by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: November 09, 2009

Preschool arts and crafts need to be simple and easy to complete. Christmas is a good time to make things with these small children. They can use them as gifts and decorations around the home. It gives them a chance to show off some of their skills.

~ Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes ~
This craft helps the preschool children work on manual dexterity. The craft is useful. It can decorate a tree or even a gift.

Supplies:
*red pipe cleaners
*white pipe cleaners
*scissors

Cut a red pipe cleaner and a white pipe cleaner in half. Give the child one of each. Teach them how to twist the two together. Help the child bend them in a cane shape.

~ Wire and Fabric Wreath ~

Even very small children can tie the first half of a knot. That is really all that is need for this wreath. This is a project that can be put away when hands get bored and tired. Later they can begin where they left off.

Simply take a hanger and work it into a circular shape. Have fabric and sheets set up of the children to rip. Strips should be 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long. If the slits are pre-cut they can rip small amounts that can be quickly chopped to 3 inching in length. These wreaths look great and can be hung with ease.

~ Craft Stick Frame ~

This is made by simply painting four crafts sticks and gluing them into a frame. The glue in the photograph or the picture that has been drawn and the gift is made.

~ Christmas Cards ~

Preschool children can make some great Christmas Cards. Give them some construction paper and all sorts of crafting odds and ends and put them to work. Then ask them what they want to the say. Write the direct quote on the very back of the card. This way it won't interfere with the creativity. Remember the quote should be exact. These cards will become treasures for sure.

~ Cotton Ball Snowman ~

This is a gluing art. Cut a snowman shape out of heavy white card stock. Give the children a paint brush and some glue. They can paint the glue on and then put on the cotton balls. This is a fun and messy. For easy clean up use some liquid soap and little baking soda and the pieces of cotton will slide of the hands.

~ Craft Stick Reindeer ~
Take three craft sticks and glue in the shape of a triangle. Make sure that one corner is connected in a v the others have antlers sticking up. Draw on eyes. Use a red pompom for a bright nose. Tie a ribbon and hang up the reindeer.

Arts and crafts do not need to be extravagant for children to enjoy them. It the joy of spending the time together and having something physical to show for that time.

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