Wandering Wednesday {Sun}

This craft caught my attention because it opened up the paper towel roll.  To be honest, I'd never thought to use a cardboard tube this way.  Pop on over here to check out the full set of directions.  Now I need to think of some fun crafts we can do by busting these suckers open!

Cardboard Tube Space Shuttle

I mentioned yesterday that it was Space Day and in addition to our rocket, we also made a space shuttle. I don't have very good pictures of the shuttle because Cole was very cranky during the crafting process.  I should also mention that no sooner were we done with it and he puked all over our creation.  Needless to say, the shuttle got tossed in the garbage can in record time.

Space Shuttle Supply List: 1 paper towel roll, glue, construction paper, tissue paper, scissors

 Cut or tear your tissue paper into little pieces.  Cover your paper towel roll in glue and adhere the little pieces of tissue paper. While you're allowing the paper towel roll to dry cut out your shuttle wings and top triangle piece.  You're going to want to cut out 2 large triangles and 1 smaller one.  In addition, you'll need a piece shaped like an eye.

 Cut slits in the paper towel roll to slide your wings into.  Create a triangular cone (I used a stapler to keep it closed).

Glue your wings and rocket top on to the paper towel tube and allow to dry.

Book Suggestion: I Want to Be an Astronaut is a great book to introduce kids to the job demands of life in space.  If you're looking for a book to introduce the concept of an astronaut, or as a launching point for a discussion about what astronauts do, this is it.

Fluffy Sheep

 Sheep Supply List: 1 toilet paper roll, black construction paper, google eyes, scissors, glue, cotton balls, pipe cleaner

 Start by threading the pipe cleaner through the bottom of the toilet paper roll.  You will need to do this twice, in the front and in the back.  Trim the pipe cleaner to good leg length.

 Cover the toilet paper roll with lots of glue.  This was Cole's favorite part.

 Add cotton balls until your sheep is good and fluffy.

 While your cotton balls dry cut a circle out of your black construction paper and add google eyes.

Glue your black circle to the front of the toilet paper roll.

Book Suggestion: There are plenty of sheep shenanigans with characters Shaw and Apple in the book Sheep Out to Eat.  The tongue twisting rhymes and sheep adventures are sure to please your little shenaniganizer.

Cardboard Tube Snake

Since Thursday is St. Patrick's Day this is a great activity you can use to discuss with kids the history of the holiday.  According to legend, St. Patrick chased all the snakes out of Ireland.  This was a fun craft that Cole loves to play with.

Snake Supply List: 1 paper towel roll or 2 toilet paper rolls, paint, hole punch, google eyes, piece of red pipe cleaner, string or ribbon

Start by painting your cardboard tube.  Cole choose to mix black and blue with orange for his snake.

Cut your tube into 6 or 7 smaller pieces.  Cole wanted to try to cut it himself but it was too thick for him to do it independently.

Punch 4 holes on each piece of cardboard roll, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom.

To connect the piece of tube I used a clothing tagger.  Since I don't anticipate that many people have these laying around I would recommend using string or ribbon to connect your pieces.

Add your eyes and punch a small hole to thread the red pipe cleaner through as a tongue.

Your snake is now ready to slither around the house or outside in the grass!

Book Suggestion: Verdi by Janell Cannon has always been one of our favorites.  Cole's favorite part is when Verdi practices making a figure 8 in the air.  With beautiful vivid pictures and a heartwarming story it is one I consider a must read.

Carboard Tube Sailboat

Sailboat Supply List: 1 laundry basket, 1 wrapping paper tube, stickers, crayons, clear packing tape, large sheet of paper

Cut your paper into a right triangle and decorate with stickers and crayons.

Tape one side of the paper triangle to the cardboard tube.

Attach the tube to your laundry basket with tape and take your little sister for a ride around the house!

Toilet Paper Roll Snowman

Snowman Supply List: 1 toilet paper roll, white paint, glue stick, marker, scrap of orange paper, pipe cleaner

Start by painting your toilet paper roll white.  We were low on white paint this day, so our snowman isn't as white as he should be.

Draw on a mouth and eyes.

Apply glue around the top of the snowman and put the baby sock on as a hat.  Use the glue stick to also apply the orange scrap of paper as a carrot nose.

Finally, tie the pipe cleaner scarf around the snowman's neck.

Book Suggestion: A Snowman Named Just Bob is a great book about friendship.  A snowman comes to life to teach a little boy some important lessons.  The illustrations are so warm and inviting.  It is a favorite to snuggle up with a warm blanket and cup of hot cocoa.