Lone Star Nannies Spring Crafts
April showers bring May flowers and, for all the parents out there, lots of opportunities for rainy day crafts! Whether you’re a nanny or a full time working mom, we’ve searched the internet for some of the most endearing handmade crafts of the season and narrowed them down to our “Top 10”. No matter where these crafts meet you in life, one of our goals at Lone Star Nannies is to meet you where you are with your childcare needs. We’re here to help, rain or shine! Skim through the list below and find the best fit for your kids…
Lone Star Nannies Top 10 Spring Crafts
1. Doily Butterflies
Historically, butterflies represent transformation, which is one reason why these doily butterflies aren’t just adorable…they’re a beautiful reminder of the circle of life! Something about watching caterpillars becoming butterflies reminds us of our little ones as they grow into who they were created to be. This craft is great for kids of all ages and each butterfly can find a permanent resting place on your refrigerator. Steps are minimal and the watercolor process is fun! You’ll find all the instructions here on the blog Toddler at Play.
2. Peep Bird Houses
Gather all your peeps together and make these edible bird houses from Kitchen Trials! Similar to the concept of a gingerbread house, the best part about this craft is that all the materials you need are most likely in your pantry! For connection to the outdoors, check out this bird guide from Texas Parks and Wildlife and see if you can identify any visitors in your backyard while you work. At the end of the day, your kids will know more about local wildlife and one of the most iconic marshmallow candies in America will have a temporary home.
3. Egg Carton Flower Garden
If you’ve never had a green thumb but like the idea of gardening, these egg carton flowers may be exactly what you need to have all the nostalgia of tending a garden (without the mess). This simple design by LeeAnne on Raising Veggie Lovers is a fun way to “get your hands dirty” without the looming prospect of keeping more things in your house alive! All these plants need is a little paper, glue, and scissors…no sunlight or watering! Check out the full instructions here.
4. Potato Printing
The history of using potatoes as stamps is an interesting conversation starter! Since the early 1900’s, people have used this popular plant to create beautiful works of art. If you trace the roots of potato printing back far enough, you’ll find that the earliest stamps were used for verbal storytelling. Check out the examples from Child’s Play ABC for ways to transform a common grocery item into stamps of baby chicks, tulips, and bumblebees! You’ll be surprised by the stories that unfold.
5. Cupcake Liner Daffodils
This craft is one of the easiest on the list. Make an entire bouquet to display in a vase on your kitchen table or spend an afternoon handing them out to friends in your neighborhood! All you need are cupcake liners, green pipe cleaners, and glue. If you’d like to take your daffodils to the next level, you can wrap the stems in crepe paper streamers. Check out this instagram post from Studio Rosie for a short video.
6. Homemade Bird Feeder
If your kids love oranges, you can easily extend snack time into an afternoon of crafting with leftover orange peels. With these instructions from Kids Kubby and a little imagination, you’ll end up repurposing your snack to provide food for all the birds in the neighborhood! Sit back, grab your binoculars, and talk about ways you can repurpose other items you have at your house to help others.
7. Watercolor Art
Another fan favorite during warmer months is the sweet taste of berries and melons. Thanks to technology, we can eat fruit year round, but there’s something special about enjoying fresh fruit in season. Watercolors are an easy (and quick) way to cultivate an appreciation for art and a colorful plate at the dinner table. Challenge your kids to create fruits and vegetables of their choice, such as these strawberries from Pinterest. The key is to be able to turn basic shapes into a watercolor garden. The simpler the strokes, the easier the process! Whether its clouds, spilt milk, or splotches of water coloring, kids have a unique ability to imagine life beyond what meets the eye. If you’d like to provide examples other than fruit, check out this watercolor sun art, also found on Pinterest.
8. Literature Flower Garland
As school comes to a close, you may be thinking about summer reading. Whether or not you have an avid reader in your home, this literature flower garland is sure to be a hit! Before you pass out the scissors, make sure everyone knows we don’t regularly cut pages out of children’s books. If you’re a nanny, you can make a whole outing of this craft! Start by visiting a local used book store, pick out a few well worn copies of picture books, and decorate a homework area with some inspirational spring decor. Number the flowers to count down the days until summer break! Removing a piece of garland each day could be the motivation your child needs to make it through the end of the school year. Check out the Instagram post here.
9. Moving Caterpillar
Plants aren’t the only forms of life that emerge at the end of winter! Recreate the fun of watching caterpillars inch their way along the ground with this “Moving Caterpillar” craft from Creative Cynchronocity. Using materials you most likely have at home, kids will have fun making their pet caterpillars come to life in the comfort of their living room. Pair this craft with a trip to the library to learn about the life cycle of caterpillars. For little ones, you may even want to begin the craft by reading Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Visit the link for a free template.
10. Straw Flower Painting
As the author of Projects with Kids points out, this is a great craft for Mother’s Day! Cutting tiny slits at the end of a straw and fanning them out like a star creates the perfect template for little flowers. Make an entire bouquet for mom this year. Check out the blog for more detailed instructions and a picture of the finished product.
Find any crafts that you liked? Feel free to reach out and let us know!
If those April showers put a damper on your date night plans and you had to take a rain check, give us a call. We have caring nannies ready to serve you and your family in every season.
With care,
Lone Star Nannies