Easy Spring Bird Craft

Sometimes I just need an easy, low prep, quick directions craft, especially in April.  I copied the bird bodies on pink, blue, and yellow and students chose their color with feathers to match.  I showed my kindergartners the steps all at once, and they were able to complete this on their own.  Pro Tip: give them a specific number of feathers they can use, or else some will go wild! I told them three for this craft due to the amount of feathers I had on hand.

These looked really cute hanging in the hallway. 🐦

Click here for free template.

St. Patrick's Day Easy Craft

 St. Patrick's Day Easy Craft

 

This craft was fun and easy.  Each piece is a peel off sticker.  My kindergartners were able to assemble their unique magnet using the directions provided. I printed St. Patrick's Day coloring sheets for early finishers to color or paint.

I ordered these in August.  I planned out a few crafts to do throughout the year when I had the time and mental energy.  If I wait until it's close to the holiday, I run out of time or forget to order.  

Click here to order from Oriental Trading. $8.99 makes 12.

Easy Penguin Craft

 I do this every year with my kindergartners because it is A) Easy B) Inexpensive C) CUTE.  All I have to do it model the steps and off they go.  I leave my model up for them, but tell them to be as creative with the penguins as they like.

The hardest part for them is actually making the snow the penguin is standing on (i.e. they put the blue paper landscape orientation and they cut the snow portrait, so it's too short.). Below are some of my kindergartners' creations. 

Art for Kids Hub

 

If you haven't seen Art for Kids Hub on YouTube, you must. It is a father making art videos with his kids.  The videos are step by step and my kindergartners LOVE them and kids of all abilities can be successful.  This might be my favorite YouTube channel. I use these for our Pride Club (aka Fun Friday) activities once in a while.  Below are some of my favorites from the hibernating bear art. 

Turkey Hat Template Freebie

 

I make these every year and it is so simple and easy for the kids to do. You just need construction paper and googly eyes. Getting a group photo with all their hats on is always a cute memory for the school year. 

This year, we invited parents in for an Open House, and the parents made hats, as well.  Got lots of cute photos to post on class Dojo.  Fun memories for all. 

Click here for a free template on my TpT store. 

Go Away, Big Green Monster Craft

 

Every October, we read Go Away, Bug Green Monster by Ed Emberly. It is always such a hit with kindergartners.  After reading it, I model making my own monster and then give them the paper to make it.  They need very little guidance and it turns out great.  The beauty of this project is all level of learners can produce a great monster and it makes a great hallway display! 

Easy Fall Magnet Craft

 

The past two years of Covid, I was in survival for the most part, even after 20 years in the classroom.  This year, I have made a point of planning out fun projects for my kindergartners (in advance-not morning of!). Most don't cost much money, but this one I did buy.

I ordered the hedgehog magnets from Oriental trading and they were a HIT!  I modeled the whole process then sent them on their way.  They did so well.  The only thing a few of them needed help on was attaching the magnet the right way.  They were so excited all week to do this. 

Some kids were done in less than five minutes so I had fall coloring sheets for them. Overall, I would estimate it took ten minutes once they started. 

At the time of this post, the price was $8.29 per dozen.  I am fortunate that our school gives us $200 to spend on whatever we need each year and then we get fundraising money later.  Maybe you don't get classroom money, but you could try asking parents to donate, or even collecting $1.00 per student to help offset costs.  I worked at a low income school in the past, and was still able to get donations to help out, so it wasn't all on me.  Sometimes we just need to ask!

Happy Fall!

Some other cute Fall Oriental Trading links:

Hedgehog Leaf Magnet

Nerdy Fall Critter Magnet

Beary Happy Fall Y'All Magnet

Rainbow Art Project

This is one of my favorite projects to do for our "Fun Friday" activity.  (It is called Pride Club at our school). It is low prep, low cost, and takes a decent amount of time and the kids stay focused.  The tearing of the paper helps build those fine motor skills for administrators who need "academic reasoning" for everything you do.  All I did was write their names with white crayon, cut out strips of the construction paper, and model how to cover the letters.  Tip: Have them tear a bunch of the color they are on, then put glue on a portion of the letter and glue the pieces down.  Some kids will want to tear one-glue one-tear one-glue one and they will never finish!  Glue sticks and not drip glue. Some of my favorites from this year: