Search Results for: Creativity

Earth Day Craft: Making Litter Bugs out of Recycling

April 17, 2013 by Kelli Miller

I know this can be an odd one. But, it is the perfect Earth Day craft for your little one! Normally one doesn’t associate the name “litter bug” as being something cute. However, that’s the case with this Earth Day craft. Making litter bugs out of recycling is an easy thing even your child can do.

Most people think of “litter bugs” as people who carelessly throw their garbage on the ground instead of putting it in a garbage can. This habit is not only bothersome, but it also isn’t good for the environment. It makes the areas that have been littered look bad as well.

Instead of associating the term litter bug in a negative way, why not let your children make a litter bug out of recycled materials for Earth Day? It’s an easy craft to make and can be given to people who may be free with their litter. Perhaps they’ll get the hint that littering is wrong and change their own litter bug ways.

Here’s what your child needs to make their own litter bug for Earth Day:

* Paper egg carton
* Yarn
* Google eyes
* Bottle caps
* Tacky craft glue
* Newspapers

An adult may need to cut the paper egg carton in segments. Give your child one segment at a time so they can complete one litter bug before beginning a second or third.

1. Turn the egg carton segment upside down so the bottom is facing up. This will be the litter bug’s body.
2. Use recyclable items from around your home to decorate the bug. If you don’t have google eyes, why not use small caps from squeeze dish soap bottles?
3. Several twigs can be used for legs. Poke a hold in the carton to push the twigs through.
4. Use yarn pieces for hair.
5. A bottle cap can be glued on for a hat.

Another way for your child to create a litter bug for Earth Day is to use crumpled up newspapers as the base, or body, of the bug. Glue the various items you’ve found lying around your house onto the body. Give it hair, a bottle top cap, and eyes.

Let your child make several litter bugs this Earth Day. You don’t have to make them wait until Earth Day to try this craft. In fact, if you wanted, you could create a recyclable box for your child to keep items in for crafts. By doing this, not only will you encourage their creativity and fine motor development, you’ll also encourage them to recycle items rather than tossing them in the garbage.

If they learn to recycle now, even if it is merely for making Earth Day crafts like the litter bug made with recycled items, this may encourage them to continue reusing and recycling items in the future. That would be good not only for them, but also for the environment.

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Freebies Tagged With: Earth day craft, kids activities, recycle, reuse

Martha Stewart Living only $18.49 per year!

April 3, 2013 by Kelli Miller

DEAL OF THE DAY – APRIL 3, 2013
MARTHA STEWART LIVING MAGAZINE
On sale today only for just $18.49 for 1 Year

Martha Stewart Living presents Martha Stewart’s domestic arts creativity to make your home a showplace and enhance your lifestyle. Content reflects Martha’s philosophy of investing energy into your home, to enjoy and improve it with delicious, inspiring recipes, entertaining, antiques, home decorating, and gardening tips, lavishly photographed. Order your subscription today for just $18.49 for one year!

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Freebies Tagged With: Earth day craft, kids activities, recycle, reuse

Fun Homeschooling Art Ideas

March 13, 2013 by Kelli Miller

“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give”. – P. D. James

Research suggests ‘Art’ as a subject plays a vital role in a child’s curriculum. The benefits are far-reaching from stimulating cognitive and creative skills to strengthening problem-solving skills. Schools and governments, however, have always lacked interest in cultural subjects and as parents it is our responsibility to raise our children with these extra-curricular activities.

Getting a child to like ‘Art’ is an art in itself. We as parents not only have to enact as a child but also make the subject fun. These are some of the barriers we face and therefore below are listed out three of the kids’ favorite painting projects that your child will have fun learning.

1. Abstract Expressionism – Originated during the WWII art movement, Jackson Pollock’s creative art work is a little more than just dripping and splashing paint onto a canvas. The notion behind the art is to reveal your emotions and choosing the colors that you think best describe them. The supplies you require are a canvas, some paintbrushes, acrylic paints and SPLASH!!

2. Pointillism – The intriguing form of art was developed by George Seurat in 1886, where an image was created with small dots of color onto the canvas showcasing a vibrant color composition. In this form of art, you are required to use a pointed item like a fine tipped paintbrush or cotton swabs along with some acrylic paints. To ease the work and making it more exciting try using a photo (family) for them to copy on the canvas helping the children visualize the colors they want to use.

3. Canvas Art with Painters Tape – One of the simplest forms of art work, this project requires children to create different shapes onto the canvas using a painters tape challenging their creativity. Once the taping is completed, they can start filling in the blocks with distinct colors like green, purple, red and yellow with a paintbrush. Leave the canvas for drying and once dried, remove the painters tape (gently) disclosing a unique piece of art where the end result is a photo collage canvas.

Lastly, no matter what form of art project you choose, don’t forget to hang it on the wall in the living room. It will make the children feel their ‘fun’ work has finally paid off.

Which one is your favorite?

Bio: Marlene Stucker is a part-time blogger married with two kids and currently works at Photo-Canvas, specialized in designing personalized photo canvas prints.

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Freebies Tagged With: Earth day craft, kids activities, recycle, reuse

Child Development Activity #7: Wacky Painting

January 12, 2013 by Kelli Miller

Skills this child development activity enhances:

For ages: Preschool 3 years +

Materials Needed:

Paint
Fly Swatter
Butcher Paper

Wacky Painting Instructions:

Pin up a large sheet of butcher paper on a clothesline outside, or lay it flat on the lawn (weigh down the corners with rocks.)

Pour several colors of paint onto cookie sheets. Let your child smear a clean fly swatter into the paint and then slap it on the butcher paper.

!Always use non-toxic materials.

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Filed Under: Homeschooling Freebies Tagged With: Earth day craft, kids activities, recycle, reuse

Child Development Activity #6: Crayon Revelation

January 5, 2013 by Kelli Miller

Skills this child development activity enhances:

For ages: Preschool 3 years +

Materials Needed:

White Paper
White Crayon
Watercolor Paints

Crayon Revelation Instructions:

Have your child make a drawing using a white crayon on a white piece of paper, encouraging your child to press down hard with the crayon. (You may also want to add some shapes or drawings on the paper).

Next, let your child paint over the crayon drawing with watercolor paints. The crayon marks will emerge very clearly from the painting, especially after the paint is dry.

This works just as well with a yellow rayon on yellow paper, an orange crayon on orange paper, etc.