Love to Laugh and Learn

Fun and interesting learning activities to do with the children in your life

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Attractions
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy

Love to Learn the Meaning of Candy Canes for Christmas

December 17, 2012 by Mama Carmody 5 Comments

Love to Learn the Meaning of Candy Canes for Christmas




Candy Canes: Although there may not have been any spiritual meaning to the candy cane when it was first introduced, Christians can find many symbols pointing us to Jesus from this simple Christmas treat. Some things to observe (taken, in part, from The History of the Candy Cane):

  1. Shaped like a Shepherd’s staff, which attended Jesus’ birth and Jesus is referred to as the Great Shepherd
  2. Turned upside-down it looks like the letter J for Jesus
  3. The candy is hard like the Solid Rock (Jesus) who is the foundation of the church
  4. The white of the candy represents the purity of Jesus
  5. The red represents His blood that was shed (for more on the candy cane be sure to go to The History of the Candy Cane)

“Teach the children that the cane represents The Shepherd’s staff. The crook on the staff helps bring back sheep that have strayed away from the fold. The candy cane represents the sweetness of giving not only at Christmas time, but also throughout the entire year. The spiral design is a symbol that we are, our brother’s keepers.” (A quote from the story, “Teach the Children the True Meaning of Christmas”)


Crafts
Poem
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Crafts

Candy Canes with Beads and Pipe Cleaners

There are actually a couple of easy crafts to do with pipe cleaners. Have fun making them and decorating your Christmas tree or hanging them around the house. They also make great presents for kids to create and give to grandparents, aunts, uncles or other family and friends.

Materials Needed:  

Materials for Pipe Cleaner Candy Cane Craft


White pipe cleaners
Red pipe cleaners
Red pony beads
White pony beads

Instructions:

1) Choose a pipe cleaner. It doesn’t matter if its red or white.
2) Pick a red bead and put it on the pipe cleaner. Loop the end of the pipe cleaner around this first bead to secure it so it won’t fall off.
3) Now take a white bead and slide it down on top of the red bead. Keep changing colors; next a red then a white, continuing the pattern.

Candy Cane Craft

4) Once you have the pipe cleaner filled, be sure sure to wrap the end of the pipe cleaner around the last bead so it doesn’t fall off.
5) Then bend the top of the pipe cleaner over to make the hook part of the candy cane.
There you go…a beautiful candy cane to decorate with or give as a present.

Finished Candy Cane Craft
Finished Candy Cane Craft

Another simple candy cane craft:

1) Take one white and one red pipe cleaner.

Candy Cane Craft with Pipe Cleaners
Candy Cane Craft with Pipe Cleaners

2) Simply twist them together.

3) Then bend the top of the pipe cleaners over to make the hook part of the candy cane.

Candy Cane Craft with Pipe Cleaners
Candy Cane Pipe Cleaner Craft

(top)

Poem

I suggest giving each child a candy cane or use the pipe cleaner/bead candy cane as you recite the poem below.

Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

(Poem found on ministry-to-children.com)

(top)

Foods for snack or meal time

I usually have a list of foods that would be great for snacks or meals but this topic makes for a rather limited variety of foods BUT I did find a great post, by Barbara Shelby. She has several ideas of things you can do with candy canes other than just eat them. For example, use them as stir sticks or smash them into pieces and use them in your favorite recipes. She even suggests crushing them into a fine powder and using them as a flavored sugar. For more detailed ideas go to her post, “Candy Canes and Peppermint Candy Ideas”.

