Welcome to Kids Get Crafty! Hooray, how I love getting crafty with my children! Remember how a few weeks ago, I did a post on “Easter Egg Blowing” – how I love the delicate nature of a blown egg?! Well, I think that you can do this with children too – older children can have a go at blowing and younger can help you decorating… of course, if you are still not sure, then make these little birds with either hardboiled eggs or with styrofoam eggs from the store. Your call!
Visit How to… Easter Egg Blowing for more on the basics.
x
The Book
My First Easter Story, by Tim Dowley.
Now the craft is fun and jovial… my book choice is less so… I am a strong believer in the fact that you need to teach your children about the world, how it works and why we do things. So what is Easter all about? It isn’t just about Easter bunnies, chicks and chocolate, but of course there is a very important story behind it. So I went on the hunt for some “introductions to Easter” and found this little book.
I have to say, I am uncertain about the book – on the one hand they have done a great job of “simplifying what happened” for young children yet on the other hand, I find the use of words such as “hate” and “kill” really hard when talking to a 3 year old. Having said that, what else can you say to child about the story of Jesus? How he was crucified and killed? There is only so much you can do with rose tinted spectacles. And if I really want to educate my child about Easter, then these words and images are unavoidable. The book makes haste not to linger too long on these bits (without brushing over them) and therefore probably is a good choice. The illustrations are great (and not frightening or scary) And of course, as we all know, things “end happily” – Jesus rises from the dead and eventually ascends to heaven.
If you have any book suggestions on Easter or any religious topic for that matter, please do let me know. I am would like to introduce Red Ted to all sorts of beliefs and backgrounds.
The Craft
Some of you may have seen that I made the basic bird for a Guardian article a couple of weeks ago.. since then Red Ted has been shouting More! More! (doesn’t he always?) and one day we came up with these little Owls too. As with many of my “toddler craft”, I find it helpful, if you cut out all the pieces, lay it front of the toddler and then they can see where they go. They are then surprisingly good at the actual sticking…
Materials: one egg, 2 feathers, one beak (we used foam), some contrasting card for the eyes, googly eyes, glue, ribbon for hanging
So. Prepare your egg as per Easter Egg Blowing. An older child can paint the egg themselves, or you may use food dyes… I decided to paint the egg for Red Ted, he did all the glueing:
And here are the final ones:
And
And
And here are some for Granny’s house:
Have you been decorating any Easter Eggs? Let us see!
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 the fabulous Play Academy & Something for the Weekendevery Friday and Monkeys Doodles every Monday!
Kate from An Amazing Child says
April 6, 2011 at 7:25 amHi Maggy, you’re little man is quite clever to be able to make these little chicks. I’m just wondering, how easily do the egg shells break? Do you need to have very careful hands? I’m thinking I might need to wait a little while before we can make some blown eggs. But still, very nice 🙂
Kate
maria says
April 6, 2011 at 7:29 amThese eggs are so cute!!!
On the topic of the religious meaning of Easter, I think for as much as you try to rose tint the brutality of it children will always see for what it is, but at least it has a happy ending. My son was exposed to a lot of it during preschool as he went to a Catholic school over Easter they were tought in a rosy kind of way what happened and I remembered he was so sad about it, he kept asking why?
Red Ted Art says
April 6, 2011 at 7:52 amKate: I worry about misleading what Red Ted can and can’t do – we did these together – i.e. he pretty much only did the sticking – yet he ADORED doing the sticking… as to breaking. I painted our eggs in acrylics and I get the feeling that that has given them a protective coat. They seem a little less fragile. Having said that – I never leave the kids alone with them, as they would indeed end up smashed (prob dropped on the floor) – so. Yes they are fragile, but I would give it a go. It is a great lesson for the kids to start handling things carefully. PS my husband dropped 3 that were in an egg box for granny and they survived!!!
Maria: maybe I should wait until next year? I guess there is no hurry, as far as I am concerned, I just want him to learn about things?
maria says
April 6, 2011 at 9:45 amI didn’t mean to put you off, I think children should learn too and I think the way you are going about it it’s great. What I meant is that children see through rose tint but that’s not a bad thing.
Red Ted Art says
April 6, 2011 at 10:00 amAaah thanks for that Maria!! Yes, children are amazing at seeing through things and understanding the world!! (well parts of it). Thank you for th encouragement! Maggy x
Esther says
April 6, 2011 at 1:41 pmWow Maggy! The owl is adorable! We have to try them!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
April 6, 2011 at 2:54 pmThese are adorable! Love them!
Sunni says
April 6, 2011 at 6:10 pmLove this idea! I’m leading an egg hunt at my church this month and may just have to use this idea. Thanks for sharing!
Catherine says
April 6, 2011 at 7:09 pmThese are gorgeous! I know one little girl who would adore making these! 🙂 No Easter Tree would be complete without them! Fab!
