Nature Crafts
Homeschool Art Projects
Free Homeschool Printables
4 Easy and Frugal Homeschool Art Projects
I don’t know about you, but the homeschool day goes really fast! And, it can be hard fitting in the time-consuming, clean up-consuming subject of art. To help my fellow homeschool moms, I’ve come up with a simple, yet SUPER engaging list of easy and frugal homeschool art projects.
Kids LOVE art — getting messy is fun! And, any creations they concoct can be proudly displayed or shown lovingly to their Grandma on FaceTime.
However, for Moms — crafts can be exhausting! The time suckers and messy materials can be somewhat daunting for our busy days! Yet, we also know our children’s joy and creativity soars with art. It’s an important subject NOT to skip.
That’s why these fast, simple, and frugal art activities are perfect to use as boredom busters for any preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary school aged kids.
Are you looking for simple items you can purchase to keep your Homeschool Art Supply Closet full? We’ve compiled our favorite, frugal products and brands to make it easy for you to keep your art cabinet stocked. All of these products are tried and tested in our own homeschool
On a budget? No problem! Most craft materials can be found at the Dollar tree or on Amazon at a great price (and shipped right to your door!). These art crafts are also wonderful time fillers and distractors for after school, on weekends, playdates, and gift giving!
Popsicle Stick Crafts
The possibilities are endless with popsicle stick crafts but when you’re in a hurry, here are some exciting ideas. Remember, kids have vivid imaginations and giving them materials only will get their creative juices flowing! Grab some glue sticks, washable markers or paint and ask the kids to get creative.
Here are some ideas to use for Popsicle Stick crafts:
- Build Tic Tac Toe Grids, glue together, and cut out 9 pieces of paper to fit inside boxes. Write ‘X’ and ‘O’s using markers on pieces of paper with different colors.
- Make a star using 2 triangle shapes. One will be upside down on top of the other. The kids can paint or color them with markers.
- Create a frame with sticks shaped as a square. The kids can write “family” or any words they wish or paint with favorite colors.
Beads
Beads are wonderful materials to make gorgeous designs, bracelets, necklaces, and much more! These innovative ideas may require a purchase of a bead kit for a low price. Using beads strengthen hand eye coordination, focus, creativity and fine motor skills!
Please note: We wouldn’t recommend attempting beads until your child is about 5 years old or any child who puts things in their mouths.
Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaners are one of the most versatile and simple craft materials you can use for tons of kid activity! They come in a variety of colors, they’re inexpensive, and easy to manipulate into any shape!
Here are some ideas to get you started with your creative kid:
- Make a flower arrangement: draw and color a flower, cut it out, and pull stem through. Put it in a pretty vase or cup and pass it onto a neighbor!
- Bend and twist 2 favorite colors to make a bracelet or necklace.
- Cut pipe cleaner in half, add a wonderful array of colorful beads, and twist the end.
Playdough
Playdough is SO easy to make! Here
Give each child a ball of dough, and the sky’s the limit! If you see some inactivity, throw some cookie cutters on the table for a little help. You’ll be amazed at what your child can create with his/her imagination!
Now, if you just don’t have the time or prefer commercial play dough, check out this colorful Play dough package.
Finding ways to give your kids creativity time fosters mental growth, stimulates new ideas, and encourages new pathways of thinking and problem-solving! Take time today to give your children these wonderful opportunities to grow and learn exponentially!
Looking for more easy and frugal ideas on homeschool art projects? Check out these crafts, activities, and printables here!
Amazon Book Coupon Deal for You!
Don’t you love when you spot a deal that is so good you have to SHARE it with a friend?
Today, I found one of those deals and just had to pop on to SHARE the coupon code with you.
Amazon is offering $5.00 off your $15.00 book order when you use code: BOOKGIFT17 at checkout.
