Cute Crafts to Give Thanks

Have a few days off school for Thanksgiving?  Why not give kids some crafts that not only keep them busy, but help them show thanks, work on fine motor skills and explore the history of the holiday?!?!

Here are some cute ideas we found at www.parents.com

1. Family Wall of Thanks

 Divide a bulletin board into equal sections for each family member to tack up notes, images, and drawings of what they cherish this holiday season.

2. ABC Journal

Designate a small notebook as your ABC journal. Have your little ones practice writing the alphabet, and help them draw a picture of something they are thankful for that begins with each letter.

3. Handy Thanksgiving Tree

High-fives for all the awesome things your kids are grateful for!
Start by covering a bulletin board with white paper to make your canvas. Then, trace your children's hands on sheets of red, orange, green and yellow construction paper. Once you've traced and cut out handprints, have your kids write what they are thankful for. Cut a tree from brown paper (you can use your kids hand and forearm for a template), and glue on all your "leaves."

Homemade Musical Fun

While there are lots of ideas for homemade instruments on the internet, we loved this one for www.housingaforest.com for its simplicity, use of basic household materials and the look of pure joy on any kids face when they hear the unique noise it makes!

Materials

• 2 Popsicle Sticks (we used the wide ones)
• 2 Rubber Bands (you could also use string)
• A strip of paper the same size as the Popsicle Stick
• 2 toothpicks cut the width or just wider than the Popsicle Sticks

Assembling your Popsicle Stick Harmonica is simple.

1. Sandwich the paper strip in between the 2 Popsicle Sticks.
2. Wrap a rubber band around one end until it is snug.
3. Slide a toothpick to the inside of the rubber band.
4. Sandwich the last toothpick at the other end of the Popsicle sticks, and wrap with a rubber band.

We found it worked best when you placed one toothpick on top of the paper and one toothpick under the paper.  No toothpicks?!?!  We had great results with paperclips!

Building Healthy Families Child Development