by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: October 17, 2009

Apples are a clever reminder of fall. Apples can also be involved with some interesting crafts that children can make or be a part of. They can be used for some wonderful gifts as well.

~ Apple prints
Apple prints are a good way to make a different kind of wrapping paper. It is fun to have the child make the wrapping paper for gifts.

1. Make a paint stamp pad. This helps to keep the paint contained and make the project a little easier for small hands. Fold a paper towel into quarters and place on a styrofoam plate. Pour a generous amount of pan on the center of the paper towel. Allow the paper towel to soak up the paint. Now there is essentially a stamp pad of red paint for the project.

2. Cut the apples. Cut them in all different directions and ways so the child had plenty of choice and different shapes. Using apples of a smaller variety from a tree that no one harvests from is an inexpensive way to get apples.

3. Paper that is used as bulletin board background in an excellent choice. It is big, fairly strong, and economical.

4. Stamp away. Allow the paper to dry and enjoy the unique wrapping paper.

~ Apple Seed Collage
The fun in this project is really collecting the tiny apple seeds. Core several different kinds of apples and let the children pick out all the seeds in the cores. Any kinds of apples will do, but a variety will make the eating treats better as the children collect all the seeds.

Lay the seeds on paper towels and allow them to dry.

Take glue and let the children swish strings of glue on a paper plate. Sprinkle the seeds along the glue line. Allow to dry.

Let imaginations run wild with markers and let the child finish the collage. Will they add legs and call the seeds ants? Will they draw roots and plants? Will they draw apples? Whatever they do is perfect. It is their project.

~ Fingerprint Apple Trees
Have the children draw and color a big green tree. Get out the red stamp pad and let them use their fingerprints to put apples all over the tree. Read a book about Johnny Appleseed and teach them the song. Make it an experience, not just a craft.

~ Apple Aroma Stacker
The craft is about assembly for the children. Parents or teachers should dry the apples and enhance the aroma with cinnamon. Once the apples are dried and smell great the children can make stackers. They can tear up an old sheet to make fabric ties between the apple sliced to protect them.

Put a clay bead on the end of a bamboo skewer. Stab an apple and then tie on a piece of torn sheet. Stab
another apple. Once the stack fills the skewer place a clay bead on the other end. Display them in jars all over the home and enjoy the smell.

These are just a few ideas. There are many more.

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