Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

This project is designed so that anyone can embellish it with their own style. In the example I used pink cardstock and embellished the card using colored pencils. I added a flower embellishment and affixed it with a coordinating brad.

The Mothers Day Teapot Card Template included is ready to print, then you can start decorating your teacup and teapot! Click here to open the Mothers Day Teapot Card Template.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Young learners enjoy practicing writing their numbers and letters. This earth friendly activity provides a fun activity that allows children to practice their skills, at the same time conserves paper! The cards are conveniently together with a binding ring.

Materials Needed:

• Colored Cardstock
• Lamination Film (heat laminator works best)
• Scissors
• Number Tracing Card Template
• Binder Rings
• Dry Erase Markers

Directions:

1. Print out a set of cards (4 pages) onto colored cardstock.  For my example, I used recycled white cardstock.  Using colored cardstock saves on ink, and time coloring. (optional)
2. Cut out the individual cards. (This will provide a better seal when laminating.)
3. Laminate pieces with a heat laminator.
4. Punch a hole in each card where indicated and insert the binding ring.
5. Ready. Set. Trace!

Two Number Tracing Card Template have been provided for today’s activity.  The first is blank, that you can use to add in any  text, or shape that you’d like to use.  It is in PDF format so you should be able to put it into any graphic program and add the font or shape that you choose.  The second template is a complete set of number tracing numbers Zero through 10.

The number trace ring books are an excellent item to include in summer packets, or take home bags to provide an extra activity to reinforce skills at home.  The number trace ring books  can be used for long road trips, or for time fillers when students are finished with their work early.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Recycled crafts can be fun to create as well as educational.  This project is one that the kids can help you with!  There aren’t any set rules as to what types of seed packets you use.  In my example, I have used a packet of vegetable seeds, and 2 flower packets.

Materials needed:

• Cardstock
• Lamination
• Large Popsicle Sticks
• Recycled Seed Packets
• Old seed catalogs, ads or photo/clipart images
• Scissors
• Permanent Ink Marker
• Glue – E600

Directions:

1. Gather together recycled seed packets.  Select 5-10 different seed packets that feature a picture on the front.

2. Look through seed catalogs, websites, or ads for pictures of the flowers/content of the seed packets. In my example, you’ll see that I selected a picture of Acorn Squash, Dianthys, and Zinnias. Even though the pictures weren’t exactly the same pictures as my seed packets, they were close enough. 

3. Cut out or print the pictures of the flowers/veggies to match the seed packets.

4. Trim the pictures to fit on the end of a large popsicle stick. Laminate for durability.  (Optional)

5. Count out as many popsicle sticks as you have pictures.  With a permanent ink pen, write the name of the flower/vegetable on one end of the popsicle stick. 

6. Glue the picture at the end of the popsicle stick opposite the writing, and let dry completely.

7. Once the tags are completely dry,  the game is ready to be played.

Variation:    Another variation to this game is to have the children sort vegetables from flowers by sorting into recycled aluminum cans marked with seed packets.

All of the supplies used to create this activity can be purchased from CreateForLess.com.

 

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

The Spring Clothespin game is a fun, and flexible game that can be adapted to the age group you’re working with, skills, and themes. The template that I have included in this tuturial features a tulip, but any character or theme can be substituted.

Materials Needed:

Spring Clothespin Game Template (click to download)
Cardstock
Scissors
Lamination (heat laminator or clear contact paper)

 
Colored Clothespins:

Small – Medium wood clothespins
RIT Liquid Dye

On the first example, I put words on the flower pots. The object of the game is to find the rhyming word in the bubble that matches.  The correct answer is clipped with a colorful wood clothespin.

In the second example featurings simple math problems written on the tulip, with the answer being in the bubble that is clipped by the small wooden clothespin. I put pre-cut cards in a cute cello bag, including a little bit of recycled (pink) shredded paper, 3 colored wood clothespins.  The bag was topped  with a simple cardstock header and ribbon. Perfect for party favors,  holiday gift giving, teacher gifts, or a surprise for your children.  The options are endless for this game!

 

 Directions:

1. Print off a copy of the Spring Clothespin Game Template provided.
2. Color, and cut out prior to laminating. (The lamination will have a better seal of the game cards are cut out and then laminated).
3. After the cards are laminated, the cards are ready for play.

Coloring Wood Clothespins:

1. Select the number of wood clothespins that you’d like to color.  I used the smaller  wood clothespins for this project tutorial, but it’s recommended to use the larger clothespins when working with young children.

2. Select the color dye that you want to use. RIT dye comes in a dry or liquid coloring in an array of colors. For this tutorial I used the liquid dye and I think it worked better.

3. Put warm water in a plastic or glass container, add the RIT dye to achieve the desired color that you want. The longer that you keep the wood clothespins in the water, the darker the color they will be.  For large batches of pins, use 2 cups of warm water and  ¼ cup liquid dye.  I dyed a small batch and so I did not use as much water or dye. For my example, I used Petal Pink RIT dye and it took a few hours for the color to soak in to the desired color.  Depending on how dark the dye is, you may not have to leave the pins in very long before they have reached full color.

