New Year Calendar Craft

New Year is already upon us! And at the start of a New Year what do we all need? 
YES! That's right, a calendar. Well I do, anyway!

Toddlers not so much, but we make calendars with them at playgroup, attached to a relevant craft. 


Two years ago, we made these:

Regardless of whether the calendars themselves are hugely relevant to the children, this craft is a great way of getting children familiar with the shapes of the numerals, as well as allowing them to explore different textures.

If this is a bit challenging for your little ones(our younger ones needed a fair bit of help, with this one), try using stickers or, if you want to retain the sensory element of the craft, you could use paint to make the numerals with finger prints.

Equipment:

• Calendar Craft background
• Calendar Pads (Baker Ross)
• Glue/spreaders/pots (we use PVA, I prefer the Pritt version)
• String/ribbon/scissors
• Stapler
• Overalls
• Wet Wipes
• Variety of sensory materials: rice, lentils, feathers, sand, glitter, buttons. sequins etc. (Please see allergy note below*.)

Preparation:

1. Make the calendar backing. You can do whatever suits you, but basically I used Word and did the following:

A simple border was added to a blank document page, before I inserted a Word Art text box. I typed the numerals for '2017' using Comic Sans font which was enlarged to size 250. I added a box to show where to stick the calendar blocks, then printed out the page on to card of different colours, to provide choice. 

2. We used a hole punch to add holes at the top of the card, to insert string/ribbon for hanging the calendar. Alternatively, you could sellotape the string loop to the back of the cards.

3. Pre-cut string/ribbon (we use left-over curling ribbon) lengths for hanging the calendars.

4. Order the calendar blocks (we usually order these during the Autumn Term, but they are still available now. Baker Ross sell the traditional little calendar booklets that we use. You can probably get them elsewhere, but they do seem to be on offer at Baker Ross, right now.

5. As usual, we make a sample to help our mums/carers and toddlers to see what we're working towards.



Method:


1. Overalls on and sleeves rolled up.

2. Write name on the back or front (as desired).

3. Show how to use glue spreader to spread glue around the first numeral. Encourage children to feel the different materials and select one to press in to the glue.

4. Repeat for all the numerals.

5. Select and tie ribbon for handle.

6. Staple the calendar booklet in place on the card(obviously this stage will have to be done by adults).

7. The border of the calendar can also be decorated by the children, if time/interest will allow. For this part, I would suggest using stickers. Stars would work well with the New Year theme.

8. Calendars can then be left to dry, until going home time!


* When families come to our group for the first time, we ask them to fill in a Registration Form, which includes details of any allergies. If children have allergies we try our very best to include them. Rice/lentil allergy are less common than for example milk or nuts, but if we were aware of anyone with these allergies we would change the materials to suit. Allergies are not all food related e.g. some children might be allergic to feathers. 

Please note: any links to or mentions of specific materials are purely to aid sourcing, no earnings are made via these links.

Holly Christmas Wreaths

It's the first of December and Christmas has truly begun! This is when my Christmas decorations go up, one of the first being a Wreath on the door. I love a good wreath! I often have them inside my house as well as out. This one hangs in my hallway:

At toddler group this week, we made these cute little wreaths. Obviously not the kind you put outside the door, as they'd soon disintegrate in the rain! 

The mums and tots absolutely loved them! 

I could show you a picture perfect version, but this is the work of one of our tots!

Of course, they're made with a craft staple of ours, the good old paper plate! 

Equipment:

• Paper Plates/Scissors
• Tissue paper light green & dark green
• Holly and Berry shapes (see below for stockists)
• Ribbon/Sellotape
• PVA glue/spreaders
• Baby wipes

Preparation:

This craft involves a bit of prep. First you need to order/make your Holly shapes. Then you need to cut out the centre of your paper plates. You also need to rough cut up two shades of green tissue paper. you could use just one colour, but two adds a nice touch of light and shade. Also, cut Short lengths of ribbon for hanging and final touches.

Here's 'the one we made earlier'!

We usually make a 'here's one we made earlier' to help the mums and tots see what we are trying to achieve and of course we lay out materials on the day.

Method:

1. Cover the paper plate rim with glue. If using PVA, it needs to be spread thinly, or you will end up with a gloopy mess, that takes a while to dry!

2. Layer a mix of dark and light green tissue paper over the glue.

3. Add holly leaves and berries. We aimed for about 6-8 Holly leaves per plate. 

4. Add a loop of ribbon to the back of the wreath (at the top) with selloptape. This will enable the wreath to be hung up.

5. Add two pieces of ribbon to the bottom of the wreath, for a nice finishing touch.


*The Holly Stickers came from Baker Ross. They also make larger cardboard holly shapes, but these look a little more expensive. You can, of course, cut your own, if you prefer!

Baker Ross actually make a Wreath Foam Blank, which is probably easier than cutting out loads of paper plates, but it's nice to create something with more of a home made touch.


Please note: any links to or mentions of specific materials are purely to aid sourcing, no earnings are made via these links.