Color Crafts for Kids

Rainbow Placemats
Kaleidoscope
Whirligig
Colored Rice Art

Supplies

	Take a piece of colored construction paper and draw an arc from one end to the other end (at the long end of the paper).  For a perfect arc simply use a compass.
	Now cut out along the arc.  This is the base of your rainbow placemat.
	Take 3 different colors of construction paper and draw out several arcs for the rainbow.
	Glue the arcs on the paper placemat overlapping each as you glue so you leave no gaps.

	Decorate the cardboard roll with crayons, markers or paint and let dry.
	Cut out a circle with the black craft foam or construction paper slightly bigger than the hole on the cardboard roll.  Punch a hole in the middle of the circle and glue to one end of the roll.
	Take the silver wrapping paper or foil and cut a piece that is about 3 times bigger than the roll.  The best way to measure this is to act as if you are wrapping the cardboard roll and cut along the edge once it is completely covered.
	Fold each end of the wrapping paper or foil into the center and then unfold and create a triangle.  Glue or staple the two ends together and slide it into the inside of the cardboard roll. Tip:  If you are using silver (shiny) wrapping paper, make sure that the silver side is on the inside of the triangle.  This is the side you want to show once you place it in the roll to create the reflection.
	Place the plastic wrap over the other end of the roll and push it in slightly into the roll to form a pouch.
	Place colored pony beads, glitter, sprinkles or confetti into the pouch. Tip:  Don't over fill it as you want the objects to move around when you turn the kaleidoscope.
	Cut out a piece of white trash bag to fit over the open end of the roll (over the plastic wrap pouch).  Place a rubber band around the trash bag and ensure it is pulled tight.
	Trim off the excess trash bag and plastic wrap.

	Place 2 pony beads at the end of the wooden dowel.
	Wrap the end of a full pipe cleaner around the wooden dowel just above the pony beads.  Shape the pipe cleaner in an arc and wrap the top of the pipe cleaner on the wooden dowel about 3" above the bottom of the pipe cleaner.
	Repeat this for 2 full pipe cleaners.  Now take 2 1/2 pipe cleaners and place these in the middle of the 3 full pipe cleaners (always forming and arc or 1/2 circle with each pipe cleaner.
	Repeat these steps for the top half of the wooden dowel.
	Place 2 pony beads on top of the wooden dowel.
	Simply loop some string in between the two pony beads and tie a knot at the end and hang from a hook.

We used a different colored pipe cleaner for each 1/2 circle of the whirligig but you can mix and match the colors to fit your theme or focus on the colors you are teaching the kids.

For a quick and fun version of a whirligig, you can use a paper towel cardboard roll or a paper plate.  Go to the Valentines kids craft ideas to see instructions for these whirligigs.

Supplies

	Place the white rice in your small food containers and put a few drops of food coloring.  Place the lid on container and shake until rice is colored. Repeat this for each color you want to use.   Tip:  If you don't have enough food containers, simply do one color at a time and then pour onto a small paper plate for the kids craft.
	Have your toddler squeeze the glue onto a small section of the construction paper in any shape or design they want. Tip:  Have them do a section at a time so the glue doesn't dry.
	Now have the toddlers sprinkle the colored rice over the glue.  Alough about 30 seconds to 1 minute for the rice to take hold on the glue.  Then simply pour back the rice that did not stick.
	Repeat steps 2 and 3 until they have completed their colored rice art project.