Mailbox Monday

Some special activities for kids

ype: craft

Decorative lanterns are part of the Chinese New Year season. Have youngsters make these fancy lanterns to hang around the classroom!

Supplies:

• 12" x 18" yellow construction paper
• red crayon
• scissors
• stapler
• red cellophane

Setup:

Cut a 2" x 18" strip from the paper to use as a handle for the lantern.

Steps:

1. Use the red crayon to draw a Chinese New Year picture on the paper.
2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Then, starting from the folded side of the paper, cut several slits. (Unfold the paper, roll it into a cylinder, and staple the edges together. Staple the handle to the top of the cylinder.)
3. Crumple a piece of cellophane and stuff it in the center of the lantern.

 

 

Type: craft

Mixing flour with paint gives this cookie painting a realistic texture!

Supplies:

• white construction paper circle
• small brown construction paper triangles (chocolate chips)
• brown tempera paint
• flour
• paintbrush
• glue

Setup:

Mix a half cup of flour with one cup of paint.

Steps:

1. Paint the circle. Let the paint dry.
2. Glue several chocolate chips onto the circle to resemble a cookie.

 

 

Students are sure to leap for this cute card collector! Ask your cafeteria director to save some of the large cans for you.

Materials for each student:

• large, empty coffee can (or a gallon-vegetable or fruit can)
• foot and arm templates (see print link)
• 3 sheets of green construction paper
• strip of green bulletin board paper
• construction paper scraps (red, white, pink)
• black crayon
• scissors
• glue

Steps:

1. Wrap the bulletin board paper around the can and glue it in place. Fold any paper taller than the can over the top rim.
2. On green construction paper, trace each foot and arm template twice; then cut out the shapes.
3. To create the legs, fold another sheet of green construction paper in half and cut out a half-heart shape along the open side. Glue one foot on the pointed end of each leg; then glue the legs to the back of the can.
4. Accordion-fold the base of each arm; glue the arms on the front of the can.
5. Cut out and personalize a red paper heart. Glue it on the front of the can.
6. Trim two white circles and draw a black dot on each one to make eyes. Glue each eye onto a slightly larger green circle before gluing both eyes on a large green circle (head). Draw a nose and mouth, then glue the head on the can. Use paper scraps to add other decorations as desired.