Christmas Craft Stick Christmas Tree Ornament You Need: Four Craft Sticks One Mini Craft Sticks One Large Star Woodsies Five Small Circle Woodsies One Medium Square Woodsies Green, Red & Yellow Paint Red, Green & Gold Glitter Tacky Glue 6" of Cord Instructions: 1. Paint craft sticks and mini craft stick green. Paint star and square woodsies yellow. Paint circle woodsies red. Let dry. 2. Glue: three of the craft sticks into a triangle a craft stick down the middle of the triangle extending below the triangle the mini craft stick across the middle of the triangle star to top square to the bottom where the vertical stick hangs down below triangle on small circles as ornaments 3. Run a bead of glue all around the tree. Sprinkle on some green glitter. Shake off extra. 4. Dab a little glue onto star and square. Sprinkle on some gold glitter. Shake off extra. 5. Dab a little glue onto circles. Sprinkle on some red glitter. Shake off extra. 6. Glue cord in a loop to the back for a hanger. Christmas Tree You need: 1 Small Heart Woodsies 1 Medium Heart Woodsies 1 Large Heart Woodsies 1 Small Star Woodsies 1 Small Square Woodsies Paint or Paint Markers Tacky Glue Sequins or Hole Punches to Decorate Cord to Make a Loop to Hang Ornament Paint hearts green, star gold and square brown. Glue shapes together as shown in picture. Punch ¼” circles from brightly colored paper or use sequins to glue onto tree as ornaments. Make a loop with the cord and glue to back of tree for hanging.

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Christmas Wreath You need: 12 small star woodsies 2 small heart woodsies 1 small circle woodsies Sequins or hole punches to decorate Cord to make a loop to hang ornament Paint and tacky glue Instructions: Paint stars green, and hearts and circle gold or red. Assemble with tacky glue according to picture. Make a loop with cord and glue to back of wreath for hanging. CD ROM Ray Ornament Glue two CDs together so printed sides are together. Keep wrapping ribbon around and through middle hole of CD’s until you get back to where you started from. Tie ends together and add some beads to the top. CD ROM Photo Frames Hang pictures of family, friends or pets from CDs. Use metallic pipe cleaners to secure CDs to each other through center hole by twisting and linking. Glue a picture to center of each side with a hot-glue gun. CD Wreath Materials: An old CD; "Reflective" Mylar ribbon; white glue; glitter; Mylar confetti or holographic stickers; velcro with self adhesive on the back Directions: Glue star, tree, or whatever shape Mylar confetti you want to the "shiny" backside the CD. Swirl patterns and dots of white glue and sprinkle with glitter. Tie a bow out of reflective Mylar ribbon and glue to the CD. Use a piece of self adhesive Velcro to attach the CD Christmas wreath to a computer, door, or wherever! Paint Stirrer Snowman Supplies: Wooden paint stirrer; white paint; black paint; brush; popsicle stick; glue; fabric or felt scraps; buttons; yarn (optional) Instructions: Paint handle section of paint stirrer black. When dry, paint remainder of stick white. Paint a popsicle stick black. Allow to dry. Hot glue craft stick across paint stirrer where black and white paints meet to form hat brim. Use fine tip markers to draw face details. Tie on a fabric or scrap for a scarf. Glue on buttons. Optional: glue on a loop of yarn for hanging.

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Ice Cream Stick Snowman Supplies: ice cream spoon shaped craft stick; acrylic paint (white, black, orange); toothpicks; black yarn; fabric scrap; black fine point marker Instructions: Paint craft stick white on both sides and let dry. Paint top of craft stick black for hat. Paint one toothpick black and glue it in place just below bottom of black hat you just painted. The toothpick becomes hat brim, so line it up carefully. Glue cord or yarn in a loop to the back of the craft stick. Tie scrap of material around neck as scarf. Glue in place to keep from sliding off. Using black marker, draw on eyes, mouth and belly buttons. Paint tip a toothpick orange and glue it in place for the nose. Soda Bottle Snowman Supplies: 2 liter plastic pop bottle; white paint; black paint; felt or fabric scraps Instructions: Take a 2 liter plastic bottle. Paint it white or pour white paint inside and let children roll it around until the bottle is covered with white paint. Cut out little scarves of felt or material scrapes Put on eyes, nose and mouth. Christmas Sled Materials: 6 popsicle sticks, glue; 6” piece of yarn; sandpaper; red, green, and black acrylic paint Directions: Cut Popsicle sticks as shown. Paint all sticks and let dry. Assemble as shown. Christmas Card Window Glue four craft sticks together to form a square. Then glue two more sticks across the middle, one going horizontally, and one going vertically so it looks like a window. Cut out an outdoor scene from an old Holiday card and glue it onto the window so that the picture is face down on the sticks. Turn it over and glue a strip of lace ribbon across the top stick. It looks like you're looking out of a window with a lace valance. Snowman Pin Supplies: 2 white buttons (each with 2 holes—1 of the buttons should be larger than the other) Jewelry pin Black felt or foam Ribbon Glue buttons to the back of the jewelry pin, the smaller button holes positioned horizontally for eyes and the larger button holes vertically for buttons. Cut out a hat from black felt or fun foam and glue to head. Tie ribbon around neck for scarf. 3

