Autumn is a time of harvest and this can provide the inspiration for many wonderful craft activities. As you plan your sessions, try to make the most of the natural items that are around at this time of year. Not only will this save you money, but it may also inspire the children to give thanks to God for all the good things that He has given them.
Harvest baskets: a really simple craft to start the year. Paint the plates brown and leave them to dry (it’s less messy to do this yourself before the children arrive). Cut fruit and veg shapes from coloured paper for the children to glue on, or use pictures from magazines or the internet. Simple fruit and veg shapes can be found at:
Bug biscuits: using a chocolate biscuit as the base, stick on liquorice-lace legs and a tea-cake body using icing, and then decorate with other sweets and biscuits to create edible insects, spiders and snails. More detailed instructions can be found on the Playtime website at www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime/crafts/bug-biscuits. Do remember to CHECK FOR ALLERGIES before you start and provide handwashing facilities too.
Stick insects: gather some short sturdy sticks, wrap three lengths of pipe-cleaner around them to form the six insect legs and bend into shape. Stick on other suitable bits and pieces to make a head, eyes and antennae. More detailed instructions can be found on the Playtime website at www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime/crafts/stick-insects.
Autumn leaves: make a cute hedgehog mask from a paper plate. Cut out eye-holes and a quarter segment for the nose. Stick on leaves using PVA glue and then add a little black nose and a couple of ears. More detailed instructions for this and other animal masks can be found on the Playtime website at www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime/crafts/animal-masks Be warned though – the leaves will dry and crumble after a few weeks unless you seal them with a coating of PVA glue.
Christmas puddings: prepare some chocolate crispy cake mixture and give each child a small amount in a paper bowl. Get them to mix in some sultanas, raisins and chopped glace cherries and roll it into a ball. Provide white glace icing for them to spoon over the ‘pudding’ and some fondant icing holly leaves and berries to decorate the top. Further details and a recipe for Mars Bar crispy cakes can be found on the Playtime website. Do remember to CHECK FOR ALLERGIES before you start and provide handwashing facilities too.Need more ideas? Inspiration can come from books and websites but also from a trip to a scrapstore or craft shop. If you have toddlers of your own, you can adopt or adapt the best ideas from their nurseries. The cheapest activities will recycle junk that friends or family are throwing out - you will probably end up with an eye for 'creative' junk and start your own collection!
Finally, click here to browse the ideas in the craft section of the Playtime website and find out how to turn a toilet roll into a space rocket or make a hedgehog from handprints.
Fiona Burt
Last Updated 27 July 2010
Children should be adequately supervised during all craft activities. Use of these ideas is at the discretion of the group leaders. Care for the Family cannot be held responsible for any injury or damage which might result from their use.
We would love to receive any craft or activity ideas that you have used successfully in a parent and toddler group. Please send them to Fiona at Care for the Family, Garth House, FREEPOST (CF4636), Cardiff CF15 7GZ or email fionaburt@engagetoday.org.uk
Please include simple instructions along with either a digital photo (jpeg if possible) or a completed item.
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