Counting Booklet

by skitty nichols
(new zealand)

To make a counting booklet cut out felt numbers
and one big felt number line and you can count in 2's 3's 4's and even 5's.

Puppet People

by Shakira

You can cut out a person, a front and a back. Make holes around the people making sure you leave a 1cm gap between each one and hole punch them evenly so both back and front are evenly made.

DO NOT HOLE PUNCH THE BOTTOM PART AS YOUR HAND WILL GO THROUGH HERE!

Next push yarn through a hole and continually thread until the pieces are together. Then draw or stick on googly eyes mouths and noses to create a creative piece of art. Pop your child's hand in it and VOILA! a puppet person.

Why not make a whole house of people?

House:

Cut out a house a front and a back and do exactly the same as above except do not hole punch the right side so you can open the house. Thread yarn through. Then create the inside with different rooms

Easy "faux" needle for yarn!

by Mary Anne Tracy
(Omaha, NE)

After you have cut your yarn, dip one end in white school glue and let it dry. Makes a nice stiff end on your yarn, with no need to tape the ends!

Christmas Stocking

by Jenni
(Canada)

Cut out from whatever color construction paper you want, two Christmas stockings for front and back. Then hole punch around the edges and take a red or green yarn and go through the holes. Make sure to leave an opening at the top.

alphabet sewing practice

by Lynn Cain
(Frisco, TX)

I use a magic marker and draw letters or numbers onto burlap fabric. I give children plastic sewing needles or blunt plastic canvas sewing needles and teach the up, down; up, down; pattern to sew over the lines to create letters or numbers. They could produce their name, athletic number or simply practice their numbers or letters. Finish product can have edges frayed to create a wall hanging.

Pipe Cleaner Needle

Cut a pipe cleaner in half and firmly twist one end around the end of your yarn or string. This works great and is super safe for little ones. If you are stringing up macaroni necklace, just use the attached pipe cleaner can become the clasp to close it up.

Burlap Sewing

by Abigail
(Lawrenceville, GA, USA)

On a piece of burlap, draw a simple picture (balloon, shapes, or whatever your child is interested in). With a blunt plastic needle have kids practice threading a needle with colorful yarn. They can then stitch the outline of the shape using the yarn and needle.

As children develop fine motor coordination, the drawing can become more complex. You can also use this to teach more difficult stitching techniques to older sewers.

If you use a washable marker, you can take the yarn out, wash the burlap and start all over!