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Kids Get Crafty: Walnut Mouse Racing

2 February 2011 49 Comments

Welcome to Kids Get Crafty! We have this little craft up our sleeve ever since the 6th December: Saint Nikolaus Day, when the children get nuts, raisins and Satsumas from St Nic during the night. Gently open the walnut shells and save the whole ones for crafting! Today we made some very easy Walnut Mice, that you can actually RACE!

Firstly though,

The book

Von der Stadtmaus und Der Landmaus by Katrin Scharer. This is actually a book based on an “old story” and there are number of slightly different versions of it: the city mouse and the country mouse seeing each other lives and see how in different they are. I believe that in the orginal the moral of the story is that the country mouse is “good and hard working”, whilst the city mouse is less so. Though this and other modern version, focus on the lesson of “lives are different and all lives have something good about it”… so the City Mouse comes and visits the Country Mouse: it is a little scared of the Cows and finds the corn fields hard to walk on, however enjoys the coziness of the burrow, the delicious country food and the spectacular rising sun. The Country mouse then visits the city and finds it big and noisy and far too busy. However appreciates the misty morning and the companionship of all the mice. I love this particular version,as the illustrations are fun and quite modern. A lovely book that we enjoy!

I had my copy sent from Amazon.de as it was a little expensive via Amazon.co.uk!! Check out Scharer’s other titles, they look wonderful! Many are based on old stories, but there are also new ones (I wish I hadn’t looked, I want to buy them now). A number have been translated into French.

The Craft

Crafting with Walnut Shells is very “common” and very traditional in Germany and Austria and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you. Today, we make the lovely little mice:

Materials: per mouse: 1 half a walnut, some felt/ paper/ string/ fabric for ears and tail, felt tip pen, glue AND a MARBLE!

As I often do when crafting with a not quite 3 year old: I make one first – so Red Ted can see what we are doing…

1) Make a sample for the smaller children to see

2) Cut out ears and tail – we used felt – but you could have paper ears and a piece of string for the tail

3) Glue on – the tail is a little ticky: add lots of glue and “tuck it under”

4) Draw on eyes, nose and whiskers – Red Ted insisted that I do this

5) Once dried: place a marble under each “racing” mouse and then….

We made a little video of the mouse race, and I have to say, it reminded me of how “small” Red Ted really still is. I see him as such a big boy now, though in fact he isn’t even three yet. Sniff. Sniff.

So: Line up your mice on a book or small board and the tip the board to see which mouse will win!!

xx

For more Kid’s Craft ideas, click here for a full list.

If you have been crafty with your kid’s be it at home, in the kitchen or outdoors, I would love for you to link up:

If you enjoy blog hops and link up parties.. do go and these fabulous kids craft parties

Thinly Spread

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49 Comments »

fabmums said:

ooh that’s fabulous, I love the craft and the mouse race is very clever. The video really shows how much fun Red Ted had with it:)

# 2 February 2011 at 10:43 am

Monday crafts: magazine geometrical coasters | Fab Mums said:

[...] Happily shared with Kids Get Crafty. [...]

# 2 February 2011 at 10:46 am

adele said:

I love them they are sooo cute Im sure these little sweeties will be involved in lots of fun games inthe future!

# 2 February 2011 at 10:52 am

Chris said:

Lovely craft and what a sweetie!

# 2 February 2011 at 11:24 am

valentine gratitude tree | NurtureStore said:

[...] happily shared with Kids Get Crafty [...]

# 2 February 2011 at 1:06 pm

Esther said:

wow! that’s fabulous! The mouse is looking very cute.. The racing activity will also be of great fun! so clever of u!

# 2 February 2011 at 1:10 pm

Nicole said:

Oh that craft is adorable, and I love that they can race – how cute!

# 2 February 2011 at 1:20 pm

Maureen said:

So cute! I’ve made walnut mice before but never put a marble underneath. Love the idea!

# 2 February 2011 at 1:33 pm

Michelle Willow said:

Totally cool! )

# 2 February 2011 at 1:53 pm

Kerri said:

Very cool! We even have everything on hand to make it. We are in the middle of a terrible ice storm today and continue to lose power. So, we may need to do your activity today! Thanks for sharing! Kerri

# 2 February 2011 at 2:02 pm

Robin Neorr said:

Love it! Thank you for linking up to http://tinyurl.com/upcycled31 if you have any more recycled/upcycled projects please link them up and let your friends know. I am trying to reach 100 upcycled projects this week and I would really appreciate you help!

# 2 February 2011 at 2:57 pm

Liz Burton said:

These are so cute. I’ve ben eying up a couple of lonely walnuts in the fruitbowl all day since I saw this this morning! x

# 2 February 2011 at 7:11 pm

Tweets that mention Red Ted Art's Blog » Blog Archive » Kids Get Crafty: Walnut Mouse Racing -- Topsy.com said:

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nottingham Eczema, Maggy Woodley, Maggy Woodley, Michelle Willow, Maggy Woodley and others. Maggy Woodley said: We are going to the races… http://bit.ly/dYOCQK [...]

# 2 February 2011 at 7:18 pm

Kerstin said:

Hi Mags,
great idea with the added marbles!
Will have a go with B & D on the weekend, as nuts and the nut cracker have been a big topic since christmas.
PLUS what a coincidence! We just started with “Kleine Maus – Grosse Stadt” / “Small mouse – big city” by Simon Prescott.
Unfortunately the “country” part falls a little short in this one, but the illustrations are beautiful and great for 2 yrs old.
So mouses are a perfect fit too.
Un abrazo,
K xx

# 2 February 2011 at 10:19 pm

Sarah, Maisonn Cupcake said:

That’s so funny, I must show my Ted this vid!

