Storytime Crafts: April 2021

This was a labor intensive craft with just me and a pair of scissors.

The craft was inspired by Mr. Panda’s pajamas in Good Night Mr. Panda//Buenas Noches, Sr. Panda by Steve Antony.

Donut ShapesDownload

Copy the larger donut shapes onto the color of paper you would like for your donuts. Copy the small ring shape onto colorful paper for your icing colors.

Use the scraps from the icing colors to cut sprinkles.

Cut out donut and icing shapes. Cut out center circles for the donut hole.

Use a hole punch to add holes to the donuts and string for garland.

The Bus Driver’s hat was made using the Paper Visor Template from firstpalette. Firstpalette has a number of useful (and free) templates. It’s one of my favorite resources.

Copy the paper visor template onto black paper and cut out.

Copy the top part of the hat onto the desired color of paper.

Top of Bus Driver’s HatDownload

Cut strips from the remainder of paper to make the headband.

I designed a simple Bus Driver badge in Canva.

Bus Driver BadgeDownload

First of all, please excuse my dry hands. I blame the pandemic.

This was a hybrid of a 2 different butterfly crafts.

Copy Butterfly template onto black paper (or desired color)

Butterfly TemplateDownload

Cut out butterfly and use an X-acto knife to cut along lines to create a space for finger.

Use 2 colors of paper and cut out various shapes for mosaic effect.

Glue mosaic shapes onto butterfly.

This rainbow was inspired by Handmade Charlotte. I definitely think theirs is cuter but I was working with what I had.

Trim the bottom off of a paper plate and then cut out a ‘U’ shape.

Paint on the colors of your rainbow and add face.

Use crepe paper streamers for tails. I cut the lengths in half so they would fit.

Attach a piece of string to the back to display.

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Storytime Crafts: March 2021

I love crafting for Mo Willems’ books! This time using the illustrations from Pigs Make Me Sneeze, we made Doctor Cat.

Copy Doctor Cat’s body on orange cardstock and cut out. Copy the stethoscope on green paper and cut out. I used a 1 inch circle punch for the gray part of the stethoscope. Cut out thermometers.

Assemble Doctor Cat and draw on face and paws.

Doctor Cat BodyDownload

Doctor Cat StethoscopeDownload

Doctor Cat ThermometerDownload

Our library also has a Bilingual Storytime! This month they read Chancho el Pug by Aaron Blabey.

Out of context, this pug looks extra creepy (his body looks like a gray chicken). I decided not to add the teeth. I thought it would make things even worse. 🙂

Copy the pug’s body on gray paper and cut out.

Print the mouth and ears on white paper and cut out.

I used 3 sizes of circle punches for the eyes and layered them.

I printed a generic ball image from the internet and colored it.

I freehanded the nose by cutting a triangle from black paper and drawing on the nostrils.

Assemble the pug.

Pug BodyDownload

Pug FaceDownload

We revisited a favorite Storytime book, Chicks Run Wild by Sudipita Bardhan Quallen.

I saw this craft on Pinterest and thought it would be a great fit for this book. The craft is linked to TMACSKY but I just watched the video on Pinterest and made the craft from that.

I used a large circle punch (3.5 inches) and punched out white circles. Fold them in half and cut out small triangles across the center but not too close to the edge.

Copy the egg shape on yellow paper and cut out.

Egg ShapeDownload

I free handed the beak and feather tuft. I used a heart punch for the wings.

Glue all pieces together and add googly eyes. The chickens will actually rock side to side.

Next up, another Bilingual Storytime tie in, Dragones y Tacos by Adam Rubin.

I think I had too much with this craft. Originally I had planned for the dragon to be sitting up but it’s easier to make the craft as a side profile and this was the final result.

We used a craft roll as the base for the body of the dragon.

Copy the dragon body and tail on to desired color of paper and cut out. (The template is in red but I copied it on to various colors and the scales looked fine on any color). I used a contrasting color of paper for the wings and belly.

Dragon BodyDownload

Dragon TailDownload

I free handed some horns for the head and spikes for the tail.

I used a 1 inch circle punch for the tacos. I cut the yellow circle in half and drew on the toppings.

This craft is a lot of cutting but I definitely think it’s worth the effort! Of course, I’m biased. 🙂

Final craft for the month, not original but I made some templates for it. I also didn’t save where I saw it.

Egg Shape for Chick and BunnyDownload

Rabbit Ears for EggDownload

Egg ClothesDownload

Copy the egg shape and rabbit ears on to desired color of paper and cut out.

