The Perfect Canada Day Craft / Beaver Paper Bag Puppet

I love holiday crafts, and this one is perfect for Canada Day. All you need is a paper lunch bag, crayons, cardstock, glue, and googly eyes. This beaver paper bag puppet is just TOO ADORABLE!

To make this puppet:

1) Draw all the beaver parts pictured above, or get the template I designed here.

2) Colour and cut out all the parts.

3) Use glue to attach all the parts. Make sure you attach the parts in the folds so that it looks good when you insert your hand into the puppet. Take a peek at the video here to see what the puppet looks like when it's finished.

Happy Canada Day!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the fantastic Canada Day ideas here.

Preschool Workbook / A fun way to learn numbers 1-10 / Number Crafts

When my three kids were little, I always tried to make learning fun... and crafting was one of our favourite activities. Today, I'm sharing the NEW book I wrote which highlights the crafts we did when I was teaching them about numbers. It's like a 40+ page workbook with lots of photos and templates -- AND it's only $2.99 US. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, you can do it here.

Here are some examples of the ideas and crafts that are included in my book. You are going to love all the craft templates included!

This workbook is perfect for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and preschool teachers. If you are looking for an easy and fun way to teach little ones, grab your copy of my new book here.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

How to make a PAPER SPINNER

Sometimes simple, old fashioned ideas are the best ones. These paper spinners are a perfect example. They are easy to make, and they are a lot of fun to play with. I remember making them when I was a child, and then I made them with my boys. It's a craft and a game... the perfect 2 for 1 idea!

To make a colourful spinner:

1) Cut two identical circles from a piece of heavy cardstock, and poke holes in the centre of the circles (about 1cm apart).

2) Use bright colours to colour the two cirles.

3) Use a glue stick to glue the insides the circles together... being careful to line up the holes.

4) Thread the piece of string through the holes and secure with a knot.

5) Hold the ends of the strings, twirl the circle, and watch the circle spin when you stop twirling.

Check out this video for a visual description of the instructions:

Isn't this a fun little activity? It really is a great craft for children of all ages. Tweens and teens will like it too!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Penny Spinners... a simple paper craft for kids

Sometimes a simple paper craft is the perfect way to entertain kids, so a few weeks ago I made these adorable penny spinners with my boys. They were fun to create, and even more fun to play with when they were finished. Today, I am sharing the simple instructions for this lovely little art project for kids... including an easy to follow video.

First, you'll need two circles. I used a cereal box for one circle and a piece of white card stock for the other. I wanted the strength of the cereal box and the bright white colour of the card stock (to highlight the bright colours of the markers).

Then, have the kids colour a pattern onto the white circle, cut a slit in the centre of the circles, and insert a penny.

My boys had a great time creating many different patterns, and watching the colours when they spun them.

Check out the video my boys made here:

Cute, right? I love that this craft works for kids of all ages. (Just make sure that an adult cuts the slit for the penny!) I highly recommend making penny spinners with your kids. It's easy, inexpensive, and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon together.

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Valentine's Day Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers (with free printable)

I love a simple craft that only requires basic crafting supplies, don't you? This Valentine's Day craft just uses paper and glue, and it couldn't be cuter!

First, download and print one of the heart templates I designed (below). 

Right-click on one of the pictures below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8X10 photo.

Then, have the child rip bits of construction paper and glue them to the heart. This is a fantastic (and simple) Valentine that kids can make for someone special. Cute, right?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

Leprechaun Paper Doll {free template}

I am so excited about today's post.  I designed an adorable leprechaun paper doll, and I am sharing it with you for free! It's an adorable craft, and it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

To make your own leprechaun paper doll (with changeable shirts):

1) Download the printable template here, and print it onto white card stock.

2) Cut out all the pieces (being careful not to cut off the "tabs" on the shirts).

3) Decorate the leprechaun and shirts.

3) Tape a popsicle to the back if you want your leprechaun to be a puppet.

That's it!  Isn't this leprechaun paper doll puppet adorable? The fact that you can change the shirts really ups the "cute factor", don't you think?  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can find 10 more EASY and INEXPENSIVE St. Patrick's Day ideas here.)

Alphabet Crafts - Letter I

Last week my four year old and I had some fun with the letter I. We made a paper Ice cream cone (with sprinkles), and we did a little letter I printing practice.

To make the ice cream cone craft:

1)  Cut a circle and triangle from white card stock.
2)  Have the child color the cone.
3)  Tape the "ice cream" and "cone" together.
4)  Have the child decorate the ice cream cone with "sprinkles" by crunching up bits of tissue paper and gluing them onto the card stock.

That's it! Cute, right?

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter I with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

My little guy even had some ice cream as a special "I" snack while he practiced his printing.

Looking for a few more letter I crafts and activities? 

Check out this adorable igloo craft. Draw an igloo shape on a piece of coloured paper. Then, use glue to cover the igloo with "ice blocks" (white squares of paper) and a picture of the child. Finish the project by using Q-tips and white paint to add snowflakes.

You could also have your child decorate a letter I with colourful stickers. "Peeling and sticking" is a great way to develop fine motor skills.

And have a look at this adorable "letter I" iguana. Start with an "I", and then add a head, tail, googly eyes, and a paper tongue.

Fun, right? Next up... the letter "J"!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Alphabet Crafts - Letter H

Yesterday my four year old and I had some fun with the letter H. We made a paper Hat, and we did a little letter H printing practice. Who doesn't love an old fashioned paper hat? Keep reading for the step by step instructions... and lots of letter H fun!

To make the paper hat:

1)  Let your child pick his/her favorite color of construction paper, and tape four pieces together to create one large rectangle.

2)  Fold the paper in half lengthwise.

3)  Fold the top corners down so that they meet in the middle.

4)  Turn up the bottom flap, flip over, and do the same on the other side.  

5)  Have the child decorate that hat with crayons, markers, or stickers.

That's it! Cute, right?

After our craft, we did a little printing practice. If you want to practice printing the letter H with your little one, you can right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it.

I made some hot chocolate as a special "h" snack for my little guy to enjoy while he practiced writing the letter H.

If you are looking for more letter H crafts, why not make a house out of a letter H? Use construction paper for the roof, door, and chimney. Then, add a button for a doorknob.

It's also fun to decorate the letter H with "Halloween" stickers and "hearts".

Fun, right?  Next up... the letter "I"!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more alphabet crafts here.

Valentine's Day Headband

Yesterday I made this easy and inexpensive craft with a group of toddlers and preschoolers, and it was a big hit.  Don't you just love this adorable Valentine's Day headband?

It is simple to make with a few supplies you probably already have on hand.  You'll need: cardstock, tissue paper, stickers or crayons, scissors, and glue.  

Here's how you make one:

1)  Cut two (2-inch wide) strips and a heart from white cardstock.
2)  Cut some read tissue paper into 1-inch squares.
3)  Tape the two strips together to form one long strip, and tape the heart to the centre.
4)  Have the children decorate the band with stickers or crayons.
5)  Have the children scrunch up tissue paper and glue it to the heart.  Continue until the entire heart is covered.
6)  Size the band to fit the child's head, and tape it in place.

I think this headband is the perfect Valentine's Day craft to do with one child or with a group of kids.  If you make one, let me know how it turns out.  Happy Valentine's Day!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)