Crafts are high on the wishlist of most of the families we know. Crafts are an educational and fun bonding experience for children and parents.
With Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year, you can give parents enough ideas for a year worth of crafts with their kids–for under $13.
This book makes a thoughtful Christmas, Hanukkah, or Holiday gift for teachers, parents, and grandparents looking to enjoy some unplugged time with their kids.
Projects like these provide just enough structure to open up a world of creativity and learning. Crafting is fun and builds memories with your child…and it also provides practice for important skills like measuring, using a pincer grasp, and following instructions. So many early childhood educators are concerned that children come to kindergarten without the fine motor skills necessary to properly hold a writing implement.
We like to include a mix of outdoor physical activity, reading, free-play (and art), and also crafts in our day.
Since this is the season, my kids are very focused on the Holidays. Although we are a Christian family, my background is primarily Jewish and I want my children to be aware of their heritage and also the many cultures that co-exist in this country.
As part of our discussions of Chanukah, my three year old and I made the stained glass menorah from Make and Takes! We’ve made a lot of stained glass using various techniques and it is always a big hit. This one was very simple and I love the idea of having the sunlight from outside light up the menorah.
We measured:
We cut:
And we pasted:
My son was quite proud to show his father and big sister the final result and explain that the Shamash is the center candle, used to light the other eight.
We’re planning to try many of the other great winter projects from Make and Takes:
The book is grouped by month, with 4-5 seasonal or holiday projects for each month. So, you and your children will have something special to look forward to in each season.
Marie LeBaron’s warmth and her appreciation for children and crafting radiate from the pages of this clear, beautiful, and helpful book. This is a gift families will cherish for years to come.
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WANT IT: Find Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year at all major book stores and online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Walmart.com, Wiley.com.
Find out more about the book at Marie LeBaron’s site.
The publisher, Wiley, has a great craft page with lots of great craft projects for both adult and kid craft fans.
All book photography credited to Nicole Gerulat of A Little Sussy
