Get Crafty with Spring Crafts for Preschoolers

Dare we say it for fear of jinxing ourselves? Spring is almost here! Despite the cold weather most of the country is still fighting, Spring is officially only weeks away. Let’s mark its long-awaiting arrival with some fun, simple crafts for parents or sitters to tackle with preschoolers who will love creating these adorable bunnies, chicks, flowers, Easter eggs and rainbows.

isabel-raincoat

Spring Crafts for Preschoolers

Happy Cloud and Rainbow
Spring showers often bring rainbows – create your own with curly ribbon. Instructions via Meet the Dubiens.

via Meet the Dubiens
via Meet the Dubiens

Shaving Cream Easter Egg
Promised to be far less messy than it appears, this craft is pure tactile fun for little hands! Instructions via Little Wonders’ Day.

via Little Wonders' Day
via Little Wonders’ Day

Toilet Paper Roll Bunny
It’s always nice to pull art supplies from the recycling bins, and who doesn’t love a project with googly eyes!? Little ones will need some extra assistance gluing tiny pieces and drawing the bunny face. Instructions via Eco Scrapbook.

via Eco Scrapbook
via Eco Scrapbook

Fabric Scrap Garden
An adorable garden made from scrap fabric, pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks. This one looks cute as a wall hanging. Instructions via Spoonful.

via Spoonful
via Spoonful

Paper Plate Chick
Super simple, super cute craft for little ones. Instructions via Simple as That.

via Simple as That
via Simple as That

For more great ideas for creating fun art and crafts with kids, check out UrbanSitter’s Pinterest Board – Crafts for Kids

5 Fun Ways to Decorate Easter Eggs with Kids

Decorating Easter eggs with kids isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Fragile eggs + stainable dye often equals disaster, or at least a somewhat anxious parent or sitter. This year, opt for one of these simple, yet very cool techniques for decorating eggs with kids. They are fun to do and create some pretty impressive looking eggs.

Easter Mar 2008 copy

 

1. Chalkboard Eggs
How cool are these black eggs?! A really fun, graphic take on the traditional, dyed Easter egg, these funky eggs are just as easy to create as the dip-dyed version. Paint hard-boiled eggs with chalkboard paint – 2-3 coats are recommended for good coverage – and have kids doodle with chalk or wet chalk markers, which create really vivid color that pops against the black background. The blogger behind this DIY suggests creating a trough out of aluminum foil for holding the eggs while they dry. See her complete tutorial with handy photos for help.

via Brett Bara
via Brett Bara

 

2. Neon Eggs
Wow, food coloring has come a long way since we were kids! Pick up a box of Neon Food Coloring to create these eye-popping Easter beauties. These were created by dripping rubber cement over hard-boiled eggs before letting them sit in neon dye for at least five minutes. The long soak might be tough for the kids to wait out, but the results are worth it.

via Kirsten Gab
via Kirsten Gab

 

3. Glitter Eggs
Pull a Martha and forego the dye for a good douse of sparkly glitter. The fancy version of these glittery eggs calls for blowing the eggs out so you’re just decorating the shell. The technique makes the egg last for more than one season, but to make it a kid-friendly craft, forget the fragile shell and instead boil the eggs…making peace with the fact that you’ll have to toss them after a few days.

via Martha Stewart
via Martha Stewart

 

4. No-Dye, No-Mess Eggs
Just as pretty as dyed eggs, but way less mess. In other words, very kid-friendly… which translates into quick and easy. Instead of having kids plunk eggs into baths of dye, have them stick hard-boiled eggs with adhesive dots and roll in colored glitter.

via Mindful Mum
via Mindful Mum

5. Water Color Easter Eggs
Pretty eggs that are fun for even really little ones to create. Use a baking sheet to collect the extra dye that falls when simply spooning dye over eggs. Let dry completely after applying a color so the next color you add won’t run and turn your masterpiece into a muddy mess of muted shades.

via Spoon Fork Bacon
via Spoon Fork Bacon

 

If these DIYs are a bit more work than you bargained for, opt for the even simpler techniques of decorating eggs with stickers, markers or temporary tattoos. You and your kids will have just as much fun!

25 Candy-Free Ideas for Easter Baskets

For many, Easter is synonymous with loads of chocolate bunnies, candy eggs and sugar-coated marshmallows piled into a basket delivered by the Easter Bunny. While you might be fine with leaving your little ones a few sweet treats on Easter morning, why not replace some of the sugary bounty with fun alternatives that are sure to be met with just as much joy. Here are 25 surefire picks for candy-free treats for the Easter basket.

IMAG0048

 

1. Sidewalk chalk (you can even make your own!)

via Brit+Co.
via Brit+Co.

 

2. Sticker books

via Amaz
via Amazon

 

3. Bath toys

via Boon
via Boon

 

4. Rainbow Loom rubberbands

via Etsy
via Etsy

 

5. Adhesive name labels (great for sticking on sippy cups, camp gear and even birthday gifts).

via Sticky Monkey Labels
via Sticky Monkey Labels

 

6. Coloring Books

Screen Shot 2014-04-14 at 11.58.19 AM
via Amazon

 

7. A new marker set for budding artists

via Crayola
via Crayola

 

8. Twilight Constellation Night Light

via Amazon
via Amazon

 

9. A kid’s subscription box

via Kiwi Crate
via Kiwi Crate

 

10. Hair bows for little girls (even DIY!)

via Tip Junkie
via Tip Junkie

 

11. Swimwear for the upcoming summer months

via Gap Kids
via Gap Kids

 

12. Swim essentials like goggles (we love these fruit-scented ones!)

via FINIS
via FINIS

 

13. Nail polish and lipgloss pots. Piggy Paint makes a great all-natural polish in shades that are just right for kids.

via Piggy Paint
via Piggy Paint

 

14. Mini gardening gear – a watering can, pail and kid-sized shovel

via Amazon
via Amazon

 

15. My First Garden Seed Pack, to go with the gardening tools!

via American Meadows
via American Meadows

 

16. Homemade gifts, such as this adorable bunny hand puppet

via Amazon
via Amazon

 

17. Travel games or activities for a Spring Break road trip, try these downloadable activity sheets!

via minitime
via minitime

 

18. Special, handmade toys, like these colorful Fairy Rings from Etsy

via Etsy
via Etsy

 

19. Giant bubble kit

via Amazon
via Amazon

 

20. Festive snacks, like these goldfish wrapped in a carrot package

via Reasons to Skip the Housework
via Reasons to Skip the Housework

 

In a pinch? These last-minute gifts can be easily purchased at a local store:

21. Jump rope or set of Jacks for outside play

22. An Easter or Spring book – or the latest release from a favorite series

23. Notebook or journal

24. A puzzle

25. Small toy, such as Hotwheels car,  Polly Pockets or My Little Pony doll

 

We’d love to hear what the Easter Bunny will be delivering to your house this year. Share with us your ideas and fun finds!