Hurry to shop because the offer expires at 12/15/2017 at 11:59PM
Here are some of my favorite titles to recommend:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Beautiful Word Bible NIV published by Zondervan
The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung
I’m super excited about this offer, especially with Christmas coming and my need to creatively stretch and combine my homeschool and Christmas budget together. There are a few restrictions that apply, but there are still hundreds/thousands of books to choose from!
Happy Book Shopping!!
Fruit Shaped Mazes for Kids
A fun collection of Heathy mazes for students! Each activity page teaches children the health benefits of a specific fruit. Students read, write, maze and trace their way to a good understanding of healthy fruits.
This fantastic set of healthy fruit activity pages is a great way to combine health with writing activities. Print this set FREE from BrainyMaze.com
Apple Maze & Activity Sheet
Apples grow on trees. Apples have good fiber. Apples can be red, green and yellow.
Banana Maze & Activity Sheet
Bananas grow on trees. Bananas have lots of potassium and help us digest food.
Blueberries Maze & Activity Sheet
Blueberries grown on bushes. Blueberries help to lower cholesterol and keep our hearts healthy.
Cherries Maze & Activity Sheet
Cherries grown on trees. Cherries can be red, pink or black. Some cherries can help us sleep better.
Grapes Maze & Activity Sheet
Grapes grown on a vine. Grapes can be red, green, yellow or purple. Grapes help to keep our hearts healthy.
Kiwi Maze & Activity Sheet
Kiwis grow on trees in tropical climates. Kiwis are full of fiber and are good for digestion. Kiwis are very high in Vitamin C.
Lemon Maze & Activity Sheet
Lemons grow on trees. Lemos are acidic and help our bodies stay balanced. Lemons detoxify and are good for our livers.
Oranges Maze & Activity Sheet
Oranges grow on trees. Oranges are filled with Vitamin C which help to keep people healthy.
Pears Maze & Activity Sheet
Pears grow on trees. Pears are full of fiber and are a goo source of Vitamin A which helps our hair, skin and nails.
Strawberries Maze & Activity Sheet
Strawberries grow on small strawberry plants. Strawberry seeds are on the outside and are full of Vitamin C.
Watermelon Maze & Activity Sheet
Watermelon grow on vines. Watermelon are mostly water and help us to stay hydrated. Watermelon have very few calories.
Alphabet Order Worksheets
At BrainyMaze we’ve got a fun new set of Alphabetical Order Mazes for your kiddos! Children work their way through the maze by following the letters in the correct order. Below the maze is opportunity to practice handwriting skills by filling in the missing letters. This set includes three different mazes and we’ve got more on the way so stay tuned!
Print ABC Order Mazes from here
Making Art with Nature Prints
Over the years I’ve noticed that there are some art projects that we only try once, and there are some that we repeat over and over because they are so much fun!
Making Nature Prints is one of those projects.
I think it’s because they are so simple to make, and the kids are always so thrilled with how their prints turn out.
How to Make Nature Prints:
Step 1. Purchase Sun Printing Paper. This is a special paper that will change with exposure to sunlight. It comes with a black bag inside and you must keep it dark until you are ready to use it.
Step 2. Choose something from nature that will leave a fun shadow on your paper. Look for leaves with interesting edges and shapes. Lay it on your paper in the direct sun for one to two minutes, being very careful not to touch it or move it in any way.
Step 3. Remove your item to reveal your print! How neat is that?!
Step 4: Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!
Pin this project for later:
Free Compound Words Learning Game
If you have a child who is showing progress with their reading ability, you might want to spend a day or two teaching them some compound words.
Compound words are words that are made up of two other words that have been “compounded” together.
I have three boys so I like to tell my children that they are “pounded” together because what little boy doesn’t like the idea of pounding something together?
Anyway, I designed this game to be single or multiplayer. Single players simple match up the words on the four different boards correctly. 
Multiplayer can be played by placing all words into a small container and drawing one at a time and looking for the needed word on your board. There are four different boards making a total of 32 compound words for children to learn.
