I teach religion to Kindergartners. I want a fun but easy and not a big mess craft idea for an advent wreath. In the past I have used small painters pallets, spray painted them green, hot glued fake greens onto it, rolled playdough into balls and stuck the candles in the playdough. Here is the problem...the playdough does not stick very well. And well I usually buy all these supplies myself. I am looking for something that is not going to cost me a ton of money. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I have looked online, I have found a couple things...but anything you have tried and would like to share it with me is appreciated.
A.,
When in a younger grade, we made clay wreaths with crepe paper wrapped round them (spiraled). The candles stood up well in them. One class used red pen to put berries on, and another glued on little red dots for berries. A ribbon or crepe paper bow finished it. They were small, but they used birthday candles.
Good Luck!
M.
hi A.... i have never made one, but how about this: use paper plates. you can cut out a circle in the center if you like. have the kids start bringing in empty toilet paper rolls (or paper towel, you can just cut them in half) for the candles. the kids can paint them easily a day or more ahead of time, or you can if you want. or just roll them into construction paper. then all you need are some little dishes of elmers glue, the kids dip the bottom of the "candles" into it and put them in place on the dish. then let them use crumpled up green tissue paper balls and glue them onto the plate for the greens. all you really need to buy are the plates and the tissue paper. just take the tissue paper and stack/fold and cut into little squares about 3" square should do it. they love crumpling them into little balls, they all can do it, its excellent fine motor exercise too. then just dip each ball into the glue and put it on the plate. you can use some red paper for berries too, and use yellow/orange for the flames on the candles, make a ball and twist the top into a point, or just cut the flames out of construction paper. have fun, D.
instead of play dough to stick the candles on, use that sticky poster stuff. I dont know the name of it but you can get it at stationary stores, you pull off a little bit and use it to stick posters to the wall. It will work perfect. I use it in candle holders to keep the candles upright.
Oriental Trading (www.orientaltrading.com) has great stuff much of which is precut and ready to assemble. It's easy and fun especially the foam crafts.
WHy not do a 2-D version instead? If they are only 5 years old, they may be just as happy to create a wreath onto/out of construction paper. Paste a candle on each day. Use glitter or other things if you want to make it more fancy. Or using card stock, you may figure out how to make 3-D wreaths out of heavier paper.
Instead of using play dough..... try using egg cartons. Just cut out each egg holder and hotglue each candle into one of those & then hotglue them to the wreath.
D.
In the one church I used to attend we did advent wreaths. We used a wreath form, made for advent wreaths, with the candle holders in them. Then the adults would wire on fresh evergreen trimmings. The youngsters would wrap garland around theirs. Some would even add fake holly leaves, and berries to theirs to make them fun, and festive.
Kasodi
I have one with construction paper that is fun to make and everyone seems to like it. Fold green 12"x18" construction paper in half the so the paper is 6"x18" then fold half again so you have 3"x18". Open to 6"x18" with fold facing you, open at the top.Cut lines like for a paper lantern, from fold up to 3" where the next fold line is and stop, continuing the full 18". When finished open and bring the 2 solid uncut pieces together so you have a triangle with 2 sides cut and 3rd solid. Keep together like a triangle, then join the 2 far ends to make a circle and staple. Lay it on its side, add paper candles and a bow or piece of red crepe paper twisted in the middle for a bow then staple. From Barb G.
Hi A., Glad to hear you teach religion. We need more of us. I now teach grade 7 but have taught first last year (all grades over 20+ hears) I find some nice, inexpensive crafts in the Oriental Trading catalog. (depends on how many you have in your class) I also make a simple advent wreath with a paper plate by folding it in half and cutting candles(from the center out, flame first) If you want a sample, E-mail me:____@____.com and I will send you one. Easy, no mess just color with crayon or marker. My best, Grandma Mary
Materials - small white paper plates (cut out center); leaves made from green construction paper; pink, purple, yellow foam.
Instructions - Glue leaves all over paper plate ring/wreath. Cut holes with hole punch thru wreath for candles. Cut pink and purple foam into candle shaped strips, a bit wider than the holes. Insert candles in holes - they stay up b/c they are foam. Make a small slit on the top of each candle. Cut out small "flames" with the yellow foam and make a small slit on the flames. Insert flame into candle, slit to slit. The flames will sit upright. The children can light the candles themselves each week by sticking in the foam. My kids loved it.
When I made advent wreaths in my first grade class, I used a sturdy matterial for the wreath. You can use which ever material you like or have access to. I used the large manilla filing folders (each folder made two wreaths). I used a stencil which I made myself to make all of them look the same in size. You or the kids can cut them out. The candles are done the same way. After the wreath and candles are cut out (and the candles are decorated any way you choose) fold the bottom of the candle, put glue on the tab, and paste it to the wreath. This will allow the candle to "pop up". To decorate the wreath, I used green tissue paper that the students were able to rip up and roll into balls to glue all around the wreath.
This is just an idea that can be modified to suit the needs and creativity of the teacher. Have fun and enjoy!
I am a nursery school teacher at my church and I just thought of an idea I am going to try this year - an edible wreath. I am going to using real dough with green food coloring and or sprinkles, pretzel rods or bread sticks for the candles, and then bake the dough. You can use candy corns stuck on the candles with frosting for the flames.
What ever you decide to make - good luck!
We did this in church for Sunday School last year...the round styrofoam/foam silk flower holders with the hole in the middle(you can get these at AC Moore, Walmart), plastic greens and birthday candles(we used all blue ones). This was easy and fun, and inexpensive. All age group kids were able to put these together. They were a good size and we put them into the freezer sized Ziploc bags to transport home. I have three kids and we put them all together on the dining room table for a centerpiece for Christmas.
