Draw me a star- Craft for those parents who cant do craft.

So it’s a rainy drizzly week so a drizzly activity to add to the list.

Aside from my work with http://www.brisbanekids.com.au, I am also completing a Graduate Diploma of Education in Early Childhood- and am doing my prac in a grade one/two mixed age classroom.  As I complete my studies, I look forward to sharing what I can, that might be useful in entertaining, educating or annoying your child (ok forget the last one)

Over a couple of years of buying $2 crafty stuff whenever I go grocery shopping, thru to the collection of egg cartons, heaps of paint and anything remotely crafty looking.. I now have an impressive craft bookshelf (according to my 3yr old who oohs and ahhs at it). 

What you may not know, is for all the enthusiasm I have in the world.. here it is.. I suck at craft..

So it is any wonder that one of my main goals in completing my teaching prac is to become better at craft. So maybe I can help you along the way. This could be a bit of a long journey but along the way I can promise you simple, basic, easy.. you name it.. you can do it CRAFT.  So here goes for activity NO1.

Draw Me A Star- Craft Activity.. 1

Craft Stuff you need

Star Templates this is just a fancy name for two stars about 15 cm high, that you can cut out on card

Crepe Paper in a multitude of colours> costs about $1.50 a colour- BUT you only use about 1/20^th of each packet.. so it really is ultra cheap.. you could get away with using one or two colours

Glue School Glue is fine or pvc.. either way the cost is tiny- a couple of dollars- and u will reuse it heaps.

Eric Carles, Draw me a Star- this is not absolutely necessary BUT this is a book written by the guy that wrote the hungry caterpillar and he is a genius in illustration and writing- so well worth the investment.

Some Ribbon- any old the ribbon- or you could use string or cotton.

How to

1.       Read- Draw me a star- it is a great excuse to read it.. and aside from this, for older children you can show them some real links to illustration and real craft

2.       If you want to go to his site- Eric Carle has videos that show you HOW he illustrates. GOLD. 

3.       Ok- so cut out the star – depending on the age of the child is whether you do it for them, or let them give it a go.

4.       Shred the crepe paper, into tiny pieces (half the size of a stamp)- for older kids getting them to shred the paper from strips is a great motor development task.

5.       Pretty simple- collage the crepe paper on one side of each star

6.       Glue stars together (uncollaged side down)

7.       Dry

8.       Hole punch or staple the ribbon and hang-

I know not awesomely pretty - BUT made from the heart by a 3yr old

Beautiful, authentic art- perfect for a homemade xmas decoration..sort of hahahaha

This took us about 45 min and my master 3 (nearly 4) thoroughly enjoyed himself (as did I). I did one half and he did the other but for older kids you could easily get them to do one or more by themselves.

This is pretty simple craft, but therefore achieveable by ANYONE- If you are seeking a master mum at this sort of thing- then you should check out Rhyme time- who offer the most amazing kids activities. I dedicate this activity to them.

Love and Light

x Ngaire