I used scrapbook paper for the chick and bunny’s clothes. Copy template for clothes on the back side of decorative paper and cut out.

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I used a circle punch for the bunny’s nose and center circle for the bow/tie and freehanded the chick’s beak and bowtie.

Color the inner area of the bunny’s ears. Glue all pieces together, draw on face, and glue on googly eyes.

Storytime Crafts:February 2021

We started off February with a few cute Valentine card crafts.

I found this adorable cactus card on I Heart Crafty Things.

Copy the templates on to card stock and cut out.

Fortunately, I have a tiny heart punch! But if you don’t, you could use stickers or even draw on hearts with a marker. Add googly eyes and draw on a mouth.

Glued To My Crafts had an adorable idea for a gnome Valentine card.

I used some patterned scrapbook paper for the triangle/gnome hat and heart doily for the beard/face. For the nose, I used foam heart stickers. Glue gnome on a folded piece of colored paper. It’s a super quick and easy card.

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We made a treasure map to tie in with a themed storytime.

I found an image of a blank map and printed it on ivory paper. I used free images from Canva for the symbols. I drew waves, palm trees, etc with markers.

SymbolsDownload

I have done a craft for the Little Red Hen in the past. This time I was inspired to do something different. I envisioned the children as being a helper to the Little Red Hen.

To make the apron, you will need 2 pieces of card stock.

For the piece that will be have the pocket, round all 4 corners and punch holes in 2 corners.
For tall/bib piece, round the top 2 corners and punch holes. Position 2 pieces of card stock together in a “T” shape and glue together.

I used patterned scrapbook paper for the pocket. Template is included.

Copy the chef’s hat template on to white card stock and cut out. Cut out 2 additional strips for the headband.

Copy the wooden spoons on to brown or Kraft cad stock and cut out.

Chef HatDownload

Wooden SpoonDownload

PocketDownload

Storytime Crafts: January 2021

This month I was inspired by other talented crafters! I only had to think of one original craft.

I might be a little bit obsessed with Paper Magic Reny! (Follow her @paper_magic_reny on Instagram for amazing craft ideas.) Paper Magic Reny shared an idea for a snowman made from snowflakes. I modified that slightly to make the snowman using coffee filters. Making snowflakes from coffee filters is easy for younger children (that can use scissors). Fold the coffee filter, my co-worker had a method for symmetry but I just fold them in half and half again. To make one snowflake smaller, trim the outer edge after you have it folded.

(Smaller/trimmed coffee filter on the right.)

Next use scissors to cut out a design. I also used a cupcake liner for the smallest snowflake.

Using a large piece of paper as your background, glue on the coffee filter snowflakes to make your snowman.

I free handed a coffee cup shape and twig arms.

Copy the carrot template on to orange paper.

CarrotsDownload

We have a lot of white dot stickers at our disposal and I added those for additional snow falling. I used a circle punch for the mouth and buttons.

I saw a few variations of this ice skate craft on Pinterest. I did make my own template for this craft but it is not a craft that I came up with.

Copy the ice skate template on to paper of your choice. For speedier cutting, this template can be folded in half and cut out. Then you only have to cut the skates apart in the center.

Ice SkatesDownload

Punch holes for laces and string with yarn. Add embellishments or designs and glue on craft sticks for blades. The craft sticks could be colored.

A Stack of Alpacas by Matt Cosgrove inspired an original craft.

White AlpacaDownload

Orange AlpacaDownload

Yellow AlpacaDownload

Light Yellow AlpacaDownload

Copy each alpaca template on to a different color of paper and cut out.

I used a paper punch for the eyes.

Glue the alpaca’s onto each other to form a stack. I also thought this would have made a cute garland.

December Crafts 2020

My life motto seems to be how can I make this harder? 😛 I found a really cute Christmas countdown that I modified, to make more complicated! I did not design the beard with the numbers but I did make templates to add some layers to the craft.

Mustache and Fur TrimDownload

Red HatDownload

BeardDownload

Copy the mustache and trim for the hat on to white paper and cut out. Copy the hat shape on to red paper and cut out. I used a circle punch for the nose and the pom pom for the hat. I colored Santa’s face with colored pencils. Glue all the parts to the paper with the numbered beard. Use whatever method you prefer to fill in circles as Christmas nears.

Another craft idea from Paper Magic Reny! Hot Chocolate Mugs!