Candy Train Materials: Pack of gum; roll of lifesavers; 2 caramels; 4 hard peppermint candies (2 for each side); 1 Hershey’s kiss Directions: Keep all candies in wrappers. Use a drop of tacky glue to attach each piece. Follow diagram and glue candies together to make a train. You may add a ribbon to the top and use it as a tree ornament. Christmas Package Slide Materials: Old ice tray with square or rectangle cubes; plaster of paris; oil; chenille stem for slide; paint; brush; ribbon Directions: Grease ice cube tray lightly with oil and pour in plaster. While plaster is still wet, cut a chenille stem in half and bend this piece in half. Place bend of chenille stem into wet plaster with cut ends of chenille stem sticking up. Do this when plaster has thickened up enough for chenille stem to stand straight up, but before plaster is too hard to insert the chenille stem. Let plaster dry. When plaster is thoroughly dry, remove from mold. Paint with tempera or acrylic paint or wrap with foil wrapping paper. Glue on ribbon; add a nametag for each boy. Christmas Package Neckerchief Slide Materials: A small piece of styrofoam (approximately 1”x1”x1”); chenille stem for slide; wrapping paper; ribbon; glue Directions: Wrap foam with Christmas wrapping paper (smaller design is best). Add some ribbon around the gift and glue it in place. Glue ½ piece of chenille stem (about 6”) on the backside. Christmas Mouse Slide Paint clean walnut shell halves gray. Fill with plaster. Insert plastic ring into plaster when it begins to set up. Add wiggle eyes, black thread whiskers, gray felt tail and ears and a red felt Santa hat. Grinch in Chimney Ornament or Slide

Supplies: Empty Film Canister; paint (red and white); thin ribbon; cotton balls; 1 1/2 inch or 2 inch green pom-pom; green chenille stem; glue Instructions: Paint small rectangles onto film container to look like bricks (optional). Let paint dry. Form an ornament hanger from a 10” piece of ribbon that is glued to film container. Glue cotton balls around top edge of the film container. Glue the pom-pom so it is half-in and half-out of the film container, this will be the Grinch's bottom stuck in the chimney! Cut two 3-inch pieces from the green chenille stem. Glue them to the green pom-pom to look like the Grinch's legs. Bend the bottom part of the leg down to form the feet. Option for slide: Do not add hanger. Punch 2 holes horizontally in the bock of the canister. The holes should be 1/2” from open edge of canister and about 3/4” apart. 4

Pinecone Ornament Supplies: Pinecone; spanish moss; small artificial bird; low temp glue gun; glue sticks; 1 1/4" x 44" torn fabric strip Instructions: Referring to photo, position and hot glue moss and bird to pinecone. Cut 1 1/4" x 44" fabric strip in half. Position one end of each strip in each side of pinecone under moss and hot glue in place. Tie ends into a bow above bird and trim ends. Stick Stars Supplies: Five small sticks; 1/2" x 12" fabric strip; glue gun Instructions: Referring to color photo, arrange five sticks in star shape Hot glue corners together one at a time Tie 1/2" x 12" fabric strip to one point and tie knot in end Cinnamon Cookie Cutter Ornaments Materials: ¾ cup water; 1 cup cinnamon; 4 tablespoons white (Elmer’s) glue Directions: Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Knead in your hand until workable. Roll out on a board between 2 layers of waxed paper. Use cookie cutters to make shapes. Use an ice pick, toothpick or chopstick to make holes in the tops for threading a ribbon for hanging. Penguin Pins Supplies: Ice cream stick or craft stick; black, white and orange acrylic paint; 3/8" red felt; tiny white pompon; tacky glue; glue gun; sunflower seed in shell; paintbrush; 1"‑long x 1/4"‑wide piece of knit rib fabric; pin back; toothpick Directions: Paint sunflower seed orange and craft stick black. When dry, paint white oval on stick, from top to 1" above bottom. Glue seed nose 1" below top. Paint eyes 1/4" below top and buttons with toothpick. Glue felt scarf around neck; snip fringe. Hat: Glue 1/4" at 1" edges of rib fabric together; gather and glue one end closed; turn. Fold under 1/8" at lower edge; glue onto stick. Glue on pompon; hot‑glue pinback. Holiday Card House Materials: Seven Holiday cards cut to measure 4" X 6" (for each house); paper punch; yarn (various colors); tapestry needle To assemble: Trim the length of two cards to measure 4" on each side with a 6" peak in the center. These will be the side walls. Punch holes 1/2" apart around the four sides of every card. Sew the bottom and sides of the house together using a tapestry needle and yarn. Then, bring up each side and sew together. Sew the two roof pieces together. Place roof over house and attach seams to side peaks. 5

