Contact_FullName: Candi
Contact_Email: pacquo@yahoo.com
Area: nap time
Idea:
for Christmas this year, i decided to go with the "night before Christmas" theme for the nap room. I made headboards out of brown construction paper with each childs name on it and place on the wall right above each childs cot. Then i had the kids make gingerbread man, candy canes, angels, lollipops, trees for the sugarplums that i hung above them, along with Christmas lights. everyday at nap time, i turned the lights on and read them a Christmas story and they were fast asleep. "the children were all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads" the kids loved the nap room!
Contact_FullName: Randy
Contact_Email: Birdy2498@aol.com
Area: Christmas
Idea:
This is actually for after Christmas. Cut the shape of a tree out of heavy construction paper or tagboard. Water down some glue for the children to paint on the tree. Then have them pull the needles off of pine tree branches and drop on to the glue. We do this the week that we come back from Christmas. Our theme is "The After Christmas Tree".
Contact_FullName: Mary
Contact_Email: Memaw62@earthlink.net
date:: 010503
Area: Sensory Table
Idea:
At Christmas, I cut off the bottom few branches of our Christmas tree and put them in the sensory table with several pair of scissors. Kids love to cut the branches and the room smells great! I got the idea from my director who taught for many years and is always ready with super ideas!
Contact_FullName: Christine
Contact_Email:
date:: 06/10/03
Area: Bulletin Boards
Idea:
Good for all ages and grades. For Christmas I made a bulletin board out of black paper, which is put up to cover the entire board Then I cut out a red circle, as big as a door knob and put it right in the middle of the board. Last I cut out the letters to finish off the bb, it read..."Rudolph In The Dark." My class, parents and teachers alike enjoyed this bb.
Contact_FullName: Betty
Contact_Email: enmu71@aol.com
date:: 11/10/02
Area: Bulletin Board Ideas
Idea:
They Light Up My Life
I have the children decorate and (if able) cut out a Christmas light bulb shape. Then I hang them on black yarn. I glue the child's photograph on his "light." Then I string it across a bulletin board or window. I cut out the letters to spell the words, "They Light Up My Life."
Contact_FullName: diana
Contact_Email: the5kill@aol.com
date:: 09/24/02
Area: Christmas
Idea:
Last year I had made a Santa Claus in the middle of the bulletin board. The Santa was a window with reindeers all around. The reindeers were made of brown construction paper, a triangle. Then the antennas, I used with two pipe cleaners. For the nose I used colored pom-poms and the mouth i drew in the mind. As for the eyes I used little black triangles.
- Name:
- Stephanie
- Email:
- sdstreet2@cs.com
1-13-01
Here's a neat Christmas bulletin board idea (for next year, of course). At naptime a few weeks before Christmas break, when our preschoolers were on their mats, I got a large Santa hat, large candy cane, and my 35mm camera. I had each child hold the candy cane and I put the large Santa hat on their heads. I told them to pretend they were asleep (NO PEEKING OR GIGGLING); then, snapped a picture of each one looking very much like they were having those visions of sugar plums. When the pictures were developed, I put some pretty bright red paper on the bulletin board and put each "sleeping" child's picture up (everyone asked "Were they REALLY sleeping?"). The title of my bulletin board read, MERRY CHRISTMAS...(shhhhhhh..) PEACE ON EARTH. All the parents loved it and then, after Christmas, they received the pictures of their "sleeping" Santa's as a gift from the teachers. Lots of Fun!
- Name:
- Lisa
- Email:
- lmars1026@hotmail.com
12-27-00
I have seen many cookie in a jar mixes in the stores this year so we decided to make some for our parents Christmas gifts. This involved the children reading the recipe, measuring, and pouring. I like this gift because it also gives the parents an activity to do at home with their children (baking cookies). I went to http://craftsforkids.miningco.com/parenting/craftsforkids/library/weekly/aa122099a.htm for recipes and ideas for cookie mix.
- Name:
- Jamie
- Email:
- blondieluvs2shop@yahoo.com
12-27-00
For a cute Christmas art project, take Christmas Styrofoam plates and cut them in four fractions. Each piece will be a little smaller than the first. Then take a strip of brown construction paper and begin gluing the pieces of the plate on the bottom of the strip. Start with the largest and go to the smallest. When you're finished glue a star to the top and you will have a cute Christmas tree.