Isil says
April 6, 2011 at 7:14 pmMaggy, these are very pretty 🙂
Red Ted Art says
April 6, 2011 at 7:15 pmAaah everybody – thank you so much for your lovely comments 🙂 we are rather in love with our little owls too.. can’t stop making them!!
MyKidsMake says
April 7, 2011 at 12:37 amcute eggs! I love the googly eyes!!!
Roopa says
April 7, 2011 at 12:55 pmThese are adorable!
Molly says
April 7, 2011 at 12:56 pmThey look fab, cheep cheep xx
Gattina says
April 7, 2011 at 3:58 pmThat brings back so many happy memories when we painted eggs, emptied them, hid them, made all kind of little figurines out of it. My mother with me, and I with my son. Now I have to wait a few years until my grandson is ready to do this with me. Easter decoration has always been very important in Germany.
Natalie says
April 7, 2011 at 4:13 pmVery pretty craft! I love how colorful your collection turned out. We read The Story of Easter – it’s very short and doesn’t dwell much on the events leading to the death of Jesus. I think it’s quite hard to explain to a young child why Jesus died. We are not church goers, so I am only telling my daughter “general culture” basics without dwelling on details.
mummiafelice says
April 7, 2011 at 4:17 pmWow gorgeous are these??? wow!! I love them – so cute!
Life in Rehab says
April 7, 2011 at 5:25 pmYou’re definitely fine tuning those motor skills, and he’s quite the little artist!
Janelle says
April 7, 2011 at 8:23 pmI agree it is hard to find age-appropriate books that tell the story of Easter without completely frightening a child. Your book suggestion sounds like a good one. We also like to use our Resurrection Eggs.
Just the other day I was trying to figure out how I could add those googly eyes to eggs. Your chicks are perfect!
Almost Unschoolers says
April 7, 2011 at 8:57 pmThose are adorable!
tartankiwi says
April 8, 2011 at 11:08 amlove your owls! may have to give these a go with my wee monkey one of these days…
Emma says
April 8, 2011 at 12:00 pmSome great ideas there, definitely some to try out with my two (love the owls!)… Emma
Amy says
April 8, 2011 at 2:32 pmWow that is amazing!
Thanks for taking the time to join in!
Chris at Thinly Spread says
April 8, 2011 at 4:51 pmThanks so much for linking up again Maggy, I’m spoilt for choice here! I never did find that Easter book of ours, I think I may have loaned it out to a teacher friend and I can’t for the life of me remember what it was called. Pah.
Red Ted Art says
April 8, 2011 at 5:03 pmAhh never mind Chris! But thanks anyway!!!
And to everyone else: if you do get to make some little birdies, I would LOVE to see some photos!!!
kewkew says
April 9, 2011 at 3:52 amOh, they are adorable!!
kewkew says
April 9, 2011 at 11:41 amThanks for being so faithful in stopping by my blog to check out my posts I link up. You always leave such nice comments. I spotlighted your blog today over at the Spotlight Saturday blog hop.
http://www.betweenthelines-kel.com/
Blessings
Mandy says
April 9, 2011 at 2:37 pmI love the bright colors of the eggs!! 🙂
Red Ted Art says
April 9, 2011 at 3:05 pmKewkew – thank you so much for the spotlite – how kind of you!! And yes, I do try and visit everyone – I love seeing what everyone has made and find it very inspiring!!!
Mandy – thank you – I particularly like that colour combo too!
Jackie says
April 9, 2011 at 6:10 pmThese turned out very very cute! On the subject of the book, I have to agree. I want to introduce the real meaning of Easter to my (almost) 3 year old but it seems odd to talk to him about Jesus’s death. I guess because generally we avoid books that talk about such harsh things with little ones. I ‘ll have to check out this book. We also read The Story of Easter by Patricia Pingry. I felt like it introduced the meaning of Easter without being overly “harsh”. I really like the sweet words at the end, Jesus gave his life for us so that we can live too.
Red Ted Art says
April 9, 2011 at 6:14 pmOh thank you for that book tip Jackie!!
Kerri says
April 10, 2011 at 1:29 amAdorable!! Love all the colors! Makes you smile!
Kerri
Jenny says
April 10, 2011 at 4:52 amI felt the same way when I went looking for authentic Easter books…and then when I found them, I realized it was hard for me to read about death to them. I think because they can’t quite comprehend it yet. It’s much easier to talk about bunnies, eh?
Red Ted Art says
April 10, 2011 at 7:03 amYes, Jenny, you make a very good point – that must be why the bunny is so popular!!
Fiona Erlandsen says
April 10, 2011 at 9:45 amOh loving the eggs, gonna have a go at those this week with the kids.
