Crafts – Thrive After Three

Tag: Crafts

Toy Stories: Toys Series By Emily Jenkins

Posted on March 27, 2015 by mrsshaia

The Toys series by Emily Jenkins is one of my newer favorite read-alouds for the school age. The short stories follow the adventures of three toys: a buffalo named Lumphy, a plush Stingray, and a ball named Plastic.

Here’s a craft to make Lumphy and Stingray puppets so the children can create their own adventures.

For Lumphy:

Brown lunch paper bag

Lumphy (you can copy on brown paper, or have children color)

glue

scissors

Directions:

Cut out the pieces and glue to paper bag.

For Stingray:

blue square dessert plate

goggly eyes

blue craft stick (you can purchase colored sticks, or paint the sticks blue)

glue

scissors

Directions:

Position the paper plate like a diamond.

Glue two goggly eyes in the upper corner.

Glue a craft stick to the bottom corner as the “stingray.”

For more Toy Story ideas, click here. For more school age programming, check out Jennifer’s Jean Little Library. She’s hosting this month’s school age blog hop ,Thrive Thursday. For more information check out the schedule, Pinterest board, and Facebook Group.

Toy Stories: Traction Man Action Figure

Posted on February 25, 2015 by mrsshaia

The picture book series following Traction Man and his trusty sidekick, Scrubbing Brush, is filled with adventure and rescue missions. Here’s a craft that requires a little prep work, but will be a hit with early elementary aged children.

You’ll Need:

a manila folder

Traction Man (copied on light brown paper)

Traction Man Action Figure (copied on white card stock)

colored pencils

glue

scissors

sandwich size baggies

tape

Directions:

For adult: Cut one Traction Man sheet in half and glue to a manila folder. Cut out the rectangle above the lightning bolt.

For children: Color Traction Man using colored pencils. Cut out the action figure pieces.

Tape the sandwich baggie to the back of the rectangle, leaving the top layer of the closure open so you can open and close the baggie. Traction Man and all of his pieces will fit for storage. (Plus, this craft looks like the action figure box!)

For more school age programming ideas, check out Carol’s Program Palooza. She’s hosting this month’s school age blog hop, Thrive Thursday. Check out past roundups here. For more information check out the schedule, Pinterest board, and Facebook Group.

Elf on a Shelf Craft Program

Posted on December 10, 2014December 28, 2014 by mrsshaia

I had a special December program that I called Elf on a Shelf Extravaganza. It was for all ages and a huge success! I picked a couple of books and songs from my go-to Christmas pile, setup the crafts and let the families have fun!

Books:

Minerva Louise on Christmas Eve
Bear Stays Up For Christmas
Mouse’s First Christmas
Little Santa
12 Days of Christmas (the Jane Cabrera version)
The House That Santa Built
Santa Duck

Songs:

Snowflake, Snowflake by Carole Peterson from H.U.M.
This is Christmas Time by Kimbo from Holiday Piggyback Songs
Ring Those Bells by Wee Sing from Wee Sing for Christmas
Snow Fun by Carol Hammett from Preschool Action Time
I’m a Little Snowflake by Laurie Berkner from Whaddaya Think of That?
Hat and Jacket, Pants and Boots by Carole Stephens from Season Sings
Jingle Bells and Stop by Carole Stephens from Season Sings
We’re Marching in the Snow by Carole Stephens from Season Sings

Crafts:

Elf Gingerbread House Station — Gingerbread House for your elf (from Oriental Trading).

Elf Magic Scratch Ornaments — Magic Scratch Elf ornaments (also from Oriental Trading).

Elf Tattoo Station — Tattoo Station with soaking wet cotton balls. Works perfectly and no mess to clean up!

Elf on a Shelf Donuts — “Shrunkin’ Donuts”

Elf on a Shelf Shrunkin Donuts — Mini-donuts using Cheerios, frosting and sprinkles.

Elf on a Shelf Trees — Foam trees using dot markers as “ornaments.”

Elf on a Shelf Hats — Elf Hats with ears and cotton balls

Elf on a Shelf Bells — Bells using paper cups, bells, and pipe cleaners. Decorate with stickers and markers.

Happy Easter, Pete the Cat!

Posted on April 20, 2014 by mrsshaia

I’ve instilled a love of Pete the Cat with all of the preschoolers in my tri-town area! They love him sooooo much, they’re singing his favorite song:

I love my white ears, I love my white ears, I love my white ears!

You can add lyrics to go with his white nose, and white tail.

Here’s a pdf to make your own: Bunny headband (Pete the cat extra) In addition to the pdf, you’ll need 3″ strips of construction paper to create the headband part. (If you want to be boring, you can create a Pete-free Bunny headband but what fun it that?!)

Happy Easter!

Count the Monkeys

Posted on February 20, 2014February 21, 2014 by mrsshaia

I love this new “counting” book. The children loves listening to it and immediately yell, “Again!” when I turn to the final end pages revealing all of the hidden monkeys. I don’t see how I can make this into a successful flannel story, but I did make a cool craft! Just copy this (Count the Monkeys Craft) double sided and watch the fun. Score the four windows and handout for an interactive coloring page.

For more ideas, check out Storytimes and More on the Go’s Saturday Share.