How To Archives - Page 6 of 7

St. Patrick’s Day Craft: Rainbow Pot Of Gold

Christmas feels like it was just two weeks ago and yet here we are, crafting our way into March! St Patrick’s Day is just days away so my pre-schoolers got busy creating a keepsake rainbow. And you can’t have a rainbow without a big pot of gold, can you?

Celebrate the heritage and culture and chat about the luck of the irish with this fun easy kids craft. This rainbow painting and pot of gold is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day Craft and is a great activity to do with the kids in an afternoon, with lots of creativity, reflection and thinking, and laughter (of course).

>>> How To Make A Rainbow Pot Of Gold for St. Patrick’s Day

You’ll Need:

Coloured paper & black card
Scissors
Glue
Markers
Gold paint
A cork, bottle lid or similar

To Make The Rainbow:

1. If you’ve got a writer, have your child write on a pre-drawn and cut cloud: “If I found a pot of gold and a leprechaun gave me six wishes, I’d wish for a rainbow of things!”

2. Cut long strips of coloured paper and glue onto the back of the cloud.

3. Now comes the fun part – the wishes! Picking only 6 is hard but your kids are guaranteed to come up with some pretty cute (& strange) wishes.

4. Write one wish on each colour of the rainbow.

To Make The Pot:

1. Draw or source a pot and stencil onto black card.

2. Use a cork, bottle lid or similar to stamp into gold paint and onto paper. Tip: If you don’t have gold paint, yellow paint with glitter works just as good!

3. Once dry, cut out the coins and glue onto the already cut pot.

Don’t have gold paint? Yellow paint with glitter works just as good! #StPatricksDay #craftsforkids

Click To Tweet

We had lots of fun imagining and wishing for everything we could only dream of whilst making this St. Patrick’s Day Craft! Happy crafting.

>>> If a leprechaun gave YOU 6 wishes, what would you wish for?

__________

Olivia is a career nanny & craft extraordinaire from Sydney, Australia. She shares her passion for children & creativity by providing simple arts, crafts & activities full of learning opportunities. Her aim is to encourage & inspire you to be creative with your babies, toddlers and preschoolers!
You can find more from Olivia at www.acraftyliving.com or follow her on Facebook & Instagram at @acraftyliving.

Valentines Day Easy Kids Craft

Stuck for easy kids craft ideas to do with your nanny kids for Valentines Day? Given we’re big fans of crafting and diy, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get creative with the children. Plus, Valentines Day gifts are the perfect opportunity.

Today I’m sharing two low-prep Valentines Day easy kids craft ideas I’ve done with my charges this year.

Here’s how to make Baby Hand Print Flowers and an I Love You To Pieces card with your children, perfect for last-minute Valentines Day gifts. Plus check out these Valentines Day Washi Tape Love Heart Sticky Notes.

>>> How To Make Baby Hand Print Flowers (Valentines Day Easy Kids Craft)

You’ll Need:

Paint (Water colours & Poster paint)
Paper
Scissors
Markers/Pens
Clear Dry Glue

>>> More: Here’s 10 Essential Craft Box Supplies

// Make: Baby Hand-Print Flowers

For your younger kids (from 6m+)
I know what you’re thinking! Painting with a baby? Not. A. chance! Although painting with a baby can be challenging, it really is worth it. Plus, your employers will think you’re awesome.

As a once off for the mums and dads to look back on and compare, why not do some hand print flowers this Valentines Day.

To Make:

1. Use the paintbrush to fold out their fingers and press onto paper from palm to fingers. Tip: remember to have a cloth and soapy water at the ready.

2. Once you’ve got a few handprints, cut them out individually, arrange & glue with a few painted stems.

If you’re ready to accept the challenge and get painting, here’s two tips for successful handprints with babies.

>> Keep their other hand busy. Whether it’s a snack, toy or even a clean paintbrush to try to distract them whilst you quickly paint & press.
>> Naturally, the baby will grab the brush. Whilst their hand is around the brush, twist around ensuring the inside of their hand is completely covered.

I know first hand that these tips are easier said than done, and it may take a few attempts. Painting with babies and toddlers doesn’t always work but it *is* possible. Plus, Footprint flowers work just as good and look great too.

