Wonderful Letter W (Alphabet Wall)

We had fun with the letter W a couple weeks ago (with other festivities and projects I am a bit behind in posts)! There is actually quite a bit to do with the letter W. There are worms (a family favorite), watercolors, watermelon, wheels, water cycle and more! We had some fun eating, crafting and playing with wagon wheel noodles so pick some up next time you are at the store. 

For the rest of the Alphabet, go HERE!

Enjoy this
Wonderful W for
(Seedlings ~ preschool age)...

What we did for the Wonderful Letter W?...

Flower Pot Bug Jar (Single Stem Idea)

My boys have me trained to inspect everything before it hits the recycle bin to see if it will be a good bug jar ~ we have a variety of tubs, cups and boxes piled in a cabinet just waiting for a bug to come our way. I am always trying to think of a more creative bug jar than just a plastic bottle with holes poked into it. So as I was rummaging through another craft cabinet I ran across some small flower pots that I have had for 10 or so years. My brain started churning on what they could be used for since planting flowers in small pots makes me crazy because you have to water them every time you turn around.

What I came up with is this….
Single Stem idea of Flower Pot Bug Jars for
Sprouts and Seedlings (toddler/preschool and elementary age)...

The Stuff	The Prep	The FUN!
Small flower pot Acrylic paints or permanent markers Paint brushes Empty water bottle Scrap of tulle (or small screen) Rubber band Small sponge Dirt (we used a scoop from the compost) Clipping from a plant or flower *optional – pretty pebbles or beads	Cut top and bottom off of water bottle Cut sponge into a small square and dip in water	1. Use paintbrushes and paint (or permanent markers) to make bugs (or whatever your kiddo wants) on the outside of the flower pot. Let dry. 2. Fill flower pot with dirt (or compost). 3. Clip a plant and stick in the center of the dirt (keep in mind it needs to fit inside the water bottle when it is put on top). Add wet sponge and pebbles/beads. *The boys also put some more water on top of the soil. 4. Put tulle on top of water bottle (w/ bottom and top cut off) and affix with a rubber band. 5. Go bug hunting! Our favorite for this bug jar are pill bugs (aka.roly poly)! 6. Place the bug on top of the soil and push water bottle into soil to create a Flower Pot Bug Jar! *you may want to add some soaked raisins or other fruit in the jar for the bugs to snack on. *make sure the bug gets let back into their “real habitat” after a bit.

More ideas…

Please BRAINSTORM your ideas/suggestions in the COMMENTS below for the Flower Pot Bug Jars!
Happy Crafting
~Sara

Wiggly Worm Painting (Single Stem)

Worms are a favorite of one of my boys (thanks to him you will probably find many more “bug” ideas on this blog). This idea came about in a funny way. My oldest (Hornet) an I were making up a sample Coffee Filter Butterfly for a Butterfly Playdate. A box of worms that we had bought earlier that day for Roly Poly were sitting right by us so naturally the idea came up to try and put the worms on the drops of watercolor. It was very fun and soon all of us were joining in on the fun! Just make sure you don't leave them i the paint for too long and give them a little rinse before putting them back in the soil.

Enjoy this Single Stem idea of Worm Painting for
Sprouts and Seedlings (toddler/preschool and elementary age)...

 
WORM PAINTING

The Stuff	The Prep	The FUN!
Paper Paint (water colors, tempera mixed with water, food coloring in water~this is what we used) Eye dropper or paint brush to apply the paint Wiggly worms (alive or gummy worms)	Prep the paint.	1. Put several paint splotches on a piece of paper with eye dropper or paint brush. *I have several bottles of watered down paint that we just squirt on the paper when using tempera paint mixed with water. 2. Add the worm or worms and let them do the work. *Warning – the worms may poo on the painting – this just adds to the giggles at my house. It can easily be wiped off when the painting is dry. *If you use gummy worms, just move them around in the paint. 3. Give the worms a quick rinse before you let them free (We just read at the back of Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold that the worms breathe through their skin so you better not let them be in the paint for too long and make sure you give them a rinse). 4. Let worms go, wash hands and let painting dry. *If you have a soft spot in your heart for worms do not do this worm painting or use gummy worms,  because there have been no tests performed to determine what the paint does to their little worm bodies.

More ideas…

Please BRAINSTORM your ideas/suggestions in the COMMENTS below for the Worm Painting!
Happy Crafting
~Sara