Ancient Egyptian Paddle Dolls

We finished Week 7, and Unit 1, in BiblioPlan: Ancients this week, and we haven't completed any craft projects. I decided that we would make an Egyptian Paddle Doll to conclude Unit 1. My kids do love making things, especially toys.

Paddle dolls

What you need:
cardboard
paint or markers
yarn or string
wooden beads
hole puncher

Step One: Cut the cardboard into the shape of a paddle.

Step Two: Paint the cardboard to look like a doll - the bigger end on the bottom, and the smaller end on top. I had the kids try to paint Egyptian designs on the doll, but ultimately I let the project be totally their own.

Step Three: String wooden beans on strips of yarn or thread. Tie them well, so they don't fall off!

Step Four: Punch 4 or 5 holes around the head of the doll, and tie the beads on the doll.

Step Five: Admire your new paddle doll! {And try not to break her...}

We love such simple projects! Hopefully, the kids will remember a little about Ancient Egypt when they look at their dolls.

Clothespin Race Cars!

The kids and I made these adorable Clothespin Race Cars this week! It was fun painting them, although I had to do most of the wheel-work, as it involved hot glue!

Here's what you need:

• clothespins
• acrylic paint
• bamboo skewers
• straws
• buttons {at least an inch, more is better}
• hot glue

Here's what you do:

Step One: Let your child paint the clothespin however he wants. It needs to dry for several hours {we let ours dry overnight}.

Step Two: Cut the bamboo skewers into about two and half inch pieces. Cut the straws a little smaller than the skewers. {Measuring is not important. Some of ours weren't exactly the same size and they worked fine!}

Step Three: Hot glue one end of the bamboo skewer to the center of a button. Thread the straw piece on and then hot glue the other button to the other end of the bamboo skewer. Let dry.

Step Four: Open the clothespin and insert one wheel axel. Hot glue the other to the back of the clothespin.

Step Five: Race them!

Let me know if you make one of the Clothespin Race Cars!

Tissue Paper Wreath!

Mikaela made this super easy, super cute tissue paper wreath this weekend! It was an idea that I saw on Pinterest and sent to her. It uses minimal supplies, took her around 2 hours total, and can be used for all sorts of decorating!

Supplies Needed:

• an old cardboard box or piece of cardboard {we used an Amazon box}
• tissue paper in any color {we chose turquoise and gold}
• hole puncher
• scissors

Step One:

Trace a large circle on your cardboard box. Next, trace a smaller circler inside the large circle. We used mixing bowls in two sizes. Use whatever size you want your wreath to be! {You don't want it too thick, or it will be hard to punch holes in the middle.}

Step Two:

Using a hole puncher, punch holes all over the cardboard wreath. Don't punch them too close together, as the tissue paper is really fluffy!

Step Three:

Cut your tissue paper into 5 inch squares. Take the middle of a square of tissue paper and twist, making a flower shape.

Step Four:

Poke the pointy end of the tissue paper through the holes in the wreath, alternating colors. Pull tightly so that tissue paper won't fall out.

Step Five:

Enjoy your beautiful wreath!

You could use pastels for a spring or Easter wreath to hang on your door! Mikaela is hanging her wreath in her bedroom. She enjoyed this simple project - all except the hole punching part! Punching holes in cardboard is not easy. Her hand was a little sore!

Linking up with Blogging Through the Alphabet!

Easy Peasy Penny Spinners!

This week, Mercie, Silas, and Titus made these Easy Peasy Penny Spinners. Seriously, it was one of the easiest projects we have ever made, and they have played with these non-stop! I consider this a "handicraft", because toy-making is a skill that will benefit your children all throughout their lives! Plus, we got to recycle a pancake-on-a-stick box.

 

Here is what you need:

 

an old cereal box or cardboard of similar weight

a cup and pencil for tracing

scissors for cutting

markers and stickers for decorating

a sharp knife

a penny {or nickel...or dime...or quarter...}

Step One - Trace around a cup with a pencil for the outline.

Step Two: Cut the circle out. It doesn't have to be perfect.

Step Three: Decorate your circle. My kids used markers and star stickers.

Step Four: Cut a small slit in the center of your circle. Push a penny through.

Step Five: Spin!!

My kids had a blast with these penny spinners.

 

Linking up with:

Stained Glass for Kids: Charlotte Mason Handicrafts

Charlotte Mason encouraged children to learn handicrafts. A handicraft differs from a craft in this way: a handicraft is something useful, and a craft is something you will probably throw away after it hangs on the fridge for a week. A handicraft is a skill your child {or you} will learn. As I was searching for handicrafts my children to work on this week, I came across a stained glass project that looked relatively easy. This is a project that will hang in our windows for a long time; this is a skill my children can learn and perfect as they get older.

Supplies needed:

8x10 picture frame
white glue
clear glue
black acrylic paint
assorted acrylic paints
clear spray enamel
hot glue
ribbon or chain to hang the frame
printed black-and-white stained glass pattern {we used stained glass coloring sheets}


Step One: Choose your pattern. We did a quick Google search for "stained glass coloring pictures". Print off the pattern you like - remember, simple is better for this project.

Step Two: Empty out a small amount of the white glue. Add a few drops of black acrylic paint and mix well. We used a craft stick to mix ours.

Step Three: Line up your pattern under the glass from the picture frame. {Take glass out of frame.} Using the now-black glue, trace your pattern. Go slowly! Add a border if there isn't one on your pattern.

Step Four: Let it dry overnight.

Step Five: Mix the clear glue with the colored acrylic paints; I used almost equal parts.

Step Six: Paint your glass!

Step Seven: After it is completely dry, spray with clear enamel.

Step Eight: Hot glue the glass into the frame. You will not put the back on the frame.

Step Nine: Hot glue ribbon or chain to the back of the frame. Hang in a window!!

I hope to feature many more handicrafts in the following months!

Click the banner below to read even more handicrafts and get some ideas for your children or yourself!