// Make: An “I love you to pieces!” heart

For your older kids (3y+)
Together with my 3-year-old charge, we made this “I Love You To Pieces” heart. We also had some help from her little sister. We loved the end result and they were both very excited to give it to their mum when she got home.

To Make:

1. Use watercolours to paint patterns on a piece of paper and allow to dry. You will use it later to cut into pieces.

2. On thick card, draw or source a heart stencil and paint with poster paint.

3. Once dry, cut water-coloured paper into pieces and glue onto the dried heart.

Painting with babies doesn’t always work but it *is* possible #nannylife #craft #DIY

Click To Tweet

>>> More: Valentines Day Book Marks, and Valentines Day Washi Tape Love Heart Notes.

Happy Crafting & Happy Valentines Day!
Olivia, xx

>>> What are you making with the kids for Valentines Day?

________

Olivia is a career nanny of 5 years and craft extraordinaire. Having travelled Australia working with many families, Olivia now resides in Sydney and cares for 7 children aged 15 months to 1o years old. Craft + diy activities feature prominently in their daily schedule. You can follow Olivia on instagram {@oliviasfoster} for crafty ideas and activities.

Make: Christmas Tree Collage Craft

Get crafty with the kids this holiday season with this easy + fun make your own decorative christmas trees! Plus craft activities are great exercises for kids to engage their fine motor skills.

Christmas Tree Collage Craft

We’ve been doing lots of craft recently. One of the many benefits of my nanny role is that Miss 5 is home with me 2 days per week. Miss 5 is so into art and crafts that she’s got a permanent little stool perched alongside the work bench. Most days I come prepared with a plan of DIY action, but on a good day, we can mix from cardboard craft to sewing to christmas cookie baking to sea life dioramas without a hitch.

To make this really simple Christmas Tree Collage Craft, I found a free printable template on Pinterest from Colouring Pages. Or you could draw your own.

You’ll Need

scissors
clear dry PVA glue
sequin & glitter
pipe cleaners (optional)
colouring pencils or textas (or paint)
white paper or card stock
christmas tree stencil (we used this free printable christmas tree)

To Make

1 // Get the kids to design their christmas tree template. We kept it simple and just coloured it in with textas and crayons. You could paint them, cut them out and glue onto contrasting backgrounds, or leave completely blank for a white christmas tree look.

2 // Then paste a thin layer of craft paste/glue that will dry clear. We used standard PVA clear-dry glue.

3 // To “decorate” the christmas tree, glue on your sequins, sparkly pipe cleaners, and then dust with glitter. We just improvised and decorated as we went, but you could also select your sequins and colour patterns before starting.

4 // Leave to dry on a flat surface, then arrange within your real christmas decorations. We glued the entire project onto a large piece of white card stock and hung above the christmas tree.

We made this fun and super easy Christmas Tree Collage Craft in about an hour after lunch whilst Mr 12 months was sleeping. If you do have little inquisitive toddlers under your feet, make sure you keep the scissors out of reach and the sequins in a closed container as they could present a choking hazard. For more great kids craft ideas, check out our fun kids christmas crafts pinterest board.

Art + craft is perfect for children’s fine motor skills development #nannylife #craftforkids

Click To Tweet

>>> Do you have a little one that loves arts and craft?

________

Follow Hope @NannyShecando’s board Create | Christmas + Craft on Pinterest.

Make: Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes

Things are heating up really quickly this summer! Even though we’re enjoying some wild summer storms in the afternoon, the temperature is still average 30 degrees during the day. And for us in the nanny life – that’s pretty hot. Our outdoor activities are limited to before and after the hottest part of the day and we’re applying sunscreen and hats like it’s going out of fashion. Staying well hydrated though, that’s always a tricky one with kids …

These Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes are perfect for when your kids aren’t entirely sold on water. Or maybe for when your kids think they’re drinking enough already. But with the record high temperates we’re going to experience this summer, it’s vital to consider the risk of them over-heating or even suffering from heat stroke.

Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes

You’ll Need:

– Fruit of your choice
we used blueberries, strawberries, apples, oranges, mandarins, and kiwi fruit. You could use melons, pineapple, cherries and any other fruit that freezes well
– A jug of water
– Ice trays or popsicle moulds
– Chopping board
– Knife
– Freezer Space

Cool Tip: Boiled water makes clear ice cubes whereas tap water freezes cloudy!