- Name:
- Linda Whitling
- Email:
- nrw@usachoice.net
12-12-00
Preschool Macaroni Wreath
Cut 3 inch circles out of green construction paper. Take a picture of child and cut it in a circle shape, smaller that three inch wreath. Glue onto green circle. Dye ABC macaroni and glue it around the child's picture. Punch a hole at top for yarn to hang onto tree. Punch two holes at the bottom to thread yarn through to form a bow on the wreath.
- Name:
- Dana
- Email:
- willdanasarah2_always@yahoo.com
12-5-00
For Christmas, Take a cardboard circle, a paper towel roll, and green streamers and have your children make a Christmas tree, if your kids are too young to do so, make it yourself and have them make paper decorations to add to it.
- Name:
- Barbara
- Email:
- bpeavy@pdq.net
11-18-00
Every year I make footprint reindeer. Trace each child's foot (with the shoe off) on brown paper. Glue this to another sheet of paper with the toes at the bottom and space at the top. Then trace both hands on brown paper. Glue the hands to the sides of the foot at the top with the fingers going up. These are the antlers. Add eyes, nose and mouth. This works best if you have two shades of brown paper-one for the head and one for the antlers. Every class at my preschool does this, from babies to 5 years old. Several parents have told me that they have saved them all to see how much the reindeer have grown.
- Name
- nicole
- nicandmark@accesscomm.ca
11-12-00
This is an easy Christmas angel idea. Fold a round coffee filter in half (this will be the angels dress/body), attach wings, arms and a head and decorate. I've done the wings out of lace and out of dollies. I've also had the children draw a head and face for their angel or I've attached a photograph of the child's face for the head. Mix and match these ideas to suit your children's interests. The dress looks great when decorated with gold and silver glitter.
- Contact_FullName:
- Rebecca
- Contact_Email:
- cassidi_22@yahoo.com
11-7-00
I saw this today at a craft fair. Pasta angel: You'll need bow tie and Rigatoni pasta. Glue them together to form the body and wings. Paint. Use a piece of glittery pipe cleaner for a halo, and another pipe cleaner for the arms. I also added two beads for hands. It took me a few tries to assemble it in a fashion the kids can repeat, but it came out very cute! Good for an ornament or magnet.
- Contact_FullName:
- Rebecca
- Contact_Email:
- cassidi_22@yahoo.com
11-7-00
Make a Popsicle stick picture frame and decorate. Sequins add a holiday touch. We've also added small holiday woodsies. For the picture use black paper to resemble a chalk board and add a message such as 'Santa stop here' or 'Reindeer Landing' The children have given me many creative messages of their own.
- Contact_FullName:
- Tracy
- Contact_Email:
- me4dj88@pell.net
10-16-00
You're going to love this... We had recipe day, all of the moms cooked there child's favorite recipe and brought it to school. For lunch we had a smorgasbord. It was great, we had potato soup, mac and cheese, noodle casserole, goldfish crackers, etc. The great part is we had the parents to put there recipe on an index card, which will be submitted in our cookbook we will present to the parents as a Christmas present. We are photocopying the index cards making a cover and using prongs to bind the books together We can't wait the moms have no idea they are getting anything in return!
- Contact_FullName:
- Peg
- Contact_Email:
- Psteach45@aol.com
Date: 3-30-00
As a gift for our students at Christmas time, we made a ball of play dough. We put this in a Ziploc bag, and printed out the no cook recipe on cards for the parents to make more at home. We added a cookie cutter with beautiful red ribbon, and voila! a practical and enjoyable gift.
- Contact_FullName:
- Lisa
- Contact_Email:
- lisa_garderie@yahoo.com
- Contact_FullName:
- carmen
- Contact_Email:
- birulo@aol.com
- Contact_FullName:
- lisa
- Contact_Email:
- tlbbcrip@aol.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Wendy
- Contact_Email:
- wendyahlman@hotmail.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Shannon
- Contact_Email:
- ZeusNE@aol.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Sherry
- Contact_Email:
- teachmeabc@yahoo.com
- Contact_FullName:
- shirley
- Contact_Email:
- sod722@aol.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Lisa
- Contact_Email:
idea
This is an inexpensive idea that works with all ages of preschoolers. Cut apart cardboard egg cartons into single sections. Poke holes thru the tops-cover with glue and roll in glitter. Let dry then thread pipe cleaners thru the hole-attach a small bell or just bend the pipe cleaner into a small ball. Form other into a hook and you have a great bell ornament for the tree! (It's best to use cardboard egg cartons-the glue & glitter sticks better!)
