Things to Make and Do, Crafts and Activities for Kids - The Crafty Crow

Math As Art :: Art As Math

Playful Learning has a great math and art activity
that uses Post-it notes to create patterns. There are
two free patterns to get you going and then you'll
be inspired to make your own.

Donation Request For Art Supplies For Kids In Need

Here is a message from, Tempest, a teaching artist in
New York City, trying to get some basic art supplies for
kids in need. Thanks so much for your consideration!

~~

My name is Tempest, and I'm a teaching artist in New
York City. I primarily work with outreach programs
helping to fill a gap in the New York City Public School's
art education. Recently I've been volunteering at a
charter school in my neighborhood that was not offering
an arts program when it opened. Because of my
background, the school matched me up with the guidance
counselor and a classroom called 'F.I.R.S.T. Academy.'

F.I.R.S.T. Academy is  a small class of students who are
having difficulties being in a regular school program
because of either behavioral or academic problems.
F.I.R.S.T. Academy removes them from the regular
classroom and puts them in a smaller class where they
can receive more focused attention. The guidance
counselor works with them on character development,
and I've been working in tandem with the counselor to
develop an arts program that supports this using art
therapy as a theoretical base.


We've done lots of different projects from puppets
to story-stones, all designed to develop the
kids' confidence and to encourage self-talk,
identifying emotions, and team-work.

Through this last semester, I've watched them become
much more confident not only in their artistic ability, but
also in how they verbally express themselves. There is no
question that art is doing them immeasurable
amounts of good.

This semester, I would love to get them their very
own sketch-pad and box of basic art supplies that they
can use in class, but also take home and experiment with
on their own. Not only would this be therepeutic, but also
would give these kids a chance to take ownership over
their supplies and experience responsibility and pride.



However, this program is entirely volunteer. So, we are
reaching out to the online community and asking that
people donate whatever they can: every $10 is a
pencil-box closer to our goal!

We have a fundraiser set up through Dick Blick Art
Supplies. When donating through this link, any money
is restricted to buying the art supplies listed, so you
know your donation is safe.

Click here to see the supplies and donate today!

Thank you -- it means SO much
to the kids, and to me!

~~

The deadline is January 25 and they only
need a little over $200 so if you can donate
that would be truly wonderful and much
appreciated! Thanks everyone!

Papier Maché Animal Finger Puppets

Art For Small Hands has a great tutorial for
making papier maché finger puppets.
Love this little elephant!!

Handmade Knitting Needles for Kids

Kids can make their own knitting needles
with this nice tutorial at Made By Joey.

Craft Foam Geometric Stamps

Geometric stamps are easy to make with craft
foam and wood blocks and the patterns that can be
created are endless. Found at The Plumed Nest.

Free-Form Mosaic Art for Kids

You usually think of mosaic artwork as being precise
and slightly painstaking but Glittering Shards shares
a nice tutorial for a free-form mosaic that would be
great for beginners. If you don't have access to any
broken pottery or mosaic bits then she has some tips
for other things that will work instead.

Free Printable Postcard for Children's Art

Share your child's artwork with someone
special! This free printable postcard from
Seamless Days makes it easy!

Recycled Cardboard Frame for Artwork

Play and Grow has a great tutorial on how to recycle
cardboard into a frame for children's artwork.
English translation here.

Decorated Memory Jar

A memory jar is such a simple way to save all those
sweet moments that you don't want to forget; funny
things the kids say, little drawings, first-time dates.
Of course, you can just grab a jar, paper and pen to
get going but when you get a chance you can give it
a little decoration like this pretty example at Stellaire.

Homemade Scented Watercolors DIY

Find out how to make your own scented watercolors
with this simple idea at Play Create Explore.

DIY Owl Calendar

Pysselbolaget offers a free printable so you can
make this cute owl calendar with rotating days and
dates. Just print it out, decorate, and hang on
the wall for an adorable homemade calendar!

Clean Finger Painting

Housing A Forest shares a simple method
for mess-free finger painting fun!