Glittery Holiday Decorations Draw outlines of holiday items (e.g. Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Menorah) on lightweight cardboard. Carefully cut out. Spread glue on one side and sprinkle with glitter. Do the same for the other side. Tie narrow cord at the top to hang. Star Frame Materials: Thirteen Popsicle sticks; cardboard; paint; fine-pointed permanent markers; star shapes (wood or craft foam); clear plastic sheet (like report cover or sheet protector); photo; string; and glue. Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Make a frame with 6 Popsicle sticks, two on each side, one on top and one on bottom. Cut cardboard to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2". Cover it with glue and lay the remaining 7 sticks side by side, touching each other. This is the backing. Paint the frame and backing (on the Popsicle stick side) any color you desire. If you are using wooden shapes, paint them. Draw design on the frame with markers. (First practice on paper and decide what you want to draw). Glue star shapes onto the frame. Put the photo behind the frame to see if it fits. If it's too big, trim the photo. Trace the photo on a clear plastic sheet. Cut the clear plastic. Tape it to the photo. This will protect the photo. Glue or tape the photo on the sides of the frame. Attach the backing. Tie string to the top horizontal Popsicle stick. Hang the frame.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Mat Measure and cut a piece of black construction paper that is 8” wide and 10” long. With a ruler and pencil, measure and draw seven lines on the paper, leaving a 1” border all the way around the mat. Cut four red and four green strips of construction paper, each 1” wide, and 8” long. Weave the red and green strips alternately, going over and under the black mat frame. Keep the border solid black for a clean, finished look. Secure the ends of the red and green strips with glue or tape. Mancala Game What you'll need: Cardboard egg carton (dozen size) 2 Tuna cans; washed, rinsed, and dry Craft paints and brush 48 Marbles, tiny rocks, beads, beans, etc. Instructions (see below) How to make it: Paint the egg carton in the color desired. Let dry. Paint the tuna cans on the outside. Let dry. (If you paint the inside, the paint will chip off as you play the game.) Note that the containers used to hold the marbles in the attached picture are made from the egg carton lid, instead of tuna cans. Paint designs on the side of the egg carton and tuna cans if you wish. Let dry. Play your game with a friend or family member. 6

How to Play Mancala Object: 2 players compete against each other to collect as many marbles as they can before one of the players clears his side of the egg carton of all its marbles. Setting up the game: Place the egg carton between the 2 players, lengthwise. The cups closest to you is your side of the board. The Mancala (tuna can) to your right is yours. Place 4 marbles in each of the cups. Choose a player to go first. Playing the game: The first player picks up all the marbles in one of his cups. The player then starts to the first cup to the right and starts dropping one marble in each. If he reaches the end of his side, he is to drop one marble in his Mancala, then continue around to the other side of the board. He is not, however, to drop a marble in his opponent's Mancala. If the player places his last marble in his own Mancala, the player gets to play again. Example: If you start the game, a good play may be to choose the cup that is located 4th from the right. You would pick up 4 marbles, dropping one in each cup and ending in your Mancala. This gives you an extra turn. If the player drops his last marble on his side of the board in an empty cup, he captures all the marbles in his opponent's bin directly across from that bin. All captured marbles, plus the capturing marble, gets put in the player's Mancala. Players are not allowed to touch marbles in order to count them. If you touch your marbles, you are to play that cup. Winning the game: The game ends when one player runs out of marbles on his side of the egg carton. When the game ends, the other player gets to take all his stones from his side of the egg carton and place in his own Mancala. Strategy sets in by determining whether it is wiser to go out, or play longer, depending on how many stones are in the opposing players cups.

Hanukkah Craft Stick Star of David You Need: Six Craft Sticks Nine Small Tear Drop Woodsies Blue & Yellow Paint Silver & Gold Glitter Tacky Glue 6" of Cord Instructions: Paint craft sticks blue. Paint woodsies yellow. Let dry. Glue three of the craft sticks into a triangle. Repeat with the other three craft sticks. Glue one triangle upside down on top of the other to make a Star of David. Glue woodsies along the top to make a Menorah. Run a bead of glue all around the star. Sprinkle on some silver glitter. Shake off extra. Dab a little glue onto each tear drop. Sprinkle on some gold glitter. Shake off extra. Glue cord in a loop to the back for a hanger.

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Candy Menorah Materials: Styrofoam pieces for base; 9 peppermint sticks; 9 candy kisses Directions: Cut a 1” square of foam and glue to center of foam base. Push four peppermint sticks into the foam to one side of the center. Push four peppermint sticks into other side. Push the central peppermint stick into center. On the first day of Hanukkah, “light” the Shamash and the first “candle” on the right. To light candles, dab some frosting onto top of the candy stick and attach a candy kiss. Candles are lit from right to left. On the eighth day, the edible parts of menorah may be eaten in celebration of the holiday.

