Toddler Craft Mother's Day Placemats
This activity is a great one for all ages because it can be adapted so easily by age. A placemat is a great gift for mom because it will be durable to withstand years as a keepsake. Also, you can use it to serve her breakfast in bed on Mother's Day!
For this activity, you will need contact paper, poster board or cardboard, paint, crayons, or markers, and any other crafting supply you may desire.
For One's and Two's: Let them have a free for all with finger paints. After they have completed their background painting on the poster board, use a contrasting color to make their handprints and write a special message on it. Their mother's will treasure the artwork and special handprints left behind! You can even add a little message or a poem if you like to. Once dry, cover the placemat with contact paper and your Mother's Day gift is complete!
For Two's and Three's: Let them color with paint, marker, or crayon, but give them a task to paint. Suggest to them to make a heart or a flower, something easy but that they want their mother to have. You can also have ready some pictures from magazines of favorite activities that they may want to add to the collage. At two and three years of age, they will be able to engage themselves in this activity. A handprint is still a nice touch, it is always nice to see how our little one's grow. Once the place mat is dry, cover it with contact paper and wrap up as the best Mother's Day gift!
For Three's and Four's: Try to complicate the concept just a little more for them. Tell them they are making a collage of all the things they like to do with their mother. Provide them with all the crafts, but let them cut out the pictures and supplies themselves. For older children, you will not need to prep the activity. Their attention span is greater and this activity may take them an hour or so. The great thing about it is that it will maintain their attention this long as well. Allow them to use several different types of mediums. Let them explore their options and try not to guide them too much. The finished project will be more special to Mom if she knows that they did it on their own and at this age it will be more special for your toddler if they complete it on their own too!
Happy Mother's Day!
Here is a favorite remedy for teething babies. Toddlers love washcloths. They constantly try to put them in their mouths during bath. Use them for a teether. Soak a clean washcloth in juice and place in a plastic bag. Freeze it overnight and then provide it to your child the next day. You will want to use a clear juice and let your child be outside. It is messy and sticky, youYou are trying to cook dinner, the rice is over boiling, chicken is burning, phone is ringing, and your toddler is screaming pulling at your legs trying to get your attention. You may have to give them a bath afterwards. However, it is a great way to soothe their gums!