Newspaper Fish Craft

 **Newspaper Fish Craft**

**Materials:**

- Newspaper sheets

- Watercolor paints and paintbrush

- Scissors

- Glue or glue stick

- Googly eyes (optional)

- String or yarn (for hanging, optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Paint Newspaper Sheets:**

   Lay out a few newspaper sheets and let the children paint them with watercolors. They can create colorful designs or patterns on the newspaper. Allow the painted sheets to dry for a few minutes.

2. **Cut Fish Shapes:**

   Once the painted newspaper sheets are dry, cut out fish shapes from them. You can make simple fish shapes with a round body and a tail. You'll need two identical shapes for each fish.

3. **Decorate Fish:**

   Use markers or additional painted newspaper scraps to decorate the fish. Add fins, scales, and a mouth. If you have googly eyes, attach them for a fun, expressive look.

4. **Assemble the Fish:**

   Apply glue around the edges of one fish shape, leaving an opening at the top. Place the other fish shape on top and press the edges together to seal. This creates a 3D effect, making the fish look like it's swimming.

5. **Hanging Option:**

   If you want to hang the fish, punch a small hole near the top of the fish and thread a piece of string or yarn through it. Tie a knot at the top, and you can hang the fish as a decoration.

6. **Let It Dry:**

   Allow the fish to dry for a few minutes to ensure that the glued edges are secure.

This newspaper fish craft is a fun and colorful project that allows children to get creative with painting and decorating. It's a great way to repurpose old newspapers and create unique fish decorations for hanging or display.

Owl Craft from Newspaper

Instructions for the owl craft:

**Newspaper Owl Craft for Kids**

**Materials:**

- Newspaper

- Watercolors and paintbrush

- Scissors

**Instructions:**

1. **Paint Newspaper:**

   Let kids have fun painting a section of newspaper with watercolors. Encourage them to use as many colors as they like. Let it dry overnight.

2. **Cut Owl Shapes:**

   Cut out the owl body shape and two half-oval wings from the painted newspaper. Also, cut two circles for the owl's eyes. For younger children, you can pre-draw the shapes on the newspaper to make cutting easier.

Enjoy creating your colorful newspaper owls!

Second method

Creating a newspaper owl craft in one hour is definitely achievable with a simplified approach. Here's an easy way to make a newspaper owl within that time frame:

**Materials:**

- Newspaper sheets

- Scissors

- Glue or glue stick

- Black marker

- Googly eyes (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare Newspaper Sheets:**

   Lay out a few newspaper sheets on a table or workspace. These will be used to create the body of the owl.

2. **Form the Owl's Body:**

   Take one sheet of newspaper and crumple it into a ball. This will be the owl's body. Shape it into a rounded shape resembling an owl's body and secure it with tape or glue if necessary.

3. **Create Owl Wings:**

   Cut two large oval shapes from another newspaper sheet to make the owl's wings. Attach these wings to the sides of the owl's body using glue or tape.

4. **Craft the Owl's Face:**

   Cut out a smaller oval shape for the owl's face. Attach this oval to the front of the owl's body, slightly overlapping the wings.

5. **Add Features:**

   Use a black marker to draw the owl's beak and eyes on the face. If you have googly eyes, you can glue them on for a more playful look.

6. **Feathers and Details:**

   To add texture and detail, you can cut small strips of newspaper and fringe them with scissors. Glue these fringed strips onto the owl's body to create the appearance of feathers.

7. **Final Touches:**

   Allow the children to personalize their owl by adding additional details like eyebrows, colorful patterns, or a branch for the owl to sit on.

8. **Let It Dry:**

   Make sure all glued parts are secure, and allow the owl to dry for a few minutes.

By following these simplified steps, children can create their own newspaper owl craft within an hour. It's a quick and enjoyable project that allows for creativity and imagination while using readily available materials.

