Number Crafts {Number FIVE}... Teddy Bear Picnic

I teach a weekly class for preschoolers called "123 Learn with Me". Each week, we learn about numbers through a variety of activities and crafts. This week, we had some fun learning about the number five through a "teddy bear picnic" theme.

To learn about the number five, we decorated a number five coloring sheet, did some printing practice, made some bear ears, crafted a bear puppet, and snacked on teddy bear trail mix.

To make the bear ears:

1) Download the template for the ears (here), print it onto card stock, and have the children color the ears and cut them out.
2) Cut 1" strips of paper, tape them together to form a headband, and attach the ears with glue or tape.

To make the paper bag bear puppet:

1) Download the template for the bear's ears, snout, and arms (here), print it onto card stock, and have the children color and cut out all the parts.

2) Glue all the parts to a paper bag, and add a couple of googly eyes.

To make the teddy bear trail mix:

1) Print the recipe by right-clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular 8X10 photo.
2) Attach the recipe to a little picnic basket (or favor box or bag), set out the ingredients, and let the kids make their own trail mix.

Isn't this a cute way to learn about the number five?  I'll be sharing our crafts and activities for the number six soon, so don't forget to come back and check them out.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

NOTE: You can download all the templates for the bear crafts and number five worksheets here.

PS - You can grab a copy of my 40+ page "Numbers" WORKBOOK here.

You might also be interested in the video here:

Peanut Butter Teddy Bear Cookies

Every summer, my boys and I have a "Teddy Bear Picnic", and we always eat homemade peanut butter "Teddy Bear" cookies.  We bake them and decorate them together, and the boys love them.

Want to make them for your own picnic?  Here's what you do:  

Cream together: 

• 1 cup butter 
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Then, beat in two eggs.

In a separate bowl, mix:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Mix wet and dry ingredients together.  Then, let the kids roll a 1 inch ball {for the face} and two smaller balls {for the ears}.  Flatten slightly. 

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 10 - 11 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Do not over-bake. 

Once they have cooled slightly, you can add the eyes (chocolate chips) and nose (a Smartie or M&M).  Then, after they have cooled completely, you can add an "icing" mouth.

Cute, right?  All you need are these cookies, a blanket, some teddies, and some cute kids to have a picnic with.

Enjoy!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teddy Bear Picnic

Yesterday, we "checked" one more item off our Summer Checklist... "Have a Teddy Bear Picnic". All you need for a perfect afternoon with your little one is: a teddy bear, a blanket, and the perfect snacks!

Seriously... what is more fun than eating outside with your teddy bear?

For the main course {wink}, we had peanut butter sandwiches.

And for dessert, we made peanut butter teddy bear cookies.  They are easy, cute and super-fun!

To make these adorable cookies:

Cream together: 

• 1 cup butter 
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Then, beat in two eggs.

In a separate bowl, mix:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Then, let the kids roll a 1-inch ball (for the face) and two smaller balls (for the ears). Flatten slightly.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 10 - 11 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Do not over-bake. 

Have you ever had a Teddy Bear Picnic with your little ones?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teddy Bear Picnic

The sun is shining, and today was a perfect day for a Teddy Bear Picnic.  The boys packed their favorite "friend", and I made a picnic lunch -- including some special cookies.  Take a look.... it was easy and a "beary" good time {sorry... I couldn't help myself!}.

The boys posing with their "Teddy Bears".

Here is the recipe we used for our cookies, and here is how we made them (see below).  I know they aren't fancy, but didn't they turn out cute?

Step 1:  Roll the dough into two small balls and one bigger ball.

Step 2:  Attach the three balls together and flatten them down a little.

Step 3:  Add chocolate chips for eyes, a Smartie nose and a red icing mouth.

We even brought one of our favorite books to the park -- The Teddy Bears' Picnic.  (I hope no one heard me singing it.  If so, I apologize.)  ;-)

What a great way to spend an afternoon!

♥

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)