What is a good craft for preschoolers?

Question

I'm looking for a good craft for preschool aged kids (2-4 year olds) for a Moms group that I'm a part of. Nothing too expensive and something that would take about 20 minutes to complete. Please help!

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Junk modelling:

Ask everyone to bring in junk from home-cereal boxes, kitchen roll, milk lids etc

Then have lots of glue, glitter, paint and odds and ends. Then children can create whatever they feel like from a rocket or train to just a pretty looking box :) Its great because it individual, allows children to explore differnet media and its more creative than saying "everyone make a boat"...this way child can think "wow what can this be?"

Printing

Place thin layer of paint-use hands, fingers or add things into it for children to create a pattern-then gently push down a piece of card and the pattern should print on....i usually add a bit of glue or cornflour to stiffen it up so it doesnt run everywhere :)

Sock puppets:

Everyone brings in an old sock-decorate with fabric pens, googly eyes etc...either parents can sew stuff on for children or use a stringish glue!

Instruments:

Make shakers from pringle tubs and rice, drum from cereal box and foil, guitar using tight string etc

For more ideas check out:

www.crayola.co.uk

www.underfives.co.uk

Answer 2

We definately encourage open ended projects at this age...possibly you could do a foam doorknob hanger or frame "collage" where they glue or stick (they have self-stick) foam shapes onto the doorknob hanger or frame.  Michael's usually carries foam frames.  I got mine for a dollar a piece.  Dollar stores usually have foam door hangers as well as foam shapes.

Do you have a theme?  It's easier to think of ideas when you have a theme.  :-)

Pipe cleaners and foam shapes to lace or those pom pom-a-longs to lace.

How about just providing paper and watercolors...you can make your own watercolors...many a recipe out there.  Then provide the moms with the recipe...something they can do at home.  Same for playdough.  We usually do the cinnamon and applesauce recipe in the winter but it can be done any time.  Use cookie cutters to make shapes, use a straw to punch a hole on the top and allow to dry.  Then add ribbon after harden.  My children made these in a playgroup close to 3 years ago and they still have scent.  :-)

Good luck.

Answer 3

Foam doorknob hangers are great! I've seen them at Dollar stores, and walmart.  You can get all sorts of pre-cut designs/animals to glue onto them.  And they don't tear up so easy.  And actually my kids (2 and 4) love to play with play-doh and moon-sand more than anything.  Not the cleanest crafty toy, but it really gets their imaginations going, and keeps their attention for a long time!  Well worth the 5 minute cleanup!  My toddlers also love to make fridge magnets out of foam cutouts or paper plates...they can trace their hands, or glue cutouts onto them..just look for magnet rolls in craft section of store, and there will be lots of ideas close by to make on the magnets.

Answer 4

The Animal Alphabet Puppets (http://www.quality-kids-crafts.com/puppe... on my website are great fun.  If the mom's group meets weekly, you could do one letter per week, and there are coloring pages that go with the puppets (http://www.quality-kids-crafts.com/free-...

Check out the blog for the latest updates (http://www.quality-kids-crafts.com/kids-...

All of the printables on the site are free, and no registration is required.  I even take special requests!  

Have fun!