thanksgiving crafts for preschoolers and toddlers
Thanksgiving is a special time of year where families come together to give thanks and celebrate all the blessings in their lives. For preschoolers and toddlers, this holiday can be a fun and exciting time filled with crafts and activities. In this article, we will explore various Thanksgiving crafts that are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers. These crafts are not only enjoyable but also help to develop fine motor skills, creativity, and a sense of gratitude. So, let’s get started and dive into the world of Thanksgiving crafts for little ones!
1. Handprint Turkey Cards: Handprint crafts are always a hit with young children. To make handprint turkey cards, have the child dip their hand in brown paint and press it onto a blank card. Once dry, use different colored paints or markers to add feathers, eyes, a beak, and legs to create a turkey. This craft not only allows children to get messy and have fun but also makes a beautiful keepsake for the whole family.
2. Paper Plate Pilgrims and Native Americans: This craft is perfect for teaching children about the history and significance of Thanksgiving. Provide the children with paper plates, construction paper, markers, and glue. Instruct them to decorate one plate as a pilgrim and another as a Native American. They can add facial features, clothing, and accessories using the construction paper. This activity encourages creativity and cultural awareness.
3. Thankful Tree: Thanksgiving is all about expressing gratitude, and the thankful tree craft is a wonderful way to teach children about being thankful. Cut out a large tree trunk from brown construction paper and attach it to a wall or bulletin board. Then, have the children cut out leaf shapes from colored construction paper. On each leaf, they can write or draw something they are thankful for and then tape or glue it onto the tree branches. This craft helps children understand the concept of gratitude and promotes positive thinking.
4. Corn Cob Painting: Corn is a staple food during Thanksgiving, and corn cob painting is a fun and messy craft that preschoolers and toddlers will love. Start by giving each child a corn cob and some paint. Let them dip the corn cob into the paint and then roll it onto a large piece of paper. The result is a beautiful and unique print that resembles corn kernels. This craft encourages sensory exploration and creativity.
5. Pinecone Turkeys: Collect pinecones from outside and transform them into adorable turkeys. Give each child a pinecone and let them paint it brown. Once dry, attach googly eyes, a beak, and feathers to the pinecone using glue. This craft allows children to use their imagination and gives them a hands-on experience with nature.
6. Paper Bag Turkey Puppets: Paper bag puppets are a classic craft that never goes out of style. To make a paper bag turkey puppet, provide each child with a brown paper bag, construction paper, scissors, and glue. Instruct them to cut out feathers, eyes, a beak, and a wattle from the construction paper. Then, they can glue these pieces onto the paper bag to create a turkey puppet. This craft promotes storytelling and imaginative play.
7. Leaf Rubbing Collage: Fall is a season filled with beautiful leaves, and leaf rubbing collages are a great way to incorporate nature into Thanksgiving crafts. Take the children outside and help them collect leaves of different shapes and sizes. Back inside, give each child a sheet of white paper and some crayons. Instruct them to place a leaf under the paper and rub the crayon over it to create a leaf-shaped print. They can repeat this process with various leaves and then glue their rubbings onto a larger sheet of paper to create a collage. This craft combines nature, art, and fine motor skills.
8. Fruit and Veggie Turkeys: Thanksgiving is also a time to celebrate the abundance of food. Have the children create turkeys using fruits and vegetables. Provide them with a variety of fruits and vegetables such as apples, grapes, carrots, and celery. Instruct them to arrange the items in the shape of a turkey and use toothpicks to hold everything together. This craft promotes healthy eating and teaches children about different types of food.
9. Indian Corn Sun Catchers: Indian corn, with its vibrant colors, is a symbol of fall and Thanksgiving. To make Indian corn sun catchers, give each child a sheet of clear contact paper. Instruct them to cut out the shape of an ear of corn from the contact paper and peel off the backing. Then, provide them with colorful tissue paper or small squares of construction paper and have them stick the pieces onto the contact paper. Once finished, place another sheet of contact paper on top to seal in the tissue paper. Hang the sun catchers on a window to let the light shine through. This craft develops fine motor skills and creates a beautiful decoration.
10. Gratitude Jar: A gratitude jar is a simple but meaningful craft that encourages children to reflect on what they are thankful for. Give each child a small jar and have them decorate it with stickers, markers, or paint. Then, provide them with slips of paper and instruct them to write or draw something they are grateful for each day. They can fold the papers and place them in the jar. At the end of the month, the children can read aloud what they wrote and reflect on the positive aspects of their lives. This craft promotes gratitude, self-reflection, and mindfulness.
In conclusion, Thanksgiving crafts for preschoolers and toddlers provide an opportunity for children to engage in hands-on activities while learning about the holiday and developing essential skills. Whether it’s creating handprint turkey cards, making paper plate pilgrims and Native Americans, or crafting a gratitude jar, these activities promote creativity, fine motor skills, cultural awareness, and gratitude. So, gather your little ones, gather some supplies, and have a blast crafting and celebrating Thanksgiving together!
amazon prime shows for tweens
Amazon Prime has become a go-to streaming platform for families, offering a wide variety of shows and movies suitable for all ages. For tweens, in particular, there are countless options to choose from that will not only entertain them but also provide valuable lessons and relatable characters. In this article, we will explore some of the best Amazon Prime shows for tweens that are sure to capture their attention and keep them coming back for more.
1. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Based on the classic cartoon of the same name, this Amazon Prime original series follows the beloved duo of Rocky the flying squirrel and Bullwinkle the moose as they embark on various adventures. The show is updated for modern audiences, but still maintains the humor and charm of the original. With its witty jokes, lovable characters, and fun storylines, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle is a great choice for tweens.
2. Just Add Magic
For tweens who love magic and mystery, Just Add Magic is the perfect show to watch on Amazon Prime. The series follows the adventures of three friends who discover a magical cookbook and must use its recipes to solve mysteries and save their town from evil forces. With themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage, this show not only entertains but also teaches important lessons.
3. Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny
The popular Kung Fu Panda franchise has made its way to Amazon Prime with the series The Paws of Destiny. The show follows Po and the Furious Five as they train four young pandas who possess the powers of the legendary Four Constellations. With stunning animation, exciting fight scenes, and valuable lessons about teamwork and self-discovery, this show is a must-watch for tweens.
4. The Dangerous Book for Boys
Based on the book of the same name, this Amazon Prime series follows the McKenna family as they cope with the loss of their father and husband. The show centers around the youngest son, Wyatt, who discovers a book titled The Dangerous Book for Boys, filled with helpful tips and advice from his late father. With its heartwarming family dynamic and valuable life lessons, this show is a great choice for tweens and their parents to watch together.
5. Tumble Leaf
For younger tweens, Tumble Leaf is a charming animated series that follows a blue fox named Fig and his friends as they explore their whimsical world filled with adventure and discovery. With its calming nature and gentle life lessons, this show is a great option for tweens who may need a break from fast-paced and action-packed shows.
6. Just Roll With It
For tweens who enjoy comedy and improv, Just Roll With It is a must-watch on Amazon Prime. The show follows a family as they navigate their everyday lives, but with a twist – the audience gets to choose what happens next through a series of options presented on-screen. With its unique format and hilarious cast, this show is sure to keep tweens entertained and laughing.
7. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street
This Amazon Prime original series follows the adventures of three friends living on Normal Street, a seemingly ordinary street with a mysterious past. Each episode follows the trio as they encounter magical and supernatural occurrences while learning valuable lessons about friendship and growing up. With its heartwarming storytelling and relatable characters, this show is a hit among tweens.
8. The Stinky & Dirty Show
For fans of the book series, The Stinky & Dirty Show on Amazon Prime is a must-watch. The show follows the adventures of a garbage truck named Stinky and a backhoe loader named Dirty as they work together to solve problems and help their friends. With its catchy songs and positive messages about teamwork and problem-solving, this show is a great choice for younger tweens.
9. Pete the Cat
Based on the popular book series, Pete the Cat is an animated show on Amazon Prime that follows the adventures of a groovy cat named Pete and his friends. With its upbeat music and positive messages about friendship and creativity, this show is a hit among young tweens.
10. Dino Dana
For tweens who love dinosaurs, Dino Dana on Amazon Prime is a show not to be missed. The series follows a young girl named Dana who can see dinosaurs in the real world and teaches viewers about different species and their behaviors. With its educational content and entertaining storytelling, this show is a great choice for tweens who enjoy learning while being entertained.
11. The Kicks
The Kicks is a live-action series on Amazon Prime that follows the journey of a 12-year-old girl named Devin as she moves to a new town and joins a soccer team. With themes of perseverance, teamwork, and friendship, this show is a great choice for tweens who enjoy sports and coming-of-age stories.
12. Annedroids
Annedroids is a live-action series on Amazon Prime that follows the adventures of a young scientist named Anne and her friends as they create and experiment in her secret lab. With its emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), this show is not only entertaining but also educational for tweens.
13. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Based on the popular book series, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is an animated show on Amazon Prime that follows the adventures of a curious mouse and his friends. With its catchy songs and relatable characters, this show is a hit among younger tweens and teaches important lessons about friendship and problem-solving.
14. Lost in Oz
Based on the classic story of The Wizard of Oz, Lost in Oz is an animated series on Amazon Prime that follows the adventures of a modern-day girl named Dorothy as she navigates the magical land of Oz with her friends. With its stunning animation and exciting storylines, this show is a hit among tweens and offers a fresh take on a beloved tale.
15. Just Add Magic: Mystery City
For fans of Just Add Magic, the spin-off series Just Add Magic: Mystery City is a must-watch on Amazon Prime. The show follows a new group of friends who discover the magical cookbook and must use its recipes to solve mysteries and save their town. With its relatable characters and exciting storylines, this show is a great choice for tweens who enjoy mystery and magic.
In conclusion, Amazon Prime offers a wide variety of shows for tweens that not only entertain but also teach valuable lessons and provide relatable characters for this age group. From animated adventures to live-action comedies, there is something for every tween to enjoy on this streaming platform. So the next time your tween is looking for a new show to watch, look no further than Amazon Prime.