Another fun way to incorporate candy canes into your meal time would be to make your child a Bento lunch. Bento meals are something new to me (thanks Pinterest). They are common in Japanese cuisine. One style of Bento meal is decorated to look like people, animals, buildings and monuments, or items like plants (or candy canes). Here are a few links to blogs that have candy cane bento meals. Maybe they will inspire you:

Candy Cane Bento by Glory’s Mischief
Candy Cane by Bento-logy
Bento Lunch: Candy Cane Cheese by Bento School Lunches

(top)

Story Time

  The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
Reading Level: 6 and up
This is a sweet story about a stranger that comes to a small town to open a store. The mayor hoped it was a doctor. The ladies hoped it was a tailor that would make beautiful dresses. The farmers hoped the man was a trader that would exchange their grain for goods. Can you guess what the children were hoping the store was? Yes, they were wishing for a candy store and their wish came true. The man had a strange candy that they hadn’t seen before. It had red and white stripes and it hooked on the end. Do you know what kind of candy it was? Read the story to find out more about this wonderful candy and its special meaning for Christmas.
**I put the reading level at 6 years old and above because one of the things the story talks about is Jesus dying on the cross and the red blood that He shed. I believe it is appropriate but I wanted to make sure you were aware of this part of the story. I read the story to my 4 and 5 year old preschool class but I was teaching at a Christian preschool.

(top)

Related Posts

The Santa Claus Debate
The True Meaning of Christmas
The Christmas Star
Christmas Angels to Laugh and Learn With
Love to Learn About the Nativity
Review – Christmas on Monument Circle, Indianapolis

(top)

 

Save

Save

Save

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: Candy Cane, Candy Canes, christmas, Christmas symbols, December, educational activities, fun learning, holiday, holidays, laugh, learn, love, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, love to learn, making learning fun

The Christmas Star

December 14, 2011 by Mama Carmody 13 Comments

The Christmas Star




Christmas Star

The Christmas Star: A heavenly sign that the wise men were able to follow to find the birth place of Jesus

“Teach the children that the star is the heavenly sign of promise,” he said. “God sent a Savior to the world and the star was the sign of that promise being fulfilled. The countless shining stars in the heavens, one star for each person on earth, represents the hope of all mankind.” (A quote from the story, Teach the Children the True Meaning of Christmas)

Matthew 2:2b “We saw His star when it rose and have come
to worship Him.”

Matthew 2:9 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way,
and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them
until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

The Christmas Star and the Christmas Angel would take turns setting on the top of our Christmas tree. To me, both are important because each one announced the birth of God’s Son. Here are some different activities to use during this blessed holiday season as you remember the real reason for the season.

Finger Play

A Shining Star
(Action Rhyme)

On the very first Christmas night,
(Put hands together; lay head on hands as if sleeping.)
A wondrous star shone big and bright.
(Hold hands above head; move fingers like stars shining.)
It marked the spot where the baby lay,
(Pretend to rock baby.)
So kings and shepherds could come to pray.
(Fold hands and kneel.)
– Original Author Unknown

Crafts

Cinnamon Ornaments
Cinnamon ornaments were something that I made with my children when they were younger. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas we would make ornaments to give to family and friends as presents. They were always a big hit. This is a wonderful gift that also makes your house smell delicious. I am using the recipe from allrecipes.com because I have no idea where my recipe has gone.

Ingredients
1 cup ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce
2 tablespoons glue

Directions
1. In a medium bowl, stir together the cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Mix in the applesauce and glue. Work the mixture with your hands 2 to 3 minutes to form a ball. If mixture is too wet, add more cinnamon. If mixture is too dry, add more applesauce.
2. Lightly dust a clean surface with cinnamon. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and use a toothpick or straw to make a hole at the top for hanging with a ribbon.
3. Dry in a slow oven 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) for several hours, or air dry in a sunny spot for 4 or 5 days. When dry, decorate with gingham and/ or ribbon.

Popsicle Star
I have created a lot of popsicle crafts in my time and enjoyed every one. This would be a good one if you have children of different ages. The older ones can create the stars and the younger ones can paint them and add sparkles or buttons to give it a little extra “shine”. Although I’m sure that some of the older children will want to add their own artistic touches to the stars. (This craft came from kaboose.com)

Materials Needed:
• 10 Popsicle sticks, coloured or plain
• Hot glue gun or ordinary glue
• Length of fishing line
• Paint or markers, glitter, etc.

