One of the greatest things I most enjoy doing with my daughter is crafts. I just love to make some sort of project with her. Some of these crafts will be easyfor little hands (4 and under) Some of these will require a lot of help or be better for slightly older kids (5 and under) Our children are only little for a little while. It isn't long before they are too cool to spend time with us, so lets make the most of this time we have. Roll up you sleeves and make a mess. Have FUN!

Strawberry Baskets
idea donated by Parkeja@mail.auburn.edu

Needed:

empty clean strawberry pints
ribbon
fake flowers or shells etc.
glue
To do:
make a handle or purse strap with the ribbon and attach it with glue. Now let the imaginations go wild decorating the basket with ribbon, flower, bows, etc.!!!!!!!!

Book Keepers

Here is a fun and useful project. It can be used for most ages.
Needed:

An empty Laundry Soap Box(or similar box)
Scissors
colored paper
glue
felt
What to do:
Cut the bottom portion of the box in half vertically to make to open faced cases. Use a pencil to trace arond the sides and back on a piece of colored paper. Cut out the paper and glue them on the outside of you case. then cut out felt pieces to to cover the undersides of the cases (glue them on). Now let your child decorate the case how they want. Let their imagination go. Finger paint, color, markers, stickers, glue on little peices of different colored paper. Glitter. Go wild!!!

Fall JEwelry

This is a great project for spring or fall. Well anytime of year. It is great fun for the little ones. Makes very little mess, and they have a gift to give or save when its done.
Needed:

flowers ( have the child pick these out of the yard)
Con-Tact Paper
floral wire (for the jewelry)
chain or thread or yarn (for the jewelry)
What to do:
Have you child play out side and gather flowers .Or take them on a nature walk to gather the flowers. Flowers need to be pressed before you use tthem.Press the flowers by placeing them between paper towels and under a heavy book. Leave for a few days
Next seal a pressed flower between two squares of clear con-tact paper.Work out anyair bubbles. With scissors trim the edges of the contact paper and make a small whole at the top. thread the wire through the whole to make a loop. Thats it you've got a Pendant. Makes a great gift for grandma.

LEAF PLACEMATS

Needed:

Glue or glue stick
Construction Paper
Acrylic paint (any paint will work i used finger paints for my 4 yr old)
Clear Con-Tact Paper
Scissors
To Do:
First have some fun gather up leaves, take pictures playing in the leaves or having some fun. After you get the pictures developed pick out your favorite. Or one favorite per place mat. Set the pictures aside. Decorate a Placemat size peice of paper (keeping in mind the picture will go in the center). Draw pictures on it, glue leaves on it, dip the leaves lightly in paint and make leaf prints onit. Be creative. When your done have the adult glue the picture in the center. When everything is dry, laminate it with the contact paper.