Make a Dreidel The dreidel has an interesting background. Apparently, when the Jewish people were under the rule of Antiochus and were barred from studying their religious books, they would study while pretending to play with the dreidel, spinning it as in a game for money. The dreidel is a four-sided top which has four distinct letters in Hebrew on each side. The object of the game is to spin the dreidel and collect coins or candy depending upon what letter appears after each spin. To make your own dreidel, simply print our template on to card, cut out, decorate and glue together. Template available at: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/dreidel_template.PDF Each side of a dreidel has a Hebrew letter on it. The letters can be found at the following web site and can be drawn using this guide, or printed, the cut out and pasted on the dreidel. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/Dreidel_lettering.pdf

To play: Each player starts with some gelt (or money, sweets or counters). Each player puts one coin into the pot in the centre. The players take it in turns to spin the dreidel, following the instructions of the letter which lands facing up. Nun Nit (Nothing)), play passes to next player. Gimel Gants (all)), the player takes all of the pot. Hei Halb (Half)), the player takes half of the pot. Shin Shteln (put)), the player puts all of his coins into the pot. Play can go either for a set amount of time or until one player has won all of the coins. Easy Fold and Cut Star of David #1

Materials: white paper; scissors; a bit of glue or tape Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Take a piece of plain white paper and fold it in half Told it in half again Cut corner off paper so when unfolded paper it forms two equilateral (ish) triangles (equilateral triangles are where all 3 sides are the same length) Cut a smaller triangle out of the triangle you just made Slide the two triangles together to make a six pointed star Add a bit of glue or tape so your star holds together

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Halloween Giant Hairy Spider Supplies: Scissors; 4 - 12” long black bumpy pipe cleaners; tacky glue; 1- 1” diameter disk-shaped magnet; 1- 1 1/2” black pom-pom; 2 googly eyes 1. Cut each pipe cleaner in half to create the spider's 8 legs 2. Keep the stems straight and use a generous amount of glue to attach ends of all 8 pieces to the magnet, arranging the pieces in 2 groups of 4. 3. Apply a small amount of glue to center of the magnet and attach pom-pom 4. Glue the googly eyes to the pom-pom 5. After the glue dries (about 2 hours), bend each pipe cleaner up and back down to create legs. 6. Place in a suitably frightening spot and enjoy. Spooky Spiders Supplies: Small pony beads and chenille stems (black and orange) Directions: For each spider, gather four pipe cleaners in a bunch. Bend the bunch in half and tightly twist the section near the fold several times to shape a slender spider body. Separate the pipe cleaner ends to create the spider's legs. Slide a couple of beads onto each leg and push them up close to the body. Then bend each leg an inch from the body and slide a couple more beads up to the joint. Bend the legs again to create a second set of joints about 1 1/2 inches from first and slide on the final pairs of beads.

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Foam Ghost Supplies: white craft foam pony beads – 24 clear, 12 orange, 12 purple, 12 green wiggle eyes acrylic paint - purple, orange thirteen 10” lengths black cord hand punch – 1/8” circle glue scissors black marker paint brushes

Instructions: Trace and cut one ghost from white foam. Punch holes in ghost where indicated on pattern. Dip a dry bristle paint brush in purple paint, (wipe excess on a paper towel until brush is almost dry) then wipe brush across edges of ghost. Dip a dry bristle brush in orange paint, (wipe off excess) then lightly brush across face for cheeks. Let dry. Glue eyes to face. Using a black marker draw a ghostly smile from cheek to cheek. Insert cord pieces through holes along bottom of ghost arms and body with ends even on both sides of holes. Knot cord pieces at the edge of the craft foam under each hole. String 5 pony beads as pictured onto both ends of each cord piece. Knot cord pieces at bottom of last bead to secure. 5. Insert the remaining piece of cord through the holes in top of ghost arms for the hanger, knotting ends in the back. 10

Thanksgiving Turkey Pin or Place Card Supply List: Woodsies®1 XL Oval Woodsies Too® Variety Pack: 3 Large Hearts, 2 Small Stars, 1 Small Triangle Woodsies® Variety Pack: 1 Small Teardrop Woodsies® Rectangles: 1 Large Rectangle Paint brushes Paints: yellow, beige, black, orange, red, white Permanent black marker Thick tacky glue Pencil Water container Paper towel. Optional: Pin back, napkin ring or tie slide ring Instructions: Refer to photo for placement. Draw a light pencil line down center of hearts to divide in half. Paint hearts (feathers) half and half as follows: - Star #1 – orange and yellow - Star #2 - red and orange - Star #3 - yellow and red Paint: - Stars (feet) – orange - Triangle (beak) – orange - Teardrop (waddle) - red - Oval (body) - tan - Dip end of paintbrush handle in black paint or use a marker to make 2 dots for eyes - Rectangle (place marker) - white Glue beak and waddle under eyes on body, and glue feet to bottom. Glue hearts to back of body. Place Marker - Outline with thin tip of marker and write name with bold tip. Glue to front of turkey. Options: Leave off name tag and glue pin back or tie slide holder to the back of turkey for a fun fall accessory. You can also glue a napkin ring to back of turkey to use on your holiday table for years to come. Tips: If working with a group, prepare a supply kit and palette for each child ahead of time. Hold pieces together with clothespins until dry if necessary. Tom Turkey Pin You will need: Paint - dark brown (body and head), yellow (feet), light brown (tail feathers) and reddish brown (tail feathers and neck) 1 large circle woodsie (body) 1 small circle woodsie (head) 2 small star woodsies (feet) 1 small teardrop woodsie (neck) 5 large teardrop woodsies (tail feathers) 2 wiggle eyes, 7mm Bar pin, tacky glue yellow felt (beak) 11