Instructions:
1. Draw up a template of a star using craft sticks.
2. Place one stick inside one line then add some glue to the top. Position second stick on this.
3. Continue step 2 until all 10 sticks are in place.
4. Attach some fishing line to one point for hanging.
5. Decorate as desired. Using the colors yellow, gold, red and green make for a great Christmas star. Try different colors for theme parties, or use glow-in-the-dark paint for a magical bedroom at night.

Homemade Paper Stars
I recently found this ornament on the Family Fun website. I have never done this craft before but I can’t wait until my great-niece, nephews and grandkids are old enough to do this with them. It looks like it could get messy but sometimes messy is half the fun.

Materials Needed:
• 3 (9- by 12-inch) sheets of construction paper
• Blender
• Very hot water
• Folded cloth towel
• Plate
• 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter
• Sieve
• Glitter
• Rag
• Baking sheet
• Ribbon loops

Instructions:
1. Tear 3 (9- by 12-inch) sheets of construction paper into small pieces, about the size of a domino, and place them in a blender. Pour in about 1 1/2 cups of very hot water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile put a folded cloth towel on a plate, add a paper towel and top with a 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter.
2. Heat the oven to 200 degrees. Pulse the blender until the mix is pulpy, about 30 seconds. Ina sieve set over the sink, drain the pulp, then spoon some into the cookie cutter to the top, taking care to fill the points. Sprinkle with glitter. Use a rag to press the pulp down into the cookie cutter until most of the water is gone, then gently push the star out onto a baking sheet. Repeat to make two more stars.
3. Bake them for 2 hours or until the moisture has evaporated (they should be firm and lightweight). Let the stars cool, the glue ribbon loops to the backs for hanging. Makes 3 stars.

Snacks

Here are a couple of healthier alternatives to cookies, as you are making crafts and reading books together.

Crispy Cheese Stars from FamilyFun.com
I love cheese so these look extra yummy to me.

Ingredients
• Flour tortillas
• Sliced cheese (cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella)
• Chili powder or paprika

Instructions:
1. Heat the oven to 350º. Use the larger cookie cutter to cut out stars from flour tortillas (about 5 per 10-inch tortilla). It’s easy for kids to do if you use a rolling pin to roll back and forth over the cutter. Bake the stars on a foil-covered cookie sheet for 5 minutes.
2. Use the smaller cookie cutter to cut out an equal number of cheese stars from the sliced cheese and place them atop the tortilla ones. Bake the stars for 2 more minutes or so until the cheese melts.
3. Sprinkle the stars with chili powder or paprika and let them cool before serving.

Star Fruit – A little fruit with your cheese is always a good thing.

Story Time

The Christmas Star Book & Advent Calendar by Marcus Pfister
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8
Here is another great book from the author of “The Rainbow Fish”. The sparkling silver stars add so much to the illustrations. A wonderful story of how the shepherds, the Wise Men and even the animals followed the star to Bethlehem, where they welcomed the Holy Child.

Small Camel Follows the Star by Rachel W.N. Brown
Reading Level: Ages 3 to 8 yrs old
This is a sweet story of Small Camel’s first trip across the desert. It is a special trip to follow the, much sought after, star that leads the wise men to Bethlehem. Under the star they find the young King, in a very simple house. I love that this story in Biblically correct, in the fact that the wise men find the baby King, a few months later, in a house. (Matthew 2: 1- 12)

Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story
by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8
I love the way this story describes how all of creation was anticipating the arrival of our Savior. It talks of how the trees, the flowers and the animals were crying out, “It’s time. It’s time,” as the birth of Jesus drew near. This was a very different way to look at the Nativity scene. No shepherd, no wise men but all of creation celebrating: “Heaven’s Son sleeping under the stars that He made.”

Related Posts:

The Santa Claus Debate
The True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas Angels to Laugh and Learn With
Love to Learn About the Nativity
Love to Learn the Meaning of Candy Canes for Christmas
Review – Christmas on Monument Circle, Indianapolis

Filed Under: Christmas, Learning Activities Tagged With: christian, christmas, Christmas star, Christmas symbols, December, family friendly, family friendly activities, God, holiday, holidays, Jesus, love to laugh and learn, making learning fun, spiritual, star

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard

September 23, 2013 by Mama Carmody 24 Comments

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard


Learning experiences at the apple orchard can be so much fun. I like to incorporate a little learning in everything I do but I don’t want it to be heavy handed. I don’t want the kids to actually realize they are learning. All I want them to experience is fun.

