More Crafts for Older Grandkids~ My last blog was about an idea for older-age grands and a craft that was appropriate for their age. When we got together to make Navajo talking sticks, we also did some water color. I printed out "We Give Thanks" lists for place settings at our holiday table wherein each guest could record their list of blessings. Procedure~ I printed them out before the grands got to my house--two per 8x10 printer paper. Then the girls did a crayon-resist water color to embellish the sheets. They drew their own twig shape with colorful autumn leaves down the side. Then they gave each guest room to record their items of gratitude. I'm thinking this is also a good art activity for preschoolers as well. They could draw their leaves, turkeys, whatever holiday motif they wanted. Or they could keep with the same design and dip their fingertips in finger paint for finger-print leaves making them a great keepsake for parents, grandparents and others! You get the idea~ They are placed at each setting for guests to write their list of things for which they are grateful. Once again I would like to repeat. Besides creating something to donate to the Thanksgiving traditions, they are spending some quality time with YOU, the grandparent. It's such a quiet, relaxing time...a great bonding time, and besides sharing ideas and traditions with your grandchildren, this blog is also about carving out some enriching time to spend with your grandchildren. As we hear time and again, seize the day! Now on to the little guys! If your grands are even younger and you're searching for a craft they can make to decorate your table, there are a wealth of ideas online. You have only to do a search for "children Thanksgiving crafts" on Google or Pinterest. I found these charming Pilgrims at bellagreydesigns.com. And more~ You can also use these cute pilgrims and Indians for puppets. They are perfect! Just add a rolled construction paper stick to the back and viola! You've got a great puppet. You can even drag out that puppet show curtain I blogged about on October 8, and have the grands put on a puppet show after the feast. Final thoughts~ I've heard it said and I'm sure you have too--the Thanksgiving holiday is really the BEST! No presents to buy, no tree to put up, no rushing around. Just a wonderful meal and time spent with family and grandchildren. "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." William Arthur Ward The website for these charming pilgrims: www.bellagreydesigns.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-crafts.html And another~ (This one actually has a pattern.)
booksandgiggles.com/2015/11/toilet-roll-pilgrims.html/
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Procedure~ I'm not good at giving step by step instructions for art activities, mostly because I'm a "by-the-seat-of-my-pants" girl. I just throw all the art supplies in the middle of the table with a sample of what we're trying to create, and we have at it! I was able to buy a package of 12-inch wooden dowels at the craft store--perfect size. Then I bought leather, feathers, leather strips, colored bands of yarn/string and washi tape in what I considered a Native American motif. I did hot-glue a piece of leather around each dowel before my grands got there as the glue gun can get so hot, and I didn't want any burned fingers. But the girls did the rest. We did tape the feathers on with just regular scotch tape, and then covered it all with the washi tape. I think they look really good. And my girls learned something about a Native American custom. And you don't have to bring them out just for Thanksgiving. Talking sticks can be used for family meetings as well.....anytime of the year. Use them for saying grace at your house throughout the year--maybe for Sunday dinner at gramma's! A bit of history about Talking Sticks~ A talking stick is a tool used by many Native American tribes when a council meeting is called. It is passed around from person to person. Only the person holding the stick is allowed to speak. Members in attendance are asked to bow their heads and close their eyes when someone is speaking so they can truly focus on the speaker's words. Many Native American children are taught to listen from age 3 and on, and that they must respect other's view point. According to the website, First People~the Legends, "The Talking Stick is the tool that teaches each of us to honor the Sacred Point of View of every living creature." I've listed some websites you might find informative so that, in addition to sharing the creation of a talking stick, you can share with your grands the history as well. For example, it is symbolic what wood you use in the stick as well as the colors chosen. Animal skins are also an important choice right down to the horse hair you can see in my stick. (Curious about the use of horse hair? I was too--it represents perseverance.) indiancountrymedianetwork.com/history/events/talking-stick-and-feather-indigenous-tools-hold-sacred-power-of-free-speech/ One last note~ I love doing crafts with my grands and I'm sure you do too. It's a relaxing time, and often a time when they feel comfortable to share their own thoughts and feelings with a grandparent. It's important to share customs and traditions. . . your own. . . as well as customs from other peoples with whom we share this world. Love this season. . . a time of thanksgiving and family! "Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart." Seneca And finally~
Tomorrow's blog? Thanksgiving crafts for the little guys--for parents, grandparents and GREAT grandparents with preschoolers! Watch for it!
Procedure~ Be sure to put your grand in an apron--that's half the fun. Then get out all ingredients and equipment. I did let my granddaughter measure the ingredients. I even let her chop the apples. First I peeled and cut the apple in big chunks. Then she did the rest of the cutting herself with a plastic nice. Very safe. More Connections~ You can plan an activity around just about any book your grand enjoys. Simply read the book and see what extended activity the book suggests in your mind. The possibilities are endless. Favorite books for 4-5 age groups are many. Reading "Be Nice to Spiders"? Make a spider--and a 3-dimensional one is really fun. Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish"? Make a fish on a line! Another favorite that's still available for this age group is "George and Martha." Instead of making Martha's split pea soup, make her chocolate chip cookies! A never-ending array of choices when enriching the book experience with your grand! Always fun for both generations! Parting thoughts~
I know my readers have extended various reading activities with your grands--whether it was writing your own books based on a favorite book, cooking or doing some art activity. Please write me and share. I would love to hear. Books mentioned today that are a favorite of preschoolers: "George and Martha" by James Marshall "Be Nice to Spiders" by Margaret Bloy Graham "Swimmy" by Leo Lionni "One Fish, Two Fish" by Dr. Seuss "The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carle Great blog for children's art ideas~ artbarblog.com |
AuthorRetired school teacher and now full time grandmother sharing ideas and looking for new ones about grandparenting! Archives
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