Date: 12-1-99
- Contact_FullName:
- Elizabeth
- Contact_Email:
- erevans@primary.net
- Contact_FullName:
- DeAnna
- Contact_Email:
- deenew@intelos.net
- Contact_FullName:
- Elizabeth
- Contact_Email:
- erevans@primary.net
- Contact_FullName:
- Marcy
- Contact_Email:
- w_marcy@hotmail.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Marcy
- Contact_Email:
- w_marcy@hotmail.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Mandi
- Contact_Email:
- mandib4312aol.com
- Contact_FullName:
- Tama
- Contact_Email:
- tdmenges@netcom.ca
- Contact_FullName:
- Trish
- Contact_Email:
- trish@pchelp.net
idea
This is real easy - I saw this in a classroom a few years ago. Take metal hangers and pull/bend them to make a diamond shape for the face. Take a brown knee high nylon sock and pull it over the hanger. Use colored pom-pom balls to make a nose (red for Rudolph) at the bottom tip of the hanger on the nylon and glue eyes on - made with felt or construction paper. You can use the top hook of the hanger to hang from the ceiling. You'll have an adorable class full of little brown reindeer hanging above you.
Date: 11-17-99
- Contact_FullName:
- SaraB
- Contact_Email:
- brandyn@telusplanet.net
- Contact_FullName:
- Laure
- Contact_Email:
- patrickfam@msn.com
- Teri
- Email:
- teri123@yahoo.com
- Name:
- Kathy
- Email:
- TLC-Day@Direct.Ca
- Name:
- Jeanne
- Email:
- lcals2h2@aol
- Name:
- Kim
- Email:
- K7224@aol.com
Date: 1-15-00
I invented a Christmas activity for my science corner. First, I made a Santa Clause made up of 4 different textures: Red construction paper for the suit, black construction paper covered with podge for the belt and boots (would have used leather if I had had some), White cotton for the beard and mustache, and a white pompom for his hat. Then, I made 8 little cards with each of the textures above. Then I made 4 more with the same textures, but different colors. All of these things were then organized on a white board (could use a bulletin board). To the left, I stuck the Santa Clause so the kids could feel the different textures. Then, I made a column of the first 4 cards. I taped those so the kids would not take them off. The other cards were all laid out on the bottom. With Handy Tack, the children would match the first row: same texture same color. Then they would match the second row: same texture, different color. I hope all of this is not too confusing, 'cause the kids really enjoyed it!
Date: 12-20-99
Bulletin Board: DECEMBER CAPTION TITLE: A celebration of Holidays, Use Pre-cutouts of Menorah, Star of David, Christmas Trees, Kwanzaa (Afro-American Holiday (importance about working together) and also Ramadan The Half moon and star. I work in a public school for preschoolers; We acknowledge all the holidays that occur in December. The children color Dreidels, stars, for Hanukkah, we continue with Santa heads (use multi-color construction paper to make Santa heads for Christmas, Kwanzaa, we construct fruit baskets and Ramadan, we color family member, the father, mother, son and daughter, all holding hands in unison.
Date: 12-14-99
RUDOLF
SMALL WOODEN POT FROM THE CRAFT AREA (BOUGHT A WAL-MART) PAINT GLUE ALL AROUND
IT. ROLL IN GOLD GLITTER AND LET DRY. CUT A PIECE OF BROWN PIPE CLEANER IN
HALF AND STICK THROUGH HOLE OF THE POT TO MAKE ANTLERS. THEN TAKE A SMALL
POM-POM FOR THE NOSE AND LITTLE WIGGLE EYES. REALLY CUTE AND EASY.
12-12-99
Reindeer headbands-I had my kindergarten class trace their hands onto brown construction paper then cut them out. Then I made a headband out of white paper for each child, and stapled the hands on to look like reindeer. We added glitter on the hands for more fun. Then we cut out circles out of red construction paper for noses and taped them on. I couldn't believe how much they all liked it, even the coolest boys were wearing theirs. We also wrote their names on their headbands for practice.