What you do: Paint woodsies colors indicated in supply list and picture and let dry. Glue small teardrop to large circle for neck and small circle on top of small teardrop for head. Use photo for placement. Glue large teardrops to back of large circle for feathers (be sure to alternate colors) Glue stars to bottom of large circle at back for feet. Glue wiggle eyes in place. Cut a small triangle out of yellow felt for beak and glue in place. Glue bar pin to back of turkey. Craft Stick Turkey Materials: colored craft sticks, short craft sticks, craft spoon, wiggly eyes, wooden shapes for the turkey’s wattle and beak, pipe cleaners, red paint, black and yellow construction paper and glue Directions: Glue colored crafts stick around the wooden spoon to form the turkey’s tail feathers. Cut out a pilgrim hat shape from black construction paper and glue on a yellow trim and then glue it on to the top of the craft spoon. Glue on wiggly eyes. Paint a tear-drop shaped wooded piece red and glue it on to the turkey as shown to make the waddle. Glue on a smaller tear drop shaped piece upside down to form the beak. Glue onto smaller craft sticks on each side of the turkey’s head and neck to form wings. Shape brown pipe cleaners to form the turkey’s feet and glue them on to the back of the turkey. Pinecone Turkey Supplies: Pinecone; acorn or elongated small nut; 2 (10 MM) wiggle eyes; low temp glue gun or tacky glue; red chenille stem; orange chenille stem; wire cutters; bird feathers; slice of dead tree branch or other piece of wood for base (about 1/2" thick and 3" across); gold spray paint Directions: Body - Lightly spray the pine cone with gold spray paint. Let dry. Feet - Cut orange chenille into 2 (3") pieces. Fold first orange chenille stem into half, twist about 1/4" from end and open up ends to make the feet. Repeat for second orange chenille stem. Stick orange feet in the turkey a little less than 1/2 way from the largest end. Glue in place. (See photo) Glue turkey body (pine cone) with feet down to the piece of wood. Head - Glue the acorn to the smallest end of the pine cone. Tail - Glue feathers in the pine cone closest to the largest end. (see photo for placement) Glue wiggle eyes on the head (acorn). Cut a tiny piece of red chenille stem for waddle and glue below the eyes.

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Patriotic Holidays Rock Flag Supplies: A clean smooth, flat pebble; pencil; red, white, and blue paint; brushes; acrylic varnish or other shiny finish (optional) Directions: Choose a smooth, flat river rock. Mark off the area that will be the stars. Use blue paint to color the area that will be the stars. Paint the rest of the rock's top white. Let the paint dry. Paint red stripes in the white area. Paint some white stars or just one star on the blue area. If you'd like a shiny finish, coat with an acrylic varnish after paint has dried. Stars and Stripes Spinner Materials: Glue; 12 Crepe Paper Streamers (18" long; 3' string; scissors; hole punch Directions: Enlarge circle to 8 1/4" and make 5 copies of star pattern circle. Each circle is divided into quarters by 3 dotted lines and one solid line. On four of circles, cut on solid line to center of circle. Crease on dotted lines, folding printed pattern to inside. First one way, then the other way. Form a pocket to catch wind by folding as shown, overlapping one quarter of circle onto next quarter. Glue overlap into place. Repeat for the three other slit circles. Cut streamers to 18". Glue ends around perimeter of bottom. Glue the 5th circle to the bottom over the streamer ends. Use punch to make 2 holes in top of ball about 1/2" from edge. Feed string through. Tie ends.

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Neckerchief Slide Materials: a postage stamp (or a photocopy of a stamp); a piece of lightweight wood; 1” long section of 3/4” PVC pipe; paint; glue Choose a new or canceled postage stamp. Cut a piece of thin wood about 2” wider and higher than the stamp. Paint wood a color that will look nice with stamp. Glue stamp to front of wood. When dry, paint over stamp with white glue to give it a shiny effect and to protect it. Attach PVC pipe to wood. Perler Bead Flag Pin Materials: Small hexagon pegboard for Perler (fusible) beads; red, white and blue beads; pin backing; glue to attach pin to fused beads Follow the pattern to make your pin. White beads have an X. The plain white circles are empty. Iron according to instructions that come with beads. Boys can help with ironing, but don’t let them iron on their own. Glue on pin backing. Allow to dry. Firecracker Neckerchief Slide Materials: 1 Piece of ¾” x 3” dowel rod 4 Strips of ¼” x 3” red chenille stem 1 Piece of ¾” x 3” blue construction paper 1 Silver or Gold stick-on star 1 Piece of 3/4” PVC pipe, 1” long 1 Piece of red chenille stem, 1” long Directions: 1. Sand dowel rod and paint it white, let dry. 2. Glue 3” long red chenille stem pieces lengthwise on dowel at spaced intervals to form stripes from the bottom to top of firecracker. 3. Glue blue construction paper at top going around dowel rod. 4. Bend bottom of 1" piece of red chenille stem about 1/4" and glue it on top (at center) so it appears to be firecracker fuse. 5. Glue star in front on blue ribbon. 6. Glue piece of PVC pipe on back for neckerchief to slide into. Popsicle Stick Flag Supplies: 9 craft sticks; red and white acrylic paint; brushes; blue construction paper; glue; either white paper or a white gel pen. Directions: Paint 5 craft sticks red and 4 craft sticks white. Let them dry. Glue them together in an alternating pattern by gluing them to one craft stick (on the right side) and two broken craft sticks (in the middle and on the left side). Cut a small square of blue construction paper. Either draw a lot of white stars on the blue paper using a white gel pen, or cut and glue tiny white stars onto the blue paper. When glue has set, glue blue square to the red and white craft sticks in the upper left-hand corner Glue another craft stick to the long craft stick on the back. Let the glue set. 14

