Fun with colored popcorn kernels

Today we put out colored popcorn kernels for a 

Thanksgiving sensory activity.The kids had such fun

pouring, measuring and sorting the kernels we 

decided to use them for our turkey craft. To color 

the kernels pour them into gallon size zip lock bags. 

Add tempera paint and mix the paint and kernels 

together. Lay them  out on newspaper (I put mine outside in the Phoenix 

sunshine) and let them dry overnight. We then filled shallow boxes 

with the kernels, added small cups, spoons and funnels. 

At the art center we cut heavy paper plates in half. 

The kids painted the plates with white glue.For easy cleanup and  

drying we did this on sheets of wax paper. After the plates were

covered in glue, we set them in the box of popcorn kernels

and let the kids cover the plate with the  colorful kernels. 

For the turkey head  the kids added eyes, a beak, a gobble

 and feet to a brown circle. Use a heaping blob of

 glue to add the turkey face to the plate. 

What cute Thanksgiving  turkeys!

Supplies needed

brown, yellow, orange and red paint

gallon size zip-lock bags

newspaper for drying

heavy paper plates

white glue

brown , orange and red construction paper

googly eyes

shallow boxes

assorted cups, spoons and funnels

Leaf prints

I love fall crafting!

Today we did one of my favorite fall

crafts,leaf prints.The kids picked out large 

leaves. Using fall colors they painted their leaves.

What fun they had painting leaves picked from

the trees out back! Once painted we laid a piece of white 

construction paper on top of the leaves and had the kids press

the paper onto the painted leaf. We discovered the they could
get two prints out of each painted leaf. The kids had such fun with this
craft!They loved the surprise of seeing the leaf prints as they
lifted the construction paper.
Supplies needed
leaves
newspaper for less mess
paint
paint pots & brushes
construction paper

Kazoo's

Kids love making musical instruments. 

Today my kids loved making and playing their kazoo's.

We started out with paint pots, brushes and toilet paper 

tubes. Painting is always a favorite activity here at Homespun 

Childcare.After the kazoo's were all painted we sat them aside to dry.

 Once dried I used a pencil to poke a hole in the tube, added

 wax paper and secured the wax paper with a rubber band.

 The kids had a great time talking, humming and 

singing into the kazoo's.

Supplies needed

toilet paper rolls

paint and brushes

wax paper cut into circles

rubber bands

Jj is for jelly fish

We had lots of fun today making jelly fish. 

I started by giving each child half a sturdy paper plate.

They enjoyed choosing their favorite colors of 

paint  to paint the jelly fish. We added large googly 

eyes, then carefully turned the plates over and the kids picked out 

colorful ribbons  to glue on for the jelly fishes tentacles. I love simple 

crafts that allow the kids to have fun and be creative!

Supplies needed

paper plates

paint 

paint brushes

googly eyes

ribbon

glue

God is good.

 It's letter Gg this week.
We are so happy that God has sent us cool weather!

We can do our preschool activities outside.
The kids love it when we do our lessons out back. 

Today we used golf balls to paint our Bible verse art.
I like to use open ended art when teaching Bible thoughts
and verses. That way I don't have to worry about cutting
 out lots of craft  pieces, trying to build crafts that are not age
appropriate, and that  frustrate the kids and myself!

 I can focus on Gods word while the kids have fun with art.
Each child has a shallow box, golf balls and paper. I put the
balls to the side of the box, put paint on the golf balls
and let the kids roll them across the paper. As the children  enjoy the
 art activity we talk about the Bible story and the Bible verse.
No matter how young or old the kids are they love golf ball painting!
After they are done, we add our Bible thought or verse.
Supplies needed
shallow boxes
golf balls
paint
paper
Bible verse

Fall leaves

We love fall here in phoenix, it means we are finishing up

 with 110 degree days! The kids love warming 

tray art, so today we celebrated the beginning of 

fall by doing fall leaves on the warming

tray.  I found my trays at thrift shops. If you can't

find any an old electric griddle on warm will

work. Remind the kids the tray is warm so be sure not to touch.

 I set blocks on the ends of the tray, and a folded dish towel on the bottom

as a precaution, although they are warm not hot. Jumbo

crayons with the paper removed works great for this project. 

Coloring on the warm tray is very soothing and the kids love to watch 

the crayons melt as they color.The finished art work becomes

 transparent and looks beautiful hanging on the windows. 

Supplies needed

warming tray

blocks & towel for the tray

jumbo crayons

pre-cut leaves

      God made the world.

I found these cute painting tools at Walmart 

and knew my kids would love painting with them. And
 they did! Today we learned about God's creation.

I set out blue and green paint, the fun brushes

and paper plates.The kids had a great time dipping 

the brushes in the paint and squishing them

 onto their paper plate worlds. When they were done
we added the Bible verse "In the beginning
God created the heavens and the earth"
Genesis 1:1.
Supplies needed
painting tools
blue and green paint
paper plates
Bible verse