**"Newspaper Collage Delight: Inspiring Kids to Craft Unique Newsletter Covers"**

 Creating a newsletter cover activity for children can be both fun and educational. Here's how to design a "Newsletter Cover" activity for kids:

**Activity Title: "Design Your Own Newsletter Cover"**

**Materials Needed:**

- Blank sheets of paper (for the newsletter cover)

- Colored pencils, markers, crayons, or watercolors

- Glue, scissors, and magazines for collage (optional)

- Stamps, stickers, or stencils (optional)

- Creative imagination!

**Instructions:**

1. **Choose a Theme:**

   Decide on a theme for the newsletter. It could be related to a holiday, a season, a special event, or a favourite topic like animals, space, or superheroes. Make sure the theme is engaging for kids.

2. **Blank Canvas:**

   Provide each child with a blank sheet of paper that will serve as the newsletter cover. Ensure that it's the appropriate size for your newsletter, typically 8.5" x 11".

3. **Design Time:**

   Encourage children to get creative and design their own newsletter covers based on the chosen theme. Here are some ideas:

   - **Illustration:** They can draw colorful illustrations related to the theme. For example, if the theme is "Under the Sea," they can draw fish, coral reefs, and submarines.

   - **Collage:** If you have magazines or newspapers available, kids can cut out images and words related to the theme and create a collage on the cover.

   - **Mixed Media:** Combine drawing, collage, and painting to make a vibrant and textured cover.

   - **Stamps and Stickers:** Use stamps or stickers with thematic images to decorate the cover.

   - **Handprints or Fingerprint Art:** Kids can create unique designs using their handprints or fingerprints as a starting point. For instance, handprints can become colorful balloons for a "Birthday" theme.

   - **Themed Borders:** Have them create a themed border around the edges of the cover, leaving space for the newsletter title and other information.

4. **Title and Text:**

   Depending on the age and writing ability of the children, they can add a title to the newsletter cover. If necessary, assist them in writing or printing the newsletter's title and date.

5. **Review and Share:**

   Once the covers are complete, gather the children together and have them share their designs with each other. Encourage them to explain the inspiration behind their cover art.

6. **Select the Winner:**

   If you have multiple participants, you can organize a friendly competition to select the best cover design. Consider awards like "Most Creative," "Best Use of Colors," or "Most Imaginative."

7. **Feature on the Newsletter:**

   Finally, scan or take photos of the winning designs and feature them on the actual newsletter's cover for the upcoming edition. This not only rewards the young artists but also engages them further in the process.

This "Design Your Own Newsletter Cover" activity allows children to express their creativity, engage with the newsletter's theme, and have a sense of ownership in the project. It can also serve as an excellent way to foster a sense of community and collaboration among young readers.

Creating a newsletter cover from magazines and previous newsletters can be a fun and sustainable activity for an after-school club. Here's how children can make a creative newsletter cover using these materials:

**Activity Title: "Recycled Magazine & Newsletter Cover Design"**

**Materials Needed:**

- Old magazines

- Previous newsletters (if available)

- Scissors

- Glue or glue sticks

- Large sheets of paper (coloured) or cardboard (for the base)

- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons

- Stencils, border, or templates (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Collect Materials:**

   Gather a variety of old magazines, previous newsletters, and any other materials that can be cut and used for collage. Ensure that you have enough magazines and newsletters to provide a wide range of images and text.

2. **Select a Theme:**

   Decide on a theme for the newsletter cover. It could relate to a recent event at the after-school club, a season, a holiday, or a favorite topic like animals, space, or superheroes. Make sure the theme is engaging for kids. Make sure the theme is age-appropriate and engaging for the children.

 3. **Prepare the Base:**

   Provide each child with a large sheet of paper or cardboard. This will serve as the base for their newsletter cover. You can cut the paper to the desired size, typically 8.5" x 11", which is the standard size for newsletters.

 4. **Gather Inspiration:**

   Encourage the children to browse through the magazines and previous newsletters to find images, headlines, and text that relate to the chosen theme. They can cut out these elements and set them aside.

