Together Time Activities

FOLD AN ORIGAMI BOOK
This is one of my favorite activities to show students. These are instructions for a six page book (not counting the cover and the back of the book).

 

1. Hold up an 8.5 X 11” sheet of paper in the portrait position.
2. Fold it in half from top to bottom.
3. Fold it in half again from side to side.
4. Fold it one more time from side to side. (You are folding the paper into eighths.)
5. Open it up and, at the fold, cut a slit halfway down into the middle of the paper, to where the two creases intersect.
6. Unfold the paper again and fold it in half in the opposite direction so that it looks like a hot dog.
7. Here is the tricky part. Take the two sides and push the paper together until it forms an “X.”
8. Fold the book closed. It will have six pages inside.

 

Here are instructions via video. It’s just a minute a half long video. Super simple!

 

DESIGN YOUR OWN BOOKMARK
Materials:
White Cardstock
Scissors
Hole Punch
Ribbon/Yarn
Crayons/Markers

 

Directions:
Since it’s Picture Book Month, I thought it would be great to make bookmarks! In the landscape position, fold your cardstock in half from side to side. Fold it in half again from side to side. You have divided the cardstock into fourths. Cut on the crease and you have four bookmarks! They are wide, which is great for designs and drawings. Decorate! Once you are finished, holepunch the top and create a tassel with ribbon or yarn. Happy reading!

 

CREATE A TRAVEL FUN BAG
For your child’s next trip, stuff a backpack, duffle bag, or tote bag with the following fun low-tech activities:

 

• Tic Tac Toe and Connect the Dots sheets (found at your dollar store)
• String to make string figures
• Origami paper
• Coloring & activity books
• Mad Libs
• Crayons/markers
• Bubbles
• Travel Bingo
• Frisbee (for rest stops)

 

I always carry a travel fun bag for Eliana and it’s great for car, train, and plane trips.

 

I LOVE YOU, LITTLE MONKEY PAPER PLATE MASK
Supplies:
2 paper plates
Glue stick
Crayons
Pencil
Scissors
Cups – 1 small, 1 medium, and 1 large
Black marker – 1 fine tip and 1 thick tip
Jumbo craft or popsicle stick

 

Directions:
Color one of the paper plates brown. On the second paper plate, with a pencil, trace the small cup twice for the eyes. Then trace the medium cup twice for the ears. Finally trace the large cup once for the monkey’s mouth area. Make a black circle inside the eyes (small cup circles) for the pupils. Color the ears (medium cup circles) and the mouth area (large cup circle) a tan or beige color. Draw a C inside the left ear and a backwards C inside the right ear. Use the glue stick to attach to each side of the monkey’s head. Glue down the eyes and the mouth area. Next, with the thick tip black marker, make two dots inside the large circle for the monkey’s nose. Underneath, draw a curvy smile. To finish the monkey’s face, draw a semi-heart from one side of the top of the big circle to the other side. The dip of the heart should be between the monkey’s eyes. Write “I Love You, Little Monkey!” on the craft stick. Glue the stick to the bottom back of the paper plate. Now you’re swinging!

 

Want to see the finished mask? It’s soooo cute! Click the link to my blog below. https://diannedelascasas.com/2011/05/19/craft-i-love-you-little-monkey-paper-plate-mask-thursday-may-19-2011/

 

MAKE A SOCKENSTEIN MONSTER
Materials:
Crazy patterned long sock
Fiberfill
Needle
Thread
Fun foam
Hot glue
Googly Eyes

 

Directions:
Cut a slit down the toe of the sock. Turn it inside out and sew it up. Stuff with Fiberfill. Cut off bottom of the sock, making the sock about 10 inches long. Sew the bottom closed. Cut out facial features and accessories and glue them onto the sock, along with the Googly Eyes. Check out the ones Eliana and her friends made at her annual Spookover party.

https://diannedelascasas.com/2011/10/10/elianas-monster-mash-spookover-saturday-october-8-2011/

 

NATURE’S SYMPHONY
Visit a place outside of the city, where nature abounds. Visit the bayou, the beach, a creek, the woods, a meadow, the mountains, or even your own backyard. Sit down and listen quietly for 5 minutes. Have your children write down what they hear. Can they identify the sounds? How would they describe what they heard? How would they write, in words, what a fish sounds like? Can they invent a new word? How do the sounds combine to create a “symphony?” Discuss onomatopoeia, a word that describes or sounds like the source of the sound such as splash, chirp, or slurp.

 

MILK JUG BIRD FEEDER
Supplies:
1 thoroughly cleaned plastic gallon milk jug
birdfeed
Scissors
Markers or paint for decorating
Strong wire

 

Directions:
Using a marker, draw a hole in the side of the jug, large enough for a small bird but not too large or squirrels will eat all your birdfeed. Using scissors, cut out the hole. Decorate the jug with markers or paint. Coat your jug with outdoor Modge Podge to protect your design. Remove the milk jug cap and tie wire around the opening, leaving enough to hang it from a branch. That’s it! It’s a simple bird feeder using recycled materials. You care caring for Planet Earth in more than one way! And the birds will think you are so tweet!