There is so much learning that can happen at an apple orchard. The lessons can be complex, such as learning about how bees pollinate or the growing cycle of an apple. Or the lesson can be very simple, like learning that the apples in the grocery store actually grow on trees.

Today, we go for the simple. We are headed to the apple orchard with our 2 year old, great-nephew. I like to start learning opportunities with a book so we began by reading, “Picking Apples” by Gail Saunders-Smith. It was a great book for a young child; lots of pictures and a small amount of descriptive text. It describes picking apples from the tree to storing them in large wooden crates and finally trucking them everywhere. We were able to see the big wooden crates at the apple orchard; just like in the book!

We decided to head to Stuckey’s Farm today because they grow my husband’s favorite apples; McIntosh. When we arrive a gentleman gives us a basket and a bag to gather our apples in. Jeremiah wanted to carry the basket.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Carrying the basket

We climbed onto a wagon behind a big tractor, to get a ride out to the area that the McIntosh apples were at.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Riding on the Wagon

The first apple Jeremiah picked came right off the tree with no problem…

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Picking Apples

…but the next one wouldn’t let go so Uncle Pat stepped in to explain if you just turn the apple a couple of times, it will come right off the tree.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Picking Apples with Uncle Pat

This only had to be explained once and then Jeremiah became an expert apple picker.

Love to Learn and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Picking Apples Collage

We finished our day up with a frozen apple cider slushie…

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Frozen Apple Cider Slushie

…and a special apple Bento meal. Bento meals come from Japan and are in divided boxes. They do some pretty creative things with food and I find them fun for kids. Jeremiah’s apple themed meal consisted of a peanut butter and apple butter sandwich, cut with an apple shaped cookie cutter. There were a couple of apple cars, made from apple slices and grapes, and some cooked carrots.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Apple Bento Meal

We spent a little time at the playground before we left.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Playing

Stuckey’s Farm is opening a new fun area called Adventure Acres. It consists of a 20′ tall tube slide, a barrel train pulled by a real tractor, pedals cars and more. We are going to have to go back and check that out, once it opens.

Learning Opportunities Jeremiah had at the Apple Orchard

1. That apples in the grocery store come from apple trees.

2. He got to see the big wooden crates the apples are stored in; just like we read about in the book.

3. He was able to watch a machine wash the apples then some workers sorted them and put them in bags.

4. He got the experience of receiving and following directions on how to get stubborn apples off the tree.

5. He was able to experience nature and enjoy climbing around and under the trees.

Future Learning Opportunities at the Apple Orchard

1. We can learn about bees because there is a beehive that you can safely observe from inside the orchard store.

Love to Laugh and Learn at the Apple Orchard – Bee Hive at Stuckey’s

2. We can learn about the life cycle of an apple tree; from seed to apple.

3. We can see how apple cider is made. They make their own apple cider. You can watch the machines make it and fill the bottles but they weren’t manufacturing any the day we were there.

4. We can take apples home and make applesauce and other recipes. Cooking has so many learning opportunities and it’s fun.

We had so much fun at the apple orchard. I can’t wait to go again. Have you been to an apple orchard? What did you like about your trip? Maybe you live in an area where you go to orange groves instead of apple orchards. I would love to hear about your experiences.

You can find more fun activities with apples on an earlier post called, “A is for Apple: You Can Learn More Than Your ABC’s from Apples”.

More Books about the Apple Orchard:

Out and About at the Apple Orchard by Diane Mayr
Reading Level: Ages 5 to 8 yrs old
This is a very good book that describes the activities that go on at an apple orchard. The book explains how the apples start as flowers and how the bees help the flowers change into fruit. Your child will learn about the many things the orchard workers need to do to help the apples grow. It is a fun little book. The pictures in this book are brightly drawn illustrations. Although, I prefer photo illustrations in books I am using for learning purposes, the drawings are quite adorable.