A question, we need to may some cool name tags for our pegs in our house in Norway, so that when we have all the kids (5) here together and they’ve got all their coats and ski stuff they know where to put their bits?? Any suggestions what to use? An Easter theme maybe… Will check out the links to these Easter SubmissionS:)
What a ramble, sorry, never mind!
Happy Easter
Fiona
Red Ted Art says
April 10, 2011 at 4:38 pmHave sent you an email with an idea!! 😉
Julia Skinner says
April 10, 2011 at 6:35 pmI do hope folks take you up on these & have a go at decorating some eggs. They are beautiful!
Little Wonders' Days says
April 11, 2011 at 10:38 amThese eggs are adorable. Your son looked very interested in the project too.
Bailey says
April 11, 2011 at 1:39 pmI love seeing kids engaged in crafts. Finding age appropriate books is a challenge, but a worthy one. As they age you will continue to find books that address the issues a with more of the details that are not appropriate at this age. He will not have lost for not addressing these issues at age three.
Red Ted Art says
April 11, 2011 at 4:26 pmHi Bailey – yes you are right – we are enjoying the pictures this year… and will wait for the “text” next year… he seems happy with that!
cathy@nurturestore says
April 12, 2011 at 5:18 pmThanks for sharing with the Play Academy Maggy!
JDaniel4's Mom says
April 12, 2011 at 7:49 pmThank you for linking up to Read.Explore.Learn. JDaniel has been discussing death regularly since I told him the Easter story. It is hard for his three year old mind to get around.
Cute birds!
Rachel says
April 14, 2011 at 3:05 amI LOVE the birds.. so cute. And thanks for hosting!
Thanks so much for sharing this at For the Kids Friday Link Party! I will be posting the next party tomorrow night. I hope to have you stop by and join us for another week sharing great ideas for our kids!!
Thanks for stopping by!
:)rachel at http://SunScholars.blogspot.com
creativejewishmom/sara says
April 14, 2011 at 8:05 amadorable! they’d look amazing with some little bird houses, don’t you think? thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
Michelle Willow says
April 15, 2011 at 8:22 amAh Maggy! They are sooo cute! 🙂
Featuring it in this week’s High paw since I’ve decided to go with Easter theme! 🙂 Hope to see you stop by this week! Starting Monday we’re celebrating Beary Birthday party with loads of giveaways and free stuff! 🙂
Amanda says
February 23, 2012 at 8:04 pmAwh, these are so cute too!
Ness says
April 3, 2012 at 4:07 pmThese are adorable. The blue one looks remarkably like one of my son\’s favourite children\’s TV characters here in Australia. We might just have to make \”Hoot\”, um, him. As for teaching about the truth of Easter, it is tricky isn\’t? My son is 3 as well and I haven\’t been brave enough to try to explain it to him. I attended Catholic school and I recall crying over the Easter story when I was about 7! I don\’t want to put my son through that but I don\’t want to shield him from it either. It\’s a tricky balance.
Red Ted Art says
April 3, 2012 at 4:32 pmI have started to talk about the Easter story, but keep it VERY vague!
Pinkoddy says
April 3, 2012 at 5:25 pmThey are great. So many fab Easter things to make with the kids and not enough time in the day.
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
April 3, 2012 at 7:14 pmThese are so cute – I haven\’t done any egg blowing with J this year as I\’m well aware of the chunky little hands breaking the eggs everywhere – next year will be our real egg year I think.
Thank you for sharing with Tuesday Tots this week
mansi says
April 11, 2012 at 5:54 amHi Maggy,
I found these adorable craft from the Kids Co Op linky. I simply loved these and they are so kids friendly. My 3 yr old love to stick things as well. She loves making faces on the balloons
Red Ted Art says
April 11, 2012 at 9:59 amAaah so pleased you found the craft 🙂 And yes, sticking is great fun at that age… Hope to see you again soon!
Agata Marc says
February 24, 2014 at 10:05 pmAnother cool stuff I will surely do with my kids for Easter this year! I only wonder how you do that the eggs can be hanged… Do you put the string into the hole made during blowing the egg? or do you stick the string to the egg? or maybe there is another way to make it? Please, let me know!
Red Ted Art says
February 25, 2014 at 9:35 amHi, I tried to explain that on this post – https://www.redtedart.com/2011/03/04/how-to-austrian-easter-egg-blowing/ – you tie your ribbon/ string on a pin / toothpick and insert that into the egg.
Agata Marc says
February 25, 2014 at 11:48 amThank you very much for the answer! 🙂
PS: Maggy, is everything OK with the “info@redtedart.com” address? I tried to send you an email yesterday several tiems and each time I got it back. The return email was saying that the receiver’s address failed.
Red Ted Art says
February 25, 2014 at 1:51 pmI don’t know. My service provider says it is 🙁 but I seem to have problems with it! Can you try maggy@redtedart.com ? Thank you and sorry!!