Category: Fun Crafts

Nature Photo Activity

by Elaine Ann Allen
Yellow blooms
Yellow blooms

Make these nature inspired photo frames from recycled materials.

My favorite season is the Spring. I love all the new life and new blooms on the trees, and every year I take lots of pictures of the kids in front of the new brightly colored trees that were so cold and bare just a few weeks ago. This year I decided to let the kids have a chance to be the photographers and take lots of pictures of their own. So, each with a camera in hand, they went out into the neighborhood to take pictures of nature. Continue reading “Nature Photo Activity” →

Lighthouse Craft

by Elaine Ann Allen
Lighthouse craft3
Cape Henry Lighthouses

Make these fun lighthouses out of bottle caps and paper towel tubes.

These lighthouses are modeled after the Cape Henry Lighthouses in Virginia. According to US-Lighthouses.com there are about 680 lighthouses in the United States. The original Cape Henry lighthouse is made out of bricks. A new lighthouse was built along side it in 1882 when the older one developed cracks and became unsafe. Continue reading “Lighthouse Craft” →

Homemade Bird feeders

by Elaine Ann Allen
IMG_1231 (2)
This bird is enjoying his snack.

These bird feeders make it easy to watch birds in the backyard. I helped my daughter make these for a science project at school. We made them out of recycled materials, including a paper towel roll, a shoebox lid, and a milk carton.

You can make one, or all three of these feeders for your yard and enjoy watching the birds as they return for spring. Beware of squirrels, though. They seem to like the bird feed as much as the birds do, sometimes knocking down the feeders trying to get at the food! But the fun of watching the birds close up is definitely worth the effort of putting the feeders back in place and refilling them. Continue reading “Homemade Bird feeders” →

Maryland Day Crabs

by Elaine Ann Allen
Maryland crabs
Maryland crabs

In addition to its oysters, Maryland is known for its blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. Help celebrate Maryland Day (March 25th) by making these fun crabs out of paper plates and pipe cleaners.

The blue crab is Maryland’s state crustacean, and its largest commercial fishery. Its scientific name is Callinectes sapidus, which means savory beautiful swimmer.

The second crab in the picture shown displays Maryland’s state flag–a fun way to show state pride.

Continue reading “Maryland Day Crabs” →

Springtime Baby Birds

by Elaine Ann Allen
Baby birds cuddle together
Baby birds cuddle together

Make these adorable birds and their nests using craft Poms, plastic Easter eggs and brown paper bags.

Spring is the time of year when birds are returning to their northern stomping grounds, building their nests, and settling down to lay their eggs. In honor of bird migration and new beginnings offered by springtime, I’m posting this fun craft that entails making a bird’s nest out of a brown paper bag, which then becomes the home of a new baby bird that kids will make out of craft Poms and plastic Easter eggs. Continue reading “Springtime Baby Birds” →

Thanksgiving Turkey Craft

by Elaine Ann Allen
Turkey3
This little guy sits proudly on his plate.

My family is super excited for Thanksgiving, as we are every year. It is one of my favorite holidays because it involves family, lots of delicious food, and giving thanks. So, in honor of the big day coming up, my kids and I are making these adorable little turkeys that will adorn our plates on Thanksgiving day. The orange placemats in this photo are actually crocheted, made by my grandmother. It’s so much fun to use things that are handmade by the people you love. Continue reading “Thanksgiving Turkey Craft” →

Ghostly Sea Shell Garland

by Elaine Ann Allen
Sea Shell Ghosts
Sea Shell Ghosts

My family loves to collect sea shells during our summer trips to the beach. So, I try to find creative ways to use them all year round. Here are some shells “dressed up” like spooky ghosts for Halloween.

I draped these ghostly creatures along the handrail of the outdoor steps to “frighten” unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.

Continue reading “Ghostly Sea Shell Garland” →

Easy Oyster Craft

by Elaine Ann Allen
Students show off their oysters.
Students show off their oysters.

Oyster season has arrived! There is an old saying which espouses that oysters should only be eaten in months with an R, ideally September through April. Today, however, with modern refrigeration and oyster farming all year round, oysters can be eaten any time of year. But, some oyster aficionados hold that oysters are at their freshest and tastiest in the Fall.

In honor of the fall harvest, I’m posting this easy oyster craft. I make this craft with students when I visit schools to read my children’s book, Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay. I teach children that oysters are great for the environment because they are filter feeders and natural cleaners in the water. Continue reading “Easy Oyster Craft” →

Mother’s Day Tea Sets

by Elaine Ann Allen
Tea set
Make these mini tea sets with your kids

My 10 year old daughter and I made these tea sets recently in celebration of Mother’s Day. Made from Sculpey Polymer Clay, they are actually very easy to make.

Most pieces began with making a small ball out of the clay. Then we used the eraser end of a pencil to make the hole inside each piece. Just make the ball smaller for a cup, and bigger for a teapot, creamer or sugar bowl. Continue reading “Mother’s Day Tea Sets” →