With younger children you could wait to cut the words completely apart, and first introduce them to the words:
The entire game is available in Black and White as well so those of you wanting to save on ink can print to your hearts content!
I’ve also included follow up worksheets for each word. These are blank boards with lined paper for children to write in their words and can be used alongside or after the game.
Print our free Compound Words Game Here from our sister site File Folder Fun.
Find More Free First Grade Languages Games Here
Names of Jesus Advent
Our Names of Jesus Advent Ornaments have been such a huge success over the years that I wanted to update them with new designs and even expand the options you have when making them.
I know there are so many Jesse Tree Ornaments available online, that I wanted to do something a little different and create Names of Jesus Ornaments that actually FIT onto the unfinished wooden Craft ornaments so you can make a sturdy set that will last for years to come.
First you’ll need to print out our ornaments. We provide you with Black and White so you can design your own, or Color Versions that are print ready!
Ned You’ll cut out and glue your designs to the front of the ornament. We used Modge Podge glue so that we can get that see through coat over the top of the ornaments. This gives them added protection over the years. Use a pen to write the coordinating Name of God onto the back of the ornament. If you’re using these as a countdown you might also write in the day as well (i.e. Numbers 1-24).
You can then decided to hand these with a small ribbon (above) or to place on an advent tree with small nails (below).
Either way you’re sure to have created a meaningful tradition with your family each Christmas. Pair these ornaments up with the FREE Names of Jesus Advent Unit Study Here and you’ve got yourself a month long curriculum.
You could even turn all the ornaments around so that children can reveal a new name of Jesus every day until Christmas.
Print Your Own Names of Jesus Ornaments Free Here
Try our Christmas Activity Pack Today!
Filled with 40 pages of games, crafts, activities and worksheets for K-5 students.
Find More Free Christmas Printables Here
Ornament Bible Verse Printables
Preschool Christmas Printables
Pine Cone Science Printables
With Fall right around the corner, I’ve been trying to come up with as many hands on science printables as possible! One thing there always seems to be an abundance of around our property is pine cones. Pine Cones can be great learning tools in your classroom.
Pine Cone Science Printables This set includes a Cut and Paste Worksheet, Chart and Blank Labeling Sheet, Notebooking and Coloring Page. The pine cone clipart is also available for those of you who like to ake your own teaching resources, just be sure to read our terms of use first.
Learning Ideas: Start with a nature walk to collect pine cones, then take them back into the classroom. Submerge pinecones in water to watch them close up. Extract seeds from pine cones and then break open to look inside.
Instant Access to 77 Homeschool eBooks!
The 2015-2016 Homeschool year is on the horizon, and I want to make sure you see all the NEW resources in the 2015 Homeschool Omnibus sale! I know you’re super busy so here is what you need to know:
OMNIBUS FACTS AT A GLANCE
- 124 total resources: 77 eBooks and 47 MP3s
- Over 100 speakers and homeschool authors have included resources
- Total value is $754
- Cost is $25 (3% of the actual value)
- Sale Ends at 11:59pm PST on Aug 9th
So Which Titles am I Most Excited About?
Well, actually quite a few of them! I have children in multiple age brackets, Middle School, Elementary School and Preschool/Kindergarten so there is plenty I can put to good use from this bundle. My middle school aged child seems to be the hardest to find inexpensive resources for, so these are probably the one’s I’m most excited about. I’m really hoping she will build on her Geography skills this year so I’m especially excited about the following resources…..
The retail cost of these three products alone is $39.85!
The Homeschool Omnibus only costs $25….
and it includes 74 more eBooks and 47 mP3s.
It’s an amazing bundle sale that comes around only once a year!
If you have younger children you might take a peek at these titles when you flip through the Omnibus Catalog:
The retail cost of these five products alone is $46
The Homeschool Omnibus only costs $25….
and it includes 72 more eBooks and 47 mP3s.
It’s an amazing bundle sale that comes around only once a year!
