’m declaring it pizza week for my students, as the kinder and first grade are making these larger 8″ pizzas, and the rest are making 4″ ones that will go in their … Read More
Make your own handmade greeting cards with my sticker snowman project. Animate your snowman by moving the arms and hat and adjusting placement of the face. These snowman trading cards make use of a trading card sleeve to line them up for display, but you always just glue the cards to a folded sheet to make a card. I love how … Read More
Try using colorful Post-its for this papel picado project. The squares come in very festive colors and can be found at your local office supply store. Papel picado is a Mexican folk art craft. It is the art of cutting paper into beautiful and elaborate designs for holidays and celebrations. What I liked about making this picado card with Post-its … Read More
Christmas card craft ideas can include this “minimalist” holiday card. A few folds of paper and you have a very simple dimensional tree. MATERIALS • Pattern paper, cut to 5″ x 2.5″ strips • Craft glue • White card stock paper, 4.75″ x 6.75″ • Red card stock paper, 5″ x 7″ • Envelope (optional) DIRECTIONS 1. Cut strips … Read More
Here’s a variation on my Black Cat Collage project that plays with the idea of peeking cats. Good orange paper will really have the most impact. MATERIALS Orange scrapbook paper, 12″ x 12″, from JoAnn’s Black card stock paper, 8.5″ x 11″ Yellow card stock paper, 8.5″ x 11″ Black Sharpie marker Scissors Glue stick White pencil crayon Paper cutter … Read More
This simple paper sculpture project I tried out goes in the “keeper” file. It was fun, easy and good fine motor skill practice. I challenged kinders to make curly, zig-zag and curvy lines, and then whatever else they could think of. MATERIALS • White card stock paper, letter size • Leftover colored paper • Clear tape • Paper cutter DIRECTIONS … Read More
One of the easiest Mothers Day cards to make is this pop out flower card. A paper punch and pretty paper are all you need to get started. Last year I did this with hearts, but I like this flower for this time of year, for all the obvious reasons. SUPPLIES • 12″ x 12″ solid card stock Scrapbook Paper … Read More