President’s Day is quickly approaching, and with it comes the most excellent chance to teach your children about Presidents of the past and present. A great way to get the conversation started is to have some crafting fun! Take a look below at how to create two different fun and frugal President’s Day Kid’s Crafts. Each one is simple and inexpensive to make, yet the perfect craft for getting this important conversation started. Now let’s get crafting!
First, we are going to make an Abraham Lincoln puppet. To create your puppet, you only need a few supplies that you most likely already have around the house. Take a look.
Abraham Lincoln Puppet
Supplies needed:
Cardboard paper towel or toilet paper roll
Black, white, and red construction paper or craft paper
Penny
Craft glue
Scissors
It is always nice to begin this activity by talking to your child about Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln was notable for his work he accomplished even though he was raised poor and with little formal education. He was an advocate for equality, and has been memorialized on the American penny. Take a moment to look at the penny and see President Lincoln.
Directions:
1. Begin by wrapping the cardboard roll in black paper. Cut the paper to fit and secure with glue.
2. Cut a strip out of the black paper and glue it to the top of the roll, leaving about an inch above it. This way, the roll will look like it has a black top hat on as Lincoln wore.
3. Below the hat, glue a penny to act as the face of the puppet. Press firmly and hold the penny until secure.
4. Cut a triangle out of white paper. This will act as a vest. Finish by snipping out a small bow tie from red or multi color paper. Secure it to the vest and glue all pieces to the front of the puppet, right below the penny.
Your Abe Lincoln puppet is now complete. Why not look up the famous Gettysburg Address and have the puppet recite it?
Next, we are going to make a Patriotic Party Popper. This party popper is perfect when filled with gold chocolate coins, each reflecting great presidents of our time.
Patriotic Party Poppers
Supplies needed:
Cardboard roll
Red, white, and blue crafting or construction paper
Scissors
Tape
Gold chocolate coins
Before you begin you can talk about the colors of the flag and how these colors represent our freedom and patriotism. You can also take the time to look at the chocolate coins and identify the presidents on them.
Directions:
1. Begin by wrapping your cardboard tube in red crafting paper. Cut it to fit and secure it with a piece of tape.
2. Fold the edges at one side in. Secure it closed with tape.
3. Next, cut a thick strip of blue craft paper and wrap it around the tube. Secure with tape.
4. Embellish the tube by cutting out a white star (use a stencil or freehand as we did) and glue or tape it over the blue paper.
5. You can now fill the inside of the popper with the gold coins. If you wish to secure the popper shut, simply fold in the ends and secure with a piece of tape as you did with the first side.
These patriotic party poppers would look great on a party table or given as favors. Kids will love getting hands on and of course enjoying the treats inside. You will love that this is a frugal yet educational craft!
Celebrate President’s Day when you give these fun and frugal crafts for kids a try. It is sure to be something the whole family can enjoy!
Very cute ideas and easy to make with stuff already around the house. Love the party popper idea and can be used for other holidays too!