You’ll Have to Hurry! The Sale Ends Soon:
Discount Homeschool Curriculum
The Build Your Bundle Homeschool Curriculum Sale is Here! This sale is HUGE and includes many popular curriculum publishers at up to 90% off. You can choose from over 19 pre-assembled bundles or your can Build Your Own Bundle here. I’m hoping to highlight some of my favorites for you this week but for now, here are some quick links to get you started:
Bundles by Grade:Bundles by Theme:
Be sure to take advantage of the Buy 2 Bundles Get One Free Offer!
Remember this sale comes around once a year for one week only:
Build Your Own Bundle Now!
Mother’s Day Freebie
Homeschool Buyers CoOp has a special Mother’s Day freebie for you through 5/13/2015 at 11:59 Pacific.
When you visit the Smart Points Vendor Hall you can choose one free eBook from about 15 different choices.
This is a great chance to pick up some free homeschooling resources for your kiddos.
I personally have used Write a Super Sentence, How to Teach Art to Children, and Daily Reading Comprehension with my children so I know these are REAL value freebies for you and would recommend taking a moment to grab them.
While you’re there I also recommend joining Homeschool Buyers CoOp, it’s free to join and you’ll score major savings on some top homeschool curriculum publishers. I’ve used this program to purchase quite a few resources this year including Wordly Wise Online, Mark Kistler’s Draw 3D, The Happy Scientist, TTRS Typing and more.
You can also join their affiliate program or refer your friends for Smart Points to earn credits towards future purchases. (All my links above earn me smart points when you join too!)
Human Heart Worksheets
I’ve just created some fantastic resources for learning about the human heart.
On our sister site HomeschoolClipart.com you’ll find a set that includes a human heart coloring page, worksheet, labeling sheet and reference chart just right for young children learning human anatomy. Click Here
Find More Free Human Anatomy Projects & Printables Here
USA State Birds Art Pack
I’m so excited to share our newest eBook!
This one has been a while in the making and I couldn’t be more happy with how it turned out.
USA State Birds Realistic Art Cards sample
Children can color their way through our Nation’s state birds with these fun and realistic art cards. Each bird is shown with it’s unique markings for children to copy and color their own. Each bird features a coloring card, visual fact card for children to fill in, and memory matching cards. This set include 27 different birds as many states have the same state bird.
$5.00
I recommend using United Tweets of America as a reference book but it is not required. The book has information on each of the state birds, but is done is a colorful and child friendly format. There is joking and silliness throughout the entire book. My daughter was laughing along as she read and constantly brought the funny parts to my attention. Alternatively, you can find many birding websites online for kids to find their facts.
While there are 50 states, many of them share a state bird so there ends up being 27 different state birds.
Our Art Pack includes pages for each of these 27 birds.
Each page features a fact card with coloring visual, a blank coloring page square, and memory matching cards.
I recommend printing on cardstock and using colored pencils for the art cards. (these woodless pencils are my favorite!)
Once children fill out the fact card and color the bird, each section is cut out to be used on a final project.
The coloring squares can be mounted to poster board, a classroom wall or even in a classroom quilt. Keeping a visual in the classroom is a great way to reinforce and build on knowledge.
Children love to see their work displayed and you can use the display as review before handing your child their next art card.
If you are using this within a traditional classroom setting, this is a great way for each child to contribute art work to a group project.
Fact Cards can be treated like flash cards or pasted into notebooking journals.
In a traditional classroom setting these cards also look great on the wall, and provide students the opportunity to read about the other birds.
Memory Cards are a simple tool that can be used as a fun way to reinforce the key facts.
They can be played individually as a match and label game, or collectively as a game of concentration.
In a traditional classroom setting, you can turn these into out of your seat activities, passing out one card to each child and requiring them to find their match!