Related Posts:

Pumpkins are Orange; and Other Learning Concepts
A is for Apple: You Can Learn More Than Your ABC’s from Apples
Colors – Overview
Shapes – Overview
Fun with Music – Overview

Filed Under: Attractions and Events, Learning Activities Tagged With: apple orchard, apples, family friendly, family friendly activities, family friendly events, fun learning, laugh, learning, learning fun, learning opportunities, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, making learning fun, picking apples

Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes

January 19, 2013 by Mama Carmody 17 Comments

Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
with Free Printable


 

Time to have fun with rectangles. You can find rectangles all around you…look at the front door of your house and possibly the windows are rectangles too. Did you know if you put two squares side by side that they will make a rectangle? Try it and see. Have fun with the different crafts, snacks and stories that help you learn more about rectangles.

Content:

Toys
Craft:
Red Rectangle Robot
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Toys

Here are a few suggestions of toys that might be around your house that are rectangle shaped:
Train track pieces, books, some puzzles are rectangle shaped, pictures in your family photo album, deck of cards, Playful Patterns by Discovery Toys (just use the rectangle shapes for play today)
Leave a comment and tell me what else you found.

(top)

Craft

Have fun learning about rectangles with this Red Rectangle Robot.
Have fun learning about rectangles with this Red Rectangle Robot.

Red Rectangle Robot

Materials for Red Rectangle Robot Craft
Materials for Red Rectangle Robot Craft

Materials Needed:

Red Rectangle Robot pattern
Red construction paper or red crayons, markers or paint
Scissors
Glue
Wiggly Eyes
Marker or crayons to draw face

Instructions:

Red Rectangle Robot Pieces
Red Rectangle Robot Pieces

1) Print the Red Rectangle Robot Pattern
2) Either color, paint or use the pieces as a pattern to cut out of red construction paper.
3) If you color or paint the pieces, then cut them out.
4) Now assemble your robot with glue.
5) Add wiggly eyes and draw on mouth and nose.
Now you have a wonderful red rectangle robot.

This craft would also be good when working with the color red or the letter “R”.

Red Rectangle Robot
Red Rectangle Robot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Another fun way to create this robot would be out of cardboard. I got this idea from Ambrosia Creative. Use my printable and then follow the directions found on Ambrosia Creative. I would suggest adding a tab to the rectangle head to aide in it’s movement and the way it attaches to the body. You will understand what I’m talking about when you look at her directions. Have fun with this additional way to create a rectangle robot. Click on the picture below to head over to her blog.

Learning Activities for Shapes: Cardboard Robot
Learning Activities for Shapes: Cardboard Robot

Foods for snack or meal time

A sandwich cut in half, graham crackers, club crackers, granola bars, cheese or lunch meat cut into rectangular shapes

(top)

Story Time

I See Rectangles (All about Shapes) by D.H. Dilkes
Reading Level: Birth to 4 yrs old
D. H. Dilkes has a great series of little books that discuss different shapes. In this book you will find rectangles all around school. Your child will encounter several items that they will see around school. The text is simple which is great for a young child that is just being introduced to shapes.

Rectangles: The Shape of the World (Bookworms) by Dana Meachen Rau
Reading Level: Birth – 4 yrs old
Dana Meachen Rau has a great series of little books about shapes. In this book you will see several different rectangles. You might find some right in your own house. The simple text and bright pictures will give you and your child a lot to talk about. This is a great little book for introducing rectangles to your child.

Rectangles (Shapes) by Pamela Hall
Reading Level: Birth – 5 yrs. Old
A cute introduction to rectangles. The rhyming storyline leads you through bright illustrations of a kitten and her puppy. They encounter rectangles all around the town. There are many rectangles on each page to be observed, counted and enjoyed.

