This is just too cute for Spring! I have to confess, I got the idea for sculpting with wool/string from watching Mister Maker (yes really!) I must watch him more often as he has some fabulous ideas.
To make a little birdie nest you need some wool (yarn) or some string dipped in brightly coloured paint. You also need a lot of PVA (runny) glue and a container with a rounded bottom.
First of all, douse the wool in loads of gloopy glue. This is the fun and messy, sensory play element ;-)
Next, lay pieces of the sodden wool one at a time across the pot, criss-crossing and overlapping to build up a beautiful effect of a brightly woven basket.
Wrap around the circumference of the pot as well (we didn't do this quite enough.)
Leave it to dry overnight. We left it for two days as it took ages to dry. Eventually we put it over the radiator and that sped things right up!
Carefully remove the pot from underneath and you are left with a beautiful nest shape, all ready to fill with eager little chicks.
Awwwww! I don't know what it is about these chicks but they've melted my heart since childhood. Just so teeny and fluffy and somehow very needy.
Cakie was thrilled to have somewhere to put her "birds" and carried them around to play with in their new little home. (Excuse the self-hand-stamping evidence.)
And we used some more of the wool and glue combination to create a piece of beautiful art work together.
This activity is good for:
* sensory and messy play
* creative and imaginative development
* knowledge and understanding of the world: animal homes and habitats/ change of materials from soft to hard & wet to dry
awww, that is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love it! This nest is so precious...and I'm so with you on those little chicks. This post reminded me to go out and buy some for the classroom. :)
ReplyDeletewww.gettingmessywithmsjessi.blogspot.com
I love crafts with yarn and glue and make an attempt with them again and again, always with disastrous results. But we're going to try this one! Its so cute.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and am going to try it with my 3 and 1 year olds! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh my how SUPER adorable!!! I love these and a great use of leftover wool!!
ReplyDeleteMaggy
I'm drawn to the photo of Cakie's purple hands holding the basket -- it just says so much about her creative life with you! Fabulous ideas, as usual!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Rachelle- that makes me feel better about her frequent messiness! ;-)
ReplyDeleteJessi your blog looks FAB! Thanks for stopping by :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it! I saved it to use for a later project with E. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKerri
I've been wanting to do this for a while, and this is a great season to make a little basket. It looks great! Come and link up with fun for Kids Friday www.localfunforkids.com : )
ReplyDeletewhat a fab idea! we used a similar technique at halloween to make pumpkins.xx
ReplyDeleteBeing in early childhood education, I really appreciate your references to how each activity is a learning experience to children. Awesome blog!!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet!!! I have been wanting to make these with my kids. I need to get my hands on some yarn. I love that you added the little chicks! So cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up with For the Kids Fridays at Sun Scholars. I can't wait to see what you have to share this week! I'll be posting the next party later tonight. Hope to have you stop by!
:)rachel @ SunScholars.blogspot.com
This is so brilliant & so easy! When I saw the picture at the beginning I wondered how it could be done in class but it will be fantastic & different! Thank you so much for linking to the Resource Centre. Hope to see you next week!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I am not the only person whose kids have self stamping evidence
ReplyDeletesuper cute! My daughter will love this. Where did the little chicks come from?
ReplyDelete