I cut two wide strips of patterned paper and glued them together. I cut two narrow strips of patterned paper and glue them together. Fold the ends of the narrow strip like show to make a handle. Glue the wide strips into a tube shape and glue on handle. I used a circle punch for the eyes and nose. I free hand cut the mouth.

First Palette has many free templates that I have used for different crafts over the years.

Using the cone template we made Christmas Trees.

Print the template on patterned or plain paper. Cut out and glue along edge. Embellish as desired.

Using the birthday hat template we made a New Year’s Hat.

Print hate template on plain or patterned paper. Cut out and glue. Add embellishments as desired.

November 2020-Craft Roundup

I have started going rogue. I haven’t been crafting with any regard to themes. So here’s a collection of recent crafts!

Smug Seagull by Maddie Frost inspired me to make one of my over complicated crafts that lingered for weeks before finally being completed.

Copy the Seagull Body and Chips on to white paper and the Crab Body on red paper. I did not have a template for the Seagull or Crab’s legs. I have a small circle punch that I used for the eyes but googly eyes would also work well. The chips are a free image from Canva.

Seagull BodyDownload

Crab BodyDownload

ChipsDownload

I layered three pieces of paper for a beach/ocean look. The background is a full sheet of light blue paper, then I trimmed the darker blue and tan paper for the water/sand. I free hand cut a few clouds and used a scallop punch for the sun.

I think my turkey headband took on an owlish look. It’s probably the oversized eyes. I found a template online for feathers and copied them on to red, yellow and orange paper. I used circle punches for the eyes and cut orange triangles for the beak. Then glue the eyes, beak, and feathers to a strip of brown paper to make a headband.

We used the Bad Seed by Jory John as the featured book for our emerging readers books club aka Book Nuts. I was so pleased with this, I’m going to share it. 🙂

Sunflower BodyDownload

Copy the sunflower body on white paper, fold paper in half, and cut out. Before gluing both sides together, add yarn through the middle of the body for arms and legs. I used circle punches for the eyes. Using a black marker I drew a happy face on one side and an angry face on the other.

A Raccoon at the White House (Tails from History) by Rachel Dougherty was another Book Nuts selection.

Raccoon PartsDownload

FlagsDownload

Copy Raccoon parts on to gray paper and cut out parts. Cut a wide strip of gray paper and roll into a tube shape, glue closed. Glue the rest of the raccoon’s parts to tube. I free hand cut the white belly. Add googly eyes and flag (if desired).

Storytime Crafts–October 2020

October crafts were loosely based on Brazil and a jungle theme.

I am a big fan of @paper_magic_reny (you can follow her on Instagram for amazing craft ideas.) I saw a post of a sloth she made and I was thrilled when it tied in with our theme.

Paper_Magic_Reny has a photo tutorial on her Instagram. I won’t share the template that I designed. (Renata Kolibova also has a craft books available on Amazon.) I don’t know her but I really like her crafts!

Continuing with jungle animals, I found this cute monkey craft on Jeux et Compagnie. It’s a simple craft but in my imagined crafting session with the kids, I can picture them really enjoying it.

Krokotak.com is one of my other favorite paper craft resources. We made this adorable and simple frog from an idea on Krokotak.

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard inspired an original craft!

Bird OutlineDownload

Bird ShoesDownload

I copied the bird outline on to blue paper and the shoes on to white paper. Fold the piece of paper with the bird outline in half and cut out. Use a hole punch to make two holes for the bird’s legs. I looped some black yarn through the holes and twisted the yarn.

The shoes are also two sided, you can cut the template into 3 columns, fold each column of shoes in half and cut out. Glue shoes around the yarn.

This hedgehog was too cute and it didn’t fit in with our monthly theme but it still made the cut. Hedgehugs: Autumn Hide and Squeak by Steve Wilson was the perfect book to tie in with this craft.

The templates for this craft can be found on I Heart Crafty Things. It was originally a Valentine’s Day craft but modified from a heart to pumpkin. If you scroll down, you’ll find the pumpkin templates.

Storytime–September 2020

Confession: I have not been doing a lot of original crafts. 2020 has been the year of continuously readjusting. Unfortunately my original crafts have suffered! But I will share the crafts from September’s Storytimes.

Our storytime theme for September was “These shoes were made for walking.”

First up, we practiced lacing. You can download a template from Repeat Crafter Me.

Next I actually used my own blog and modified a previous Pete the Cat craft by adding…SHOES.

