This night sky constellation craft is such a fun one for learning more about constellations, stars and the night sky. With just a few materials, this craft would make such a fun addition to a night sky unit study or just an afternoon of making!

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Paper Fasteners
• Yarn
• Pen or Pencil

Create it!

Step 1: Cut cardboard into squares.

Step 2: With pen, draw dots for each of the stars in the constellation. We looked in a book but looking online would also provide the needed information.

Step 3: Carefully (or have an adult do this step) poke paper fastener through each of the dots. Remove the paper fasteners for next step.

Step 4: Paint the cardboard and allow it to dry.

Step 5: Place the paper fasteners through the holes again and secure loosely.

Step 6: Tie a piece of yarn to a paper fastener at one end of the constellation.

Step 7: Wrap the yarn around the paper fasteners to form the constellation lines.

Step 8: Tie a knot at the end of the constellation.

 

Step 9: Trim the yarn at each end, if you'd like.

 

If you have an early learner working on spelling add some letters to spell out each constellation!

Painting is fun and while we usually use paintbrushes, it's nice to mix it up once in a while and use something different. We reused plastic forks to create a distinct texture for this lion craft.

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Paint
• Plastic Fork
• Scissors
• Glue
• Cardstock or Colored Paper
• Pencil
• Circular Object to Trace, optional
• 1 inch and Single Hole Paper Punch, optional

Create it!

Step 1: Draw or trace a circle in the center of a cardboard square.

Step 2: Place yellow paint around the circle on the piece of cardboard.

Step 3: Using the fork, paint strokes away from the center of the circle to create the lion's mane.

Step 4: Place dots of orange paint around the inside of the mane.

Step 5: Again, use the fork to paint outward from the center, adding to the lion mane.

Step 6: Cut a nose and ears from cardstock and glue to the center of the circle for the lion's face.

Step 7: Use the paper hole punches or cut eyes from cardstock and add to the lion's face.

Step 8: To finish the lion, cut a mouth from cardstock and add just below the lion's nose.

Whether you are working on letter L, studying lions or just looking for a new project, this one is fun and you likely have all the materials on hand already!

 

As part of a science lesson or just for fun, this animal habitat activity is simple to set up and can be used in a variety of ways!

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Bowl
• Pencil or Pen
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Small Plastic Animal Toys

Create it!:

Step 1: Using the bowl, trace a circle on cardboard. Cut out the circle. Repeat for as many habitats as you would like. We made three.

Step 2: Paint the cardboard circles for each habitat. For example, blue for water, green for jungle, brown for farm, etc. All the paint to dry.

Step 3: Set out the circles, along with animals. Ask your preschooler to sort the animalsl by habitat, shape, color or any other characteristic!

 

Sometimes figuring out how to open something is sort of like a puzzle. We made some little cardboard barns with different ways to open the doors - fantastic fine motor practice and fun!

Start with:

• Cardboard
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper Fastener
• String/Yarn
• Pom Pom

Create it!

Step 1: Cut barn shapes out of cardboard..

Step 2: Paint the cardboard barns red and allow them to dry

Step 3: Also from the red cardboard, cut barn doors and glue onto the barn shapes. Just glue the outside seam of the door on each side so it easily opens and closes.

Step 4: Trim the barn and doors with white paint, if you'd like.

Step 5: Add a paper fastener to each side of the door. Tie string (or embroidery thread) to one of the paper fasteners. Wrap the string around the other paper fastener to secure the door closed.

Step 6: To the next barn doors, add three or more paper fasteners, alternating on both doors. Tie the string to the bottoms paper fastener and loop the string around each paper fastener.

Step 7: Add a paper fastener to one door. Tie a string loop around the paper fastener. To the other door, glue a pom pom. Fasten the string loop around the pom pom.

These are just three options but there are so many ways to fasten the barn doors!