(Do this after you have your classroom art boards set up so children have a reference)
 USA State Birds Realistic Art Cards details sampleChildren can color their way through our Nation’s state birds with these fun and realistic art cards. Each bird is shown with it’s unique markings for children to copy and color their own. Each bird features a coloring card, visual fact card for children to fill in, and memory matching cards. This set include 27 different birds as many states have the same state bird. $5.00
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 USA State Activity Notebook sample5o State Activity Pages: For each of the fifty states children map the location, capitol, landmarks, abbreviation, nickname, state flower, and state bird. Children color the state flag as well as the state flower and state bird with ample room to add interesting facts and notes. This activity pack includes two games to finish out your unit: USA Bingo & Roll Across America $5.00
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Shop ALL our Homeschool eBooks Here
Hidden Whiteboard Giveaway!!
Today we have an AMAZING giveaway from The Hidden Whiteboard!!
This is one of my favorite products and it makes homeschooling in our dining room so much more versatile.
Previously I had a 4′ by 3′ whiteboard that was constantly driving my eyes batty when ever we sat down for a meal:
You can read my entire Review of The Hidden Whiteboard Here but it’s easy to see why I love it. It contains the chaos by storing the whiteboard neatly out of sight.  I even got to choose what photo or artwork I placed in the frame.  (This is actually a print from a local artist here in Oregon)
Okay, so just for reference I paid $99.99 for my ugly whiteboard above which is 48 x 36.
The Hidden Whiteboard is available in different sizes and prices (This is the current pricing as of this post)
- 21 x 11.5 accepts 8×10 photo (Retail $79, Sale: $59)
- 27 x 15.5 accepts 11×14 photo (Retail $99, Sale $59)
- 37 x 21.5 accepts 16×20 photo (Retail $129, Sale 99) Â Â pictured above
- 45 x 31.5 accepts 20×30 photo (Retail $169, Sale $119)
Plus when you purchase this week you can use the  coupon code: Crafty10 for 10% off
$25 Gift Card Giveaway: Sallie Borrink Learning
It’s mid-April and you homeschool mom’s know what that means:
Curriculum planning!
I know you are probably knee deep in your Springtime lessons; busy hatching butterflies, pressing wildflowers and dissecting frogs….but I also know you’re silently thinking and planning about what curriculum you will use next year!
Maybe you’re looking for a fun but educational way to keep your kiddos learning over the Summer break?
We’ll today we’re blessed to offer you a chance to relieve some of that burden with a fun giveaway!
Sallie Borrink Learning is offering one winner a $25 gift card to her online store…..and her store is FILLED with high quality teaching resources for pennies on the dollar.
I am seriously in LOVE with her Fun Fact Cards series, and even more in love with the price!
Cards are a quick, flexible, colorful and fun way to expand your unit! Start building interest in your topic each morning with these 30 fascinating fact cards that go beyond the basics.
These cards are used multiple ways by teachers and parents in many grades. I love reading about all the different ways teachers and parents use them!
Quick Fun Fact – Read the fact card each day and store them in a small basket where the students can look at them again and again. Or keep the set on a ring.
Fact of the Day Bulletin Board – Read a fact each day and display the cards on a special bulletin board or foam board.
Hallway Display – One teacher displayed them on the hallway chalkboard outside her door so many students and adults could read them.
Calendar Pocket Chart – Put a fact behind each number on the calendar and have a different student take it out each day. You can then display on bulletin board.
Geography Extension – Put the cards on a wall map with a string that points to where it ties in.
Go Fish – Create two sets and use for a game of Go Fish.
Memory Game – Create two sets and use for a Memory Game.
Scavenger Hunt – Use the cards to create a Scavenger Hunt.
School Bulletin Board – One kindergarten class had two students take the fact of the day down to the office each morning, “teach†the fact to the office staff, and then display the cards on the office bulletin board for everyone in the school to see.
The cards are 3×3 and there are 6 on a page. I made them small so they easily slide behind your date cards on the calendar pocket chart. They are also a good size for small hands if using them for a game. I also made them smaller to find the balance between making them colorful, but not taking too much ink when you print them.
