Preschool Arts and Crafts

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Easy preschool arts and crafts that are enjoyable, help teach an idea or theme, and help with the development of fine and gross motor skills in young children. Children learn best with hands-on activities and with young children it is important to remember it is the process and not the end product that counts. Adult supervision required.

Preschool Fine Motor Skills

1.Scissors/Cutting Practice

On a blank piece of paper,draw a few straight lines right across the page for your preschooler to practice cutting. For further practice, draw a few zig zag lines or gently curving lines across another blank page. Some other ideas could be to draw simple shapes such as a circle or triangle for your child to cut out. Or your child may just enjoy cutting up a piece of paper into smaller peces. Remember to use safety scissors and supervise your child.

2."Sewing Practice"

Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a shape(square, circle,star,etc.). Punch holes around the perimeter, each hole about one inch apart. With a piece of yarn, apply a piece of masking tape to one end of the yarn to give it a pointed end and tie the other end of the yarn to your cardboard. Have your child practise threading the yarn through the holes around your cardboard shape.

3.Playdough

Playdough is a great sensory craft that kids love. It's fun to squish, squash and create with. Scented playdough adds another enjoyable element to stimulate a child's senses.

4.Coloring

In addition to just coloring with one crayon try "bundle" crayon coloring. Tie a bundle( 5 or 6 ) crayons together with an elastic band and color or draw on paper using the crayon bundle.

Preschool Painting

1.Marble Painting

Arts and Craft Supplies Needed:

large ice cream pail or pan
paper
scissors
marble(s)
tempera paints

On a piece of paper, trace around the ice cream pail or pan and cut out to fit inside the pail or pan. Add a blob or two of paint onto the paper and add a marble or two. Move the pail or pan around to swirl the marble through the paint and around the paper to make designs.

2.String Painting

Supplies Needed:

empty toilet paper tube or wood blocks
string
tempera paint
paper

Tie a length of string around an empty toilet paper tube and secure in place with tape. Dip in paint and roll on paper to create stringed patterns.

3.Potato Prints

Adult to do the following: Slice a raw potato in half lengthwise. Place a cookie cutter on the cut side of one half of the potato. Push the cookie cutter into the potato while keeping the potato flat on the table. Break away the potato that's around the outside of the cookie cutter. Push the shape out of the cookie cutter. Dry off any moisture from the potato with a paper towel. Dip in paint and let your child have fun stamping!

Preschool Craft Ideas

Ziplock Books: Put in pictures, letters, flowers or anything else you want in a book. Punch holes equidistant from the edges on each bag above the zipper part. Use whatever yarn or ribbon you like to thread the holes to bind the book. To make the pages "more firm" cut to size a piece of craft foam sheet or card stock and place in each bag.

Body Shape Outlines:

Kids love the idea of having life-sized pictures of themselves. Have your child lie down on a large piece of paper big enough to trace their outline with a crayon. Let your child decorate the picture of him/herself, drawing on a face, glueing on yarn etc. for hair, drawing clothes. This is always a favorite preschool art idea.

Decorated lunch/snack bags:

All you need is crayons and brown paper bags to let your kids get creative with decorating their lunch/snack bags. They could also cut out shapes from construction paper to glue on their bags. You could make it a weekend project to have a supply of lunch/snack bags ready for the week. Here are some lunch box note ideas to stick in your child's lunch box to brighten his or her day. I also place them around the house for my children to find. Here are some more winter themed lunch box notes.

Pasta Crafts:Ideas for preschool kids

To give uncooked pasta bright beautiful colors, squeeze 1/3 to 1/2 of a small bottle of acrylic paint(found in craft stores) into a large plastic ziplock bag(resealable bag). Pour in some uncooked pasta, squeeze and shake the bag until all the pasta is coated with paint. Pour out the pasta on newspapers to dry. After drying for a few minutes, rub the pasta between your hands to keep the pieces from sticking together.

Print out or help your child print out their name with glue on a piece of paper. Have your child place colored pasta pieces on top of the glue to spell their name. Let dry and then tape on your fridge door. Or you could make a door hanger for your child's bedroom using the same idea.

Gift wrap idea:Handprints with handprint tag

Have your child dip their hands in tempera paints and press their handprints over a large piece of paper. Trace around your child's hand on a piece of construction paper or cardstock and cut out to use as a gift wrap tag to go with the handprint gift wrap.

Sprinkles

Sprinkling confetti on glue always seems to be a favorite craft for little ones.

Arts and Craft Supplies Needed:

confetti or holes saved from paper hole punch
blank sheet of paper for sprinkling confetti on
white glue thinned with a little water in small cup
paintbrush
newspaper

Brush some thinned glue onto the sheet of paper where you want to sprinkle the confetti. Shake excess dots or confetti onto a piece of newspaper. Repeat until your design is covered with the dots or confetti. Let dry.

preschool crafts at www.create-kids-crafts.com

Shooting Stars

This star shoots through the air when your child blows on one end of the straw.

Supplies Needed:

Bendy straw
star shape cut out from construction paper
curling ribbon
1 to 1 1/2 inch wide strip of paper to roll up
glue
tape

Have or help your child cut out a star shape from colored construction paper. Roll up a strip of paper 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide and approximately 8 inches long(Don't roll up the strip of paper too tight- the straw needs to fit into it). Dab some glue onto the back of the star cut out and stick one end of the rolled up strip of paper to the glue. Also tape the roll in place until the glue dries. Bend the straw at an angle and insert one end of the straw into the rolled up paper. Add some curling ribbon for decoration to the star. Just tape it to the back of the star. Add a positive little message onto the star if you like.

Click here for preschool spring and summer themed crafts

Click here for preschool autumn themed crafts.

Click here for preschool winter crafts.

Wow! LITTLE KIDS CRAFTS FOR ALL SEASONS

Whether you are a Pre-School Teacher, Day Home provider or a busy Mom with little kids trying to find some inside activities on a cold/rainy day, here is a great resource for many more craft ideas for little kids. It is jam packed (200pages) full of great age-appropriate crafts. As a thank you for buying the book Chris Yates (the author) gives you the second book free. You can download this ebook or get the printed version. Its called Little kid crafts for all season's

Plate Works

Showcase your artistic talent on your very own personalized tableware that will last a lifetime. With this kit you can make high quality melamine plates and bowls or plastic mugs that feature your own artwork or favorite photograph! There is also a ceramic mug or sippy top option available. Create your masterpiece using the special drawing pages and washable markers provided. Mail in your work using the postage paid envelope provided, and in about a month you'll receive your finished work! You can even request your name, date, or special message be typeset around the rim of the plate, bowl or mug at no extra charge. Melamine and plates and bowls and plastic cups are break resistant and dishwasher safe (plastic and ceramic mugs are microwave safe as well). If you prefer to design your item by computer, you can enter the Creations By You website and use their special web tools to draw pictures or scan photos. Kit includes special drawing paper, washable markers, easy instructions, order form, and a postpaid envelope for sending material in for production. One plate, bowl or mug is included in the kit price, less a small shipping charge of $2.95. Production time is 5-7 weeks, plus delivery time. For Ages 5 and Up.

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