orchardvalleylearningcenter

Activity: Create a keepsake handprint using homemade salt dough. Materials: 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup of salt 1/4 cup of water Rolling pin Paint (optional) Instructions: Mix the flour, salt, and water to form dough. Roll the dough out on a flat surface. Press your child’s hand into the dough to make a handprint. […]

Activity: Craft a fun puppet using a simple paper bag! Materials: Brown paper bag Markers, crayons, or paint Buttons, googly eyes Glue Instructions: Take a brown paper bag and decorate it with markers or paint. Glue googly eyes and buttons for the mouth and nose. Draw any additional facial features like ears or eyebrows. Once

Activity: Create a butterfly shape using your child’s handprint! Materials: Paper Markers or paints Scissors Glue Instructions: Have your child dip their hands in paint and press them onto a piece of paper. Once dry, cut the handprints out in the shape of butterfly wings. Draw an antenna and body for the butterfly. Glue the

Overview: Cool off with this creative art project that combines science and color mixing! What You’ll Need: Ice cube tray Food coloring or washable paint Popsicle sticks White paper Steps: Fill tray with water and add color drops. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze overnight. Use the frozen “paint cubes” to draw on paper as they

Activity: Make a fun pretend play telescope! Materials: Toilet paper roll Stickers or paint Scissors Glue Instructions: Decorate the toilet paper roll with stickers or paint. Use scissors to carefully cut the roll to your desired length. To make it sturdier, glue an extra ring of cardboard to one end of the roll. Let your

Activity: Build a simple balloon-powered car that zooms! Materials: Empty toilet paper roll Straw Balloon Tape Plastic bottle caps (for wheels) Instructions: Tape the straw to the toilet paper roll (this will be the car’s body). Attach the bottle caps as wheels using tape. Inflate a balloon and tape it to the straw (make sure

Overview: Make learning shapes interactive with this homemade sorting activity—great for toddlers and preschoolers! What You’ll Need: Cardboard Colored paper Scissors Glue or Velcro Steps: Cut out different shapes in bright colors. Glue or Velcro matching outlines on a cardboard base. Let kids match shapes to their outlines. Learning Benefit: Develops shape recognition, problem-solving, and

Activity: Build a marble run with paper towel rolls and watch marbles race! Materials: Empty paper towel rolls Tape or glue Marbles Scissors (for cutting rolls) Instructions: Cut the paper towel rolls into various lengths. Use tape or glue to attach the rolls to a flat surface or a large box. Arrange them in a

Overview: This colorful keepsake craft is both fun and sentimental. Children create flowers using their handprints to form a beautiful “garden” scene. What You’ll Need: Paint and brushes White paper or canvas Markers Steps: Paint each child’s palm and press it onto paper as a flower. Use different colors for variety. Add stems, leaves, and

Overview: Transform empty boxes into an entire city! Kids can build roads, houses, stores, and more—perfect for imaginative play and teamwork. What You’ll Need: Empty cardboard boxes (various sizes) Tape, scissors, and glue Markers, crayons, and stickers Steps: Cut boxes into shapes for buildings, cars, or roads. Decorate each with windows, signs, and doors. Assemble

Overview: This science-meets-art activity lets children paint with bubbles! It’s colorful, exciting, and perfect for sunny days. What You’ll Need: Bubble solution Food coloring or watercolor paint Cups and straws White paper Steps: Mix bubble solution with color in cups. Blow bubbles into the mixture (adults supervise to avoid sipping!). Gently place paper over the

Activity: Create a simple bird feeder using a toilet paper roll. Materials: Toilet paper roll Peanut butter (or Crisco for allergy-safe option) Bird seed String (optional) Instructions: Spread peanut butter around the toilet paper roll. Roll the coated toilet paper roll in bird seed. Hang the roll on a tree branch using string (if desired).

Overview: Turn music time into craft time with DIY tambourines! Kids love making noise while learning about rhythm and sound. What You’ll Need: 2 paper plates Dried beans or rice Stapler or glue Markers, stickers, and ribbons Steps: Decorate both plates with markers and stickers. Place beans or rice on one plate, then seal with

Activity: Collect natural materials and create a beautiful collage! Materials: Leaves, flowers, and small twigs Construction paper or cardboard Glue Instructions: Go on a nature walk with your child and collect leaves, flowers, and twigs. Lay the construction paper or cardboard flat. Arrange the materials creatively on the paper. Once satisfied with the design, glue

Overview: Sensory play boosts creativity and focus! This easy project creates a colorful, touchable bin full of rice that kids will love to explore. What You’ll Need: 4 cups of uncooked rice Food coloring Ziplock bags Vinegar Large bin or tray Steps: Divide rice into bags, one for each color. Add 1 tsp vinegar and

Activity: Create a colorful friendship bracelet to give to a friend! Materials: Embroidery floss or thread Scissors Tape (to secure the threads) Instructions: Cut three pieces of thread (about 18 inches each). Tape the threads to a table or secure them with a knot at the top. Braid the threads together. Once finished, tie the

Activity: Create fun animal faces using paper plates and craft supplies! Materials: Paper plates Crayons/Markers/Paint Construction paper (for ears, eyes, and noses) Glue Instructions: Start by selecting an animal to create (e.g., lion, bear, cat). Color the paper plate to match the animal’s features (fur, skin, etc.). Cut out ears, eyes, and a nose from

Overview: Encourage kids to explore nature and create a beautiful piece of art using what they find outdoors! This craft helps children appreciate the world around them while building fine motor and observation skills. What You’ll Need: Construction paper or cardboard Glue Leaves, flowers, twigs, grass, and other nature finds Markers or crayons Steps: Take