Play: Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids

My sister is in town visiting from Australia, so we left the boys at home and took Finley to Lakeshore Learning for their Free Crafts for Kids on Saturday.

The only problem with going to craft/toy stores like Lakeshore Learning and Bellevue Art & Frame is getting through the store to the crafts.

Everything Finley touched was her new favorite thing and it just had to go on her list for Santa Claus.

I was even having a hard time getting to the craft table.

Look at all those lovely storage bins. Those clear ones near the top were only $2.95!

When we finally made it to the craft area, Finley had a great time making her Terrific Turkey Centerpiece. They had all the supplies set up on a couple of tables and an employee to help show the kids how to do it.

Here's the end product before it was stapled together. I think Finley liked the feathers the most.

Play, Stay Way, or Just Okay
I give this free craft a Play rating. Finley had a lot of fun and it held her attention until she was finished. This is definitely a craft for older kids (3 or so and up). I wouldn't be able to control the boy and help Finley out so this will be a girls only activity until Grady gets a bit older.

The store alone is a great outing with the kids. They have so many cool things, and not just teaching type stuff. They have lots of toys (and lots of toys on display to keep the kids happy so you can look around).

Just look at all those stickers!

If you're planning to do a little shopping, don't leave home without printing out this coupon. It's good for 25% off a single non-sale item through December 31, 2011. You can also sign up for the teacher's club and save 15% on classroom items every day. They also have special sale promotions each month. This month children's books are 15% off as well.

The best part of the whole day was this...

... a sleeping 3-year-old (who never takes naps)! We really tired her out!

Hand and Foot Turkey Craft

Here's a little turkey craft to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit. I found this craft idea from Enchanted Learning. I love this project since it uses your kid's hand and foot prints. (I can finally understand why my mom held on to all our preschool art projects! I don't think I'll be able to let go of anything with my kid's little hand and foot prints on it.)

Supplies:
-- Red, yellow, orange and brown paper
-- Scissors
-- Glue
-- Googly eyes

Start by tracing your kid's feet on a piece of brown paper. The 3-year-old was great for this. The 17-month-old, not so much. I got about 10% of his foot before he giggled and ran away.

Someone should really tame that hog's nest on her head.

Apparently, my daughter has a very mishappen left pinky finger.

Trace their hands on red, yellow and orange paper.

Cut out all hands and feet.

Start by gluing the two feet together and then glue all the hands around the body. Sorry I don't have any pictures of this step. Right about this time, the boy came running in with a diaper that he pulled out of the diaper pail. My kids are so gross.

I'm starting to learn that in order to do a craft, I need to have a craft ready for them to do while I'm actually doing the craft. Does that make sense? It's some weird cycle of crafting with kids.

Anyway, cut out a little turkey gobble neck, a beak and some turkey feet and glue those on, too. And then you're left with a cute little hand and foot turkey. How cute is that? Gobble gobble!