# 2 February 2011 at 10:24 pm

Jill said:

These are adorable Maggy!

# 2 February 2011 at 10:26 pm

maryanne said:

Such a simple and fun activity – perfect! =)

# 3 February 2011 at 12:48 am

hip chick said:

When my children were young we used to make things with walnut shells. These are so cute.

# 3 February 2011 at 3:05 pm

Gattina said:

I think my cat Rosie would be pleased to play with these cute mice ! really adorable !

# 3 February 2011 at 3:14 pm

Wonder Mom said:

I MUST go to the store and buy some walnuts now…GREAT idea!!!

# 3 February 2011 at 3:43 pm

Bonnie said:

Love the walnut mice! They are just adorable!

# 3 February 2011 at 8:05 pm

Catherine said:

Fantastic craft – love them!

# 3 February 2011 at 10:43 pm

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said:

This book looks like fun, and the craft is cute! Thanks so much for linking up to RAT!

# 4 February 2011 at 1:09 am

Candace @ NaturallyEducational said:

These are AWESOME! I think my kids would have a lot of fun racing them…hmmm…we have some chestnuts…

# 4 February 2011 at 3:00 am

April said:

Cute little mice, I have never seen anything like that before

# 4 February 2011 at 3:22 am

Anne@LittleSproutBooks said:

Such cute little racers – the marble underneath is very tricky too – already thinking of other items that might be marble-propelled…

# 4 February 2011 at 7:48 am

Hope Is the Word » Blog Archive » RAT Links 2.3.11 said:

[...] of Red Ted Art writes about a German version of The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Maggy’s post always include great art projects, too, and this one is no [...]

# 4 February 2011 at 10:08 am

the play academy | NurtureStore said:

[...] if you’re a fan of children’s crafts you’ll also love the Kids Get Crafty link up each Wednesday at Red Ted [...]

# 4 February 2011 at 11:27 am

Hootin' Anni said:

Those are cute! Now I remember doing this with my own kids some 40 years ago.

My show n tell link: My latest art sketch

http://hootin–anni.blogspot.com/2011/02/hes-there-inside-your-mind.html

Hope you can find time to stop by. Have a wonderful weekend.

# 4 February 2011 at 12:05 pm

JDaniel4's Mom said:

Mice racing looks like such fun! Thanks for linking to Read.Explore.Learn.

# 4 February 2011 at 12:08 pm

Ann said:

Great idea! Saw your posting on Read.Explore.Learn. I read “The Runaway Rice Cake” to my daughters and we made the Chinese New Year cake (a recipe that’s in the back of the book). Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look:

http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2011/02/celebrating-chinese-new-year-by-reading.html

# 4 February 2011 at 1:12 pm

Red Ted Art (author) said:

Have visited!

# 4 February 2011 at 1:28 pm

Something for the Weekend – Forest Adventures! | Thinly Spread said:

[...] 4. Walnut Mouse Racing for the little ones – Red Ted Art [...]

# 4 February 2011 at 4:04 pm

Mari said:

Excellent fun, I really shall give that a go

# 4 February 2011 at 4:12 pm

Janelle said:

I’ve never seen a walnut mouse before. So simple and cute!

# 4 February 2011 at 9:20 pm

tree said:

i love these!! We made milkweed pod mice not too long ago. These look like so much fun. Thanks for the idea!

# 4 February 2011 at 10:31 pm

Smita said:

How cute … loved going thru ur wonderful space , its a pleasure to link up at ur creative blog !!!

# 5 February 2011 at 4:53 pm

Natalie said:

Red Ted is such a cutie! I loved the video and the craft, and I love seeing German books in my WMCIR linky! Thanks for joining it again!

# 5 February 2011 at 6:45 pm

kewkew said:

They are just adorable. I had noticed them linked up somewhere (I think stART) and couldn’t wait to come over and check them out.

# 6 February 2011 at 2:01 am

LaDonna said:

Love these!!! Thanks for the idea!

# 6 February 2011 at 3:08 am

Megan Berry said:

We love collecting nuts from the various trees in our neighborhood and I’m always looking for crafty ways to use them. This is perfect! I’ve seen walnut mice before, but never with a marble underneath. What a brilliant idea!

# 8 February 2011 at 5:13 pm

The Treasurista said:

Hop on over to the Party! Would love for you to link-up @

http://thetreasurista.blogspot.com/p/treasuristas-thursday-treasures-come.html

The Treasurista
Finding and Creating FUN things…

# 9 February 2011 at 5:35 pm

the play academy | NurtureStore said:

[...] if you’re a fan of children’s crafts you’ll also love the Kids Get Crafty link up each Wednesday at Red Ted [...]

# 11 February 2011 at 9:34 am

Michelle Willow said:

Oh, I still love them!

Featured this post on this week’s High paw! Thanks for participation!

# 12 February 2011 at 7:54 pm

Red Ted Art's Blog » Blog Archive » Kids Get Crafty – Walnut Boats said:

[...] are back! I did say I had a few walnut crafts up my sleeves… if you liked our little racing walnut mice, you may like our walnut boats too! It is another one of those “super quick” crafts. It [...]

# 23 February 2011 at 4:15 am