This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Why not make learning fun with crafts? Studies have shown over and over that hands-on activities help children learn and retain information. So here are some educational crafts to get started.
Introduce or review fractions with this fun activity.
Materials:
* At least 3 white paper plates
* Crayons and/or markers
* Scissors
* An assortment of “friends,” such as stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, and so forth
Using the crayons and markers, let your child decorate the paper plates as pizzas or cookies. Then, cut one plate in half, one in thirds, one in fourths, etc. Have your child decide which pizza/cookie is appropriate for the number of toy guests. Make up a story for the guests to decrease or increase in number in order to increase interest.
2. Building Bridges
Bridge engineering is an exact science. Introduce your child to this concept with this bridge-building craft.
Materials:
* Mini marshmallows
* Toothpicks
Look at age-appropriate books on bridges and bridge building. This will help you get a rough idea as to the design of your bridge. Then let your child build a bridge using the toothpicks and marshmallows (helping when you need to).
The toothpicks are to be stuck into the marshmallows to make a bridge structure; the marshmallows join the toothpicks. Several toothpicks can be stuck into one marshmallow, too. Help your child solve problems he or she encounters with the design, and take the opportunity to explain why certain designs don’t work.
[amazon_link asins=’B00CI6J3HA,B002OF2C50,B0033VHDK8′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’kelsthoonthi-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d50ec39a-0772-11e7-b47c-75545ac447d4′]73. Bag Books
Use paper bags to create a descriptive book. Here’s how.
Materials:
* Brown paper bag
* Paint, markers, crayons, etc.
* Stapler
* Glue
* Scissors
* White and colored paper or card stock
* Yarn
* Hole punch
Let the child decorate one side of the bag using markers, paints, etc. The title of the book goes here (example: “Katie’s Color Book”).
Going with the color book idea, use several pieces of white paper (cut to a size that will fit on the bag) and write the name of a color on each page. Then, collect three or four pictures or objects that represent each color (four blue items, three red items, and so forth). Write what these items are on the corresponding color page. (On the yellow page, list all the yellow items, and so forth.)
Staple these pages together to make the book’s pages, or use a hole punch and bind the pages with yarn. Glue this to the back of the bag. Then your child can dump out and sort the contents of the bag according to the book pages.