To Make: Frozen Fruit Ice Cubes

1. Wash your hands and pull-up a stool for the kids near your prep area.

2. Slice your fruit into pieces small enough to fit the trays, keeping the knife away from the young ones.

3. Layer the fruit into your ice tray. You can get creative here with flavour combinations if you like. This is when the kids can really get involved!

4. Fill the trays with water, being careful not to overfill.

5. Carefully carry to the freezer and leave to set overnight on a flat surface.

Enjoy these fresh fruit ice cubes as a cool alternative on these out of control summer days. I suggest you pop in a CD to dance and sing along to (Disney’s Frozen soundtrack of course), so that you can stay cool indoors between 11am and 3pm.

For a fun twist, add in a splash of fruit nectar or juice to sweeten your fruit ice cubes. And if you’re fond of milk, you can always make creamy ice-cubes with plain of flavoured milk and bananas.

Cool Tip: boiled water makes clear ice cubes whereas tap water freezes cloudy! #frozenicecubes

Click To Tweet

>>> Are you a Frozen fan? Do you prefer water + fresh fruit OR chocolate milk + banana?

________

*Note: may not be suitable for children under 3 years of age as large chunks of fruit may present a choking hazard.
*This post originally appeared on Care Academy, contributed by NANNY SHECANDO.

A Touch Of Spring: Rolled Felt Flower Brooch

We are carrying on a spring flower theme for the step into spring series with today’s tutorial, this time from Sarah of Hunting for Ladybugs. It’s just the thing to help you step into spring. She has a super quick tutorial to make these sweet rolled roses that you could put on a brooch, use in gift wrapping or place in a vase on your window sill. Add a few drops of rose essential oil for the ultimate Spring indulgence!

Wearing a Touch of Spring: Rolled Felt Flower Brooch

You Will Need:

Some felt (thick card would also work well)
Scissors
Brooch Pin
Needle & thread (or hot glue gun)
Fabric Glue (optional)

Begin by tracing around something round – my circle is about 10cm diameter.

Cut it out.

Now cut it around in a spiral shape working from the outside in. Start with a straight line from the outside edge before spiralling. I’ve marked where I cut in pencil so you could see but just eyeball yours (otherwise you’ll see pencil marks on the top of your petals).

You’ll have some scraps – the centre circle and a little bit after my first loop around (you’ll want the spiral an even-ish width all the way around).

Now to roll. Begin at the outside edge as you roll the felt snake around itself. Keep the bottom edge aligned as you roll it around and around. The very centre of your circle will become the outside petals of the rose. They should splay out a little.

Thread your needle and secure the ends with hand-stitching. You could use a glue gun here if you preferred.

Ta Dah! A finished rose.

I made two more roses using the same method and then glued them onto a leaf shaped piece of teal felt. I then glued (you can also stitch) a brooch pin onto the back to finish my project.

I’ve also made this pink set as a small posy for a vase. This time I started with two circles of felt, both abt 20cm diameter. I cut and rolled the two tones of pink together to give the finished rose a bit more depth and interest.

Sarah has also recently made Mums Take Five (Wednesday’s #stepintospring spring flower craft), a fantastic new Cityscape Skirt to wear for Spring and has posted a tutorial on how to add simple appliqué shapes onto clothing.

Sarah Caporn is the hands behind handmade business Hunting for Ladybugs. Sarah has an adorable patch of cyberspace that is all about her love of sewing. As well as taking custom orders, she adores teaching people to sew and has developed a range of ‘Sew Your Own’ project kits to do just that. They include everything you’ll need to get stitching with loads of online support along the way via her Helpdesk group on Facebook.

______________________

Step into spring with this easy do-it-yourself springtime centrepiece from Sheridan Anne, isn’t it just gorgeous! Celebrating the arrival of spring all week on the blog. Featuring some great “step into spring” tips to ease you into the new season, with favourites from Money Mummy, Mums Take Five, Sheridan Anne, and Hunting For Lady Bugs.You’ll surely be inspired to put a little spring into your step! Join us, and tweet your favourite spring themed posts using #stepintospring.