Date: 12-11-99
We also read the story of the gingerbread boy. After that I have a gingerbread man that has the poem "run run. . . " and then it tells the children to follow his footprints to a special treat and we followed footprints that are on the wall, floor, ceiling, etc to where our snack (gingerbread men cookies) are hidden.
Date: 12-11-99
December is a great time to set up a gift wrapping/ dollar store. I send home a note asking parents to send in last year's left over wrapping paper, bows, boxes and ribbons. We set up a dollar store with items I will be donating to needy families. The children pretend to go shopping to buy items for families that are in need. They pay the cashier and take their purchases to the gift wrapping center where the kids wrap the gifts. They then give the gift to another child to open just for fun. On the last day before break, we wrap the gifts one last time and turn them over to our school's "helping hands" organization. Kids love wrapping, giving and receiving the gifts.
12-6-99
Coloring Macaroni Items needed: zip-loc bag rubbing alcohol food coloring shake add macaroni pour out on to paper towel The colors are vivid, the macaroni dries fast without becoming mushy.
idea
For Christmas we made the CUTEST angels to send home. We took pictures of all the kids, then cut out around the faces. Then we attached them to a large (appropriate body size) triangle of fairly heavy-stock white paper. We made the kids' handprints on blue paper with white paint and cut them out, attaching them just below the faces on the back for angel wings. A small sparkly pipe cleaner (we used silver) was twisted into a halo. We then used a silver paint pen and wrote "Our Little Angel" and the year. As a little extra pizzazz we did a series of loops or swags with the paint pen about a inch above the bottom edge of the triangle. These were a great parent-pleaser, even though it was mainly all teacher-produced.
11-30-99
idea
This is a cute gift to make for your children. Use a roll of lifesavers and glue a red pack of gum on top of that. Then hot glue four round peppermint pieces for the 4 wheels. Then hot glue a caramel on top of the front of the gum pack, and a Hershey's kiss on top of that. It looks just like a Christmas train and the kids love them. I sent this earlier and was afraid I had left the lifesaver package off.
Date: 11-28-99
idea
For Christmas we made the CUTEST angels to send home. We took pictures of all the kids, then cut out around the faces. Then we attached them to a large (appropriate body size) triangle of fairly heavy-stock white paper. We made the kids' handprints on blue paper with white paint and cut them out, attaching them just below the faces on the back for angel wings. A small sparkly pipe cleaner (we used silver) was twisted into a halo. We then used a silver paint pen and wrote "Our Little Angel" and the year. As a little extra pizazz we did a series of loops or swags with the paint pen about a inch above the bottom edge of the triangle. These were a great parent-pleaser, even though it was mainly all teacher-produced.
Date: 11-28-99
idea
Make giant peppermint candies to decorate your classroom! Give each child two paper plates, and have them use rulers to divide the plate into triangles, like a pie. Next, the kids use red paint to fill every other triangle. When dry, place one plate on top of the other (so that a painted design is visible on each side), and wrap with plastic wrap. Twist the ends like a candy wrapper, and add curling ribbon, if desired. These are so big and fun!
Date: 11-27-99
idea
For a super quick and easy ornament, have kids string red and white beads in a pattern on 3/4 of a white pipe cleaner. Bend into a candy cane shape, and it's finished!
Date: 11-27-99
idea
Snow village
Create a snow village in your sensory table with salt! Have the children
pour in table. Add glitter. Create the village with cars, trucks and
wooden/plastic people. Make houses and stores using blocks from your block
area. Hot glue some together to represent different building in the
village. Paint or use markers to add details to the buildings. Use blocks
to make trees as well. Miniature traffic signs would be great too!
Date: 11-23-99
idea
Paper Towel Angels
1 paper towel roll, Cut out a base that looks like a big old camel toe to tape or glue on the bottom of the roll, to hold it up, as the roll stands upright. Make sure the base is big enough to hold it up. (hard cardboard & test it first before cutting them all out). Cut out ivory construction paper wings to glue on back of roll, i usually do the wings so that are one piece. Cut out piece of ivory paper to cover the roll itself or fabric. I used a crumpled piece of paper and stuck it in the top of the roll for a head. The children drew on their own faces with felts. Halo- gold or silver. These are absolutely beautiful on the mantel for parents, so I always do them early in December.