Ask them to cut out interesting images, headlines, or words from the newspapers and create a collage that represents the theme or content of the newsletter. They can arrange and glue the clippings onto the base to form a visually appealing cover.

 5. **Create the Collage:**

   Now, it's time to create the collage. Children can arrange and glue the images, headlines, and text they've collected onto the newsletter cover base. They can get as creative as they like, mixing and matching different elements to form a visually appealing design.

 6. **Add Personal Touch:**

   Encourage kids to add their own drawings, doodles, or handwritten messages to the collage. This adds a personal touch and makes the cover unique.

 7. **Title and Details:**

   Provide markers, colored pencils, or crayons for children to add a title to the newsletter cover. They can also include the date, the club's name, or any other relevant details.

 8. **Review and Share:**

   Have the children review their creations and share their designs with each other. Encourage them to explain the inspiration behind their cover art.

 9. **Choose the Cover:**

   If you have multiple participants, you can organize a group discussion or vote to select the best cover design for the next newsletter edition.

 10. **Feature on the Newsletter:**

    Scan or take photos of the selected cover design and feature it on the actual newsletter's cover for the upcoming edition. This not only showcases the children's creativity but also makes them feel proud of their contribution.

 This activity not only promotes creativity but also encourages recycling and repurposing of materials. It can be a wonderful way for children in an after-school club to feel involved in the club's activities and contribute to the club's publications.

Observation after activity

"Creative Kids: Crafting Newsletter Covers from Newspaper Magic"

 "Creative Kids: Crafting Newsletter Covers from Newspaper Magic"

Creating a newsletter cover with children using newspapers is a fun and educational art activity. It not only encourages creativity but also teaches them about recycling and repurposing materials. Here are some ideas for a newspaper-based newsletter cover art activity:

1. **Collage Creations:**

   Provide children with a variety of newspapers, old magazines, scissors, glue, and a large sheet of paper or cardboard as the base. Ask them to cut out interesting images, headlines, or words from the newspapers and create a collage that represents the theme or content of the newsletter. They can arrange and glue the clippings onto the base to form a visually appealing cover.

2. **Typography Play:**

   Teach children about typography and lettering. Ask them to cut out large letters and numbers from newspapers to spell out the newsletter's title or date. They can arrange these letters creatively to make an eye-catching cover design.

3. **Painted Backgrounds:**

   Have children paint a background on the newsletter cover using watercolors or acrylic paint. Once the background is dry, they can add newspaper clippings, images, or text on top. This creates a mixed-media effect that adds depth and texture to the cover.

4. **Handmade Stamps:**

   Show children how to create simple stamps using newspaper rolls. They can dip the rolled newspaper ends into paint and stamp interesting patterns or designs onto the newsletter cover. This technique can add a unique and tactile element to the cover.

5. **Paper Mache Elements:**

   If you have more time and want to make 3D elements, guide children in creating paper mache shapes or objects that relate to the newsletter's content. For example, if it's a gardening newsletter, they can make paper mache flowers, bugs, or gardening tools to decorate the cover.

6. **Layered Collage:**

   Encourage children to create a layered collage by gluing newspaper pieces in different layers, creating depth and dimension. They can add images or drawings on top of these layers for a visually engaging cover.

7. **Black and White Art:**

   Challenge kids to create a grayscale or black and white newsletter cover using only newspaper clippings. This can help them focus on contrast, patterns, and textures.

8. **Personalized Self-Portraits:**

   Have the children create self-portraits using newspaper clippings for facial features, hair, and clothing. They can personalize their characters and place them on the newsletter cover.

9. **Environmental Message:**

   Use this activity as an opportunity to discuss environmental conservation. Talk about the importance of recycling and reusing materials. Encourage children to incorporate an environmental message or theme into the cover art.

10. **Group Project:**

    If you have a larger group, consider making it a collaborative project where each child contributes a part of the cover. This can teach teamwork and cooperation while creating a unique piece of art.

Remember to provide plenty of supervision and guidance, especially when using scissors and glue, and ensure that the children have a clear understanding of the newsletter's theme or purpose to create a relevant cover design.