Rectangles around Town (Shapes Around Town) by Nathan Olson
Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
You will definitely see lots of rectangles all around town. There are so many to find on each page. You will find great illustrations of rectangles. The book even talks about the differences between rectangles and squares. Your child can practice counting how many rectangles they can find on one page.

(top)

Related Posts

Shapes – Overview
The Lessons – Overview
Circles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Ovals: Learning Activities for Shapes
Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes
Triangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Diamonds: Learning Activities for Shapes
Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes
Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes
Learning Should Be Fun
Colors – Overview

(top)

Filed Under: Learning Activities, Shapes Tagged With: educational activities, free printable, fun learning, laugh, learn, learning concepts, learning fun, learning opportunities, learning shapes, love, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, love to learn, making learning fun, printable, rectangles

Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes

November 26, 2012 by Mama Carmody 10 Comments

Squares: Learning Activities for Shapes

Below you will find some fun learning activities with squares. Your child can make a travel pillow or a gift for some special lady in their life. There are also some great book suggestions. You can find squares all around you. What type of squares did you and your child find?

Content:

Toys
Crafts:
Square Travel Pillow
Square Sachet
Snacks
Story Time
Related Posts

Toys

Square wooded blocks, dice, some game boards

(top)

Crafts

Learn about squares while making travel pillows and sachets.
Learn about squares while making travel pillows and sachets.

Square Travel Pillow

Materials Needed for Square Pillow Craft

Materials Needed:

Fleece
Ruler
Scissors
Fabric glue or yarn & plastic yarn sewing needle
Fiber filling

Instructions:

1) Cut the fleece into two 8 inch squares for each pillow. *I chose 8 inches because my great-niece and great-nephews still ride in car seats and I thought the smaller pillow would work better to prop up their heads rather than a bigger one. You can actually make them any size square you want.  

Square pieces of fabric

2) For younger children that are doing this craft; help them run a bead of fabric glue along the outer edge of three sides of the wrong side of one of the squares. *The wrong side would be the back side that doesn’t have a clear print on it. (For older children skip down to step 2b)

Glue bead

3) Place the second square on top of the one with the glue; wrong sides together. According to the directions on the Aleene’s Fabric Fusion, let it dry for 2 to 4 hours.

4) Stuff with fiber filling. A child as young as one year old can help with this step.

Stuffing Pillow

5) Glue the last side together. You may need to use straight pins or safety pins to hold it closed until it has dried.

Sealing last side of square pillow

**2b) For older children, you can teach them how to sew the two squares together using yarn and a plastic yarn needle. I used to sew with my 4 year old preschool classes.

Plastic yarn sewing needle

3b) Place the two squares with wrong sides together.

4b) Thread yarn through needle then sew 3 of the 4 sides together using a straight stitch.

Sewing pillow together

5b) Stuff with fiber filling then sew the last side together. Even little ones as young as one year old can help with this step.

Stuffing Pillow

6b) Sew last side closed.

Now your little one has created their own special pillow to use in the car.

Square Travel Pillows

**Special note: You may want to take your plastic yarn needle to the store when you choose your fleece. Some of the fleece is woven tighter than others which makes it hard to get the needle through it. I couldn’t get the needle through the purple fleece but it went easily through the fleece with the frogs.

(top)

Square Sachet Bags

Materials Needed for Sachets

Materials Needed:

Fleece
Ruler
Scissors
Fabric glue or yarn & plastic yarn sewing needle
Potpourri of your choice

Instructions:

1) Cut the fleece into two 4 inch squares for each sachet.

2) For younger children that are doing this craft; help them run a bead of fabric glue along the outer edge of three sides of the wrong side of one of the squares. *The wrong side would be the back side that doesn’t have a clear print on it. (For older children skip down to step 2b)

3) Place the second square on top of the one with the glue; wrong sides together. According to the directions on the Aleene’s Fabric Fusion, let it dry for 2 to 4 hours.

4) Fill with potpourri of your choice. A child as young as one year old can help with this part. Make sure they don’t try to eat the potpourri.

Filling Square Sachet

5) Glue the last side together. You may need to use straight pins or safety pins to hold it closed until it has dried.

