Another Day, Another Penguin (Craft)

I had planned on using another story for our stART (story + ART) project this week, but after reading 365 Penguins, the younger girls (ages 4 and 5) wanted to do a penguin craft, and quite frankly, so did I.

Kaboose has a great, penguin, mosiac craft.

I've never known a toddler who didn't like to rip up paper strips, or a preschooler, who didn't love to snip them into tiny pieces. And, you can never have too much scissor practice (as long as it doesn't involve the curtains).



This craft also calls for tracing, which is wonderful for honing pre-writing, and hand/eye coordination skills.



You can find complete instructions, and a printable penguin template, by clicking the Kaboose link above. It's a pretty straight forward, snip, and glue kind of craft.



Since, Fromental's story involves 182 pairs of penguins, plus one blue footed fellow, named Chilly. I had the girls make one of their penguins a girl - E's, with the happy eyes, and bow on her head, and one a boy - C's and mine (can you tell which side I worked on?), crying, with the bow tie. C was not overly happy to make hers a boy.




As for blue footed Chilly, I found a darling, amigurumi, crochet pattern, from Lion Brand Yarn. I didn't have any light blue yarn, so I settled for blue eyes, instead of feet.

The children weren't too concerned about the substitution. In fact, I already have orders for 4 more, and one request for a purple version.

Fortunately, not only is it free, but it's a very simple, beginner pattern, typical of amigurumi. You do have to give an email address, to gain access to it. But, I haven't noticed my Lion Brand Yarn account generating much junk mail, so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Or, if you'd rather stick to literature inspired, children's crafts, there are plenty to be found at this week's stART link-up, over at A Mommy's Adventures.

It's great to be a homeschooler.