GROUP GAMES FOR CHILDREN

Unleashing Joy and Learning: The Magical World of Children's Games

Step into a realm where laughter echoes and imagination knows no bounds. In this blog, I dive headfirst into the enchanting universe of children's games. From timeless classics to innovative creations, we explore the power of play to spark joy, foster friendships, and ignite young minds. Join us on a journey where every hop, skip, and jump is a stepping stone to growth, discovery, and unforgettable moments. Let's celebrate the magic that games bring to the lives of our little adventurers.

 Here are some fun group games that we can play with children aged 3-7 years:

1. **Duck, Duck, Goose:** Children sit in a circle, and one child goes around tapping others on the head, saying "duck" each time. When they say "goose," the tapped child stands up and chases the first child around the circle, and find and sit in the empty space in the circle. If caught, they switch roles. 

2. **Simon Says:** The play worker is "Simon" and gives commands to the children, such as "Simon says touch your toes" or "Simon says hop on one foot." The children only follow the command if it starts with "Simon says."

 **Simon Says with a Twist:** Play Simon Says, but this time, call out actions without saying "Simon says." Children only follow the action if you say "Simon says" first.

3. **Musical Chairs:** Arrange chairs in a circle, with one less chair than the number of children. Play music and have the children walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they need to find a chair to sit on. The child left standing is out, and one chair is removed for the next round.

4. **Obstacle Course:** Create a simple obstacle course using hula hoops, cones, tunnels, and other props. Children take turns navigating the course, climbing, crawling, and jumping through the obstacles.

5. **Freeze Dance:** Play music and have the children dance around. When the music stops, they must freeze in place until the music starts again. Encourage creative dance moves.

 **Musical Statues:** Similar to freeze dance, but when the music stops, children must freeze in a statue-like pose. They're out if they move. The last child standing wins.

6. **Balloon Volleyball:** Use a balloon as a volleyball and have the children hit it back and forth over a line or makeshift net. This is a great way to develop hand-eye coordination.

7. **Parachute Play:** Use a large parachute and have children hold the edges. Shake the parachute to make the items on it bounce or place lightweight balls on top and make them "pop" by quickly pulling the parachute down.

8. **Sack Race:** Organize a sack race where children hop in sacks to a designated finish line. You can use large pillowcases or fabric sacks.

9. **Treasure Hunt:** Hide small toys or objects around the play area and provide the children with clues to find them. This can be a great way to encourage problem-solving and exploration.

10. **Nature Scavenger Hunt:** Take the children outdoors and provide them with a list of items to find in nature, such as leaves, rocks, flowers, or sticks.

11. **Animal Charades:** Each child takes turns pretending to be an animal of their choice without speaking while the others guess what animal it is. 

12. **Bubbles and Chalk:** Provide children with bubbles and chalk for some outdoor fun. They can blow bubbles and draw on the ground with chalk.

13. **Hot Potato:** Children sit in a circle and pass an object (the "hot potato") around while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the potato is out. The game continues until one child remains.

14. **Color Hunt:** Assign each child a color, and have them find and bring back objects of that color from around the room or outdoor area. This game promotes observation skills and teamwork.

15. **Bean Bag Toss:** Set up buckets or hoops at varying distances and have children take turns tossing bean bags into them. Assign different point values to different buckets.

16. **Nature Bingo:** Create bingo cards with pictures of nature items (leaves, rocks, flowers) and take the children on a nature scavenger hunt to find and mark off items on their cards.

17. **Obstacle Course Relay:** Set up a simple obstacle course with cones, hula hoops, and tunnels. Divide children into teams and have them race through the course, tagging the next team member.

18. **Follow the Leader:** Designate a leader who performs movements (hopping, skipping, clapping) while the other children imitate. Rotate leaders for variety.

19. **Dance Freeze:** Play music and have children dance around. Pause the music at random intervals, and they must freeze in place until the music starts again.