Sealing Square Sachet

**2b) For older children, you can teach them how to sew the two squares together using yarn and a plastic yarn needle. I used to sew with my 4 year old preschool classes.

3b) Place the two squares with wrong sides together.

4b) Thread yarn through needle then sew 3 of the 4 sides together using a straight stitch.

5b) Fill with potpourri then sew the last side together.

Your child has now made a special gift that they can give to mom, grandma, teacher or some other special lady in their life. Or maybe they want to keep it to put in one of their own clothes drawers.

Square Sachet

(top)

Foods for snack or meal time

Square crackers, square pieces of cheese, caramels, cut sandwiches into square shapes, cut fruit into little squares, Chex cereal

(top)

Story Time

I See Squares by D. H. Dilkes
Reading Level: Birth – 4 yrs old
D. H. Dilkes has a great series of little books that discuss different shapes. In this book you will find squares in many different places. I like the fact that the illustrations are photographs of every day items. The text is simple which is great for a young child that is just being introduced to shapes.

So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban (only covers circles and squares)
Reading Level: Birth to 2nd Grade
There is no storyline to this book. It is just pages and pages of pictures from the world around us. It concentrates on two shapes; circles and squares. This is a great book for introducing shapes to your child. This book could lead into a great game of finding circles right where you are.

Squares (Shapes) by Pamela Hall
Reading Level: Birth to 5 yrs old
A cute introduction to squares. The rhyming storyline leads you through bright illustrations of a kitten and her puppy. They encounter squares all around the house. There are many squares on each page to be observed, counted and enjoyed. I do have a problem with the fact that some of the squares are positioned on their corner which then makes them look like a diamond.

What Is Square? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Reading Level: Ages 1 – 4 yrs old
I really like this book because it concentrates on one shape. I am finding it hard to find shape books that are dedicated to one shape at a time. This book is written in a fun rhyming fashion. There are plenty of pictures of square items. One thing that bothers me is that some of the square items are set at an angle (in other words on a corner) which then makes them look like a diamond instead of a square. On a positive note, that gives you an opportunity to start discussing the diamond shape.

(top)

Related Posts:

Shapes – Overview
The Lessons – Overview
Circles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Ovals: Learning Activities for Shapes
Rectangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Triangles: Learning Activities for Shapes
Diamonds: Learning Activities for Shapes
Stars: Learning Activities for Shapes
Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes
Learning Should Be Fun
Colors – Overview

(top)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Filed Under: Learning Activities, Shapes Tagged With: educational activities, fun learning, laugh, learn, learning, learning concepts, learning fun, learning opportunities, learning shapes, lessons, love, love to laugh, love to laugh and learn, love to learn, making learning fun, square, squares

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 7
  • Next Page »

Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Don’t Miss This Great Book

Categories

  • Articles
  • Attractions and Events
  • Autumn/Fall
  • Children's Books
  • Christmas
  • Coloring Pages
  • Colors
  • Community Helpers
  • Contest
  • Cooking with Kids
  • eBundles
  • Gardening
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Learning Activities
  • Music
  • Reviews
  • Sensory Bins
  • Shapes
  • Thanksgiving
  • Uncategorized

Follow Me on Bloglovin

Follow on Bloglovin
Subscribe via RSS

Recent Posts

  • Mother’s Day Memory Jar and Free Printable Card
  • Favorite Mother’s Day Handprint and Footprint Crafts
  • Dig into Gardening: Fun Activities, Science Projects, and Healthy Eating Tips
  • “Someone I Love Has Gone to Heaven”
  • Love to Learn about the Nativity
  • The Lame Valentine Sensory Bin
  • Hearts: Learning Activities for Shapes
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities

Check This Out

Holiday Toy List – STEM Toys

Books

US Family Guide

USFamilyGuide.com

Recent Comments

  • Mama Carmody on Your Favorite Childhood Book
  • Lisa Smiley on Your Favorite Childhood Book
  • Harlow's Harvest on Eggs in a Nest: Cooking with Kids

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in