The cards are unnumbered so they can be used in any month and in any sequence. You can use all the cards in the set or only a portion. This provides maximum flexibility for the teacher’s schedule. Use one set all month or use parts of two sets depending on your needs.
Also included is a hyperlinked list of the relevant websites where the facts were located.
Click Here for All Fun Fact Titles
More Popular products from Sallie Borrink Learning:
Ready to Win?
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DIY Shabby Mirror Project
It’s been a while since I’ve tackled a “Mommy” project.
The weather has been cold, and it limits how much I can really do.
However, last month I picked up my very first jar of Chalk Paint.
American Paint Company  (color: Home Plate)
I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to try some, I’m just so frugal at heart and Chalk paint isn’t on the cheap side.
It is however on the quick drying side, and non-fume side, so I can use this paint indoors during the Winter.
So I forked over  a few extra dollars per ounce so that I would be able to continue my painting addiction hobby over the next few months.
I also decided that while I was shelling out the big bills that I would finally hit “purchase” on some other paint items that have been on my Amazon wish list.
Modern Masters Metal Effects  (Metalic Paints w/ Antique Patina)
I immediately fell in love with these paints. Â I tested them out on a few boards and came up with some quick wall art.
And look what they do to my boring old clay pots:
 
Anyway, armed with these paints I decided to get to work on something that has been bothering me for the past year.
My black plastic wall mirror.
I forgot to take a before shot, but that is pretty much what it looked like.
Black. Â Plastic. Â Man Cave style.
I bought it on sale because I needed a mirror, but I never quite liked it very much.
And it definitely didn’t fit in with ANYTHING.
Well, today I went to work on it.
 I started with one coat of Home Plate from American Paint Co.
TIP: When painting a mirror I always use computer paper instead of painters tape, it’s the lazy way but it works better for me, I can never get the tape to go on straight and you can usually wedge the paper under the sides so that there isn’t any paint seepage.
After I painted the entire thing, I gave the middle groove a second coat
Next I went around the outer edge, using a dry brush with Copper Paint.
I did it pretty splotchy, I want some white and black to show through.
I decided to paint the inner edge with Silver, I had some Martha Stewart Metallic Glaze  and that did the trick.
Then I took some Turquoise Paint and dry brushed it over the Copper.
(color: Beach Glass by American Paint co.)
Bronze Dry Brushed on the sides of the Mirror.
Are you keeping track, that’s silver, copper, bronze
Did I say Two Tone? Â I meant Three.
Three Toned Mirror.
I then went around the white area in the middle and rubbed in color that was left on all my brushes.
Since they were dry brushes, there wasn’t much paint, but I focused the turquoise in the corners and some bronze to darken up the white a bit.
(You can tell this isn’t an exact science right?)
I also used a rag and wiped away the paint in some areas to expose some of the black plastic.
It’s hard for me to capture a photo of the different tones in the mirror.
Here is a shot with lighting where you can see the different paint colors.
And here’s my Shabby mirror all ready for business
Much better then black plastic don’t ya think!
Be sure you check out all of our Shabby Projects Here:
Fungus….Ewwwwwe!
recently I’ve been noticing lots of different colors pop up in the yard.
So today,
as crisp and cold as it was,
we donned our hats and gloves,
and headed outside for a small nature walk.
We brought cameras, a small rubbermaid bucket
and we quickly captured Fall life all around us.
They were all so pretty that we spent all our camera batteries just taking photgraphs!
Some Fall FUNgus for you:
You can imagine how excited the children were as they found each new specimen.
We immediately took off for the library and found this wonderful book
called, Mushrooms of North America and it was filled with beautiful photographs
and information about each different kind of mushroom.
Over the next week, we will be notebooking in our journals about the variety of fungus in our area.
How fun that we can just step outside and marvel at God’s creation.
So glad we got Math worked out so we can have some more days like today!