20. **Sock Puppet Theater:** Provide socks and craft materials. Help children create sock puppets, then encourage them to put on a puppet show or skit.

21. **Bubble Wrap Stomp:** Lay out a large sheet of bubble wrap. Have children take turns jumping on it to make the bubbles pop. It's both sensory and entertaining.

22. **Balloon Keep-Up:** Children work in pairs to keep a balloon from touching the ground. They can use their hands, heads, or any part of their bodies.

23.  Whisper Down the Lane" is a game where children sit in a circle. The first child whispers a message to the next, and it's passed along. The last child shares the message aloud. Hilarity ensues as the message often changes, illustrating the importance of clear communication. Fun and learning combined!

24.  Sharks and life guards Parachute game.  Children acting as sharks go beneath the parachute, playfully tugging their peers underneath. Once under, a child becomes a shark as well. Meanwhile, a lifeguard moves around the parachute, ready to rescue by pulling participants out from underneath.

Remember to choose games that match the children's energy levels, interests, and the available space and also their ability and age. These games promote active play, social interaction, and creativity, making them perfect for a club setting and be prepared to provide guidance and encouragement throughout the activities. The key is to keep the games simple, engaging, and focused on fun and interaction.

Cherry Blossom art activity

 

Activity: Cherry Blossom Art activity

 Age Group:  3-5 years old

Materials:

1.    White paper.

2.    Brushes and Q-tips to paint blossom and paint brush to paint trunk of tree.

3.    Tape together 5 q-tips into a bundle. (also can wrap an elastic around them.)

4.    Brown, White, and pink color for cherry blossom tree.

Preparation:

1.   Table cover with paper or tablecloth.
2.  Children will use apron because they are using colors during this activity.

Direction:

1.    Children draw and color or paint tree trunk.

2.    Use Q-tips to paint cherry blossom.

Specific outcome and goals for this activity:

The specific outcomes and goals for this cherry blossom art activity for 3-5 year olds are:

1.      Developing fine motor skills by holding and manipulating the brushes and q-tips to create the cherry blossom tree.

2.      Improving hand-eye coordination as children carefully paint the cherry blossoms onto the branches of the tree.

3.      Encouraging creativity as children are given the opportunity to express their own unique ideas and interpretations of the cherry blossom tree.

4.      Introducing children to different colors and color mixing as they use brown, white, and pink paint to create the tree trunk and blossoms.

5.      Providing a sensory experience as children engage with the different textures and colors of the paint and paper.

6.      Enhancing cognitive development as children observe and learn about the natural world and the appearance of cherry blossom trees.

Analysing children learning and development through this activity

The cherry blossom art activity described above can offer several opportunities to observe and analyze children's learning and development. Here are some areas that could be observed:

1. 1.       Fine motor skills: Children can use paintbrushes and q-tips to paint the trunk and blossoms of the cherry blossom tree, which requires precise movements and control of small muscles. Observing how children handle and use these tools can provide insight into their fine motor skill development.
2. 2.       Creativity: This activity encourages children to express their unique ideas and interpretations of a cherry blossom tree. Observing how children create their own tree and blossoms can offer insight into their creativity and imagination.
3. 3.       Color recognition and mixing: Children can explore different colors as they paint the tree and blossoms. Observing how children mix colors to create new shades or identify colors can provide insight into their color recognition skills.
4. 4.       Hand-eye coordination: Children need to coordinate their hands and eyes to accurately paint the blossoms on the tree branches. Observing how children coordinate these movements can provide insight into their hand-eye coordination development.
5. 5.       Cognitive development: This activity can stimulate children's curiosity about the natural world and expose them to new concepts such as cherry blossom trees. Observing how children ask questions or share knowledge about the tree and its blossoms can provide insight into their cognitive development.
6. 6.       Social skills: If this activity is done in a group setting, observing how children interact with each other can provide insight into their social skills, such as sharing materials, taking turns, and cooperating to create a shared artwork.

Overall, this cherry blossom art activity can offer a rich opportunity for observing and analyzing different aspects of children's learning and development.