Last week we rented an amazing video series from our local library, called Pioneer Life for Children. I couldn’t find an Amazon link to share with you, but I did find them for sale at LibraryVideo.com. (Obviously they’re kind of expensive, so be sure and check your library, or even put in a request for them to purchase a set if you can)
What’s neat about this series, is that they are about 20 minutes long each, and there is lots of information presented in ways children can understand and REMEMBER! We’ve been watching them over the week, and have definitely been inspired to create some more fun Pioneer Crafts for our collection!
……So what did we come up with?
Yarn Dolls!
Click Here for Full Photo Instructions for making a Yarn Doll
I must say, that these have got to be my favorite pioneer craft thus far…..My kids favorite too! They’ve spent hours Almost an hour sitting at the dining room table making a whole family of Yarn Dolls to put in their Covered Wagons!
And of course when you leave a 3 year old at the table with a bunch of yarn, this is what you end up with:
……not bad for 30 minutes of quiet time for Mom!
And of course, I’m happy that they’re keeping themselves busy, having fun, and learning a little bit about pioneer life along the way! These are quite simple to make, both of them did need a bit of help with the first couple of dolls, but once they got the hang of it they really took over, and made a variety of different characters!
Sissy even made this “Horse” from yarn and toothpicks.
(Yeah, apparently she snuck into the kitchen for more supplies, LOL)
I love Educational Free Play! There’s just no beating it.
Valerie,
I love your blog and websites! You are very crafty and fun. :-) I have learned alot form your lapbook videos and even posted one on my blog. We have done a couple lapbooks now and love them. My kids love to craft so I am excited about doing more of that. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
I started reading Little House in the Big Woods to my almost 3 year-old son, and he actually sat through about 30 minutes of it! He is still talking about Laura and Pa, so I guess he really enjoyed it. I think it would be fun to read a chapter or two and do accompanying crafts/activities. In the segment we read, Pa made a smokehouse and smoked meat, and I just happened to find some beef jerky in the pantry (we randomly got it at Les Schwab when getting new tires), so he was able to eat the jerky while we read about it.
Anyway, yes, I am still looking at your blog an hour later! :)
Heather
Those dolls are adorable. I am not sure if I can make my son create one next week, when we will have our themed week about Pioneers. But maybe in a few years, my daughter will have fun making them. Thanks for sharing.