4. After the pins have been dyed, pull them out and lay them on paper towels or something absorbant (not fabric because the dye will stain it). I let my clothespins dry over night to make sure that they were fully dry before I used them.

All of the materials listed in this tutorial can be found at CreateForLess.com. 

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

 

Play dough mats are a great way to work with kids on their motor skills, shape recognition, alphabet and number skills. It is also a fun activity for kids to play with on rainy days when they can’t go outside and play.

There are 2 templates provided; one is blank, and the other is Spring/Easter themed. The blank template you can use to create your own play dough mat with alphabet letters, shapes, lines, and doodles. The Spring/Easter template is ready to print and use.

Using page protectors is an inexpensive way to keep the play dough from sticking to the cardstock template. You can use lamination film, but the page protectors work just as well and then the cards can be stored in a 3 ring binder when not in use.

Downloads:

• Spring play dough mat Template
• Play dough mat Template

Play dough Recipe:

• 1 ½ – 2 Cups Flour
• 1 ½ Cup Water
• 2 TBSP Oil
• 2 TBSP Alum
• ½ cup Salt
• Food Coloring

Mix water, food coloring, salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil on high until the salt crystals have dissolved. Put flour in a bowl and add oil, Alum, and any scent (optional). Once the liquid has dissolved, pour it over the flour and mix completely. Start out with less flour, and if it’s sticky add a little bit more. Store in a closed, tight container. Will stay good for several months. If it gets dry, add a little water to it.

All of the art supplies for this project can be found at CreateForLess.com.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

With Easter right around the corner, the Bunny Book would make a great gift idea. Add some crayons and wrap in cute cellophane for an inexpensive party favor or for classroom parties. Young children learning to write, love to make little books and practice writing on any piece of paper that they find. I created this project with young learners in mind, but it also can be adapted for adults too!

This bunny book is a simple project that can be made as a group project or with light supervision. You can create different variations by changing the colors of the cover, or adding different types of paper for the pages, or adding embellishments to the cover.

Materials Needed:

• Bunny Book Template (included)
• Cardstock
• Writing Paper
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Stapler

Optional:

• Scrapbooking Scraps
• Colored Paper
• Squiggly Eyes

 Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the Bunny Book Template.

2. Fold 1 piece of 8.5 x11″ cardstock in half (width).

3. Unfold cardstock with the fold vertical.

4. Glue the bunny cut out flap onto the top, right side of the cardstock. You will want to adjust the bunny cut out so that the head is sticking up above the closed book (see above picture).

5. Fold a 2nd piece of cardstock in half and glue it on top of the previous piece covering the bunny cut out flap. This will provide a sturdy cover for the book.

6. Fold in half 3-5 sheets of writing paper. You can use lined or unlined.

7. Place the writing paper fold on top of the fold of the bunny book cover.

8. Staple the bunny pages and cover along the fold.

9. The book is finished, and now can be embellished.

All of the materials used for this activity can be found at CreateForLess.com.

By Crafts for Learning Contributor, Danielle from the blog Crayonbox Learning.

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. I find myself drawn to the many things red, pink, and of course chocolate.

The Valentine Magnet or Velcro Tic Tac Toe game was inspired by my memories of having classroom Valentine’s Day parties at school when I was a child. It was the one day of the year when we could have a party in our classroom. We would play games, drink red punch, and hand out Valentine cards to our classmates. The simple things seemed to be the most memorable.

All of the materials for this project are easily found at CreateForLess.

Materials needed:

• Magnet Paper
• Cardstock
• Velcro Dots
• Scissors
• Laminator & Lamination film (optional)
• Valentine Tic Tac Toe Template

Valentine Magnet Tic Tac Toe

The first variation is very simple, and can be completed in minutes.

1. Print the game Valentine Tic Tac Toe Template onto magnet paper. Magnet paper is inexpensive, and prints easily on most printers. The game board is provided in 2 colors, and in black and white in case you’d like to color your own.

2. Cut out the individual game pieces.

3. Get ready to play Valentine Magnet Tic Tac Toe.

The magnet markers will stick to the tic tac toe game board. An alternative to keeping the game board loose is to place the whole game onto a cookie sheet, or cookie tin lid to keep the pieces in one place. Another option is to play the game on the side of a refrigerator.

The size of the pieces does require a small parts warning for children under 4 or 5. The templates can be enlarged using the settings on your printer if you prefer a larger size. For my example I used the smaller setting. The game pieces AND board fit on one 8 x 11″ page for the smaller version.

Valentine Velcro Tic Tac Toe

The second variation has a couple more steps, but it is just as easy to put together.

1. Print the Valentine Tic Tac Toe Template onto cardstock.

2. Cut out the individual pieces.

3. I suggestion laminating the game pieces AFTER they were cut out for durability. It will add to the life of the game. The edges will seal perfectly using this method.

4. After the lamination has been completed and the extra lamination film has been cut away from the individual pieces, apply one half of the velcro dots onto the game board.

5. Apply the remaining half of the velcro dots to the game markers.

6. You’re ready to play Valentine Velcro Tic Tac Toe!

To play, the markers will be placed in a space on the game board and will stick to the velcro. This prevents lost pieces, and can even be played in a car.