Firecracker Hat Materials: Pencil; Yardstick; Scissors; a sheet of red poster board (18” x 24”); red, white, and blue curling gift-wrap ribbon; ¾” wide masking tape and scotch tape; glue stick; yellow and orange crepe paper; 1 white or silver pipe cleaner; pushpin Directions: Cut a 7” x 24” rectangle from red poster board. Using the yardstick, draw a line across the long end of the rectangle, 2 inches beneath the top edge. Draw vertical lines at 2-inch intervals across the top edge. Cut along each vertical line to form tabs. Place the yardstick across the bottom of the tabs and bend the tabs over the stick. Cut 20 lengths of ribbon, each 20 inches long. On a table, lay a 12-inch piece of masking tape stickyside up. Press 10 of the ribbons onto the tape, as shown in 2. Repeat with a second 12-inch piece of masking tape. With the ribbons hanging down, press the 2 ribbon/tape strips along the tables edge of the red rectangle, leaving 5 inches between the strips for your child's forehead Roll the rectangle into a tube. Scotch-tape the edges to form a cylinder that will fit comfortably. Place the cylinder, with the tabs folded in, onto the remaining poster board. Trace around it and cut out the circle. Coat the outer 2 inches of the circle with glue. Press the tabs of the hat down onto the glue-coated portion of the circle and hold in place for a few seconds. Turn the hat right-side up to dry. If necessary, lay a magazine across the top to flatten the hat as it dries. Cut five strips of crepe paper, each 8 to 10 inches long. Stack the strips and wrap them with a pipe cleaner. Pull tight and arrange the crepe paper to form a flower shape. With a pushpin, poke a hole in the center of the hat top. Thread the bottom 1½ inches of the pipe cleaner through the hole. On the inside of the hat, bend the tip against the underside of the hat and masking-tape it in place. Patriotic Jingle Wand Wave it at around at your next patriotic celebration and you'll make jingling music all day long. You Need: Six Jumbo Craft Sticks Red, White and Blue Paint and Brush Star Sequins Five 3/4" Jingle Bells Tacky Glue Low Temp Glue Gun Red, White and Blue Curling Ribbon Scissors Instructions: Paint two jumbo craft sticks red, two blue, two white. Let dry Arrange five sticks into a star shape and glue with tacky glue Hot glue a jingle bell to each corner of the star Use tacky glue to add star sequins Curl ribbon and glue or tie in place 15

St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day Pin Supplies: 3 flat wooden heart shapes; 1-2 sparkle chenille stems; hot glue gun; dark green craft paint; paint brush; green sparkle paint; pin back; wire cutters Directions: Paint the wooden heart shapes with the dark green craft paint. Let dry. Paint the wooden heart shapes with the green sparkle paint. Let dry. Hot glue the 3 hearts together (see photo). Form the chenille stem around the hearts. Add another chenille stem if necessary to go completely around the hearts and then form a stem. Use wire cutters to snip the stem to size. Hot glue the chenille stem(s) onto the hearts (see photo). Hot glue the pin on the back of the shamrock. St. Patrick's Day Candy Container Supplies: baby food jar and lid (washed, rinsed, and dried); green craft paint; paint brush; green "Painters" paint markers; candy Directions: Use the paint markers to draw on a few shamrocks on the side of the jar. (Note: To make easy shamrocks, paint tiny green hearts with the points meeting in the middle. Add a stem.) You may wish to add a TO/FROM on the jar itself as well. Let dry. Paint the lid with green paint. Let dry. Fill the jar with St. Patrick's day (or green) candy. Screw on the lid on the jar. Give the candy jar to someone special to wish them some luck! Shamrock Trinket Box Supplies: 60 craft sticks; 4 large heart-shaped wooden pieces (Woodsies); green paint; brush; white craft glue Directions: Paint the four wooden hearts green. Let dry. Line up 12 craft sticks. Glue a 13th and 14th stick lengthwise across the top and bottom to hold them together. This will become the top. Make another set. This will become the bottom. Add two more sticks on either side of the bottom lengthwise pieces to start building the sides. Continue adding stick alternating the top and bottom with the sides until you have eight sticks stacked (like logs for a cabin) on each side. Let dry. Glue the 4 hearts on the box top (made in Step 2) in the shape of a shamrock.

