Easter Crafts!

So I've been away for quite a while, busy with University and teaching placements, but now I'm back! I've decided to have a go at focusing my blog posts on everything I'm passionate about, (including all things teaching) so here goes..

I've recently packed up my bags (way too many of them!) and set off over the Irish Sea from Windy Liverpool, to the beautiful Isle of Man where I'm currently on my second year of teaching practice until the end of May.

I know many of you are now on your Easter Holidays or are not long away from putting your feet up for a couple of days before the hard slog begins again! I may be too late, however I hope I can give you ideas for next year and even give some of you quick and easy ideas for a last minute Easter afternoon!

**DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately I only decided to write this blog post after the children had taken their crafts home and so I don't have any pictures. The ideas I am writing about I got from Pinterest and I am not claiming any of the ideas for myself. They are tried and tested ideas by me and so I am recommending them because I know they work! I will link the websites used at the end of this post.**

Easter Card

We created a hand print bunny for our Easter card. My class are Year 1 (5 and 6 Years old) however I definitely think this is suitable for all ages as children are able design their bunny and card however they wish.

1. The children first of all chose the colour card they wanted (we used orange, green and sky blue).

2. They then wrote their message on a white piece of paper which had been cut out using crinkle scissors. This was then stuck inside the card.

3. Then the children chose a "Happy" and an "Easter" from a selection that had been cut out using different crinkle scissors. The children then stuck these on the front of the card.

4. The children then painted their hand. The photo above shows one type of bunny. 

If you prefer the other type of bunny (on green/purple card) then paint all of the child's fingers, except the thumb and then help the child to hold their little & ring finger together and their middle & pointer finger together, leaving a gap in between the two pairs.

5. Once dry the children were able to finish their cards by drawing on the features using black and pink pens. They drew eyes, a nose, whiskers and the pinks of the ears.

Cotton Wool Bunny Rabbits

This is a great ideas to use in KS1!

1. The children stuck their faces onto the template shown below. They also coloured in some of the ear in pink.

2. The children then broke cotton wool balls into smaller pieces and stuck them onto the bunny template using PVA glue (make sure the children glue the template first and not the cotton wool, I learnt the hard way!).                   

3. Finally, the children stuck on their bunny feet. 

We stuck our cotton wool bunny rabbits up in the classroom for Easter week to wish the parents/carers a Happy Easter!

Pom Pom Animals

This is a fab idea for KS2. I used this with my reception children (4 and 5 year olds) to help develop their motor skills however it is a lengthy process and would work better with KS2 children who are able to create the pom poms themselves.

1. First of all the children need to put two templates together. I used rabbits and chicks in a range of colours. Make sure to use thick card to prevent any rips.

2. Double up the wool and tie it around the circle in the middle.

3. Loop the wool round and round the template. Once the wool is the whole way around the template, continue looping round and round until the circle in the middle is no longer visible.

4. Cut a separate piece of wool and place it ready to tie around the wool.
5. Cut around the outside of the template and wool.

6. Tie the previously cut piece of wool in between the two templates.


I hope everyone has a fantastic Easter!
Leave comments with any questions and also Subscribe!

xx

Ideas from:
http://www.welke.nl/photo/angelina1804/Knip-het-lijf-2x-uit-Leg-ze-op-elkaar-De-wol-wikkel-je-om-het-lijfje.1389133903
http://www.craftymorning.com/bunny-rabbit-handprint-craft-kids-easter-idea/
http://cutediyprojects.com/diy/50-cute-creative-easter-crafts-kids/
http://funfamilycrafts.com/tag/easter-2/page/5/

Life in 8..

The stress of deciding on your first blog post!

Keeping the first one simple, here's all of the things I love in 8 photos..

My Family

My Friends

Cats

 and more cats!

♥

A Little Trip to London

This year my trip down to London wasn't quite the traditional sight-seeing adventure that most of us "tourists" aim for whilst in the big city. Whilst we did see the tradition sights like The Tower of London, The Shard and Big Ben, which are pretty hard to miss, our exploring took us to some weird and wonderful places we never expected to find!

Please please please if anyone is in London any time soon then I highly recommend you visit the Tower of London to see the sea of poppy's that have been planted to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. The poppies are hand crafted from ceramic it's honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

I've been lucky enough to visit London a few times over the last few years so this year we decided to do things a bit differently.

We decided to wander to Oxford street and on our way we stumbled across Liberty of London building; a quirky department store. It opened in the 1920's and it's hardly changed; it couldn't be more different to the other department stores in London. The inside and the outside are absolutely amazing to see and even though things inside might be a bit on the pricey side, it is definitely a must to just look around!

It's also worth looking online for things to do in London whilst you're there, we found so many great ideas.

We were lucky enough to be in London during the Longines Global Champions Showjumping Tour (not something everyone would enjoy I know!) Despite the torrential rain and almost being hit by lightning during a thunder storm, it was an amazing day. We got to watch the world's top showjumpers compete and in the evening England, Wales and Ireland were some of the teams taking part in a polo tournament. It was the first time I'd seen polo being played and it was brilliant; everyone should watch it at least once, I would love to see it again!

There are so many pretty places in London and it's such a brilliant place to have a few days away from home. There is so much to do and there are so many things to see and do that cost no money at all; win win situation! 

And of course, you can't walk around London without stumbling on famous landmark after famous landmark.

♥