Crafts and Snacks Inspired by Eric Carle

 Calling all crafty critters and curious caterpillars! Are you looking for a fun way to spark creativity and ignite a love for art in your little ones? Then dive into the wonderful world of Eric Carle!

Eric Carle, the beloved author and illustrator behind classics like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?", is known for his vibrant collages and whimsical characters. His art style is not only visually captivating but also surprisingly easy to recreate, making him the perfect inspiration for engaging and educational crafts for children of all ages.

A World of Colourful Creations:

This blog post is your one-stop shop for exploring Eric Carle-inspired crafts! We'll be featuring a variety of tutorials designed to bring your favorite Carle characters to life. Get ready to:

• Chomp Your Way Through a Colorful Caterpillar: We'll show you how to create a delightful "Very Hungry Caterpillar" using construction paper, paint, and some wiggle eyes.
• See What the Brown Bear Sees: Craft a vibrant menagerie of animals inspired by "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" using tissue paper and cardstock.
• Let Your Creativity Bloom: Unleash your inner artist with a Carle-inspired collage project. We'll guide you through creating beautiful textured paper using paints and household objects, perfect for crafting anything your imagination desires!

Be sure to click through the links below to view the full tutorials.

Cotton Ball Polar Bears by Simply Full of Delight

Apple Printed Caterpillars by Sweet Silly Sara

Eric Carle Style Easter Eggs by Red Ted Art

Egg Carton Caterpillar by Crafty Art Ideas

Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Pizzas by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Mixed Media Hungry Caterpillar Art  by Kids Activities Blog

Thumbprint Caterpillars by Simply Full of Delight

Easy Egg Carton and Pipe Cleaner Caterpillars by Simply Full of Delight

Very Busy Spider Snack by The Healthy Family Project

Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Snack by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Hungry Caterpillar Puppets by Messy Little Monster

Hungry Caterpillar Cupcakes by Imaginative Homeschool

Two Headed Paper Plate Snakes by In the Playroom

Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Bin by Mama of Mini’s

Hungry Caterpillar Cookies by Buttercream Parties

Eric Carle Apple Cookies by The Monday Box

Hermit Crab Craft by Little Ladoo

Brown Bear Bento Box by Healthy Family Project

Beyond the Craft Table:

The beauty of Eric Carle crafts is that they're more than just fun activities. They can be a springboard for learning and exploration. Here are some ways to extend the experience:

• Story Time Fun: After crafting your favorite Carle characters, revisit the original books and act out the stories together.
• Explore Colors: Use your Carle creations as a jumping-off point to discuss different colors, shapes, and textures.
• Animal Adventures: Learn about the different animals featured in Carle's books and their habitats.

So grab your scissors, glue, and a sprinkle of creativity – it's time to embark on an artistic adventure inspired by the world of Eric Carle! Stay tuned for our upcoming craft tutorials, where we'll show you step-by-step how to create these delightful projects and bring the magic of Carle's art to life!

Find more awesome crafts for kids:

Easy Ipad stands

Lego Stamped Pumpkins

Apple Process Art

Christmas Crafts for Kids

 

Crafting Cheer: Fun and Festive Activities for Kids this Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and creating lasting memories. And what better way to embrace the spirit of the season than with some fun and festive crafting with your kids? Crafting with little ones is a wonderful way to:

• Bond and Connect: Spending quality time together creating something special is a heartwarming experience for both parents and children.
• Boost Creativity: Crafts allow kids to explore their imaginations and develop their artistic skills.
• Make Memories: These homemade decorations and gifts will be cherished for years to come, bringing back fond memories of the holidays whenever they're seen.
• Spread Holiday Cheer: Handmade ornaments and cards can be used to decorate your home or gifted to loved ones, adding a personalized touch to the season.

Water Bottle Christmas Bowling Game by Sustain My Craft Habit

Accordion Folded Trees by A Little Pinch of Perfect

Clay Pot Reindeer by Julie Measures

Yarn Wrapped Trees by Made with Happy

Easy Rudolph Craft by Glue Sticks and Gumdrops

Clothespin Reindeer Ornaments by Fun Money Mom

Printable Christmas Puppets by The Printables Fairy

Paper Straw Christmas Tree Cards by Honey and Lime

Paper Plate Christmas Trees by Mama of Minis

Handprint Reindeer by Little Ladoo

Pasta Angel Ornaments by The Keel Deal

Air Dry Clay Ornaments by Mimosas and Motherhood

Santa S’more Ornaments by Whispered Inspirations

Play Doh Ornaments by Sweet Silly Sara

Paper Straw Christmas Tree Ornaments by Made in a Pinch

Crafting for All Ages:

The beauty of holiday crafts is that there's something for everyone, regardless of age or skill level. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• For the Littlest Crafters: Even toddlers can get in on the fun with simple activities like handprint ornaments, decorating pre-cut felt shapes, or sorting colorful pasta for ornaments.
• Preschool Powerhouses: Preschoolers will enjoy creating collages with construction paper and glitter, decorating cookies, or making pipe cleaner candy canes.
• School-Age Fun: School-aged children can tackle more intricate projects like decorating mugs with paint pens, crafting paper snowflakes, or constructing gingerbread houses.

Tips for a Successful Craft Session:

• Set the Mood: Put on some festive music, light some holiday candles, and wear Santa hats for some extra cheer!
• Gather Your Supplies: Make sure you have everything you need before you start to avoid any meltdowns.
• Embrace the Mess: Holidays are about making memories, not creating a Pinterest-perfect craft session. Lay down some newspaper or a tablecloth to protect surfaces and let the creativity flow!
• Keep it Age-Appropriate: Choose projects that are suited to your child's skill level to avoid frustration.
• Focus on Fun: The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the time spent together creating something special.

Get Ready to Craft!

Stay tuned for our upcoming craft tutorials, where we'll provide step-by-step instructions for a variety of engaging and festive Christmas crafts that you and your kids can create together. From adorable ornaments to delightful decorations, we have something for everyone to make this holiday season merry and bright!

Find more favorite Christmas crafts here:

Christmas Gnome Ornaments

Rudolph Ornaments

Mickey Mouse Bell Ornaments

Mickey Mouse Gift Tag Ornaments

Must Make Star Wars Crafts

 Calling all Jedi Masters, Rebel heroes, and aspiring smugglers! Unleash your inner creative Force and embark on a crafting adventure to a galaxy far, far away.

Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a young Padawan just starting out, there's a Star Wars craft project out there waiting for you. From classic characters and iconic ships to legendary lightsabers and galactic scenes, the possibilities are endless!

Gather your supplies, channel your inner creativity, and get ready to create your own death star, fun puppets and even out of this world soaps. I know you will find a few crafts to make. The force is strong with these fun ideas!

Be sure to click thru the links to get the full tutorials.

Paper Bag Grogu Puppets by Simple Everyday Mom

Got a brown paper bag and some colorful paper? Then why not craft these cute puppets with the kids this afternoon?

Upcycled Death Star by Sweet Silly Sara

An old soccer ball becomes a fantastic Death Star! This is such a fun way to make a DIY toy that can also hold all of the action figures!

Baby Yoda Bookmark by Red Ted Art

Let this little cutie keep your place for you with this corner bookmark. The tutorial is so easy to follow you can make a dozen of these in no time.

Star Wars Soaps for Kids by STEAM Powered Family

Give kids an introduction to soap making with these adorable soaps! They will certainly make bath time lots of fun!

Pool Noodle Lightsabers by Life Anchored

These soft DIY pool noodle lightsabers are perfect for battles without boo boos!

R2D2 Pencil Holders by Crafts by Amanda

Grab some felt and create a pencil holder that Star Wars fans will appreciate and use!

Mandalorian Snowflakes by Kids Activities Blog

This is such a fun idea for paper snowflakes for Star Wars fans! The template makes it so easy to create these little works of art!

Craft Stick Grogu by Simple Everyday Mom

Put the popsicle sticks to use with this cute idea that will have kids crafting up a great time.

Mandalorian Snack Bags by Grace Giggles and Naptime

Paper bags and colorful paper are all you need to make  snack time super special! Make these for movie night and everyone will love them!

Egg Carton Yoda by Fun Learning Life

Give a discarded egg carton a new use with this fun craft! It is creative and encourages dramatic play for the win.

Paper Plate Porgs by Clementine County

Porgs are adorable right?! This paper plate craft will have your kids making porgs of their own to admire and share.

Paper Plate BB8 by Mom Brite

Grab a paper plate and get busy making this really awesome BB8. This is detailed and perfect for droid fans, but easy enough anyone can make it.

Death Star Globes by Julie Measures

If you have an old globe why not create some decor that will mesmerize Star Wars fans? This step by step tutorial makes it really easy to recreate.