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Easter Skinny Chick and Bunny Bookmarks You Need: Jumbo craft sticks; Easter stickers; paint; brushes; baby powder Instructions: Paint craft sticks. Let dry. Use stickers to decorate. Rub powder on the back of the stickers to remove tackiness where the stickers hang over the edge.

Pinewood Derby Crafts Pinewood Car Slide Materials: 1 spring type clothespin; 1/2" diameter dowel; colored round bead; 1" length of 3/4" PVC pipe; paint (for car and wheels) Directions: Take clothespin apart and glue flat sides together. Cut two ¼” thick slices off a ½” diameter dowel for wheels. Paint clothespin piece with the boy's choice of color (or leave plain) and paint the wheels black. When car and wheels are dry glue the wheels on side toward front and back. Glue on a colored round bead for helmeted driver’s head. Attach PVC ring on back. Racing Flag Slide Find some small (cupcake topper size) racing flags or make some from cardstock and attach to toothpicks Cut a 1/2" thick piece of from a 3" diameter tree branch (wood cookie) Hot glue the flags in place on the wood cookie Attach a 1” length of ¾” PVC pipe on back

Making Clay Cornstarch Clay Materials: 1 cup salt; water; 1/2 cup cornstarch; Food coloring (optional) Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Combine salt and 1/3rd cup water. Stir and heat the water until the salt is thoroughly dissolved. Take off of the stove and add the cornstarch and ¼ cup cold water. Stir until it thickens and has a consistent texture. After it cools, knead it a bit. Add food coloring while kneading, if desired.

Play Dough Materials: 1 cup flour; 1 cup water; ½ cup salt; 1 tsp. vegetable oil; ½ tsp. cream of tartar; Food coloring (optional) Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

In a saucepan cook the mixture over medium heat, Stir constantly, until the mixture holds together. Take off the stove and turn mixture onto a floured board. When the clay is cool enough to touch, knead it and add food coloring. 17

Groundhog Day

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Earth Day Litter Bug Make a litter bug for Earth Day. This easy craft is made from an egg carton section and junk. This project is not only inexpensive, but is also excellent for encouraging creativity. Children have to find or change items to resemble eyes, ears, a mouth, hair, legs, etc. Supplies: A segment of a paper egg carton Glue Junk, recycling material, twigs, and other found objects, like plastic lids, bottle caps, packing material, etc. Instructions: Use a single segment of an egg carton for the litter bug's body. Use discarded objects to make eyes, mouth, legs, hair, and other body parts. Glue items to egg carton segment. Litter Bug Craft Supplies: Trash (Newspaper, String, Straws, Bottle Tops, Caps) Tacky Glue or Low Temp Glue Gun Instructions: Crumple up a piece of newspaper. Wrap another piece around it. Wrap with string and tie off to hold newspaper in a ball. Add straws, bottle tops, caps, etc., to make it look like a litter bug. Recycled Bowling Set Craft Supplies: 6 empty plastic bottles (we used drink containers from kids meals that were saved from fast food places) foam ball gesso (white paint from art/craft sections) colored paints brush Optional : 6 small foam balls/glue (we used foam replacement balls) Instructions: Wash bottles and lids and let dry thoroughly. Screw lids on tightly. Paint bottles with gesso and let dry. This is a primer that will keep paint from scraping off any smooth/shiny surface. Paint each bottle a solid color and when dry, decorate as you and your child wish. We just did stripes and dots. Let dry thoroughly before letting your little bowler get his first strike! 19

Father’s Day or Mother’s Day Spirograph Paper Plate Picture Frame Materials: Paper plate (small or large) (you can pre-paint the top, eating area, of your plate a nice color before starting this project if you like); wool, ribbon or string (quite a long piece); photo; glue; scissors Instructions: Glue a photo in the center of the plate. Cut slits at equal distances apart around your paper plate. slits should be about 1/2 an inch deep For young kids, space the slits far apart (less slits on the plate) -- as far as 2 inches apart. For older children (Age 8+) you can make the slits as close as 1/4 inch apart. For even older kids (Age 10+), use embroidery floss instead of wool. Do one entire spirograph in one color. Now change the initial spacing of the spirograph and do a second one in a complimentary color. You'll notice on the diagram that I've shown as many slits as are on a clock (12 slits). If children are learning to read clocks, you can do this activity. When you're giving the directions, you would say, "start at 12 o'clock", "now go to 4 o'clock", "now up to 1 o'clock", etc. If you go to 5 o'clock first instead of 4, you'll end up with a small opening for your photo. Use your judgement based on the size of your photo Take a long piece of wool, string or ribbon and start with end at back (leave about a 4" end so you can tie it later). This is a lot easier to explain in diagrams, so follow the pictures as shown. Pink lines represent wool on front of plate. Blue lines show wool on back of plate. Put wool through one of the slits and then pull it to one between 1/4 and 1/2 way across the plate. Cross under the plate to the next slit over (moving clockwise). Bring string up and go back to slit at the top of plate next to where you started (moving clockwise). Cross under the plate to the next slit over (moving clockwise). Continue this process all the way around the plate.