Date: 11-21-99
idea
A Recycled Reindeer
5 toilet paper roll brown paint googily eyes pom pom glue
First of all get you preschooler to paint the tp rolls brown. Then glue 4 of them side by side upright, then glue the last one about an inch and a half higher than the other( this will be used for the head) Glue the eyes on and a red/black pom-pom on for the nose. Now for the antlers you have two choices you can either use pipe cleaners or for a more creative look take a walk outside for some twigs and glue them in place. And there you have it, a cute little table decoration or you could also use it for a mini candy cane holder. Happy Crafting!!
SaraB [:o)
Date: 11-14-99
idea
Christmas Tree Mystery Tell the children this mystery and write down their responses to share with their families.
One day Mr. Black came home and found his Christmas tree completely tipped over and lying on the ground. What could have happened while he was gone?
Date: 11-13-99
Name:
Date: 1-7-99
FROSTY IS GROWING WITH GOOD BOOKS
I traced the letters onto blue construction paper. Then I sprayed the construction paper with spray snow and after it was dry I cut out the letters. They turned out beautiful.
I used white packing foam pieces for the snow at the bottom of the board. I had the children help me glue each individual piece in place.
Then every time we read a book we write the title on a snowball (white circle) and use these snowballs to build a snowman in the middle.
It turns out to be a very nice 3D bulletin board.
Date: 12-28-98
My group is always sad when it's time to take down the Christmas tree. So to prolong it we now set it up outside and decorate it by stringing stale bread, cranberries,etc for the birds to enjoy.
Date: 12-6-98
Winter Wonderland-we have a house with painted snow on the roof then we hung snowflakes from the ceiling. We added package peanuts for snow and we also put three different size boxes to build a snowman. Gloves, scarves, hats, winter coats and a sled are a big hit. Our children love it.
Date: 11-7-98
During the Christmas holiday season, I put lots of gift bows in various colors and sizes in our manipulative table. Children are encouraged to sort them according to color or size.
3-8-98
Name: Kara E-Mail: kschmith@trxinc.com
During the Christmas holiday season, I held a "Holiday Workshop" for my students and their families. I had it on a weeknight and we had four stations. One stations was Christmas books in which children and parents read together. Another station was decorating wreath cookies including a recipe booklet to take with them. I also had a station in which the students painted reideer t-shirts or posters (if they didn't bring t-shirts. Our final station was one in which the students and families made a reindeer ornament out of a dog biscuit. The students and their families moved freely about the different centers and at the end of the night the students presented a mini-program for their parents. I asked for donations for items needed for the stations beforehand and had a great response. A very successful and fun activity to encourage positive home and school relationships. I took pictures with our school's digital camera and made a book about it
Name: Resa E-Mail: crbash@sonetcom.com
Every year before Christmas break, I have a X-mas Craft Night, where parents and their child come and make crafts together. I set up about 4 tables, with one or two crafts to make at each table. The crafts chosen are ones that require the help of a parent (that way they work together). Also, the crafts chosen require cheap materials that I get donated at the beginning of the year. I just play X-mas music and walk around watching the smiles on the kid's faces as they enjoy having their parent's full attention. The families can do all of the crafts, or one or two of them, it's totally up to them. Of course, they usually like to make all of them!!!!!!!!
Gifts For Your Class
Make several large batches of playdough in different colors. Choose three colors for each child and place the playdough balls into a holiday patterned Ziplock bag. Enclose a holiday cookie cutter for each child.
If you are so inclined, you can also enclose a miniture rolling pin. Go to a lumber yard or a home improvement store and purchase several large, thick dowels. Have the lumber department cut them into small rolling pins.
Another Gift For Your Class
What you need:
felt scraps
cotton puffs
old silk flowers
ribbons
large-sized jingle bells
pom-poms
feathers
shoe laces
tissue paper
holiday wrapping
foil cupcake liners
colored macaroni
different sizes, colors, and textures of paper
etc. etc. etc. let your imagination run wild!
Place the materials in a shoe box and wrap with Christmas paper. Make a box for each child in your class. Attach a card and encourage the children to create something at home with their art items.
