Snowflake/Icicle Craft Tutorial (Do It With Your Preschooler!)

This festive icicle takes shape in just minutes, and it strengthens small muscles in your preschooler's hand too! I'm including instructions on how to make this paper snowflake or icicle...whatever you want to call it! We made a bunch and hung them from the ceiling for our preschool winter theme! If you make six you can tape them together to make a gorgeous snowflake too!

How to Make a Paper Snowflake / Icicle:

1.  Start with a square:

2.  Fold it to make a triangle:

3.  Draw "cutting lines" on it like this and let your child cut them:  (Make sure the cuts do NOT meet in the middle!)

4.  Open up the square!

5.  Fold the middle two flaps together and tape them:

6.  Flip the square over and repeat step five with the next two flaps:

7.  Flip the square over again and repeat step five with the next two flaps:

8.  Flip the square over again (this is the last time!) and repeat step five with the outer two flaps:

9.  Ta Da!  All done!  You can tie a string on and hang your icicle, or make five more and tape them together in a circle to make a snowflake!

While you're making paper snowflakes, hop over and check out how to make a 6 sided snowflake! They're loads of fun and super pretty too...they'd make a great addition to your winter theme decorations!

Happy Educating,

Carla

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I'm a Little Reindeer (preschool Christmas craft and song!)

Reindeer are a magical part of the childhood Christmas experience...they run, fly, and help deliver presents!  Make magic with your preschooler by turning her foot and hands into a reindeer!  For even more fun, act out the I'm A Little Reindeer song below!

Supplies:  
2 different colors construction paper
markers
scissors
paint
painting tin
glue
any other embellishments you want to add!

Let Your Preschooler:
1.  Trace her foot onto one piece of construction paper, then cut it out. Some preschoolers need help tracing and cutting.
2.  Glue the "foot" onto the other piece of construction paper.
3.  Add eyes, nose, and a mouth.
4.  Choose a color of paint for the antlers and pour a small amount into your painting tin.
5.  Smear her whole hand in the paint until it is completely covered and make a hand print for one of the antlers.
6.  Repeat step 5 for the other antler.
7.  Fingerpaint on another piece of paper while the reindeer dries, then add any other embellishments or decorations you choose!

** Reindeer are also called caribou, but you won't see a caribou fly!
** Male and female caribou grow antlers!

I'm A Little Reindeer (to the tune of I'm A Little Teapot)

I'm a little reindeer, see me run!   (point at self)
I like to chase my friends for fun!   (run in place)
If you look up high above my head,     (point up and pat head)
You will see two antlers--"antlers" I said!    (wave fingers behind head like antlers)

Note:  You can also do this craft with toddlers, but you may end up doing most of the work. Toddlers also love to act out this song!

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