DLTK's Kids

This website is perfect for Sunday school teachers, Bible school teachers, and moms.  When I worked at First Baptist Church Child Development Center in Anderson, this was my go-to-website.  I've even used it to create projects for my English III students (juniors!).  It's extremely easy to navigate.  So check it out for a great idea! 

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

Swan Mask

Reason for Resourcefulness:
After watching Swan Lake, my daughter wanted to dress up as a swan. 

The Creation:

1 Paper Plate

2 Coffee Filters

1 Sheet of white paper

1 Sheet of orange paper

2 Pieces of Ribbon or String

Glue and Scissors

1. Cut the paper plate in half. 

2. Hold up to your child's face and mark two places for the eyes and one place for the nose (The nose should stick out of the bottom.)  Mark a spot above each ear for the ribbon or string.

3. Use a quarter to make two circles.  Cut the circles out for the eyes. 

4. Cut out a triangle notch about a 1/4 of an inch high where you marked the nose.
5. Punch holes for ribbon.  Feed the ribbon through the whole and tie a knot on the front side of the mask.   The two pieces of ribbon should tie together in back.
6.  Help your child cut the coffee filters with children's scissors.  The messy the cuts the better.
7. To make the beak, roll one corner of the construction paper into a cone.  Tape down and cut the excess paper.  Tape the beak over the triangle notch you cut into the mask.  (Don't worry, the feathers will hide the tape.)
8. Trace your child's four fingers on the white paper, but instead of rounding out the tips of the fingers create a point.  (Trace your child's hand for slender feathers and because they love it!)  Tape these on the sides of the paper plate, flush with the bottom of the mask and covering the ribbon.
9.  Now allow your child to glue the coffee filter feathers on the mask.  Remember...Messy is better!  Bumps and Crumples add depth!

Fam Mail

The Reason for Resourcefulness:

My daughter wanted to play mailcarrier, and she needed a mailbox for her letters. 

The Creation:

1 Empty Cardboard Box (cracker, cereal, or cookie box)
1 Sales Paper
1 Paper Towel Roll (I actually used two toilet rolls, but I think a paper towel roll would be better.)
1 Empty Plastic Coffee Container
1 Shish-Kabob Skewer (I actually used a screw, and if I were to use a skewer, I suggest using only 4 inches.)
1 Eraser
4 Clothespins (Or the number of people in your family.)
Tape or Glue (whatever is available)
Decorating materials (paint, stickers, markers, glitter, construction paper, etc)

Step One--The Cardboard Box
The box will act as the mailbox's base. 
1. Before decorating it, stuff it with the crumpled sales paper and tape it shut. 
2. Lay it flat and trace the inside of the paper towel roll's diameter on center of the box.  You want the hole to be a hair smaller than the roll's actual diameter so that it will be secure in the hole.  The paper should also help sturdy the roll. 
3. Cut this circle out.
4. Allow your child to decorate the box.  (My daughter and I made it look like a flower patch.  We wrapped the box in green paper, and she painted flowers on it's top.)

Step Two--The Paper Towel Roll
The paper towel roll acts as the mailbox's pole.
1. Allow your child to decorate the paper towel roll.  (My daughter painted it blue and white.)

****Before continuing, trace the center of the roll's diameter on the bottom of the plastic coffee container.

2. On one end, coat the first 1/4 of an inch in glue.  Squeeze the end of the paper towel roll slightly and push it into the hole you created in the cardboard box. 

Step Three--The Plastic Coffee Container
1. Cut out the circle created for the paper towel roll.
2. Punch a hole in the side of the container.
3. Allow your child to decorate the coffee container.
4. After your child has decorated the coffee container, insert the Shish-Kabob skewer.  Push the eraser on the end inside the coffee container to stabilize the stick and to keep your kids safe.

Step Four--The Clothes Pins
1. Write each person in your family's name on each clothespin.  (We painted ours red so that it would look look like the flag on our mailbox.)

Step Five--Play
We gave our mail to our daughter, who delivered the mail.  She clipped the clothespin to the skewer to indicate who in the house had mail.