Kids Craft Weekly - Issue 68

ISSUE 68 • 17 MARCH 2009

1. Editorial
2. Leaf rubbings
3. Seasonal window hanging
4. Newspaper leaf picture
5. Books for leaf-lovers
6. February photo comp winner
7. Featured subscriber blog

1. Editorial – Let's walk

Hello and welcome to Kids Craft Weekly! In this issue I invite you and your kids to celebrate the new season by doing crafts that explore the form and function of leaves.

Whether it's Spring or Autumn in your neck of the woods there is likely to be a lot happening in the plant world in your neighbourhood.

This week, make the time to accompany your kids on a leisurely walk around your local area. Grab the hats, pack some drinks, choose a walking stick and get the kids to carry a basket or bag in which to keep any leaves that happen to take their fancy. (Quiet any protestations – they will enjoy it as soon as they're out the door.)

When you get home, rosy-cheeked and invigorated, empty your basket and sort out your leaves. Arrange them by colour, sort them by size, try to name the plants that they have come from and discuss what they feel and smell like.

And then you can use them to craft! All the projects in this issue are designed to foster an appreciation of leaves and plants through craft and creativity.

Extend your nature-crafting fun by purchasing the brand new Leaf craft-along pack for $4.

Along with the three crafts featured in this newsletter the craft-along pack contains instructions on how to make colourful trees from bendy straws. It also includes two pages of printable real-life leaf outlines and three fun and creative ways that you and your kids can use them.

Happy crafting and I'll see you next time!

Amber Carvan
editor@kidscraftweekly.com

2. Leaf rubbings

There's nothing fancy about this old favourite but you'll be surprised at how satisfying it is. It's particularly enjoyable to demonstrate this craft for the very first time – your little one will think it's a sheer miracle! You can make a rubbing from any leaf, but those that have pronounced veins and interesting textures work best.

You will need

• a selection of leaves
• paper
• crayons or pastels

Directions

1. Get yourself set up with some leaves, paper and crayons.

2. Place a leaf under a sheet of paper and rub with a crayon. Younger kids will need an adult to hold the paper still.

3. Watch the impression of the leaf appear on the page.

4. If your little one is a fan of the scissors they might want to cut the leaves out afterwards.

3. Seasonal window hanging

This project encourages young kids to appreciate the different shapes and colours of leaves. Choose a selection of colourful leaves from your garden or local park, then do this activity the same day as older, crispy leaves may break up too readily.

You will need

• a selection of leaves
• clear sticky contact
• scissors
• a short piece of ribbon

Directions

1. Cut out a rectangular piece of contact and fold it in half. Then peel off the backing from one side of the contact and start to arrange leaves on it.

2. When the leaves are in place, put a piece of ribbon at the top of the picture to form a loop.

3. Peel off the remaining contact and carefully fold it back over the leaves and ribbon.

4. Trim off any wonky edges and hang it up against a window.

4. Newspaper leaf picture

This tree picture is a fun and rewarding project for all age groups - even adults! Young kids will need guidance and help with the cutting, but otherwise it is well within the reach of a crafty three-year old.

You will need

• leaf
• newspaper
• watercolour paint
• marker
• brushes
• white acrylic paint
• scissors

Directions

1. Get a nice big leaf and trace around it onto a sheet of newspaper.

2. Paint the leaf outline using watercolour paint.

3. When it's dry, cut out the leaf shape from the newspaper.

4. On a fresh piece of newspaper paint a large square with a thin layer of white paint.

5. Carefully stick the leaf onto the white paint and wait for it to dry.

6. I am stunned by how great these pictures look and the kids are proud as can be.

5. Books for leaf-lovers

Trees, Leaves and Bark – Perfect for the young botanist, this take-along guide encourages kids to open their eyes and see what they can find.

Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots – So much more than a gardening book for kids. Sharon Lovejoy will inspire you and your kids to make magic in the garden!

Tell Me, Tree – A beautifully illustrated book about the life cycle of trees. Great for ages 5 plus. Delightful.

6. February photo comp winner

The winner of the photo competition for February is Cath McLennan. As far as I can tell Cath and her two kids made almost all the bug crafts that were featured in February. This picture of Anna covered in her bug creations made me chuckle. Please get in touch Cath and let me know which book you'd like as your prize.

Remember to add your photos to the pool for the chance to win a copy of the book of your choice from my Amazon favourites list. I give away a book every month.

7. Featured subscriber blog

Plum Pudding

Subscriber blogs are featured on a first-in first-served basis. To have your blog included in this section just send in your web address and I'll add you to the list.

For a regular dose of inspiring craft ideas and fun activities subscribe to my free email newsletter. Please note that my privacy policy ensures that your email address will not be given to anyone, ever.

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