Pete the Cat Tail and ArmsDownload

Pete the Cat BodyDownload

Pete the Cat HeadDownload

Pete the Cat eyesDownload

Pete the Cat noseDownload

I don’t have a template for the shoes.

Good Night Veggies by Diana Murray inspired my only new craft. I loved the earthworm that wears a shoe. My earthworm does not have a shoe, it would be better if it did!

CarrotsDownload

Carrot TopsDownload

RadishDownload

WormDownload

(I free handed the radish tops.)

I painted a paper plate and then punched holes around about 1/2 of it. I threaded brown yarn through the holes. I used a scallop paper punch for the sun. The earthworm would love to have a shoe…maybe next time. 🙂

To finish off the month we had a shoe matching game. I am not including a template for the game because I don’t have rights to all the images.

Storytime Crafts: August 2020

This was not my most original month but I will share the storytime crafts we distributed this month!

Heart Shaped Animals

There are endless possibilities using heart shapes to make different animals. This storytime craft included the hearts required to make a lion but numerous additional hearts to create other animals!

We made thaumatropes-a disc with a picture on each side, when spun quickly creates an optical illusion. The intended results would be flowers in a vase, Wolfie holding a carrot, and a fish in a bowl.

Wolfie usually looked like he was trying to catch a carrot being wildly thrown at him but the other two worked well.

I created templates using Canva.

fish-and-bowlDownload

wolfie-and-carrotDownload

flowers-and-vaseDownload

Except for Wolfie, I found a blog entry from Homebound but Hopeful that included a free download. We also added a larger circle paper punch to our collection. Using a punch or scissors, punch or cut out the pictures, place a skewer or dowel between the circles and glue together. Spin quickly between your hands for an optical illusion.

We wrapped up the month by supplying ABC flash card kits with crayons for the storytime craft to go. I found a free template online and printed it on cardstock.

Maybe September will find me more inspired and original. 🙂

Berryville Library Crafts: Frogs, Monsters, Toucans, and Snappsy (July 2020)

Full disclaimer, I was highly influenced by other crafts for the Frog craft and the Big Green Monster Craft. I think the toucan and Snappsy can be categorized as original-ish crafts.

Our Pre-K Storytime theme for the month of July was Fantastical Fun! The result: my crafts are all over the place!

A co-worker of mine told me about a craft that his daughter had completed and it sounded like a great idea for a storytime craft. I modified it but I did create some templates, which I think are worth sharing.

You will need party blowers, googly eyes, glue, and markers/crayons (optional).

Frog

Fly Target

Dragonfly Target

Mosquito Target

Blank Target

I used an X-acto knife to cut a small ‘x’ for the frog’s mouth, to make it easier to insert the party blower. I drew on the nostrils and glued on googly eyes.

I used images from Canva for my targets. (The images are rotated on the templates, just not my example!)

The party blower is the star of this craft!

 

 

There are plenty of craft ideas for the book: Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley.

I have a few templates for this craft. I used paper punches for the eyes (white, yellow, and black circles). I also added a jumbo craft stick. I free handed the hair by cutting wavy lines.

Monster Face

Monster Mouth

Monster Nose

Monster Ears

Monster Teeth (the lines are very light)

 

 

 

Warning: Do Not Open This Book by Adam Lehrhaupt inspired the toucan craft.

Toucan Body and Tail

Toucan Beaks

Toucan Wings

Toucan Belly

Toucan Feet

Toucan Eye (orange part)

I used a blue sticker and drew on the pupil with a black marker. I didn’t have dowel rods but I did have Wilton Candy Melts Treat Sticks! I glued the body to one side of the stick and the tail to the other side. I cut a length of yarn and tied it to two beads. Then I slipped the beads onto the ends of the stick. The toucan is a little top heavy but if you position the beads and the yarn strategically, it will balance!

Close-up back of Toucan

Close-up Toucan

Close-up of Bead

Snappys the Alligator (Did Not Ask To Be In This Book) by Julie Falatko is one of my favorite books! I couldn’t resist making a special Snappsy craft!

I have templates for most of this craft. I did freehand the teeth and the eyes. (I used the blank paper from Snappsy’s Head to make the strips for the headband.)

Snappsy Head

Snappsy Collar

Snappsy Tie

Snappys Speech Bubble

I punched holes in Snappsy’s collar and added string, so the tie can be worn.

That’s our Storytime crafts of July!