cut slits

1) start working with string

2) cross under the plate to the next slit over

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3) bring string next to where you started

4) cross under the plate to the next slit over

Family Photo Strip What you'll need: 3 family snapshots Craft foam: red, blue, yellow 6 feet wide ribbon Scissors White craft glue How to make it: Cut photos into 4"x4" squares. (See photo.) Cut craft foam into 6"x6" squares. Glue photos to craft foam squares. (See photo.) Fold ribbon in half to create a 3 foot long strip. Place foam squares upside down, making sure the photos are all facing in the same direction. Glue the ribbon to the back of the foam squares -- the first one should be 3 inches from the top of the ribbon. Glue the other squares 1 inch apart. (See photo.) From the scraps of craft foam you had left over, cut a strip to cover the ribbon on the back of each square to reinforce. (See photo.) Scrabble Tile Key Chain for Dad Craft Supplies: Scrabble Tiles to spell DAD Scrap of Vinyl or Leather Key Ring Hot Glue Gun Instructions: Cut leather into a strip 1/2" wide by 9" long. Fold in half around a key ring. Glue together. Trim end as shown. Glue on the scrabble tiles. Mother's Day Gift Jar Make Mom feel extra special on Mother's Day with this "I Love You" jar. Cut 1-inch-wide strips of colorful or patterned paper and write a reason you love her on each strip. Bend the ends of the strip together to make little rings with the message on the inside. Fasten the ends together with stickers, and place them in a glass jar. Make a label for the front of the jar.

Creative Picture Frame for Mom Decorate an inexpensive frame with outdoor finds for Mom this Mother's Day. Collect twigs, pinecones, seedpods, or dried flowers to glue to a plain, inexpensive frame. Paint the frame and the pieces the same color before gluing; when the glue is dry, place a family photo in the frame.

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Fall Centerpiece From: kaboose.com Materials • 1 brown paper lunch bag • 1 cup rice or playground sand • Re-sealable zipper sandwich bag • Fresh and silk leaves • Twigs • 3-4 green chenille stems, cut into fourths OR tape • 2 feet twine or ribbon • Paint: yellow, brown, green • Scissors How to make it: Paint bag with wide green stripes. Let dry before painting other colors. When dry, add thin lines of yellow and brown. Place a leaf at the top of a twig and secure with a section of chenille stem (or just use tape). Repeat with several twigs and leaves, both fresh and silk. Trim three inches off the top of the bag. Place rice or sand inside sandwich bag, place sandwich bag in the brown paper bag (as a weight). Place twigs into the bag. If twigs are too tall (leaves should touch the top of the bag), snap bottoms of twigs to shorten. Wrap twine (or ribbon) around the bag twice. Tighten and adjust leaves and twigs as you tighten. Tie in a bow and trim the ends.

Cub Scout Core Values Turkey Adapted from: parents.com Materials • 1 brown paper lunch bag • 1 cup rice or playground sand • Re-sealable zipper sandwich bag • Template page (attached) • Scissors How to make it: Color in the parts on the turkey template page, including the strips with the core value words printed on them. Cut out. Fold one face circle in half and glue to other circle, using glue on only one-half of the circle. Bend the loose half of the circle so it stands straight out at a right angle. Attach the beak, eyes and wattle to the turkey face, as in the picture. Place rice or sand inside sandwich bag, place sandwich bag in the brown paper bag (as a weight). Fold down the top of the bag 1 or 2 inches to close the bag. Bend each core value strip into a loop and staple (or glue) to the top of the bag to make feathers.

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Color the turkey face and cut it out. Color the core value strips, using a variety of colors. Carefully cut the strips apart.

Citizenship Compassion Cooperation Courage Faith Health and Fitness Honesty Perseverance Positive Attitude Resourcefulness Respect Responsibility

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Lion Paper Bag Puppet: Color in body parts with yellow or brown crayon. Cut out body parts. Use tape or glues stick to attach pieces to paper bag. Glue the mouth underneath the bag flap. Glue arms at the sides.

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Tiger Paper Bag Puppet: Color in body parts with orange crayon. Cut out body parts. Use tape or glues stick to attach pieces to paper bag. Glue the mouth underneath the bag flap. Glue arms at side.

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Eagle Paper Bag Puppet: Color in beak and claws with orange or yellow crayon. Color pupil of eye black. Cut out body parts. Use tape or glue stick to attach pieces to paper bag.

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Wolf Paper Bag Puppet: Color in body parts with gray or brown crayon. Cut out body parts. Use tape or glue stick to attach pieces to paper bag. Glue the mouth underneath the bag flap. Glue the tail on the back of the bag, pointing off to one side so that it is visible from the front.

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