Arts and Crafts

Making Seed Bombs with Mr. Anthony & Hello Bello

To wrap up #earthmonth we made some seed bombs with Mr. Anthony! These easy to create seed bombs bring sustainable beauty that lasts far beyond the month of April.

What is a seed bomb?

A seedbomb is a little ball made up of a combination of compost, clay and seeds.

What is it used for?

The compost and clay act as a carrier for the seeds so they can be launched over walls or. fences into areas that are difficult to access such as wasteland or railways. Make sure not to throw seed bombs into other peoples gardens, but use them to brighten up abandoned lots or public spaces.

MATERIALS

1. Compostable dirt or clay 
2. Water 
3. Seeds of any kind! Flowers are usually more fun 
4. Mixing bowl 

STEP BY STEP 

*Make sure to watch the video above with Mr. Anthony for context:

  1. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of seeds with 5 cups of compost/dirt and 2-3 cups of clay powder (you could use clay soil instead if you have it).

  2. Slowly mix in water with your hands until everything sticks together.

  3. Roll the mixture into firm balls.

  4. Leave the balls to dry in a sunny spot.

  5. Now for the fun bit! Plant your seed bombs by throwing them at bare parts of the garden and wait to see what pops up!

Music with Mr. Rioji at Big and Tiny Santa Monica

Today, at Big and Tiny Santa Monica, we explored through music with our favorite music teacher Mr. Rioji! Music class is one of our favorite enrichment activities at Big and Tiny. 

First, we learned all the names of the instruments. Mr. Rioji brought guitars, drums, ukulele’s, shakers and more!! After learning about each instrument, we learned how to hold the ukulele.

We also learned how to drum on the congas. Mr. Rioji let Boone, Alma and Cove play on the big conga together! After learning how to use the instruments, we listened to some of our favorite songs including Rocket Ship, Firetruck and Bumble Bee. All the kids and educators sang along!  

Mr. Rioji gave us colorful ribbons to fly through the air as we ran around and danced while he sang. We love learning and playing though music. 

After we danced and sang, Freddy said “Watch me play the guitar, Mrs. Tressa!” and started singing twinkle twinkle little star.

What a fun day!! 

Making Lanterns with Mr. Anthony & Hello Bello

Learn how to make fun & creative lanterns with any type of paper – use old art projects, magazines, or construction paper. All you need is a pair of scissors, paper and tape for this fun craft! 

MATERIALS

1. Scissors
2. Tape
3. A piece of 8.5 x 11 paper (better if it’s colorful with patterns! Can come from a book or magazine 🙂

STEP BY STEP 

*Make sure to watch the video above with Mr. Anthony for context:

1. Cut one 1/2 inch strip from the shorter end of your piece of paper and save it for later! (This will be your handle)

2. Fold your piece of paper in half right down the middle  (horizontally)

3. Cut thin strips almost all the way to the top while leave a small space uncut (.5+ inches work!)

4. Optional: Sing itsy bitsy spider with Mr. Anthony while cutting!

5. Cut a small piece of tape, unfold your paper and place rolled tape on 2 of the 4 corners.

6. Fold the paper in half taping each end together so the lantern is complete!

7. Take the first strip of paper cut in step 1 and tape this strip to either side of the top of the lantern to become a handle.

8. Hang your lanterns anywhere! We like to put them in the trees outside 🙂 

Thanks for making lanterns with us, friends!

Make a 2021 intention frame

Set your 2021 intentions by framing your wishes and hanging them in your bedroom – don’t by shy, wish as much as you want!

MATERIALS 

Popsicle sticks
Glue
Paint
Buttons
Yarn
A photo of your intentions and wishes

STEP BY STEP 

Decorate your popsicle stick in anyway you like! Be creative!

Once the glitter/paint is dry, stick each popsicle stick to each other, over and under.

Add jewels or any other decoration as desired.

Choose an image or a photo of what you wish to demonstrate next year. We chose circle time with friends and my favorite teacher – but you can pick anything you wish for: a new puppy, more playdates or more time in nature.

Finally attach ribbon or string for hanging.

Make your own snow globe!

Who doesn’t love a snow globe? Creating your own truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

MATERIALS 

A mason jar
Epoxy glue
Glycerin Glitter
A figurine of your choosing
Distilled water

STEP BY STEP 

Glue the figurine to the inside lid of the mason jar using the epoxy glue. Let it dry.

Fill the mason jar with distilled water (almost to the top).

Add glitter to distilled water.

Add two healthy pours of glycerin.

When the lid is dry screw on to the top of the jar.

Give it a shake and watch it snow!

Make your own polar bear with funky hair!

Use what nature gives you to fashion your own polar bears! See below to find out more.

MATERIALS 

1 Paper plate
White flowers or petals: hydrangeas, carnations or other
Black market pen
Elmer non toxic glue
White paint
Scrap paper

STEP BY STEP 

Cut and add some ears to the back of the plate. You can use glue or tape.
Draw on a face with a sweet polar bear smile.
Glue leaves or flowers across the forehead to make a crown.

Make your own Penguin

How cute are these?
Why not get creative and add colored beards, hats and hair to create a whole family for adorable little pebble penguins.

MATERIALS 

A rock
A cotton ball
Orange construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue
Scissors

STEP BY STEP 

Cut out a diamond shape and two triangles from the orange construction paper. Set them aside.

Glue the cotton ball three quarters of the way down the rock.

Glue the googly eyes above the cotton ball.

Fold the diamond in half and glue above the cotton ball.

Add the orange triangles underneath the cotton ball as feet. Set aside to dry.

Once dry your penguin is ready for play! We’d love to see what you make! 

Make your own Winter Ornament

Need more ornaments around the house? Who doesn’t!?
Check out our youtube video and follow the step by step below to guide you through this delightful winter project.

MATERIALS 

White craft glue 
15 to 20 pieces of wagon-wheel pasta (mixture of large and small) per ornament White acrylic paint 
Paintbrush 
String or ribbon 

Optional: 
Glitter 
Adhesive-backed rhinestones

STEP BY STEP 

1 – Glue your popsicle together in the shape of a snowflake. Paint white and let dry. 

2 – Glue each pasta edge together directly onto the popsicle sticks. Paint white and let dry. 

3 – Add your string or ribbon so you can hang it from a window or a tree! 

4 – For extra Christmas cheer, mix glue with water (one-to-one ratio), paint onto pasta snowflake, then sprinkle with glitter. Let dry. Attach rhinestones to a few points on snowflake. 

Make your own Holiday Calendar

We love this holiday calendar inspired by Wundertuetchen. Check out our youtube video and follow the step by step below to guide you through this delightful project.

MATERIALS
Tiny kraft paper bags (easily available online)
Twine
Markers
A long stick
Sticks or brown pipe cleaners for antlers
A hole punch
Scissors
Poms

Bonus materials:
-Pine or holly
-Glue gun or tacky glue

Fold back the corners of the kraft bags.
Draw eyes on the kraft bags and glue on a pom for the nose.
Label each of the bags with a day of the month counting down to your celebrated holiday.
Punch a hole in the top of the bag.
Cut varying lengths of twine and tie to each of the bags. Now tie the twine on the long stick.
Glue the pine or holly to the ends of the stick for some extra festive cheer.

Now it’s time to fill the bags with stickers, chocolates, jokes or positive affirmations! Happy crafting!

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