February 16, 2010

Cool Caterpillar Craft - I know you can't wait to see!

Have you noticed my new goal for the week in the corner over there? Make a craft with my kids EVERYDAY. Sounds easy enough, right?

But honestly, you might as well ask me to go sit in the corner and suck on my big toe. Trying to make a craft with all three of the older kids at the same time is like putting on a swimsuit to take a dive into the snow bank.

I love doing things with the kids, and making crafts with the kids always starts out fun (not that putting on a swimsuit to jump in the snow bank is fun). But pretty soon, there is fighting over the glue stick while trying to keep Jacob from sucking on the markers and Joseph from cutting his fingers off with the scissors. Savannah gets upset if her craft doesn't come out just right, and they all get impatient while I take turns helping each of them.

I'm thinkin' I deserve chocolate for this one.

I did a craft yesterday and already I want to flop out on the beach somewhere and get a massage while eating chocolate covered strawberries.

Oh wait, I'd want to do that anyway.

But I have my goal, sittin' there in the corner of my blog and I would feel like a wimp for not sticking to it. Just like I feel when I try to do a push up, but can't. There's only so much humiliation I can take!

As many long time readers may know, I save my toilet paper rolls for just such an occasion. I'm all about making crafts that you won't feel bad about if they happen to get ruined or destroyed within the first ten minutes of making them. Since that's usually what happens to ours.

In times past we've made butterflies and cars. But what do make next? So I puzzled and puzzed, till my puzzler was sore. That I thought of something I hadn't before. (Besides the fact that the Grinch and I have similar mannerisms, we also have the same pooch gut. I think we must be related.)

Where was I? Oh yes, my brilliant idea! Caterpillars!

Come on, admit it. You think its cute.

Wanna know how I did it? SURE you do!!! Its super easy and it will only take a moment. So go ahead and grab your snack first.


Each caterpillar takes two toilet paper rolls. Just cut it lengthwise, then into three pieces. So six pieces total.
Then cut pieces of any color construction paper a little wider and a little longer than your cardboard strips.
Using a glue stick, glue a strip to the inside of a t.p. roll, tape the cut ends together.


Then do the same to the outside.
Once you have all six pieces done, draw a face on one to be the head.


After that just poke two holes through each roll, except the head, just one hole in the back. I used a sharp knife to poke my holes but if you have something more sophisticated like an awl or an ice pick, that would work better.
Wrap a small piece of tape around the end of some yarn so you can thread it through the holes. Tail first, head last.

The kids are having a blast so far, can you tell? Actually, Jacob was just mad because I took away the red marker he was licking. And Savannah got bored while I poked all the holes.


Just tape or tie a knot to the end of the yarn on both ends, add some antennas out of pipe cleaners or wire wrapped around some yarn, like I did, tape it to its head and WAL-LA! Easy peasy craft the kids can do! Well, except for the poking part.


Now now Martha Stewart. Its okay. We can't ALL be genius's in household garbage crafts. Its a specialty skill developed by those of us who don't know how to use a sewing machine very well.

Oh dear, now I have to think of enough crafts for the rest of the week and my chocolate supply is sorely lacking. I'm not sure I'm going to make it!

I'm thinking a toilet paper roll flower is in order today. What do you think? Any ideas?

Would it help if I got on my knees and begged?

At least do my ego a favor and pretend like you thought this was cool.
                                             

4 super cool people speak:

ldsjaneite said...

I love the caterpillar faces. And you've just given me a FANTASTIC idea for April's craft story time. The kids can choose to do either your caterpillar or your butterfly. And one of the books can be "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Wonderful for spring! You're brilliant! Thank you!!!

Amber said...

If I tried to do that with my kids, I would look like Jacob. For real.

I really like that goal, though!! IT is an awesome way to encourage you to get out and ... craft!!

Brittney said...

Way to go super mom!

Valerie said...

Sure looks fun! You did good. :)

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