These Star Wars crafts are perfect for:

• A fun family activity: Bond with your loved ones over a shared love of Star Wars and creativity.
• A Star Wars-themed birthday party: Keep your young Jedi entertained with engaging crafts and activities.
• A rainy day activity: Let your imagination take flight even when the weather isn't cooperating.
• A unique way to show your Star Wars fandom: Display your creations with pride and let the world know you're a true fan of the saga.

So, gather your supplies, put on your favorite Star Wars soundtrack, and get ready to unleash your creativity! Remember, the Force is strong with crafters of all ages, and there's no limit to what you can create in your own galaxy far, far away.

May the craft be with you!

You might also like these easy Yoda puppets.

Crafts Where the Quality of Your Water Matters

Water is important not only for your health but also in various processes. In its purest form, there are many uses for distilled water. You can improve water quality through systems like Brita reverse osmosis and use it for various applications. For instance, several crafts require you to use high-quality water. This article discusses some of these crafts in detail. 

Making Homemade Perfume

Perfume making is a craft that needs high-quality water. Instead of using a perfume that everyone else is using, you can make a unique one using different ingredients. Listed below are some of the materials you will need for this craft:

• Distilled water

• Fragrance oils, essential oils, flavor, and infused oils such as vanilla extracts

• Glycerin

Other materials you will need include a decorated glass bottle to store the finished product (preferably colored glass), measuring spoons or cup, a glass jar for mixing the fragrance, wrapping paper or aluminum or wrapping paper, especially when using clear glass bottles, a funnel, dropper, pencil, and paper for writing your recipe. 

Advantages of Homemade Perfumes

There are several advantages of homemade perfumes; here are some of them:

• They do not contain ingredients grown with toxins, pesticides, or chemicals, leading to environmental damage and skin sensitivity. 

• By using natural and essential oils to make homemade perfume, you create emotional and physical healing properties such as mood-lifting, relaxing, energy-enhancing, and calming. 

• Compared to perfumes with synthetic properties, homemade perfumes are not tested on animals. The ingredients in mass-manufactured perfumes include musk and phthalates, which can cause harm to animals. 

• Non-natural fragrances mask the wearer's skin, while homemade ones create a more individual and personal scent. 

Canning Fresh Produce

This is another craft that needs high-quality water. By preserving food, you encourage certain bacteria to crowd out harmful bacteria. Preserving food also means freezing time to prevent it from going bad. Canning is one of the most reliable methods of preserving food. This method relies on distilled water for the best results, and you can buy distilled water online which makes this a lot easier.
 

The simplest method of canning is water bath canning, where you fill jars with acidic foods such as cucumbers, berries, or tomatoes mixed with vinegar. Cover them in a pan of distilled water until a seal forms under the lid. This process forces air out of the food and then out of the jar, creating a vacuum in the acidic environment. By doing so, the harmful bacteria will not survive. 

Water bath canning can also create several delicious foods such as jellies, jams, pickles, and whole tomatoes. If you have advanced equipment, you can try out pressure canning. Even though this procedure requires specialized equipment and more skills, it can unlock a wide range of flavors and food options. Keep in mind that the success of this process comes down to minor details like the quality of water you are using — always ensure it is distilled! 

Making Cosmetics

Quality water is also needed in making cosmetics. In this craft, water plays a very important role. Given that water can dissolve the highest number of solutes, it can dissolve most ingredients used in making cosmetic products. This makes distilled water an essential ingredient in making cosmetics, from shaving creams to shampoo.

Even in the mass manufacturing of these products, pure water is needed. This is because the presence of unwanted particles like magnesium and sodium can interfere with the precise and delicate production of cosmetic products. Distilled water doesn't contain any impurities, making it perfect for use in the production of cosmetics. Furthermore, since cosmetic products are mostly used on the skin, pure water is the most reliable, as it does not contain any chemical that can cause irritation.

Making Fun-Shaped Ice Cubes

This craft needs water without any impurities. Distilled water can make shiny and clear ice cubes in less time compared to contaminated water. The process of making ice at home is simple. Start by filling your decorative shapes with distilled water. Then, stick it in a freezer and wait for several hours.

Releasing the ice is not complicated either. Take out the ice shapes from the freezer, twisting or spinning slightly to allow the fun shapes to pop out. This will get you perfect fun shapes ready for consumption! It is important to keep in mind that ice in any form should only be made with distilled water. Anything other than that could result in poor-quality ice or impede on the flavor of your preferred beverage.

Finally

Several crafts use distilled water. This article has discussed some of them and how distilled water is used. You can try out any of these crafts at home!